Thread breakage, lint and fuzz ........ :(
 

I'm working on my "All Machines Denim Quilt" again. It got put back while we did the ones for my Aunts.

I've been using each machine as I go to do piecing, and decorating. Well, I've decorated squares with every machine capable of some stitch other than SS except the Bernina 930, Kenmore 158-523, and a couple of the Japanese ZZ machines.
Right now I'm using my 500A with all 23 cams. I know I don't need the cams cos it already has lots of built in patterns that duplicate some of the cams.
However, the stitches made by the cams are just a bit different than the corresponding built in cam patterns, so I just use them anyway.

Now when you are decorating using patterns the machine goes through a lot of thread pretty quickly. So you can't always see a thread splice as it comes from the spool.

Bamm! Broken thread from a spool of Coats & Clarks machine quilting thread. Grrrrrrr ....
I rethread the machine, reposition my work. Do a couple more squares.

Then change colors and get set up again. I like to use light thread on dark denim and dark or bright colored on lighter denim.
So here I am sewing along happily minding my own business ..... BAMMMM! Busted thread. Check it out, another splice. Now I'm getting frustrated.
Rethread the machine, get going again ........... BAMM, not six inches later another bloody splice, but this one actually made it through the needle. A half inch of stitching later though the thread shredded in the needle and broke.
Rethread, finish the square. Really thinking of binning the rest of that spool.

When I went to pull the bobbin out I noticed the whole bobbin case area, hook, and feed dogs were covered with lint and fuzz.

Cleaned out the machine, sending derogatory remarks towards C&C for making such crappy thread.

Changed out the needle, just because. It was getting dull anyway.

So now I'm wondering, is there any thread readily available that is strong, clean, and doesn't have splices in it?
I've got a lot of squares to decorate and three splices from two rolls of thread has me really P.O.'d.

Joe

Yes .. as I was reading I was thinking "must recommend alternate thread!".

A few threads that I like because I don't suffer breaks (with exception of ummm ...operator error) and I don't suffer tons of lint (I hate lint and I will not buy a thread that throws a lot!)

Aurifil
Superior Threads (various types including King Tut, MasterPiece and Bottom Line)
Gutterman

Aurifil is by far my favorite. It's strong, it's a 2 ply so it's finer than most 50wt threads, and it has a very nice sheen to it. The lint is minimal. Gutterman is a smidge heavier than Aurifil but still a nice thread. Superior King Tut is also a little heavier than Aurifil and a smidge more on the lint side .. but no where near as bad as some that I've tried.

Aurifil is pricey and not easy to find. None of my LQS carry it and my online source has since gone out of business. I was lucky enough to know she was going out of business and I stocked up (seriously stocked up!) so I have not looked for a source for quite some time.

While I know that splices can happen ... I've never run into one. To run into two or more splices on the same spool is just plain shoddy manufacturing in my opinion.

The worst ... Connecting Threads Essential. I quilted what was probably less than 1 yard of thread and had to clean my needle area because there was so much lint I couldn't see my hopping foot. This was after spending a small fortune to buy all 12 colors of thread I needed for a project. I traded them all away on QB for fabric.

Hi Joe,
Sorry for your troubles! I don't like Essential threads...they aren't (essential), at least in my house. However, I do use Superior threads almost exclusively and I love them. King Tut is a fav, as is the newer Omni (poly-wrapped poly core) and Glide, 100% polyester also from Superior. I have had really good luck and low lint with all of these. In this day and age, to have to put up with spliced thread is just not necessary, and I won't do it. I have had a couple of manufacturers I have quit buying because of those kinds of problems...and I think C&C is one of them. Good luck!

I tried Coats and Clark on my mid arm Pfaff and had a terribe time with broken thread.....seems to work okay for piecing. I do love the Essential Pro from Connecting threads and my Pfaff does like it also. The c&c also linted a LOT where the Essential Pro is not a linty but is polyester.....but works good for me. I have not tried embroidery type stitches......

Years ago, Coats and Clark made excellent thread. But, not any more. :( The only thing I use it for now is to hand baste quilts and to zig-zag raw edges of fabric to be washed. When I'm finished with a batch of zig-zagging, I MUST clean out the bobbin area because it's so linty!

I use Presencia now. It's the only brand we sell in the shop.

I love Superior threads and use them a lot. I use aurafil when I can find it. One thing I heard at the Mid-Atlantic quilt fest last week was that a lot of companies are using the phrases 'egyptian' and 'long-staple' on junk threads. There was an overseas vendor there that had a ton of spools with no labels, and his booth signs used both those words....

Thanks for the tips on essential threads - was tempted after looking at the flyer the other day - I'll have to look to see the difference between essential and essential pro. I usually use Gutterman or Signature.

I use connecting threads for years. I haven't had any problems with breakage...haven't notice over linting, but I haven't been paying attention. Love all the colours and stock up when they are $2.19! It might not be the highest quality, but mid-range for sure.

you've got the answers I'd give for brand names, but for general information, look for anything labeled "Long (or extra long) staple"....the "staple" is the fiber used in making thread, and the longer staples mean stronger threads. fewer ends of fibers to shred and cause lint, etc.

On a limited pension, I had to look for an inexpensive supplier of thread. I ordered from this company and so far have been satisfied. The thread is not as hard finished as Guterman, but it's strong, non linty and comes in pretty colors.
http://www.threadart.com/c-64-polyes...ng-thread.aspx

I also ordered the varigated embroidery threads in polyester. They are very pretty and FMQ very well.
http://www.threadart.com/c-8-multicolors-polyester.aspx

I received free shipping as a Christmas special, too.

edit: I haven't tried on Miss Elna yet. That will be the test as she is a little selective. The 301 and the 15 clone are happy with these threads.

I'll be checking out the brands and types as time passes. I've not seen any threads that we have, or the local places have labeled "long or extra long" staple. But I will pay more attention to that as I buy new threads.

Joe

I like Connecting Threads Essential. Nice colors /cotton/ reasonable price and easy people to deal with. I have not had problems with thread breakage. I change needles often and clean my bobbin case everytime I put in a new bobbin. I also clean the feed dogs frequently and this seems to take care of any lint. I do not see that there is more lint than with any other cotton thread and I prefer cotton thread and all cotton fabric. Also use pure and natural batting that lies flat not packaged. I guess everyone just has to use what works for them and their machine. I have a Bernina and contrary to what the dealer says it is not fussy about thread.

I'm a fan of Guterman...they never fail me and I think they stitch beautifully. I also use large spools for white/black threading...and never run out.

We have quite a lot of Gutermann thread. My wife has so much thread it boggles the mind. Some of my machines have broken the Gutermann thread others love it. That was quite a while ago and I think I've pretty much gotten them sorted out now.

I does do the job I guess but I've found it to be somewhat weaker than a standard size 50 thread of yore. Since most of our machines are "vintage", "classics" and or "antiques" size 50 is what they were probably use for in their day.

The Gutermann size 50 seems thinner than the old American size 50. Perhaps the way they are measured.

Joe

Guterman has always been thinner, but it's strong which is my criteria and now that I've started quilting, there is some value in a thinner thread taking up less space in the seam after it's stitched. I am using old C&C on the top on the 15 clone and I see the difference when I press the seam. I also like a thinner thread in the bobbin on the 301 because it doesn't hold much thread to start with.

irishrose,

I've got to take a real look see at my seams. I haven't really given the space the thread takes much thought.

Joe

oh my gosh! I have SO much to learn, about quilting, old machines, thread . . . . . wow . . !

thanks for teaching so sweetly guys!

oh my gosh! I have SO much to learn, about quilting, old machines, thread . . . . . wow . . !

thanks for teaching so sweetly guys!

Joe, my heartfelt sympathy. The night before last, I was using my Singer 401 on a quilt and the same thing happened -- about fifty times and many swear words. As you know, the 401 and 500 are pretty much the same machine. I had quilted the interior with some thread from Thread Art, knowing it isn't the best thread. It did pretty well, not much snapping. When I went to bind it, being sure this binding would be great, oh my! Nothing but trouble. I changed threads - four manufactures. I cleaned out the tension, with which I have not had other trouble. I cleaned the already clean bobbin area. I adjusted tension, adjusted tension, adjusted tension. I changed needles several times, finally installing a titanium #16. I re-threaded so many times, cleaning out every part of that thread path. I could not get decent results with any stitch. That thread - every thread including 40 weight - snapped and frayed every minute or two. I oiled the machine. I did everything short of taking apart the tensioneer, with which there had been no previous problems. I used built in stitches and cams. I finally switched machines.

So I'd like to know too, what happened?

Aurifil is the best thread, according to what I've learned in thread construction classes. I do not use it on homeless quilts, which this one was.

Cricket

After I said the Thread Art embroidery thread was FMQ fine, I had a problem. It was coming off the spool in a spiral and wanted to twist around the needle on the 301. I have no way to install a spool horizontally on this machine, so I finally put it in a drinking glass behind the machine. That seemed to take care of the problem. I still like the strength and the sheen.

cricket, did you adjust the bobbin tension, too? I had to do that to two machines last week - a first for each. Joe says there are bobbin gremlins afoot.

Cricket,

I'd say just from your description that some of the broken thread or a piece of lint is stuck in your top tension. You might as well give up and take it apart and clean it thoroughly.

Gremlins are playing with our machines for sure.

Joe

No. The bobbin tension was fine. It did not need to be adjusted.

There are certainly some kind of gremlins afoot with the Singer 400 and 500 series. I usually have zero trouble with these machines.

Our 401A and 500A were both problematic when we got them. As I've used them I've de-bugged them. They are now two of my favorite machines.
My wife and I used to argue ( in fun ) over the 401, now I tell her the 401 is hers and the 500 is mine. No arguing, no fun either.

The only time I have had trouble with the 500 is with the stupid splices in the C&C thread or I threaded it wrong. Otherwise it's pretty non-picky.

Joe