In the Forums

Register

Today's Posts

Search

Get the Weekly
Inkling
newsletter





Previous Issues

Splitcoaststampers's privacy policy

Get Social

Splitcoaststampers on InstagramLike Splitcoaststampers on FacebookFollow Splitcoaststampers on TwitterPit Splitcoaststampers on Pinterest

Sponsored Ads


 
Splitcoaststampers.com - the world's #1 papercrafting community
You're currently viewing Splitcoaststampers as a GUEST. We pride ourselves on being great hosts, but guests have limited access to some of our incredible artwork, our lively forums and other super cool features of the site! You can join our incredible papercrafting community at NO COST. So what are you waiting for?

Join the party at Splitcoaststampers today!

Reply
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old 01-21-2011, 03:46 PM   #1  
Insane Embellisher
 
elizgmom's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 762
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Sewing tips needed

Hello! I just bought an inexpensive, small sewing machine so I can add some stitching to my products. My thread keeps breaking when I sew. Does any one have any advice on how to avoid this? Any other tips for sewing on paper?

Thank you in advance for your help!
__________________
Cheryl

Please visit me at my blog.
elizgmom is offline  
Tweet this Post! Share on Facebook Reddit!! Pin on Pinterest! Share on Google+!
Reply With Quote Likes
Old 01-21-2011, 05:00 PM   #2  
Polyshrink Goddess
 
ValH's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Camrose, Alberta
Posts: 622
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

all I can suggest is to use slightly heavier thread. If you are using 100-weight, thread can break easily. Maybe try to find an 80 or 70 thread. I'm definitely not a seamstress, so I can't think of anything else.

Someone else will come up with better advice.

Val
ValH is offline  
Tweet this Post! Share on Facebook Reddit!! Pin on Pinterest! Share on Google+!
Reply With Quote Likes
Old 01-21-2011, 05:05 PM   #3  
Gabfest Goddess
 
KatyLynn's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 7,095
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Your tension might be set too high...Also, make sure that it's threaded correctly.
__________________
~Katy~
My Blog
KatyLynn is offline  
Tweet this Post! Share on Facebook Reddit!! Pin on Pinterest! Share on Google+!
Reply With Quote Likes
Old 01-21-2011, 05:28 PM   #4  
Inking Addict
 
sewsew's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Yes Katy is right check that your tension isn't too high and that the thread is "seated" correctly in all the tension disks/guides.
__________________
Ann Marie
Sometimes seamstress Sometimes CardMaker Mostly Mama
sewsew is offline  
Tweet this Post! Share on Facebook Reddit!! Pin on Pinterest! Share on Google+!
Reply With Quote Likes
Old 01-21-2011, 05:57 PM   #5  
Stampin' Fool
 
isewquilts2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: wisconsin
Posts: 1,400
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Is it the top thread or the bobbin thread that is breaking?

If the top thread--check to see that you have the machine threaded correctly, and also check the tension as other posters have noted.

If the bottom thread--you may need to wind another bobbin to try....or check the bobbin casing to make sure there is nothing preventing the thread from unwinding correctly.
Are you using old thread? What kind? Some poly/cotton blends are just plain junk.

Did your machine come with an instruction booklet? Any troubleshooting tips in it?

I can come over if you want! ;)
isewquilts2 is offline  
Tweet this Post! Share on Facebook Reddit!! Pin on Pinterest! Share on Google+!
Reply With Quote Likes
Old 01-21-2011, 06:31 PM   #6  
Insane Embellisher
 
elizgmom's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 762
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Hey Joy!

Thank you for your help. The book that came with the machine is rubbish. It tries to use pictures to explain everything but the pictures are almost impossible to see (small and dark). The top thread is the one breaking. I THINK I have it threaded right based on what I can see of the book, the numbers on the machine and what I've googled. I am going to try the tension tomorrow. It could be the thread is junk. It is new, but it was cheap (from Walmart). It sews for a while (like half way around the card) and then snaps.


You're always welcome to come over but we had better get the machine working before we start the 'tini's.
__________________
Cheryl

Please visit me at my blog.
elizgmom is offline  
Tweet this Post! Share on Facebook Reddit!! Pin on Pinterest! Share on Google+!
Reply With Quote Likes
Old 01-21-2011, 07:07 PM   #7  
Die Cut Diva
 
iamvics's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Rochester, WA
Posts: 3,964
Received 159 Likes on 99 Posts
Default

Check the spool and make sure the thread isn't catching in a notch. When using a spool of thread with a notch, the notch should be facing up.

Vic
iamvics is offline  
Tweet this Post! Share on Facebook Reddit!! Pin on Pinterest! Share on Google+!
Reply With Quote Likes
Old 01-21-2011, 07:25 PM   #8  
Stampin' Fool
 
isewquilts2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: wisconsin
Posts: 1,400
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I'll pop over on saturday after our morning butt-kicking. We'll figure it out. I'll bring some good thread to see if that makes a difference.






Quote:

Originally Posted by elizgmomView Post
Hey Joy!

Thank you for your help. The book that came with the machine is rubbish. It tries to use pictures to explain everything but the pictures are almost impossible to see (small and dark). The top thread is the one breaking. I THINK I have it threaded right based on what I can see of the book, the numbers on the machine and what I've googled. I am going to try the tension tomorrow. It could be the thread is junk. It is new, but it was cheap (from Walmart). It sews for a while (like half way around the card) and then snaps.


You're always welcome to come over but we had better get the machine working before we start the 'tini's.
isewquilts2 is offline  
Tweet this Post! Share on Facebook Reddit!! Pin on Pinterest! Share on Google+!
Reply With Quote Likes
Old 01-22-2011, 05:42 AM   #9  
Die Cut Diva
 
lylacfey's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,986
Received 261 Likes on 130 Posts
Default

If you have a Janome Sew Mini GinaK has a couple of great tutorials to teach you how to thread and check the tension on the machine.

Here are the links:

A Day in the Life: Janome Sewing Tutorial 2- Threading the machine

A Day in the Life: Janome Sewing Tutorial 4- Now we're sewing!

When you said the instructions were rubbish that gave me a big old red alert, lol. The instructions were rubbish with the Janome Sew Mini.

If you have a Singer Pixie I don't want to be the mean one here but it's not a good machine. Cheap made and breaks easily. The other mini machines have the same design as the Singer Pixie.

I hope that helps.
__________________

lylacfey is offline  
Tweet this Post! Share on Facebook Reddit!! Pin on Pinterest! Share on Google+!
Reply With Quote Likes
Old 01-22-2011, 05:50 AM   #10  
Die Cut Diva
 
shazsilverwolf's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Worcestershire, England
Posts: 3,700
Likes: 0
Received 14 Likes on 8 Posts
Default

It is probably the thread quality- I had this when I once bought a big pack of different coloured thread quite cheaply, as I thought it would give me a wide choice of colours. When I tried a better quality thread, I had no problem. BTW, blunt needles can also cause this, as can the needle being fitted the wrong way round.
shazsilverwolf is offline  
Tweet this Post! Share on Facebook Reddit!! Pin on Pinterest! Share on Google+!
Reply With Quote Likes
Reply






Posting Rules
You may post new threads
You may post replies
You may post attachments
You may edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off