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?
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?
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.
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?
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.
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 elizgmom
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.
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.
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.