Thread shredding or breaking

If you have thread that is shredding or breaking they are most often caused by the items below:

• Bent needle
• Damaged needle – needle has been damaged – hit or deflected off something and now has a small burr which catches and damages the thread.
• Defective needle – a needle that in manufacturing ended up with a small burr, deformity, or defect that catches the thread and damages it on the needle point.  See note below.
• Bad thread – old, rotten, cheap, weak, poor quality, etc.
• Upper tension is too tight
• A thread guide with a defect, burr, nick or groove, which may cause thread damage. 
• Pushing the machine too fast or too slow causing fabric damage, needle damage or needle collisions. (outrunning stitch regulation)
• Thread mast not over center of cone.
• Incorrect size needle with thread.

Note: Because we are doing freehand sewing, moving the machine over fabric held in place on the frame, it is possible to pull or push the thread under the needle, thereby "sewing over or into the thread". The needle point actually hits and pierces the thread, damaging it. A needle with a good or polished point can greatly help reduce this problem. 

If you have checked these common causes and are still encountering shredding or breaking thread, your machine may need to be re-timed by a Handi Quilter retailer. 

1. Upper tension is too tight. 

2.

3. Old or poor quality thread. 

4. Burr on hook. 

6. Burr on needle bar thread guide. 

7. Lint in thread guides or tension disks. 

8. Needle in backwards or not in the 6:00 position. 

If you have checked these common causes and are still encountering shredding or breaking thread, your machine may need to be re-timed by a Handi Quilter retailer.