Just the thought of the words “sewing machine” can be anxiety-inducing enough, but malfunctions and mishaps like a broken thread can be even more frustrating.
When this happens, you may feel like you’ll never be able to make it work, but don’t fret!
Sewing machine thread breaking is a common problem for the beginning sewer. There are at least a dozen reasons why your sewing machine thread keeps breaking.
Depending on the cause, you can easily fix this problem by adjusting your machine settings or replacing an inexpensive part.
Sewing machine needles, thread, fabric, and manuals are all items that are vital to the sewing process. There are many different kinds of needles that vary enormously in price and quality.
It is important you get the best needles for your sewing machine, just like you need the best fabric for your project. It is also vital that you learn how to use your sewing machine correctly and how to thread the machine properly.
Possible reasons for thread breaking
We’ve all experienced it – a sewing project that seems like it’s going well, until we notice that the thread has broken.
While your first thought maybe that the sewing machine is at fault, there are many reasons why thread could break, the most common being that the needle was moved from the fabric before it was secured properly.
Some sewing machines allow you to choose the type of thread that you are using. Choosing a thread that is a lower size than you normally would may cause the needle to move too fast for the thread to properly catch onto the bobbin thread.
Experiment with the different thread sizes to find out which works best for you.
It is frustrating when your thread keeps breaking when you are sewing. That is a sign that your sewing machine is not threaded correctly.
Your Sewing Machine Is Not Threaded Correctly
Come on, there’s no reason to continue using your sewing machine if it keeps breaking your thread, especially when there’s a super easy fix.
Before you rip the machine from the wall in frustration, take a deep breath and relax. All you need to do is thread your machine correctly.
Your Thread Tension Is Too Tight
All sewing machines are different, but one thing they all have in common is that the tension of your sewing machine is crucial to success.
If your tension is wrong, you might have problems with your thread breaking or the stitches being too loose.
Your Thread Is Poor Quality
When you are working on a sewing project and the thread keeps breaking, it can be super frustrating. To avoid the problem, you need to buy good quality thread.
Cheap thread is often made of inferior quality fibers that fray easily and break when you try to sew with them.
Two of the most important qualities you should look for are the thread’s tensile strength and its finish. Tensile strength is the amount of force the thread can withstand before breaking.
The thread with the highest tensile strength is made from polyester or nylon; look for a label that says “strong thread.”
You Are Sewing Too Fast
One of the most common sewing machine problems is thread breakage. When you sew, the machine’s needle will pierce the thread and then pull it through the fabric.
When this happens, the thread must be strong enough to support the weight of the fabric and the needles being pushed through it.
If you are sewing too fast, the thread may not be strong enough to support the weight of the fabric. This can cause it to snap or break. Sometimes, the thread will break before it can even make it through the material.
As a beginner sewer, you can not sew too fast. Thread breaks occur when a tension setting is too loose, which causes the needle to hit the bobbin case.
If your thread breaks frequently, you should tighten your upper tension to ensure more even tension. While many threads break during the first few sewing projects, with practice you will develop a feel for when to slow down.
The faster you move your machine, the less time you give yourself to make adjustments. And less time for adjustments means a greater chance of sewing mistakes.
The thread is too thick for the needle
It is frustrating when your thread keeps breaking while you are sewing. You get a hole in the fabric, and it is hard to finish a project.
Sometimes you can go out and find a different needle, but if that does not work, read on. There are a few things you can do to make your thread work.
The first thing you can do is make sure it is the right size. The size of the needle should match the size of the thread. If you have a thick thread, get a bigger needle.
Another thing you can try is changing the type of needle.
The needle is not inserted correctly
If your thread keeps breaking, then it is either the needle or your machine. The first thing to try is to change the needle. You can buy one at any sewing store.
It should be a size 80/12 for your machine. When you buy a new needle, it will have a little groove in the base. This groove is there for you to sharpen the needle on the needle file.
Sharpen the needle for this groove. The sharp edge helps the needle go through the fabric better. When threading the needle, make sure you are threading it correctly.
All needles are not created equal. You need to use the needle that came with the machine.
In Conclusion
Cleaning and oiling your sewing machine regularly will help prevent broken thread, as will using the right thread in the first place. Be sure to check with the manufacturer before using any different length or thickness of thread, even if it is the same type as recommended in your machine’s manual, as some manufacturers don’t recommend the use of anything other than their own brand.
