I have a Brother LS-1717 sewing machine and my thread keeps breaking. We've oiled it but it hasn't acted right for years, it hasn't seemed to matter what the settings are on or what type of thread I've used... I've been thinking about beating it with a baseball bat, but hubby says he wont buy me a new one. It hasn't acted right since I made a comforter for him using thick material that was the faux fur bottom and cotton top.

first let's deal with the needle becoming unthreaded, Keeping the needle threaded is easy, always keep thread tails of 3 to 6 inches on the top thread & bobbin at all times, & make sure the thread tail are pulled behind the needle before you start to sew,, this will ensure that the thread will not come out of the needle when you start to sew.

you mention the fabric is thin,, do you have a needle that's right for the fabric your sewing?
thin fabric needs a different needle than blue jeans fabric, check your top tension & see what the setting is on, usually 3 to 5 is good.

when the needle & thread are right for the fabric then the sewing is good.

also clean under the needle plate & bobbin area for loose threads or lint

also it's a possibility that the machine could be out of time & would need to be serviced by a sewing machine repair shop-as they have the tools for the job

hi Patricia.
It could be the needle, the tension too tight, mis-threading, the thread weight.
try these links out and see if it helps you.
Sewing Machine Problem 1 Thread Breakage
Sewing Machine Thread Keeps Breaking
Why Does My Thread Keep Breaking While Sew
FAQs Troubleshooting LS 1217 Others Brother
Brother LS 1217 Mechanical Sewing Machine upper thread keeps on breaking...

it's called a hook cover,, I have one on my machine
try these 2 website for the part

sewingpartsonline.com
sewvacdoctor.com

If the timing is a bit off this could also be causing the thread to break. lf you've had a good attempt at getting the two tensions right and not having any joy, then it could be timing is just out a little.

I'm assuming that its good quality thread and same top and bottom and that you've checked the thread paths for any places where it could be catching/jamming etc already.

If machine has been at least 2 years since a service then might be time to take it for one.

Change needle--flat side goes toward back of the machine
Clean under needle plate where feed dogs are for lint
Clean bobbin area for lint or loose threads
Check tension 3 or 4 is usually good
watch the thread take up lever --some machine have a problem that the thread comes off the lever

make sure the needle & thread are compatable
Cut 6-8 inch piece of thread of the spool you are going to use for your project
Take the needle you are going to use for the project
& insert the thread thru the eye of the needle
& lift one end of the thread to a 45 degree angle
& if the needle is the right size for the thread it will slide down the thread
But if the needle hangs on the thread you need one size larger needle for the thread

Go to www.brother-usa.com and download a free manual and you can make the diagrams larger on your computer screen and see it really well.Then save it to your computer and print it out, so you always have it.

You really need a replacement manual and Brother is excellent about providing them. Go to http://www.brother-usa.com/manuals/ if your machine was sold in the U.S. If not, you'll need to contact Brother International.

Loose thread and jams usually mean the tension needs adjusting. If the loose threads are on the underside of the fabric, it means that the tension on the top thread is too loose. Be sure to have the pressure foot down when you adjust the tension and only move the dial a tiny bit at a time. Also, when you begin sewing, hold the top and bobbin threads securely in your left hand for the first few stitches. That bit of tautness helps prevent 'birds nests'.

Hope this helps!

Robbie

Be sure that you have a new needle in your machine, and make sure that there isn't a piece of material stuck in the bobbin area.

the tension is too tight give it a little slack on the top.good luck.

Make sure you are threading the machine correctly and it has the proper tension. Also check the bobbin the thread has to go thru the little lash