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Rose Pauly Posted on Aug 11, 2012
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Needle keeps breaking when quilting

I ran over a safety pin and now my needles keep breaking and my foot has a burr in it. How can I fix this?

2 Answers

Debbi's Sewing Machine Repair

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  • Bernina Master 7,365 Answers
  • Posted on Aug 12, 2012
Debbi's Sewing Machine Repair
Bernina Master
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The machine needs to be taken to a sewing machine shop & be
checked to see if it has jumped time,, a sewing machine shop
technican has the tools to retime the machine & the foot needs
to be filed to get rid of the burr on it.

Rick Beament

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  • Bernina Expert 166 Answers
  • Posted on Aug 28, 2012
Rick Beament
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Check that the needle is coming down in the centre of the needle plate hole - both side-to-side and front-to-back. If it is, take out the bobbin, carefully move the needle fully to the right by gently just pushing on the needle bar. Rotate the handwheel towards you until the needle goes down through the needle plate and just starts to come up. Stop there. Tip the machine back slightly and open the hook retainer (the black plastic part that holds the hook in - unlatched on the left-hand-side), but DONT take the hook out. Continue to rotate the handwheel slowly towards you and you will see the point of the hook (shuttle) rotate clockwise and disappear behind the needle. Stop before the point emerges from the right-hand-side of the needle and check that the point of the hook is just above the thread hole in the needle. If it is a long way above or below, the timing is out and needs adjusting by a Bernina agent. If the needle is hitting the hook, this is also another adjustment that needs to be made by a decent Bernina agent.Another, much simpler reason for needles to get broken is if you pull/push the material through the machine. If using the feed-dogs, dont ever pull/push the material ... just guide it and let the machine do the work; if doing free-hand embroidery with the dogs down, be gentle and dont go at it like a maniac !!!

  • Rick Beament Aug 28, 2012

    SORRY ... I've just noticed that your question refers to a 180 which is a rotary-hook machine, not CB, so my above comments are irrelevant except regarding pushing/pulling material, but still worth checking the centring of the needle through stitch plate and also you might just check that there's no 'chinking' noise when you rotate the handwheel - this can sometimes indicate that the needle is hitting the hook/shuttle.

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1 Related Answer

anneja

  • 17 Answers
  • Posted on Aug 15, 2010

SOURCE: The needle thread on my bernina minimatic keeps breaking.

There is special thread for denim/jeans. It usually comes in shades of brown. It's a little heavier and might help with the breakage. You might also want to try a little less tension. I assume you already have a Schmetz denim needle?

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0helpful
1answer

My machine keeps on breaking the thread

You don't state which thread is breaking, so will assume it is the top thread.

AVOID using old or bargain bin thread!

Remove the thread.
Install a brand new needle.
ALWAYS RAISE the presser foot and rethread from the beginning.
Verify the thread path is correct.
Set the top tension to the midway point (this may need to be tweaked for your individual machine).

If it still breaks, then the thread may be catching somewhere, perhaps on the needle plate or in the bobbin area. When a needle deflects, it will sometimes strike somewhere and cause a burr or rough spot. That rough spot will then catch the thread and cause it to break or shred.

Wrap your index finger with a fine piece of scrap fabric like chiffon, nylon knit, or silk. Then run your finger around the surface (top & bottom) of the needle plate and in the bobbin area. If the fabric catches, there is a burr. Also check the hook/shuttle as this where a lot of burrs are located. If it is a small burr, it can be smoothed with a fine emery board or emery cloth. It the burr is large, the part may need to be replaced.

Sewing Machine Problem 1 Thread Breakage

Sewing Machine Thread Keeps Breaking

http://www.servicethread.com/blog/stop-industrial-sewing-thread-breaks
0helpful
1answer

And second problem is It keeps jamming when sewing little And thread keeps cutting too out of needle Sew empty stitching

If thread is breaking at the needle, change the needle. It could be damaged and snagging the thread. However, if there is a burr in the needle plate, that could be catching and breaking the thread. Try different thread. Be sure to ALWAYS RAISE the presser foot when threading. Verify the thread path is correct and that each thread is seated completely in the tension disk. The tension may be too tight.
0helpful
1answer

Kenmore mini ultra The top thread breaks off from needle after a few stitches. The bobbin seems to Be catching the top thread. Thank you. ??

If the top thread sews a few inches and then breaks, something is catching the top thread and holding it until it breaks. Usually, this will happen when using the old style thread cones with the slit in the edge to keep the thread from raveling off the spool. To prevent the thread from hanging up, turn the thread spool over so the slit is at the top instead of the bottom. Sometimes top thread breaks will happen if the thread becomes looped around the thread spool pin.

Remove the thread, ALWAYS RAISE the presser foot and then rethread the upper thread. Verify that the thread path is correct and that the thread has not looped around a guide.

If the thread is fraying at the needle eye, the needle/thread are not compatible. Also, the tension may be too high.

Check that the upper tension disk is clean--no gunk buildup or thread pieces stuck.

If the thread is actually breaking when it penetrates the needle plate hole, there may be a burr or nick somewhere below that is catching the upper thread. You can wrap your finger with a piece of fine fabric, like an old pair of hosier, fine knit fabric, etc. and running your finger around in the bobbin area, under the needle plate. If you get snags, then you have a burr or nick. If it is small, you can sometimes smooth it with a fine emery board. If it is a large burr, you may need to purchase a replacement part.


Why Does My Top Thread Keep Breaking Sewing Machine

Sewing Machine Problem 1 Thread Breakage

Sewing Machine Thread Keeps Breaking

...
0helpful
2answers

I am quilting with a new needle with Aurifil thread. Every bobbin change I clean the machine. Why does the top thread keep breaking?

A couple of other things to check--

Be sure to use a a good brand needle (no bargain bin varieties)--most quilters prefer quilting, embroidery, or top-stitch needles. Check that the needle eye is compatible with the thread weight. If the thread is shredding where it goes through the eye, the thread is most likely too heavy for the needle.

Confirm the thread path is correct. When threading, be sure to ALWAYS RAISE THE PRESSER FOOT during the process. This releases the tension disks so the thread will seat properly.

Make sure the thread is not catching on a nick or burr somewhere along the path. Thread spools with the little nick in the side for securing the thread during storage are famous for catching and breaking the thread during stitching.

Check that the tension is not too tight.

Also perform a test for nicks or burrs in the bobbin area. Wrap your index finger with fine fabric, ie chiffon, old hosiery, etc. and run your finger around to see if there are any rough spots on the needle plate, hook, etc.

Aurafil thread is used by a lot of quilters, however, some machines just do better with different brands of thread. If it continues to be a problem, you might test another brand.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwj2prvlr-7MAhVmVWMKHS0zBuAQFggjMAE&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.schmetzneedles.com%2Flearning%2Fpdf%2Fschmetz-needle-chart.pdf&usg=AFQjCNHTR52AmqwzvyCjbXmD5Ch52Va5_Q


All About Needles

Sewing Machine Problem 1 Thread Breakage

Sewing Machine Thread Keeps Breaking

Why is my thread breaking

..
0helpful
1answer

Needles keep breaking when embroidering.

Needle breaks

1.the needle is damaged

2.the needle is not correctly inserted

3.wrong size needle for the fabric

4.the wrong foot is attached

5.the needle clamp screw is loose

6. Top tension is too tight

7. Machine could be out of time
0helpful
1answer

Needles keep breaking when i quilt, its like they dont fit or too long quilt expression 4.0

Needle breaks
1.the needle is damaged
2.the needle is not correctly inserted
3.wrong size needle for the fabric
4.the wrong foot is attached
5.the needle clamp screw is loose
6. Top tension is too tight
7. Machine could be out of time
0helpful
1answer

Janome 1600 thread shred and breakage

could be a bad section of the thread
check for burrs around the needle plate area and also in the bobbin
area and on the thread guide close to the needle.
The needle thread breaks
1. the needle thread is not threaded properly
2. The needle thread tension is to tight
3. The needle is bent or blunt
4. The needle is incorrectly inserted
5. The needle thread & the bobbin thread are not set under the presser foot when starting to sew
6. the threads were not drawn to the rear after sewing
7. The thread is either to heavy or to fine for the needle
0helpful
1answer

Thread breakage on Juki TL-2000Qi

There are a few reasons the top thread may break.
- Check the needle plate for damage around the needle hole. Polish any burrs with fine sand paper or a needle file.
Check the hook for damage. If the hook is damaged it can cause the thread to break as it comes off the tip. Be very careful if you must remove burrs from the hook. Changing the shape of the hook tip will cause skipping problems.
Check that the top tension is not too high. The top tension should be set at a medium number
Burrs on the needle plate
Burrs on the hook assembly
Bobbin tension is too tight


0helpful
1answer

I have a Janome 1600P DBX. The needle is installed correctly but the thread on top keeps breaking or skipping stitchings while free motion quilting? the quilt shop says it is not out of time. I have...

Is it a new needle? a dull needle or one with a burr on it can cause those problems that you mention.The kind of needle you use is also very important. I like to use a 70/10 or 80/12 jeans needle depending on how thick the thread is.
0helpful
1answer

Thread keeps breaking

With the foot in the down position, can you pull thread through without any hangups? And I'm assuming it's the top thread you're speaking of. The other obvious thing to look for is any burrs or deformations on the hook. Any needle strikes or other rough spots will cause thread to break quickly. Also look at the needle plate for rough spots.
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