| What causes frequent thread breaks?
There are a lot of causes for thread breakage, and tension is usually
the first thing that people change to correct them. Unfortunately
that's almost never the cause. Here are some things to check when
thread breakage becomes a problem:
 | Threading
 Improper
threading can cause the thread to loop around the spool pin, drawing
it tight until it snaps. Sometimes the thread will catch on the
purple piece that thread loops under during threading (See picture
at right.) If you sew this way, the thread will cut a notch into the
plastic, causing the thread to catch every time you thread the
machine.
Thread may also shed in the thread path, leaving "clots" of lint.
These can greatly increase tension, or in some cases reduce tension
to nearly zero, depending on where they are located. Because
disassembly may be required for removal, you should consult your
dealer if this is suspected.
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| Burrs and Rough Edges
Sometimes a caught thread will pull the needle, causing it to
break. This can leave rough edges or sharp burrs on the presser
foot, needle plate, bobbin case or hook race. (The hook race is the
round metal "basket" that the bobbin case sits in.) Whenever
frequent thread breaks are occurring, the needle plate should be
removed and the following checks made (These checks should also be
made whenever a needle break happens):
 | Presser Foot (Especially embroidery foot P)
Remove the foot from the machine and examine the needle hole
carefully. Even a small nick can create a sharp enough edge to
cause thread breakage. Very often the thread will only break when
doing embroidery and the hoop is moving in a particular direction.
Burrs on the embroidery foot P will also cause loops to appear on
top of embroidery.
|
| Needle Plate
Check carefully around the edges of the needle hole. Even
small nicks will cause thread breakage. If the hole cannot be
smoothed with a small file or fine sandpaper, replace it.
|
| Bobbin Case
Examine both the top and the bottom of the bobbin case. It
should be very smooth, with no rough edges. Sometimes when the
thread gets caught, the bobbin case will be popped up and will be
turned so the hook digs into the side of it and/or the needle goes
through it. Any such damage must be completely smoothed out, or
the case should be replaced.
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| Hook Race
Check the shine metal "shelf" that the bobbin sits on very
carefully. Often a needle strike on this area will leave rough
edges that break thread. Hold the tip of you fingernail against
the surface while slowly turning the hand wheel. If you feel a
catch anywhere along, the machine should be seen by a dealer.
Small rough areas can be polished out, but sever cases may require
replacement.
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| Bobbin
When winding a bobbin, it is imperative to leave no "tail"
extending from the hole on top. Even a short length of thread
extending from this hole can catch on the needle thread, causing
thread breaks, needle breaks and/or bobbin case damage. Poorly
manufactured bobbins may also have burrs or rough edges that can
cause breakage.
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| Machine Speed
While most embroidery can be done at 800 stitches per minute,
Janome Acrylic Embroidery Thread is likely to break at this speed.
It does best at 600 SPM or below. This is also true of most metallic
threads, and often with black thread. The dye process is so hard on
the thread that it may damage the fibers and make them brittle.
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In cases where the cause of the thread breakage cannot be
determined, consult your dealer. Bring all of the materials that you
have been using, including thread and bobbin.
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