by Gerry Murphy Mack
I spent an hour threading and re-threading my Serger. One thread kept breaking after a few stitches. I looked at my Serger book for the proper way to thread the machine. I was doing it correctly but the tread continued to break. Needless to say, I was very frustrated.
I packed the Serger in its carrying case and took it to the Sewing Center. I knew Sandy, the owner, would help.
I put the Serger on the counter and told Sandy about the problem. Sandy checked the spools of thread, looking to see how each spool was placed on the holders. There was my problem. The problem thread was hooked between the two joining sections of the spool stand, causing it to break after a few stitches.
MY TIP: Begin by checking each spool of thread, at the spool area, continuing through the entire thread area, to the needle, to make certain each spool is on its’ holder properly.
In my case, the thread breaking was not caused by improper threading, but by the fact the thread was caught between the two spool holder stand sections.
Ah, Gerry, you’re singing my song. Can’t believe how many times I have nearly wept from frustration when all I had to do was go back to the beginning and re-thread.
I’ve not used my serger for several years because the thread kept breaking. I can’t wait to check this out and see if that’s my problem too. Thanks
Good idea for all machines not only the serger. A lot of time its the thread which is the last thing we usually check for
How easy it is to miss what should be the obvious and to waste so much time looking in the wrong places. Glad you made the effort to get it checked properly. xxx
It also pays to check that the spool itself is smooth. I once had thread repeatedly breaking and discovered that there was a nick in the spool which was catching and breaking the thread.
Thanks so much for this tip. I too have had trouble with threading my serger and usually give up in the process. I love the serged seams but hate to “fight” my machine to get the proper results. I will put your tip to work tomorrow.
Thanks again.
DO THEY CHARGE FOR FIX IT?
YOU KNOW IF THE NEEDLE ISN’T THE CANAL IN FRONT OF YOU MADE THE SAME THING CHECK IT OUT
MERCEDES
Sometimes it is so simple but we can’t see it because of our frustration.
I think the golden rule is to close down the machine as you did, then come back to it much later, when I bet you would have seen the problem – it’s a bit like reading copy – best read and edited in another session. BTW, I have had a very similar occurrence with my 16 needle Amaya XT.
My problem isn’t thread breaking, it is looppers unthreading. I serged perfectly, put the serger away, next time I tried to use it the looppers kept unthreading.
If nothing else, misery loves company! My response to this kind of problem is walk away for a while, weather it’s pattern instructions that don’t make sense or threading issues. Better than throwing things…my other response! LOL
Hi I had a problem like this too on my new serger. I spent hours rethreading. Brought it to the dealer and it turned out that the thread I bought new with the serger was defective. She swopped out the thread and it was perfect. So try other spools of thread also it may not be your threading. Suzanne
I love my serger (Babylock with the air threader). Though it is hard to admit, every problem I have encountered has been caused by user error. Example: I was attempting a 2-thread cover stitch, but the looper thread would not sew. I must had rethreaded about 20 times. Then I read the directions. For the lower thread on a cover stitch, you must allow a much longer “tail” of thread as it must be pushed further through the machine. It was simply too short to catch. Did I feel foolish! When I followed the directions it worked perfectly.
Also, if you have repeated thread breakages, it may be the thread itself. I had that problem while machine embroidering. I tried every adustment possible and then finally changed the thread, which fixed the problem. I have heard that thread can get brittle with age and I guess this one did.