If Your Sewing Machine Breaks Thread

Thread breakage is one of the most frustrating problems for anyone that sews. There are several problems that can cause the thread to break on a sewing machine, and most can easily be repaired yourself.

Needle Thread Breakage

If your sewing machine breaks the top thread while sewing, the first thing to do is change the needle. If this does not solve the problem, try the following suggestions:

• Change the thread and use only high quality thread. I once spent hours trying to repair a sewing machine that would break the thread after sewing a few inches only to find out that the spool of WalMart thread was bad. (I know, check the simple things first!)
• If the spool holder on your sewing machine is mounted horizontal, be sure to use the spool cap that came with your machine.
• Starting at the spool holder, check each thread guide that the thread goes through. Look for burrs, scratches and lint build up.
• With the presser foot down, unthread the needle and pull on the needle thread. It should pull through with a moderate amount of tension.
• Inspect the needle plate, looking for burrs and needle marks where the thread passed through. If the needle plate is burred, replace it.
• Remove the bobbin case and shuttle. Inspect the shuttle for burrs or other damage. Rub your fingernail around the hook point of the shuttle. If the point is rough or sharp, replace the shuttle.
• While the shuttle is out of the machine, clean the shuttle raceway and lightly lubricate it.
• Reassemble the machine and test.

Bobbin Thread Breakage

Bobbin thread breakage on a sewing machine is less common and can be repaired by checking the items below:

• Is the bobbin bent? Put the bobbin on a spool pin and pull thread from it, looking for any wobble in the bobbin as it turns. If the bobbin is bent, replace it.
• Check the inside edges of the bobbin. If there are burrs on the bobbin, replace it.
• Insert the bobbin into the bobbin case and pull thread through it. The thread should pull freely, with only a slight amount of tension.

These simple steps will repair the most common problems that cause thread breakage.