Thread breaks

Stitching out a design can prove to be frustrating when experiencing an abundance of thread breaks, so in an effort to help my customers here are a few things to keep in mind.

1 - Are you getting thread breaks on all needles or is it isolated to a particular needle? 

• If you are getting thread breaks equally on multiple needles the problem could be from:
•  poor hooping or incorrect stabilizer
• the bobbin is in correct - make sure that when it is in the machine it unwinds counter clockwise
•  the presser foot could be too high
•  a poorly digitized design
•  a burr on the needle plate
• an incorrect setting in AMAYA OS - make sure you are stitching on auto instead of standard. 
• least likely... your hook timing could be off.

• If just certain needles are giving you problems start by:
•  checking the thread path and make sure the thread isn't getting stuck under the cone or wrapped around the thread tube
• using good thread (I like Iris polyester thread from EnMart)
•  make sure the thread is coming off the cone smoothly
•  the machine is threaded properly
•  the needle is installed properly with the thread guide to the front.  
• If everything looks okay with each of these things then try putting in a new needle... sometimes that does the trick.

To be honest, the biggest problem I see when people are experiencing a bunch of thread breaks is a poorly digitized design, especially when stitching small lettering or after re-sizing a design.  If I have done your training, remember that I suggest that you not make a satin stitch less than 1.5 mm wide. You can check the length of the stitches with the ruler tool in any level of DesignShop.  If you are not sure if the design is the problem, the easiest thing to do is load "1day.ofm"; this design is well digitized and has all three stitch types.   This simple test will let you know if the problem is with your machine or with your digitizing.