MegaQuilter Breaking Threads

[Jeanne A.]

I have a viking megaquilter. I have been practicing free motion and have a lot of trouble with the needle thread breaking frequently.
I had the machine cleaned and serviced - he said the settings were all perfect and nothing wrong with it. I've tried new needle, different needle sizes, different threads and needle combinations and still no luck. Help!!!

[Margo C.]

Sometimes there can be a tiny burr somewhere along the thread path that causes the thread to be stressed and break. If you can find some sanding thread at a hardware store you can floss along the thread path and that may smooth it out.
I used a lot of monofiliment thread for years on one machine before I realized that it had actually worn a groove in one of my thread guides that was causing other (heavier) threads to break, and I had to replace the last guide before the needle. This is NOT something that most machine techs check for!

You might also want to check your tension. Start with your bobbin tension and then adjust your top tension to get a good stitch. If you aren't sure about adjusting your tension, you will find lots of great information here: http://www.superiorthreads.com/education/

[Mary R.]

I had a Megaquilter a few years ago and found that when it was on the frame, I had to lower the top tension. Try lowering the top tension incrementally until the thread stops breaking, but also check your stitch appearance top and bottom. I also found some threads worked better than others. If I used Superior Threads King Tut on the top, I used a #16 topstitch needle and Bottom Line in the bobbin. Topstitch needles are the best as they put less stress on the thread. Hope this will help.

[Jeanne A.]

Sometimes there can be a tiny burr somewhere along the thread path that causes the thread to be stressed and break. If you can find some sanding thread at a hardware store you can floss along the thread path and that may smooth it out.
I used a lot of monofiliment thread for years on one machine before I realized that it had actually worn a groove in one of my thread guides that was causing other (heavier) threads to break, and I had to replace the last guide before the needle. This is NOT something that most machine techs check for!

You might also want to check your tension. Start with your bobbin tension and then adjust your top tension to get a good stitch. If you aren't sure about adjusting your tension, you will find lots of great information here: http://www.superiorthreads.com/education/

Thank You so much for the tension info!!!! I lowered the bobbin tension a bit and also the top - seems to be the solution!!! Yeah!!
Any books that you would recommend for smoeone learning free motion ona domestic machine?
I also love your tutorials!

[Jeanne A.]

I had a Megaquilter a few years ago and found that when it was on the frame, I had to lower the top tension. Try lowering the top tension incrementally until the thread stops breaking, but also check your stitch appearance top and bottom. I also found some threads worked better than others. If I used Superior Threads King Tut on the top, I used a #16 topstitch needle and Bottom Line in the bobbin. Topstitch needles are the best as they put less stress on the thread. Hope this will help.

I heard that topstitch needles are the best but Viking recommends to use the system HLx5 needles. Did you use a regular topstitch needle?

[Margo C.]

Sometimes there can be a tiny burr somewhere along the thread path that causes the thread to be stressed and break. If you can find some sanding thread at a hardware store you can floss along the thread path and that may smooth it out.
I used a lot of monofiliment thread for years on one machine before I realized that it had actually worn a groove in one of my thread guides that was causing other (heavier) threads to break, and I had to replace the last guide before the needle. This is NOT something that most machine techs check for!

You might also want to check your tension. Start with your bobbin tension and then adjust your top tension to get a good stitch. If you aren't sure about adjusting your tension, you will find lots of great information here: http://www.superiorthreads.com/education/

Thank You so much for the tension info!!!! I lowered the bobbin tension a bit and also the top - seems to be the solution!!! Yeah!!
Any books that you would recommend for smoeone learning free motion ona domestic machine?
I also love your tutorials!

So glad that helped!!
Check out Alex's book: https://alexandersonquilts.com/cart/...8&cat_id=2

My favorites:
Diane Gaudynski's books: http://www.amazon.com/Guide-Machine-...129&sr=1-1
http://www.amazon.com/Quilt-Savvy-Ga...129&sr=1-2

or check Youtube videos for "machine quilting" for tons of free info!

[Mary R.]

If I remember right, I used Schmetz topstitch needles, usually a 14/90. The larger enlongated eye worked well for me. Bob at Superior Threads recommends these.

[Mary R.]

I just started using my MegaQuilter and the threat is constantly breaking, the machine also catches on the quilt and doesnt move. What am I doing wrong. I am so frustrated right now. The machine is brand new and I am wishing for my Bernina back to do the quilting!!! ARggh :?

And what kind of threat should i use?

[Mary R.]

I have a mega-quilter and had to sit down for an afternoon and learn to adjust the tension for the thread I was using. I used only Superior or YLI threads because the cotton threads left so much lint in the bobbin race that this impaired the movement of the machine and I had to clean it frequently. The other reason my thread would break was using the wrong needle. I used Schmetz 90/14 and 100/16 topstitch needles. I suggest you look into the Yahoo mega-quilter or grand-quilter groups. I learned soooo much from owners of these machines from all across the country. Good luck! Terrina

[Carolyn o.]

I am a member of the Pfaff Hobby Grand quilter group on yahoo.which is the same machine as the Mega quilter, the Inspira needles top stitch are recommended by the group leader.
I use my machine to free motion all the time, something you might consider if this is all you will use this for, remove the feed dogs. instead of using the plate to cover them up.
Be sure to put the screws back in the holes and remember where you store the feed dogs. I put them back in when I want to paper piece. Just a thought.