Apron Strings
 
Advanced Beginner
GA USA
Member since 12/21/07
Posts: 128 |
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Date: 1/16/13 10:59 AM I (am LUCKY as ALL) to have a babylock enlighten. I break needles no matter what stitch. I only sew home dec stuff lately-so the fabric is really thick.
I am using sharp, new, serger needles.
I had a sewing tutor tell me I controlled the fabric too much on my sewing machine. So, I am trying to hold it less on my BL-but still broken needles.
(is it just me re: controlling the fabric?) I feel like if I don't guide it it won;t sew straight. I always use the foot pedal.
Help.
I mean, I break three needles PER project.
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As a mother of three....I'm sewing my way to sanity. |
Julia C
Advanced Beginner
NV USA
Member since 7/1/07
Posts: 912 |
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In reply to Apron Strings <<
Date: 1/16/13 11:11 AM What size needles are you using? I can see breaking needles if your needle is too fine for your project or if you hit a pin. Otherwise, you probably are trying to pull/push your fabric through the needles too much. Are you supporting the fabric on something so it is not dragging? That would put extra pressure on your needles also. |
PattiAnnJ
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OH USA
Member since 12/3/06
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Date: 1/16/13 11:17 AM Pulling the fabric can cause breakage as can a needle too small. This motion can also cause the timing to go off and that requires a trip to the shop for resetting.
Guiding is okay, in fact necessary.
Organ is the brand that usually comes with the new BL machines. However, I also use Schmetz in my Imagine serger. These are sewing machine needles.
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biochemistress
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VA USA
Member since 11/8/05
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Date: 1/16/13 6:31 PM You may be trying too hard to guide the fabric through the serger. The moving parts in sergers are incredibly tight; it's amazing they go as fast as they do when any little thing can ruin the whole machine. Holding the fabric loosely in your right hand to make sure it's cutting the right amount is one thing, but you can't guide it as tightly as through a sewing machine. The only time I really guide fabric on a serger is when I'm coming up to a curve or corner.
If you think you're over-controlling it, try small scraps and just let them go through without ANY guiding. Don't even touch them. Check with your dealer if the fabric really goes wonky, but I bet it feeds perfectly straight. |
MaryDB
Intermediate
WA USA
Member since 2/9/08
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Date: 1/16/13 11:11 PM This exact thing started happening with my Imagine just recently, after years of trouble-free use. I, too, thought it was something I was doing wrong (wrong needle? Do I have it in right? Am I feeding the fabric wrong?) until the little holder piece and screw behind the right needle simply fell off and won't go back on. :(
The soonest I can get it into the dealer to fix it is Friday.
Take yours in - it shouldn't be doing this.
I'm wondering if it wasn't the timing all along. Anyway, it's going to cost me at least $170 to find out! |
PattyGee
Intermediate
MN USA
Member since 11/12/03
Posts: 465 |
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In reply to Apron Strings <<  1 member likes this.
Date: 1/17/13 0:53 AM I am a new owner of the enlighten. Only thing that might be an issue other then using a larger needle (size 14 cf) is you may need to lessen your pressure on your foot. I have made three garments with mine and had to adjust it for a thicker fabric and it took care of the problem. The needle would have probably broke for me but I changed the pressure and had no other problems. I am a newbie to this machine, but maybe that might be a possibility.
Otherwise, when that happened to me on my last serger it was the timing and a broken stitch plate. HTh
-- Edited on 1/17/13 0:57 AM -- ------
Patty
Bernina 530, Bernina 200e with upgrade 730, Elna Quilter's Dream, Elna 434 Coverstitch, BL Enlighten Serger and Juki TL-2010Q. |
PattiAnnJ
Advanced
OH USA
Member since 12/3/06
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1 member likes this. After a little more thought - why are you using a serger for such heavy weight fabric?
The purpose of a serger is for overcasting the edges of the fabric to prevent fraying or to give a clean edge.
Save your serger's life and trips to the dealer's ER and serge the individual pieces first and then sew the seams with a heavy duty (vintage or industrial) sewing machine.
-- Edited on 1/17/13 3:56 PM -- |
SandiMacD
Intermediate
FL USA
Member since 2/8/09
Posts: 1050 |
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Date: 1/26/13 2:58 PM Do you know how to lighten the pressure on the presser foot? The white round indented one? Take a coin and move it counterclockwise to loosen it and clockwise to tighten it. When serging bulky items the thickness requires a different pressure to keep it feeding through straight.
I took a black marker and made a line so I knew the factory default setting.
The fabric should be feeding through relatively straight. Does your dealer offer lifetime classes or lessons or help?
If everything checks out you might want to ask if you can sign up for a dealer run class and serge in the class with the materials giving you problems.
The instructor might know what is causing the problem.
-- Edited on 1/26/13 3:02 PM -- ------
re-living my youth through sewing... |
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