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Member since 11/12/10
Posts: 40
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Posted on: 5/13/11 9:25 PM ET
Hello, everyone!

I recently started to have some problems with my normally obedient Kenmore 158. It's an older model, but it's always been good to me before. Just recently, my upper thread has started to fray and then break. When it frays, it sort of pushes back one of the strands of the thread, which piles up above the needle, while the thread below the needle gets thinner and thinner until it snaps.

At first, I thought it was the cheap thread I as using. I switched to Gutterman and Coats and Clark Cotton, and it frays less often, but still happens. I've oiled and brushed it as well, but no dice.

I'm mostly sewing light- to medium-weight linen, if that helps.

Here are the changes I've recently made:

--Switched from a Singer needle to a Schmetz Universal (I've swapped several Schmetz out, on the off-chance that I got a bad one, but the same thing happens. Is the thread fraying because the eye is too small? I've never had troubles with these needles before!)

--Sunk my foot pedal into a stack of foam mats so it's 'level' with the flat foam surface. (It was hurting my foot to co## it back to use the pedal, so now it's easier to depress. Am I sewing faster and increasing the friction on the thread because I have better access to the pedal?)

--And finally, I noticed a burr on my presser foot from where a needle nicked it. I sanded it off best I could, but perhaps there's still a sharp point there? (If I could find a replacement for the presser foot, I'd order it in a heartbeat!)

If anyone has any guesses as to what I should do, I'd love to hear 'em! I have a rush of sewing orders to get done before mid-June, so I'd love to resolve this problem myself instead of taking the machine somewhere to get serviced. I'm not utterly sunk if I can't fix this-- we have another machine-- but this one is my favorite and the one I'm most used to.
-- Edited on 5/13/11 9:45 PM --
  
Member since 3/24/10
Posts: 1949
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Posted on: 5/13/11 9:30 PM ET
I would guess the foot is your culprit.
Is it a super high shank machine?
Which foot got nicked?
Do you have a different one you can try out?

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Member since 11/12/10
Posts: 40
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Posted on: 5/13/11 9:40 PM ET
From what I understand, it is a super high shank machine, yes. Since I got the machine secondhand, I only have the one foot it came with-- the zigzag foot.

I've seen adapters for sale that modify super-high shanks to take snap-on feet. If anyone's used one of these, I'd love to hear about it!
  
Member since 5/27/04
Posts: 3769
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Posted on: 5/13/11 9:45 PM ET
In reply to VolcanoMouse
Is the needle in backward?
------
"A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous.”
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Stash Sewn in 2011 148.5 Yds
Stash Sewn in 2012.... counting...

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Member since 3/24/10
Posts: 1949
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Posted on: 5/13/11 9:55 PM ET
Does the foot have a B on it?

------
http://www.acdc-vintage.com
This one, that one, and a bunch of other ones!
(though the herd is getting more streamlined)
  
Member since 2/12/06
Posts: 2679
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Posted on: 5/13/11 10:11 PM ET
On one of my older machines I use to have that problem when the upper tension was out of whack or something was impeding the flow of the thread through the machine. Just a suggestion.

Debbie
  
Member since 2/19/10
Posts: 144
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Posted on: 5/13/11 10:25 PM ET
In reply to VolcanoMouse
Quote: LittleBrownBird

I've seen adapters for sale that modify super-high shanks to take snap-on feet. If anyone's used one of these, I'd love to hear about it!

I have one of what is sold as a super-high shank adaptor. However, it doesn't really work. It doesn't adjust for the slant so the presser foot is not far enough forward.

If you look on eBay you can get a bunch of feet in the "box" that is marked "Attachments and Monogrammer" You might have to verify first that it is for super high shank machines. That how I came by my complete set of super high shank feet.

I have two Kenmore 158 series machines. I really like them! Is your thread unspooling freely? Do you have the thread on a felt disc? Maybe a thread stand might help it unspool better now that you are sewing at higher speeds. Or you could place it on the table behind your machine.

It could well be the foot. I've seen the super high shank feet on sale individually on eBay as well. What model do you have?
-- Edited on 5/13/11 10:26 PM --
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Kenmore 158.14101
Juki MO-735
Juki TL2010Q
  
Member since 8/24/02
Posts: 6374
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Posted on: 5/13/11 11:25 PM ET
In reply to VolcanoMouse
A few thoughts, I have a 20+ year old Kenmore and have had the needle thread fray in the past.

Have you cleaned the bobbin case? Take it right our and clean the whole area, put a dab of oil on the felt.

Are you using the correct bobbins? Metal or plastic which ever your machine needs?

Are you using the same thread in your bobbin and needle? My 20+ year old Kenmore frays the needle thread if I have cotton in one and poly in the other.

Have you checked that the entire thread path on top is clean and free of burrs and bits of thread?

Have you tried to turn over the spool of needle thread so it comes off the other way?
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Living life to the fullest.

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Member since 8/29/06
Posts: 5755
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Posted on: 5/14/11 0:08 AM ET
In reply to VolcanoMouse
What's the rest of the model #s? It should have #s after the 158 to indicate the exact model.

If it has a vertical thread spool make sure the thread has not wrapped around the spool pin under the spool. The needle size could be too small for the fabric/project. The needle eye could be too small for the thread used.

ETA: Just remembered seeing pictures online somewhere of a needle plate that did not have burs...but actually had a small crack in one the little openings that wasn't visable with the presser foot up. When the presser foot was down it changed the level of the crack and thread was catching on it.
-- Edited on 5/14/11 0:35 AM --
  
Member since 12/3/09
Posts: 982
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Posted on: 5/14/11 0:19 AM ET
I had fraying issues, then put in a new, fresh needle. Also, if your needleplate has any nicks in the groove they can tear up thread. You can dremel them down to where they aren't toothy anymore. Your needle hole could be too big for the thread also. I'm suree you will get lots of help from others. Good luck. I have a few Super-High-Shank Kenmores. The adapter does not work because of slant. They may be a little harder to come by, but they do eventually come along. Don't forget, it's garage sale season !!! Bert
  
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