Last Updated on 11 months by Susan Mayrich
Have you ever started sewing a garment and after a few stitches, your needle starts unthreading?. It’s frustrating to have your sewing machine needle come unthreaded when you’re in the middle of a project.
Here are some reasons why your sewing machine thread keeps unthreading and how to fix them:
You’re Not Feeding Your Fabric Correctly
If you’re not feeding your fabric correctly and allowing it to move freely under the foot of your machine, then this could also cause problems with threading (as well as other issues).
The best way to avoid this sort of thing is to make sure that when you start sewing, you also start gently moving your fabric forward as well.
Your needle is not sharp enough
The main reason why your needle keeps unthreading when you begin to sew is that it has become dull or bent over time. When this happens, it becomes harder for the needle to get through the fabric and thread it correctly.
This means that you may have to push down harder on the foot pedal or push harder with your hands to get it through; however, this can also damage your fabric if done too often.
Incorrect Tension Settings on Your Sewing Machine
The other possible reason why your needle might be pulling out of its groove is due to incorrect tension settings on your sewing machine.
If your tension is set too tight or too loose, then this could cause problems with pulling out of place as well as breaking threads or damaging the machine itself.
The Thread Isn’t Threaded Correctly
The thread isn’t threaded correctly or has been broken off at the eye of the needle (the part where the thread goes through). This can happen if the thread itself snaps or breaks off, which can happen if it’s too long for your sewing machine and starts dragging against other parts of your machine.
If this happens, remove any excess thread from around the eye of your needle by removing it from its holder and gently pulling it out with tweezers or pliers until there’s only about 1/4-inch left attached.
You’re Using a Poor-Quality Needle
If you use a poor-quality needle, it will break easily and may not fit into the hole in your fabric properly. The end of the needle should be blunt and pointed, not sharp or flat. In addition, the eye of the needle should be large enough for the thread to pass through easily without getting caught.
The Thread Is Too Thick or Thin for Your Machine’s Settings
Different machines have different settings for different types of fabric and threads. Make sure that your machine is set up properly for the type of material you plan on sewing with so that it doesn’t break or jam while sewing.
The Needle Is Too Short
The thread is not properly threaded through the eye of the needle. The thread may be folded over or twisted, causing it to break when pulled through the eye of the needle.
The thread may also be too thin for your machine and will break easily when pulled through the eye of the needle.
Broken Thread
Another reason why your sewing machine needle keeps unthreading when starting is that the thread has become damaged or broken. This can happen if you leave your project unfinished and try to start again without removing the old thread first.
It’s also possible that you may have bent or kinked your top thread while carrying it across your material during stitching without realizing it was happening at all. If this happens, try re-threading with a fresh thread and be more careful next time.
The Thread Is Not Properly Wound Around the Bobbin
If your thread keeps unthreading when you begin to sew, you may be using a brand new spool of thread that isn’t wound correctly around the bobbin.
Make sure that when you put in a new spool of thread, it’s wound correctly so that it feeds smoothly through both areas (the top and bottom).
A Mismatched Spool
If you’re using a regular spool of thread and it doesn’t match the needle size, then you need to swap them out. Using a smaller needle with a larger spool or vice versa can cause tangling and other problems with your thread.
Thread Tails Not Long Enough
When you start sewing, you need to leave long enough tails of thread on both ends so they don’t accidentally get cut off during the process. If they do get cut off, it can cause problems down the road when you start sewing again.
Needle Not in Its Highest Position
If the needle isn’t in its highest position as soon as you start sewing, it will not go through the fabric properly. This can cause it to bend or break, which will make it difficult for the machine to move forward.
To avoid this problem, make sure that all needles are set to their highest position before beginning any project.
Thread Size Not Being Matched to Needle Size
If you are using a smaller thread size than recommended for your machine, this could cause your needle to bend or break because it was not designed for such small threads.
If you do use a smaller thread size than recommended by your manufacturer, be sure that it is still strong enough for your sewing machine’s needs.
