The Upholstery Forum

Sews fine for 20 stitches, but then this:

Chris,

Your image is not showing on my screen.

Try this https://imgur.com/gallery/AypCwqs

I can see that.

That's not a twist, it is a fray. The eye of your needle is too small for the thread, so it wears the thread as the thread travels back and forth through the eye. Eventually, some of the fibers break and the thread frays and bunches up above the needle.

Try going up a needle size or two and see what happens. One way to select a needle is to put a needle on the thread and hold a couple of feet of thread taut and at a 45-degree angle. If the needle sort of walks down the thread it is probably a good size for the thread. If it slides freely it is probably too large; if it doesn't move at all it is probably too small.

I have found that different threads of the same size can act quite differently with the same size needle. Bonded vs non-bonded, nylon vs poly, etc. Some experimentation is necessary.

Edit to add: You should also examine the entire thread path for anything that could shred the thread, particularly the thread guide just below the needle clamp.

Thanks, I’ll give that a try

Here is a pic of the needle clamp eyelet. It has a notch in it, I assume should not be there...

What is that part called?

I don't know if that notch is supposed to be there or is the result of 100 years of wear. ;^) I suspect the latter.

That part is the Needle Bar Thread Guard and I think the part number is 4302. They cost about $6.

Here is a current e-bay listing from sharpsewing. They are local to me and I have used them in the past. They are pretty good. I get stuff fast because they are so close, YMMV. It's kind of a bummer to order one $6 piece from a place; do you have a local shop?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEEDLE-BAR-THR ... Sw~y9ZKaaL

Edit: Another option - https://www.singeronline.com/thgu4.html

I believe the notch was created by a mishap we had when initially testing the machine.
The pressure foot fell off while sewing and the needle snapped, I suppose when it hit the foot. Guess it was not tight when we took delivery.
I one on order. I needed another part, the pressure foot lever, which was broken when we got it so its not that bad.

Thanks for your help!

That is caused by an abrasion somewhere along the thread path. I dont believe that notch is supposed to be there. My guess is that is your problem.