Thread Problem

[tom offner]

To start with I am a novice at sewing. I have a Seiko 8bld-3 and it sews great with #69 nylon thread ,when I try to sew with #135 polyester it seems to fray and jamb up. I have a #22 needle installed.The thread I have, I got from a boat top maker. can the thread get old? I have read about thread needing to be lubricated but I wouldn't think this lighter thread would need this . also I do not have any tension on the top thread because it is real tight without any Thanks for any information

[Chief31794]

Thread can get old. Not all thread is lubricated or if the lubrication has "evaporated" it may fray. I would be concerned if the top tension is "real tight" as you said with no tension on it. It sounds like the thread may not be threaded on correctly or it may have gotten wrapped around something. I've had thread get behind one of the tensioners and wrap around the post. Just something to check. There could also be a burr on your needle or something like that.

Chief

Edited May 29, 2014 by Chief31794

[tom offner]

Thanks Chief 'ill check my machine to make sure its threaded correctly and get a spool of new thread to see if it helps

Tom

[JLSleather]

If the TOP thread is "tight" without any pressure on the top tensioning, that sounds like an issue with your BOBBIN tension (pulling the top down hard). Increasing the top tension should LOOSEN the top thread. Ahh.. maybe I'm misunderstanding your issue...

[Ed in Tx]

Is the thread size actually a #138 not a #135? I haven't seen a #135 thread for sale on the Thread Exchange. On my Cobra 4 machine the manual calls for a needle size of 23 for #138 thread. I assume the needle and thread sizing is somewhat universal so possibly your needle size could be creating the fraying. I made that mistake before using a larger thread than I should have with the needle I was using and had a problem with fraying.

Just a thought.