[danios]

Hey guys, sorry to post with another issue but my top thread keeps fraying and I can't figure it out. I adjusted the thread tension, replaced the needle, rethreaded the entire machine, etc. Still fraying. I tried both 69 and 92 polyester thread.

Any advice?

[DanTwoLakes]

Top thread or bobbin thread? The main thing that makes top thread fray is not putting the thread through the thread guide on the needle bar right above the needle. The thread flops around and goes down to the eye of the needle on an angle.

Also, if I remember correctly, you don't have the felt pad in place in the lower thread guide above the needle on your machine. That would help immensely also. I always put some sewing machine oil on the felt when I oil my machine.

[danios]

Originally Posted by DanTwoLakes

Top thread or bobbin thread? The main thing that makes top thread fray is not putting the thread through the thread guide on the needle bar right above the needle. The thread flops around and goes down to the eye of the needle on an angle.

Also, if I remember correctly, you don't have the felt pad in place in the lower thread guide above the needle on your machine. That would help immensely also. I always put some sewing machine oil on the felt when I oil my machine.

Hey Dan, thanks once again. It's the top thread exclusively. It frays right at the eye of the needle, then only some of the strands start passing through, then it tears completely. Made me think there is something wrong with my tension but I've been playing with it and doesn't seem to have any effect.

I've been using the thread guide right above the needle. I don't have that felt pad though (didn't even know one exists). Can I just fashion one? Essentially lay some felt or other fabric in there and lubricate it or is it not that simple?

Also to show I'm not a complete lost cause, attached is my first bench seat made successfully on my machine this weekend before this new issue. Needs to be fit a bit better but overall I'm happy.

[DanTwoLakes]

Yes, you can use a substitute for the felt, anything to keep the thread from flopping around, but get the real thing eventually.

[danios]

Originally Posted by DanTwoLakes

Yes, you can use a substitute for the felt, anything to keep the thread from flopping around, but get the real thing eventually.

I'll give that a shot. Also, just to check, what size needle should I be running? My manual says 135/17 so that's what I'm using. Is that correct for leather/vinyl?

[DanTwoLakes]

135 x 17 is the needle system for your sewing machine, it is not the size of the needle.
For industrial needles, the size is expressed usually with two numbers, an NM number, which stands for number metric, and a two digit number that is the Singer size number. Number metric is the size of the diameter of the blade of the needle (the area above the scarf and below the shank) in 100ths of a millimeter. The higher the number the heavier the needle, and the heavier the thread that can be used with a particular needle. I use a 140/22 needle for most everything, but I also use a 110/18 needle for finer work.
140 means the diameter of the blade is 1.4MM, or 22 on the Singer size scale. 110 means 1.10MM diameter and 18 is the Singer size. You should be able to find needle sizes from 100/16 to 180/24 for your machine.

[danios]

Originally Posted by DanTwoLakes

135 x 17 is the needle system for your sewing machine, it is not the size of the needle.
For industrial needles, the size is expressed usually with two numbers, an NM number, which stands for number metric, and a two digit number that is the Singer size number. Number metric is the size of the diameter of the blade of the needle (the area above the scarf and below the shank) in 100ths of a millimeter. The higher the number the heavier the needle, and the heavier the thread that can be used with a particular needle. I use a 140/22 needle for most everything, but I also use a 110/18 needle for finer work.
140 means the diameter of the blade is 1.4MM, or 22 on the Singer size scale. 110 means 1.10MM diameter and 18 is the Singer size. You should be able to find needle sizes from 100/16 to 180/24 for your machine.

Good to know. Mine say 125/20. Is that an inappropriate size?

[DanTwoLakes]

125/20 will work fine.

[stumpy1972uk1]

ive had this problem also , found it to be the underside of the foot that i had ordered from the usa , the edges where the needle passes through were still sharp , honed them down with a dremmel tool. ive also had it as dan says , too large a thread though a small needle. my toyota is a copy of the singer 111. ade