Help With Metallic Thread

[Beverly]

We're having some trouble with metallic thread. Thread breaks and bobbin breaks. We're trying to sew on X-mas stockings, not the real fuzzy kind. Sorta like felt. Tried different material thickness, presser foot setting. Using auto density. Pull comp is at 130%, auto density, and using brush script. Any help will be greatly appreciated! Also hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!

[Body Cover]

I am assuming that the lettering is decent sized not 1/2 inch or less. than I would try a bigger needle with a bigger eye, and 80/12, I would slow the machine down to the 800s, use all the settings you talked about, but on brush script especially, th stitching in the corners gets very tight and there is to much thread on thread action that mettalic can't handle as well as other threads. Go back in and under the column settings maks sure that short stitches is turned on. I would also use a center walk underlay and have my density at around 4.5 or so. Metallic is thicker and it covers better than regular thread so you can get away with less density,
Without seeing what it's doing it's hard to say but try a few of these tricks and let us know if any work.
Good Luck.

Ron
Body Cover

[Steve]

Bigger needle may not be needed depending what brand of thread you use. I use Isamet and do not need to change needles. I also set my density at 4.5 for metallic thread and run it a little slower than regular thread. I usually run it at 550-600spm and it runs fine, anything over 750-800spm will cause it to break. Speeds will vary depending on who makes the thread. Some brands will break more than others.

[Aaron]

What brand of Metallic are you using? I have had good luck with the Robison Anton Mettalic and heard that Issacord-Ackerman works well too. Arc and Madiera Metallics I have not had very good luck with at all. I just sewed 8 sweatshirts with a full front fill in metallic silver and only had 1 thread break. Make sure to use less density in your metallic designs cause the metallic thread covers better than the other thread.

[Beverly]

Ok, I've decided to talk customer into regular thread! The thread I'm using is ARC and we've tried all your suggestions. Still having a lot of trouble. We've tried different bobbins, changed from auto actifeed to standard, tried different density settings, even tried different fonts and still can't get this gold mettalic to work. The letter size is 1 1/2in. The silver we have sews great so maybe I'll start using one of the other brands you guys mentioned. Thanks very much for the help!

Bev Rogers

[Logos In Thread]

Bev,
I use Melco's ARC metallic thread all the time and do not have trouble with it. If you will email me privately with your file, I will sew it out here using metallic thread and let you know what I get.
thanks, Linda
Logos In Thread
Miami Beach, FL

[Steve]

Call up some other thread companies and tell them you are thinking of switching thread brands and some will send you free samples. You can also get some samples from the shows if you go to them. I went by a booth that was giving away bobbins 4 times in one day and ended up with about 2-3 dozen bobbins for free.

[Mother Lode Custom Embroidery]

I use ARC Metalic thread alot for script writing. I slow my Amaya down to 500 to keep the thread from heating up and get very few if any thread breaks.