Singer CE350 only 3 stitches ??

**KrisD13** · October 25th, 2009

What the ...? Has anyone heard of this? I was stitching out a design. 1/2 way through, it starts giving me thread break messages. Every three stitches!!!!!

There are no breaks in the upper thread, the bobbin thread is full, everything is threaded properly, I loosened tension, I tightened tension, I rethreaded 3 times, making sure at the top that it was in/around/under the tensioners.......I am at my wit's end.

And I am using the Gutermann metallic thread, not a filament.

Any help?
(The machine is only 8 months old and this is my 3rd project)

Kristine

**lmtaylor6** · October 25th, 2009

Yes, just re-thread your machine. The singers are very touchy when threading. I have the Ce-150 & ce-250, they both do the same thing. If you still have a problem, let me know.
Michele

**lmtaylor6** · October 25th, 2009

Also, I just read that you are using metallic thread.....make sure you are using the correct needle and that your tension is set accordingly. since the singers only have a certain area to work with for tension when embroidering make sure you are within that area...
Metallic thread tend to fray prior to snapping, there may be some loose particals, so try to clean all areas.
If that still does not help, try changing the bobbin, sometimes they just do not want the one that is in the machine, not sure why.

**skipper** · October 25th, 2009

I have a singer 250 and Imtaylor6 is right. You may also check to make sure the thread is going under the metal thread tenion. It is the first guide, inside the plastic area. Sometimes when threading it may not go all the way under the gide.

**TurtleOwl** · October 25th, 2009

I have the Futura 350 and try and try and the threading seems impossible. My husband got so tired of hearing me complain that he went and got a Brother Inovis 2800 for me. (The lady at the store told him I would be happy with it and I love it!) The threading is so easy. Would still like to get the Futura working so I could run both as it sews fine when I can convince it to sew more than 3 stitches at a time. Have tried rethread, different bobbin, different thread. So anyway I have no solution, but could use one myself.

**oldhag** · October 25th, 2009

I sometimes get the dreaded 3 stitches then beep, beep, beep and have found that I have too much slack between the hangmans thread guide and the area where the sensors are. To stop this I just hold the thread between my fingers for a bit when I start and then it will get embroidering merrily on it's way. Mettalic thread is very touchy and I have been known to have to hold the thread through the entire stitch out in order to get it right.Also with metalic thread a thread stand is important. Get that thread stand far away from your machine in order to take the 'twist' out of the thread and it should feed smoothly through the machine without the beeps.

**KrisD13** · October 25th, 2009

Update...it is also doing this for my regular sewing, too... I just tried to sew a seam, and 3 stitches...beep beep beep beep. It's going into the shop when I get back home in 3 days! I can't sew like this. It's ridiculous

**lmtaylor6** · October 25th, 2009

KrisD13, sorry you are having such a problem. When I first used my ce I had the same problem. I threaded, rethreaded and re-re threaded so many times i thought I would throw out the machine. BUT, I found the trick to threading with out the dreaded 3 beep was on the top where the plactic piece is. When you go to put it under the plastic and bring it forward, hang onto the thread both before and after the plastic and pull it back and fourth towards you so that the wheel under the plastic moves, this ensures that it is under correctly. Ever since I did this I have NEVET had a 3beep since. (unless I forget to but the foot down)

I really do know how you feel, but please give it a try...it could save you the $$ of being charged a service fee.
Michele

**KrisD13** · October 26th, 2009

Thank you, Imtaylor6.

Sigh, I have been doing that repeatedly, but will keep doing it. Maybe if I do it enough, my machine will take pity on me, cause I really need to embroider another 22 repeats around the hem of the dress that I am making for Halloween.

22...and counting...(praying) please no more beeps, please, please please!!!!

Kristine

**lmtaylor6** · October 26th, 2009

Kristine, i know you you know this, but you do have the machine tension dial set at "E" right?
Michele

**KrisD13** · October 26th, 2009

Yep, set at "E" and also tried moving up and down slightly from that setting, which made no difference at all. Sigh.

**KrisD13** · October 26th, 2009

I have a question about the top tensioners. My flat one (that the thread goes under) is completely loose. It just flops around.....could that be the problem?

**lmtaylor6** · October 26th, 2009

Are you refering to where the plastic is on top, or where you wind the thread down the up into the eye before going down again to thread the needle?

**KrisD13** · October 26th, 2009

At the top, under the clear plastic. It's sooo loose, and wiggly.

**gartner** · October 26th, 2009

Kristine

Gutermann metallic embroidery thread is fairly heavy and not as smooth in comparison to other brands of embroidery metallic threads.

Make sure to use a size 80/12 metallic needle made by Schmetz or an Organ Large Eyed needle for Metallic threads # 15x1ST.

These needles both have larger eyes for the metallic thread to pass through and that puts less stress on the thread.

Always start a project with a new needle and change to a metallic needle for the design area you are using metallic thread for.

Make sure to put your needle in the machine with the flat part facing to the back and make sure your needle is up all the way before tightening the screw that holds it in place.

You may want to try cleaning your top and bobbin tensions out please see the Top Section in this forum under the title, All About Machines, for the instructions on how to clean the top and bobbin tensions out.

Keeping the bobbin area clean helps the bobbin thread sensor to work right and not give false signals of thread breaks.

You could have small bits of metallic thread or lint in your bobbin area, so clean both the top and bobbin tensions and if your bobbin case lifts right out clean under it too.

If you can slow your machine down when embroidering with metallic thread and this also puts less stress oin the thread as it moves through the machine.

You may want to try lowering your top thread tension down just a bit and that may help the metallic thread run smoother through the top thread tension.
Test stitch and then lower some more if it doesn't work the first time.

Metallic have a tendency to twist or kink and sometimes forms knots when coming off the spool or cone.
Placing the thread on a separate thread cone stand a distance away behind from your machine may help it relax and give it space to untwist.

If you don;t have a separate thread stand then place the metallic thead in a small bowl or container and let the cone and thread move freely and see if that helps.

You do not say what bobbin thread you are using but you may be best to use a 60 weight bobbin thread in the bobbin. This will make the design less dense.

After thread breaks or machine telling you you have thread breaks it is a good idea to take your thread off the top of your machine and out of the bobbin case clean out the tensions and re thread starting from the begining with the pressure foot in the up position.

Make sure your machine is set up right for embroidery with the feed dogs down.

For sewing the feed dogs should be up.

Hope some of these tips help solve your problem.

Denise in Calgary

**KrisD13** · October 26th, 2009

Hmmm....my last project was on a very fluffy material. I am still finding the loose fluffs all over the place. I am going to check the bobbin area and clean as best as I can. Will update on my progress.

**gartner** · October 26th, 2009

I use small attachments that I bought at my machine dealers that fit on my vaccum and this allows me to clean all the areas out in the bobbin area of my machine.

You may want to look for these and buy them.

Denise in Calgary

**lmtaylor6** · October 26th, 2009

The plastic should be tight, but under that there is the metal then the wheel, there should be some play with that.
I would try cleaning again like Denise suggested but also check to make sure there is not frayed thread in this area as well as this area is done by a sensor.
Michele

**KrisD13** · October 27th, 2009

It was very fluffy in the bobbin case. Lots of purple fluff was eventually removed....then my nieces showed up....7 and 1.5.....and both have to have my full attention all the time....I'm sitting with the ice pack right now, putting off the inevitable task of trying another repeat, to see if it worked. (And praying furiously to the Gods, LOL)

Updates will come.

Thanks everyone for the help so far. This is my first embroidery machine, and I'm still learning the ins, outs, ups and downs. You are soo super for helping me out like this.

Kristine

**lmtaylor6** · October 27th, 2009

Kristine, when the machine beeps, one your right hand side does it light up a number to tell you to refer to the code sheet? If so, you may want to check it. Mine lights up a number and I refer to the sheet, it then tells me why the machine is beeping.
Michele