Singer CE350 only 3 stitches ??

[gartner]

Kristine

It's always a good idea to clean the bobbin area out after every project and if you are doing lots of stitching for a project clean out more often.

Thread can even give off lint some types more than others so keeping the bobbin area clean will save lots of time and better stitching.

Hope everthing stitches out okay now for you.

Denise in Calgary

[KrisD13]

The code kept telling me it was a thread break, every time. And, sadly, cleaning didn't fix the problem, so it's going to the shop tomorrow.

Wish me luck! (At least they are nice at the shop I'm going to, so if it's something I am not getting right, they will help me, and if not, I trust them to fix it properly.)

Thanks, everyone. Will keep you updated, too.

[TurtleOwl]

You are very fortunate to have a good shop near by. I have to ship mine off and never get to communicate with the repair people beyond a checklist on a piece of paper. I'm having the same thread break problem so would like to know what your solution is, and maybe save a 3 month journey to the shop.

[gartner]

Kristine

Let us know how they fixed the problem or what was causing the sensor to not work right.
This may help others that encounter the same problem.

Denise in Calgary

[KrisD13]

OK, I took it into the shop on Thursday, along with the item I was trying to embroider, the thread and the embroidery unit and the hoop. I explained that I was getting the "Thread break beep" no matter what I was stitching on.

They said it was going to be about a week before I got my FrankenSinger (as hubby calls it, cause it can do all sorts of things on its own) back. Sigh...I've been going though withdrawl since I dropped it off.

Anyways, yes, I will let everyone know what I find out when I get it back. And thank you to everyone who tried to help me out.

Kristine

[KrisD13]

Hopefully, I will hear the diagnosis in the morning. They think there might be something off in the bobbin case, but they aren't positive.

[lmtaylor6]

I could not handle not having my babies this long....I think I would be in detox or something...
I purchased a CE-200 second hand off ebay, and I paid 400.00 for it. I was told it was in perfect working condition, HA. NOT.
I had to replace the bobbin casing, and that fixed one problem. Then I found out there were software issues as well...and my DH who is a wiz at computers and software, fixed that problem.
Then when I thought everything was up and running smoothly and my designs were stitching perfectly....I needed to wind up some bobbins....argggghhh.....
The bobbin winder did not work.....so I said thats it, I have had it with this piece of #$%#)$*%$(.....
I took a screw driver and started to open it up....not so bad at all, very easy as a matter of fact....and I found out the problem to the bobbin winder....There must have been a whole bobbin worth of thread that was wound up inside....and the seller knew this...(I filed a complaint with ebay and got 400.00 back because I showed all the pictures of everything I went through and the seller never responded back...so I got the machine and my money back)
I carefully cut away all the thread, cleaned, oiled and put this puppy back together and now it runs sooooo smoothly and quietly....She is purring like a kitty.....

[KrisD13]

So, I picked it up from the shop yesterday.

The tension spring had jumped onto a ridge that was supposed to hold it in it's place. He told me that it was because of pulling thread out wrong/ too fast, but it happened while I was in mid-design, so it was determined that the metallic thread was the culprit.

I am supposed to try to dial down the tension to 2 for the metallic threads, and I shouldn't have this problem again.

Hope this helps someone else from having the same trouble, and withdrawl symptoms from having to take their machine into the shop.

Kristine

Thank you's to everyone who tried to help me!

[gartner]

Kristine

What is the normal top thread tension set at for embroidery with regular embroidery thread.
And now he says to set it to 2 for metallic thread.

You will have to test your machine out using the different setting for the metallic thread and see if that makes a difference before you stitch on a good project.
Also make sure your thread sensor is not going off again!

If you can on your machine when using metallic thread slow your machine down when stitching.

When you cut your thread after stitching and or at color changes cut it by the thread spool and pull it slowly down through the tensions and needle. Pressure foot needs to be in the up position when you do this.
Yes it does waste abit of thread but is much better for your machine tensions to do it this way
This helps to keep the top thread tension clean.

Also do this when you have a thread break as you should always re thread the machine right from the start - starting from the spool with the pressure foot up.

Don't pull it back up through the tensions from the needle up to the spool!

Also where are you located? Are you in the US?

I can pass on some online vendors to you for a better quality metallic thread if you are interested in trying a different brand of metallic thread that is not as coarse/rough & wiry as the Gutterman you were using when this problem occurred.

There are better brands of metallic threads that are smoother and run nicer in our machines. The price of these vary but well worth buying and using.

Let us know how your stitching goes now you have the machine back.

Denise in Calgary

[KrisD13]

The normal top tension for embroidering is set to "E" which translates to 3 on the dial.

I always have the Speed Limiter on for the embroidery. I feel kinda iffy on having it go fast, cause it bounces everything on my desk, and I don't want it to shake something loose inside itself.

The only time I've had a thread break was when I was sewing a seam when I first bought this machine.

I'm in Winnipeg and don't buy off the internet if possible.
However, we do have a few specialty embroidery shops in town, if you can suggest some name brands for me to search out.

I've been sewing all my life, and have the sewing machine and a BabyLock serger, but this is definitely a new experience for me.

Thank everyone, again.

[gartner]

Kristine

If you mean you are in Canada, Winnipeg then you have got to go to Mararthon Threads.
Here is their website but I think you could go right to their store and buy thread there.
www.marathonthreadscanada.com

There are many embroiderers that use the Marathon thread and like it.
they also sell stabilizers, pre wound bobbins, Bobbin thread on the cone, sewing thread etc.

I am in Calgary , Alberta and have been buying most of my supplies from the US.
Even with shipping and the exchange rate I find I can still do better than most prices here in Calgary or Canada.

Denise in Clagary

[oldhag]

I asked them about going to their store and they said that they only do "wholesale" mailorder. I order from them a fair bit because I like their service as well as their products. Kristine, I am about 130 miles east of you so we're practically neighbours!!

[gartner]

Oldhag & Kristine

I know that many embroiders order from Marathon and I have emailed them several times for Price lists for all their products. They do have good service.

I forgot to mention that Marathon sells Machine needles and also have a line of Metallic thread for embroidery too.

Kristine you could email Marathon for a price list right from their Website which would help you know what they offer.
If they only mail orders out then your shipping will not be much as you are in the same City.
You do not have to have a business to buy from them.
You might check to see if you phone or email an order in to them ask if you can pick up the order from them saving on them mailing it to you.

Marathon may offer free shipping on some items such as thread and they do offer a small discount on thread if you belong to certain Yahoo Groups such as Hooked on Embroidery and a few others so you can check that out.

I have been embroidering for a very long time and tend to look for great products at good prices.
I buy my thread from BFC-Stash in the US as they carry Polyester, Rayon and Metallic embroidery threads.
They also offer the solid colors of the Poly or Rayon in 2 different sizes of cones.
I like to buy my thread by individual cones of colors I need and not have to buy Kits of thread.
I also buy the larger 5000 yard cones of thread now for most of my embroidery.

As mentioned before even with the shipping from the US and the rate of exchange in the dollar I find I am paying less for my thread than I can find in Canada at retail or wholesale cost..

There is no Customs Duty charged on Thread when it comes into Canada only GST & PST on the Canadian Value of the thread.
Some times you have to pay a $5.00 Postal fee but not always.

Here is the BFC-Stash Website.
http://www.BFC-Stash.com

If you want to order from them email Kerry at BFC-Stash first and she will let you know what the shipping on your order will be.
There is a discount to Canadians if you buy over $75.00 of thread.
Check to see if they still give the discount if you want to order lots of thread.

I suggest that where ever you purchase thread from to just buy a cone or two and try the thread in your machine first and see how you like it.
Then you could order more.

I buy my stabilizers by the yard or roles from various vendors in the US or through group buys that are offered from time to time by owners of groups that I belong to on the internet.
So far I am happy with the prices I am paying and the money I am saving.

Purchasing supplies this way has been cheaper than buying from retail stores or machine dealers and fabric stores or some wholesalers in Canada .

Denise in Calgary

[oldhag]

Thanks for that information Denise,
I have a bit of an advantage as I live very close to the border and have an address to use on the US side for shipping so I do take advantage of ordering supplies on both sides of the border.

[KrisD13]

Thanks for the info, Denise.

I called Marathon, and am going down there on Monday. They are wholesale, but do the one time membership thing, and then I can walk in and buy stuff that I need.

Unfortunately, this could be a case of "Kid in the Candy store" dilema......teeheehee......I'm going to have some fun, and can consider this my Bday present to myself!

[gartner]

Kristine & Oldhag

I wanted to pass on a link for some very good Metallic thread for embroidery.
I found that this thread runs very good in my machine and many swear by this as being one of the best.

Some that use it say they do not need to use a metallic needle with this thread and just use a regular embroidery needle in a size 80/12.
I still like to use metallic needles in the sizes 80/12 such as the Large Eyed Organ needles in a sharp point - Organ number 15XtST

The thread is the Kingstar Metallic and comes in several colors.
The thread comes in 1000 meter cones or some solors come in the larger 3000 meter cones.
There is also a kit that contains all 15 colors of the 1000 meter cones.

I purchased it from the the Embroidery Store online.

I have included all the links for the different sizes or the kit,

Main link to the Metallic & other Kingstar thread
http://www.embstore.com/m-2-kingstar.aspx

1000 meter Cone Link
http://www.embstore.com/p-1561-kings...ter-cones.aspx

3000 meter Cones
http://www.embstore.com/p-1560-kings...ead-3000m.aspx

Kit of 15 - 1000 meter cones - all colors
http://www.embstore.com/p-1838-kings...15-colors.aspx

Denise in Calgary