Thread for canvas work

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pcatterall

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We obtained a Singer 306K to 'save' the bosses fancy machine.
On that machine we had been able to use a thread from sailrite but it seems a little 'slippery' on the Singer. There are 'coils' forming on the back of the work and altering tension doesnt resolve it.
is there some other recommended thread we could try which has good UV resistance.? We spotted one called 'Tenara' but at £140 a reel it sounded a bit OTT
Cheers
 
pcatterall said:
We obtained a Singer 306K to 'save' the bosses fancy machine.
On that machine we had been able to use a thread from sailrite but it seems a little 'slippery' on the Singer. There are 'coils' forming on the back of the work and altering tension doesnt resolve it.
is there some other recommended thread we could try which has good UV resistance.? We spotted one called 'Tenara' but at £140 a reel it sounded a bit OTT
Cheers
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Have you set the bobbin tension to suit the thread you are using?
 
You can have a lot of frustration with heavy thread on a domestic machine, I would personally not even bother with V92. I have had satisfactory results with Gutermann Extra Strong which is available on 100m reels for about £3.
Point North do something called Gutermann Tera 60 which may be the same thing @ under 4 quid for 600m - give them a ring and ask.

Unless you sail in the hot latitudes you should be ok, prob' lasts at least 5 years in the UK

.
 
Sometimes the top thread does not slip fully between the discs of the thread tensioner and produces a bird's nest on the underside of the material.
 
I cannot stress enough the importance of getting sewing machines (especially older ones) serviced and set up by a pro.
My old Jones machine was running like a dogs dinner - took it to a local expert in all things sewing machines and now it’s running fine on V92 thread. Just done my stackpack and will be putting new windows in the sprayhood this weekend. The important bit is to take a spool of the thread you’re likely to be using most when you drop machine off the machine so it can be adjusted to suit.
 
As a guide to needle size and thread selection. Push the thread into the groove of the needle above the eye. If it sits flush with the groove it’s the right size . Thread also comes in a or z twists which can make little coil springs of thread on the back of the work . Try putting the bobbin the opposite way round so there is more pull off before hitting the case spring
 
Has the Singer 306K sewn correctly at all since you've had it?

Double check it's threaded correctly. If you've missed putting the top thread through the loop/guide arrowed in the photo below, then the take-up lever (the thread arm that races up and down on the front of the machine) won't be able to fully pull up the tension on the top thread as it pulls up.

Screenshot_20220303-193544_Samsung Internet.jpg

Similar can happen with lack of pulling up the tension on the top thread if you've not gone correctly around the tension discs.

It would be easier to diagnose if you could post a photo of the underside of the bad stitches.

(I made the assumption the coils are from the top thread not being pulled into tension during the making of each stitch and are left lying in individual loops below).
 
If it's just twists in the threads, then are you taking the thread from the top of the spool (usually correct with an industrial thread/spool) or sideways from it (like you would do with most home/hobby size spools)?
 
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I've a Singer 320k - I've used v69 polyester thread in this machine, make sure the lower and upper tension is and threaded correctly as mentioned. Successful did some repairs on my dodgers yesterday.
 
There are dozens of adjustments and settings to get right
Make sure the machine is oiled, all the parts in the thread path are correctly set and all parts in the machine are undamaged.
The thread should fill 50% or less of the needle eye.
The needle should be the right type for the machine and correctly oriented(not applicable to domestics)
The machine timing and needle stroke correctly set.
The Bobbin needs to be inserted into it's case the correct way round.
The spool for the upper thread should be mounted on a stand so that the thread releases smoothly from the spool without snagging (very easily neglected)
The thread path needs to be correct.
The foot tension has to be set
Make sure the upper and lower threads are under the foot.
Always draw the Bobbin thread is drawn through before stitching (not critical on some machines)
The upper and lower tensions need to be correct of course
It's quite easy to forget things like dropping the foot before starring.
 
But sometimes a blunt rounded needle is needed, as the jeans and denims needles which are normal for sailcloth.
 
Regarding blunt needles, it's a bigger issue for domestic machines. Industrial machines won't notice but the cloth might.
Never use a bent needle.
 
It's not impossible for standard or universal needles to stab a thread and weaken it. Hence round shouldered needles which move the w and w threads apart.
 
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