Sewing machine thread breaks and issues - lubricate your thread for reduced lint and stronger thread
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- Опубліковано 2 тра 2018
- Old, dry thread breaks easily and leaves more lint behind. Lubricate your sewing machine thread to cut down on lint and give your thread more durability and strength. It's not as gross as you think!
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Omg. I just lubricated my Mettler, Aurifil and Superior cotton and polyester threads and I can't believe how lint free the thread is and I feel like the thread was definitely much smoother going through my machines. I literally used 1/3 of my bottle cause I went crazy and also lubricated my serger thread too. Lol. Wish I knew this 12 years ago. Thank you for sharing!
Came across your video when looking for bulk thread lubicator. Bought my bottle of Mineral Oil today at Wal-Mart, have applied to the 2 cones of thread for next customer quilt. I had been using the tiny bottle of Sewers Aid & needed to buy more, but since seeing your video I won't have to purchase. Thank You!
Wonderful!
I just came across your feed, very interesting, and the lady about the polyester fabric and thread, I am of the old school that it is made out of crude oil, and in time will shatter like all the other plastics do in time. I have a quilt my great-grandmother made in circa 1880, it is worn in places but the color and texture is still there. I have a silk quilt made by my grandmother in circa 1920 it is brier stitched one every seam. and then tacked. so if you care for the cotton I still believe it will out last a polyester quilt in the long run. I was always told by my mother and grandmother to buy good quality thread, it linted less and was better for your machine in the long run the 4 for a dollar were a waste of time. So I have always bought good quality thread and have not had any major problems but will try dipping the spool of thread I just started using. Thank you for the information on how to lube up my thread
There's thread lube pots made for this task that you use sewers aid lube . You can spray the spool with silicone spray prior to sewing .
This amazing. I never knew about this in all these years sewing. Thank you!
Wow, I have never heard of doing this before! I'm going to try it!
I lubricate my poly and rayon embroidery threads to improve thread shreds, breaks and speed problems. However, I have been using zoom spout machine oil because I worried about stains. I wondered if I could dip it and then I found this video. Splendid! I'll be getting a bottle of mineral oil for sure now and will slowly get my wall of king cones rejuvenated. This also helps prevent dry rot in the extremely humid climate I'm in!
Does the color change go back to the original thread color or is that the new color of the thread?
I've used Sewer's Aid for at last 15 years for FMQ and thread painting. I think it it a silicone formula. I run a think line off it down 2 sides of a square spool; I put two heavy lines of it along the top edge of a cone spool. I reapply when I notice the dark thread has gone back to its normal color.
I just got a bottle of Alpha Sew's all purpose thread lubricant to see how it compares.
Thank very very much!!!
Excellent 👏Thank you for sharing.
How interesting. Never thought about this.
What about wax? I’ve heard it makes thread stronger. Although mineral oil is just liquid paraffin. Does the oil make it stronger? I have a bottle of mineral oil I put a whole vanilla bean in years ago. Think I’ll try it on a darker thread. Thanks
Does the thread have to be lubricated again after the first application? Maybe I should ask, how often should one lubricate a spool of thread?
Would this help with thread gumming when using basting tape? I’m
Sewing ripstop nylon with basting tape and it’s horrible. Sticks every time.
I can’t believe this!!! Wow!!! I have some old thread from my grandma. Can I condition old thread. Does the conditioned thread stay darker. That’s a huge issue when you are trying to match thread?
Interesting idea... so you bill your bobbins with it as well?
Yes, exactly!
can I dip embroidery silk thread ? love your idea
Yes, you can dip any and all thread, it all works the same way.
Can this also be used for thread used for sewing clothing?
Hello how long do you let them sit after adding the oil?
Will any other oils work
Very interesting and good to know! Just found your channel. Do you re-dip the spool once you use up the lubricated section of thread that's on the spool?
Yes, exactly what I do! Especially on the big cones. You can feel and hear a difference when you start to get to the un-lubricated center of the cone.
Sewing Doc Machine Service & Academy e
After you dip your threads should you put them back into your container for storage .And will they mold? Thank you for the info......😀
You can put them in a container or leave them out. I display my threads in open air, so they tend to dry out, so this helps with that. But they can go in a storage container, and I promise, they will not mold :) So happy I could help!
Why didn't you let it soak longer so it goes to all through the thread. I never knew this thank you.
I found mineral oil lubricant in CVS but it’s a laxative, is this oil correct one? I can’t see detail on a picture from video. Thank you.
Yes, that's exactly what you need!
Thank you very much.!
What about serger thread which, I understand polester? Can this type be conditioned?
Hi Shirley, yes! Most serger threads I work with are cotton, so I would personally lubricate that thread, too. In fact, serger thread is probably more thirsty than most standard threads!
Do you wind bobbins with it as well?
I wind my bobbins with the thread after it's been conditioned. Basically wanted condition with mineral oil, I treat it like normal thread.
Is the oil removed from the thread when you wash your quilt?
If there is any excess, the oil will be removed, but that shouldn't happen. The oil soaks into the thread and acts as a conditioner, so you'll never see oil in or on your quilt. This helps the durability in the threads, especially in dry climates. Hope this helps!
Does it alter the color of the thread?
Hi Kathy, great question! It does temporarily. The thread will be a tiny bit darker at first, but as the oil soaks deep into the fibers, the thread will go back to its original color. I have used my dipped thread as soon as 30 minutes after dipping and quilted with it, and it has never been a problem. I hope this helps!
I inherited an extremely old collection of thread, all cotton and on wooden spools, many I’m sure are over seventy five years old. Would this lubricating be worthwhile in this very old thread? I was afraid to use it again because I had lots of breakage and snags when I tried to use it in my old 15-91 Singer sewing machine, and the same problems when I used it for hand sewing. It is an absolutely beautiful collection of about 100 spools, so it would be great to be able to use them. Any advice?
Hi there! That's a great question! Most of us hate to waste, even if it's old!
I have seen some cases where thread was savable and where it wasn't based on many factors - how the thread was made, what it's made from, how it was stored (i.e. dry climate vs humid climate, etc.).
My recommendation is to do the thread lubrication, and let it sit for a few days to soak in, maybe a week. Then do the "snap" test. If you grab a length of thread, with your fingers about 4 inches apart and pull the thread to see if it'll break - if it snaps and breaks too easily, then I wouldn't use it. If it's sturdy and passes the snap test, I would probably be okay with using it for hand sewing, but i wouldn't recommend running old thread through a sewing machines, as that weakens the thread even more and it may break down over time inside the sew project.
I hope this makes sense! When my customers have old, beautiful spools of thread that can't be used, I recommend finding a nice way to display them. Someday I want to buy a lamp with a clear base so I can fill it with my old wooden spools :)
I hope this helps!
I did this to my Grandmother's thread, and it came out awesome.
Can I do this on rayon or nylon and polyester?
YES! You can do this on any thread. Sharon Schamber (serious quilting Goddess!) dips all of her thread before using it! I promise it's safe for your machine and your fabrics.
Modern sewing machines , especially the more expensive embroidery machines warn you not to use oil or thread conditioners on your thread as it ruins the tension disks, please check your manual before doing this, or you could end up with a very expensive repair.
Hi Helen, I service sewing machines professionally, I can tell you that conditioning your thread in no way affects any sewing machine at all. The only possible issue would be using the thread too soon before the oil has been absorbed in the thread. As I have always said, certainly don't use this method if you aren't comfortable, but it poses zero risk to any sewing machine.
A friend gave up machine embroidery and gave me a ton of threads but they are quite old and snap easily. Would this oil help to restore the quality of these threads? Just seems such a waste to trash them. Thank you.
Yes, I definitely think it's worth a try! Is it polyester thread, or cotton, or do you know? I can't promise it will save them if it's polyester, but a lot of embroidery thread is polyester with a cotton core, and that cotton core is what's causing the snap. As I mentioned in the video, Sharon Schamber lubricates ALL her thread, even the polyester, silk, and other fibers.
If you try it, please let us know your results!
I'm not sure what kind of thread they are, but I'll get to the hardware store to look for mineral oil. I think someone commented that baby oil is the same thing and can be used?
@@SewingDocAcademy
We tried your method with a plastic eyedropper like what is used in science class. It is less messy and seems to work the same. I did notice that the thread felt "damp" after 30 minutes. However, I didn't blot with a paper towel after
Before I watched the video, I thought you would be soaking the thread until the entire spool was wet.
Hi Meta, I you can leave it soaking for awhile if you like, this is just what I prefer. Even when I've left it soaking longer, I feel like it still doesn't get to the core of bigger spools. So I just re-dip it when needed.
does it affect the tensionizer adjustment ?
No, it does not! No trace of oil is left anywhere in the machine (if you wait at least 30 minutes after dipping your thread). I'm a professional technician, so I can promise you it only helps your sewing experience, never harms your machine :)
thank you
@@SewingDocAcademy
Why is cotton thread always recommended for quilts, as polyester is so much stronger.
Could we just use sewing machine oil?
The only issue I have with sewing machine oil is that it is a heavier oil, so the thread will leave more sitting on the surface. I think you could probably use it and be okay, but you would definitely need to let it sit longer to absorb the oil. I would test it on a spool you don't care much about in case it doesn't give you the result you desire.
I went to a Sharon Schaumburg workshop and she told us that she throws the spool into a jar of mineral oil and soaks it overnight! I’ve never tried it, but maybe I will!
Isn't she incredible?! To this day, she is still my most favorite quilter ever, and the few workshops I've had with her are my favorite. I do encourage you to try it- it's a total game changer!
Any alternatives to mineral oil???
I use coconut oil
How about vegetable oil
Vegetable oils can dry and leave crusty residue. Oil paints use vegetable oils because of their drying nature. You wouldn't want this stuff near your machine.
Sharon Schamber has done this for years
I credit her in the video.
@@SewingDocAcademy I didn't mean for my comment to sound uppity. I was just agreeing that you are right about the Mineral Oil. You are great for sharing this because I had forgotten about lubricating my threads. Does the Mineral Oil darken the thread permanently?
@@sheilafredette3243 Oh not at all! I'm sorry if it came out wrong! I answered this just before going to sleep, so I wasn't "all there". She is my most favorite quilter (and always will be). I've had the pleasure of taking two workshops with her and driving her around for my quilt guild. She's a one of a kind :)
No, not permanently. I did this video years ago, I probably need to add a little more to it now. It is dark for a couple weeks at most, and only obvious when on the spool. When you sew with it, you cannot tell a color difference at all against the fabric.
Well, I'm jealous that you got to meet her. I love love love this video. Do more.
Hi I live in Australia and I have never heard of Mineral Oil. Would it be under a different name? I have threads given to me by an elderly lady who can no longer sew I would love to put life into the threads that are very brittle. I was also told I could place them in the freezer? Strange one but one never knows.
Hi, we also live in Australia and you can find mineral oil here in the supermarkets under the name of "Baby Oil" :-) Good for babies, stainless steel kitchen serfaces and thread! Also inexpensive!
@@rogerfarrell8592 - you mean I can use baby oil with the same results?
are there others alternative?
In my opinion and experience, silicone spray works best. $13 Joann's but I found silicone spray at Lowe's for less than $4. Same results at a much better price.
Just came across this video. I don't use cotton thread because it rots and breaks sew easily. I always use polyester or cotton wrapped polyester. I found even "new" cotton thread from the store broke easily. I would buy cotton/poly fabric too for quilting but you have to go to a store that isn't just a g store. Don't know why people are sew fanatical about the cotton fabric as the polyester will endure much better. After all other things have changed about quilting why not the fabric. Just my opinion. Thanks for the information. If I had of known this before I changed to polyester I might not have.
Sharon, there are a number of answers to "why people are sew fanatical about cotton fabric". First, it is more traditional. Synthetic fibers are a fairly recent invention. Probably around/following WWII for most, if memory serves. Plant based fibers, such a cotton an flax have been used for untold hundreds of years. Next, every fiber has its pros and cons. I remember when "Polyester" became the rage for jackets, ladies pants suits and such. Yes, it was easy to sew. Yet, it was uncomfortable to wear in hot weather. Stained easily. Would not sustain a good crease as would cotton or wool. In time the fad faded away and synthetic fibers began to find their true niche(s) in the world of sewing.
Another point, is that over the years quilts have been made from any/all available fabrics, from feed/flour sack cotton to scraps of velvet, silk, tapestry, wool, linen and more. There's no right or wrong way to construct a bed covering, as long as the end result serves the intended purpose. I grew up on a farm. My Mother used cotton feed/flour sacks for many fabric purposes, as that is what she often had on hand. There was nothing fanatical then about using cotton, as there isn't today. People use what they like. People use what they can afford. People use what works for their particular projects. The only difference between when I was a child and today is a wider choice of fibers are more commonly available, regardless of where most people are located.
In closing, and FWIW, we don't know the long term life of synthetic fibers because they built a track record, yet. What happens to synthetics in 200 years? Will they become brittle and shatter when handled, as many aging modern plastics do, today?
Oh......., and with regards to cotton thread, I have some I that I purchased in the 1970's that is still strong! It was good quality, then, and has remained so. I still use it, especially when the color match is ideal. Cheap thread is cheap thread. That said, even some cheap threads are a good choice for making muslins, sample projects, test patterns, and such. Saves the higher quality thread for finished projects.
Oldtimer Lee .
Sharon, I don't think you're alone on this. What most don't know is that there are two types of cotton thread, long-staple cotton and short-staple cotton. It's the way the thread is manufactured. Short staple thread, like Coats & Clark, is put through the process at a fast pace and breaks easily. It will also break down faster in quilts because the twist is more loose. With long staple cotton (Gutterman, Mettler, Aurifil, etc.), the twist is tighter and less lint, so it stays intact and almost has a tiny bit of stretch to it so it lasts much longer. I'm working on a series of videos with a bunch of thread information!
@@SewingDocAcademy So will dipping the Coats & Clark thread improve its quality???
@@lanceingram2132 it doesn't improve its quality, but it does condition the thread and give it a little bit more stability, and it reduces the amount of lint in all cotton threads . I know Coats & Clark appears to be cheaper, but I definitely don't recommend it for quilting.