HELP! My Mara 70 thread keeps splitting.

**DiceCaller** · 05-14-2018, 17:45

Looking for some help to figure out what is wrong. On the last two hammocks that I've been making, my thread keeps splitting.
20180514_182847.jpg
I'm not sure if you can see exactly what's happening, but the thread splits and unravels so only part of it is actually stitched.

This has happened with two different spools of Mara 70 thread obtained from RSBTR. I'm using a new Schmetz 90/14 Universal needle and my tension is in the middle of the dial.

This never happened on the first three hammocks that I made, now it's happening every couple feet.

Any ideas or suggestions?

**Firesong** · 05-14-2018, 18:43

Is it possible your needle is too small.

**ylnfrt** · 05-14-2018, 18:56

There could be a burr on the hook. Have you broken a needle recently?

**DiceCaller** · 05-14-2018, 20:56

Originally Posted by Firesong

Is it possible your needle is too small.

I'm pretty sure that a 90/14 is the right size. I haven't done the slide test to be sure, but this size has worked before now.

I did just change needles before this started happening, maybe it's just a bad needle.

**Bubba** · 05-14-2018, 20:57

Which thread is getting split, the top or the bottom thread? Perhaps the shuttle hook has a burr and is not fully capturing the top thread.

**sqidmark** · 05-15-2018, 04:08

Often it's the simplest things. Triple check your manuals rethreading guide. It's so easy to get on the wrong side of a guide, especially so if you have multiple machines and you haven't used this one in a while. I've done it.

**Caminante** · 05-15-2018, 07:29

This has happened to me in two scenarios:

1) Thread gets somehow out of the guides, e.g., off the tension disk, and strips the sheath off the core.
2) (Most common) I'm sewing through thicker material, foam, etc., and a 14 needle isn't big enough and I have to go to a 16 denim needle. Even though a 14 is perfect for Mara 70 95% of the time, it doesn't poke a big enough hole when using really heavy or thick materials.

**MoldyFrog** · 05-15-2018, 10:56

I'd verify the needle orientation is correct and the the thread direction is correct, ie thread through the needle from left exiting to the right or vice versa. Like Squidmark I've mixed them up when getting back to sewing after a hiatus and it took me a while to figure out why the thread kept shearing off and breaking. In my case I the thread direction going the wrong way through the needle eye.

Personally I wouldn't go to a larger needle myself, I'm in the camp that most needle recommendations are too large for common usage. I actually usually run a size down myself.