Thread breaks and shredding

Most thread breaks come from the machine set-up, not from the file. Check in this order:

1. Re-thread the top thread with the presser foot up (otherwise the thread misses the tension discs). Check that it is not caught on the spool notch.
2. Change the needle. A needle that is blunt, bent or has a burr shreds the thread. Use an embroidery needle 75/11 for most work, 65/9 for fine fabrics, and a titanium needle for metallic thread.
3. Top tension too tight. Lower it slightly; on a correct satin column the bobbin thread shows in the middle third of the back.
4. Bobbin: clean the lint under the bobbin case, check that the bobbin turns in the right direction and is not overfilled.
5. Thread quality: old or cheap thread breaks easily. For metallic (gold, silver) thread, slow the machine down and use a thread net on the spool.

In the design

• Too dense: Tarz's machine check warns when an area has too many layers. Reduce the density in Properties → Advanced, or remove overlapping objects.
• Very short stitches (under 1 mm) cut the thread: run Fix problems automatically at export, which removes them.
• Small Arabic text: tiny satin letters accumulate stitches in the same holes. Enlarge to at least 8 mm or use a simpler font (see Arabic lettering tips).

Birdnest under the fabric

A ball of thread under the fabric almost always means the top thread is out of the tension discs: re-thread with the presser foot up, and hold the thread tail for the first stitches.