Extra thread through the needle plate?

[Little Bear]

When I've finished sewing my piece and I've cut of the thread, there are what appears to be four thread ends coming from the needle plate rather than two. If I grab the middle thread it pulls out as one ~3" piece of thread leaving the bobbin and top thread behind. Does that make sense? It doesn't do it all the time but I just can't figure out what's going on!

Does this sound familiar to anyone? I can get a photo next time it happens if that helps at all.

Edit: I should mention I have threaded and rethreaded everything and the tension is correct

[pinecone]

Is the needle in the most "up" position, having completed picking up the bobbin thread?

piney

[LeapFrog Libby]

Does your machine cut the thread if you ask it to. If yes, then I think something must be wrong with that action. If the answer is no, then I cannot think why that would happen unless the thread is hanging up on something in the mechanism and looping while you are stitching.

[Little Bear]

Libby, no it doesn't. It's just a basic mechanical Brother.

Piney, no I tend to just pull the fabric out when I've reached the end as long as the needle isn't still in the fabric? I'm assuming this is wrong then?

[pinecone]

Piney, no I tend to just pull the fabric out when I've reached the end as long as the needle isn't still in the fabric? I'm assuming this is wrong then?

You need to allow the needle to complete the stitch. Take the fabric out when it is as high as it will go. Just try it out with a scrap or two. Stop with the needle as usual (just out of the fabric) and gently remove the fabric. What does it look like? Now lower the presser foot and take a few stitches and with the needle up high (you might need to adjust/turn the wheel by hand) gently remove the fabric. Any difference?

piney
yes, I sometimes forget to lower the foot. It makes wonderful nests then.

[Little Bear]

Piney, that's amazing!

Stop with the needle as usual (just out of the fabric) and gently remove the fabric. What does it look like? Now lower the presser foot and take a few stitches and with the needle up high (you might need to adjust/turn the wheel by hand) gently remove the fabric. Any difference?

If I pulled the fabric out with the needle lowered I ended up with the extra thread but if I raised it up it didn't happen.

Such a simple thing! I guess that's the problem with self taught.

Thank-you so much for your help!

Mrs B

[pinecone]

Glad it was a simple fix. Sometimes we just get caught up on racing through our projects and what we really need is to slow down a bit. Have fun.

piney

[Little Bear]

what we really need is to slow down a bit

It's really funny that you say that Piney, when I first started sewing I found myself wishing the foot pedal had a 5 second lockout so that I'd remember to check my settings before I started chewing through the fabric! It is definitely sage advice!