What is a thread take-up spring? The thread take-up spring is also known as a check spring. It is the spring attached to the tension dial of an embroidery or sewing machine. It is like a shock absorber for your machine. When the take up lever pulls the thread through the tension discs of the machine, the spring absorbs some of the force, preventing the thread from breaking. The spring also keeps some tension on the thread, preventing the thread from going slack in the middle of a stitch. Lastly, the thread take-up check spring helps detect thread breaks.
When changing thread in a sewing or embroidery machine (whether due to changing thread colors, running out of thread, or having a thread break), it is important to use the correct technique when removing thread from the tension disc area. First, you should raise the foot, which releases the pressure on the tension discs. Once the tension discs are loose, thread can be cut above the tension dial and pulled out of the machine using a downward motion.
Thread should not be pulled upward through the tension discs due to the thread take-up spring potentially becoming damaged. If the thread is pulled upward, then the thread risks getting caught on the spring and bending it the wrong way. The spring is a thin piece of wire, and the tension dial would need to be disassembled to replace a damaged spring.
If you don’t want to waste any thread, then try the following to un-thread a sewing or embroidery machine:
1) lift up the foot of the machine, thus releasing the tension on the tension discs
2) take the thread spool off of the machine
3) remove the thread from the needle and un-thread the machine backwards, stopping right before the tension discs
4) pull the thread forward and out of the tension discs
5) gently unthread the thread from the thread take-up spring
6) remove the thread from the remaining guides, until the thread is disconnected from the machine
Summary:
Avoid damaging the thread take-up spring by lifting up the foot and using one of two methods:
* cut the thread and only pull thread downward through the tension discs
or
* pull the thread away from the tension discs and guide it through the take-up spring before pulling the thread upward