Many new sewing machines come with an automatic thread cutter installed. While this may seem like a great time saver, they can be more trouble than they’re worth. Many, like me, don’t even bother using them. Let’s find out why.

Do You Need an Automatic Thread Cutter on Your Sewing Machine

If you are looking for your first sewing machine or your next machine, do you need an automatic thread cutter on your sewing machine?

Yes and no. If you sew for hours at a time or do a lot of chain piecing, an automatic thread cutter can be a time saver. However, there are a few reasons you may not want to use yours if one came on your machine, or you may want to eliminate machines that come with one in your machine search.

No Thread Tails

The biggest reason you may not want to use an automatic thread cutter is that using one leaves you with very short thread tails after cutting your threads. I have never found a way to avoid the dreaded bird’s nest on the back of my project, other than holding my thread tails at the start of a new seam. When using an automatic thread cutter, you are left with really short thread tails. As a result, you have to take the time to pull out more thread from the bobbin and top thread before continuing with your next seam. That just takes more time.

Repairs

Since I don’t use my automatic thread cutter I can only write about experiences I have heard from others. In time, the blade in your automatic thread cutter will need to be replaced. Many sewers have them changed yearly when they take their machine in for service (no, you don’t need to have your machine serviced yearly). Read my article here to learn more.

If the blade gets dull in your automatic thread cutter you can no longer use it, thus facilitating a trip to your dealer to get it fixed.

Any quick Google search will show the multitude of problems sewers have with automatic thread cutters.

The Options

You may be thinking why deal with all the hassle, let me find a machine without an automatic thread cutter. You may be successful in finding a machine without one, but they are often a standard feature on new sewing machines.

You could choose not to use yours, like me. Or you could use yours and just deal with having to take your machine in for service on a regular basis.

Any of these choices are fine as long as you are good with your choice.

A Freebie for You

Before I end for today, I have a Free Guide that can help you as you get started quilting, or even if you have been quilting for a while.

Click here to grab The Top 5 Tools Every Beginner Quilter Needs. You don’t need a lot to get started quilting, and you definitely don’t need a $2,000+ sewing machine. So grab your freebie and let’s get quilting.

I hope you have found this helpful. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to email me here.

For more helpful quilting tips and tricks, make sure you follow me on YouTube, Pinterest, and Instagram.

Until next time,