Sewing Machine Troubles

[Cowgirl]

My sewing machine is acting up. I'm sewing through thick wool, and the threads kept binding (the bottom stitch), so I first thought it was a dull needle. I just changed the needle and it's having the same problem. Even when I sew through normal cotton fabric it's doing it. It seems to be a bobbin issue. I can start to sew and then feel it catch and hear a noise.

I haven't yet touched the tension. I'd rather save that as a last resort. Any other ideas?

 

[Sharon]

My sewing machine is acting up. I'm sewing through thick wool, and the threads kept binding (the bottom stitch), so I first thought it was a dull needle. I just changed the needle and it's having the same problem. Even when I sew through normal cotton fabric it's doing it. It seems to be a bobbin issue. I can start to sew and then feel it catch and hear a noise.

I haven't yet touched the tension. I'd rather save that as a last resort. Any other ideas?

Are you using the correct gage needle for wool or thick fabrics?

Check the pressure foot setting.

If all else fails... it probably is the bobbin tension.

 

[Cowgirl]

Are you using the correct gage needle for wool or thick fabrics?

Check the pressure foot setting.

If all else fails... it probably is the bobbin tension.

I'm not sure if the needle is the correct guage. I just got the universal ones. Even when I sew through normal fabric it's doing the same thing. Could it be the needle?

All of the settings are standard. I could try to play with the bobbin tension. I'll see if I can dig out my manual. Thanks.

 

[lugebob]

Thoroughly clean and lube, before you start to adjust anything... brush, vacuum or blow the bobbing carrier, foot and the machine parts in the head and underneath

 

[Baja28]

I have my sewing machine serviced regularly.

 

[lugebob]

I have my sewing machine serviced regularly.

As you should...... But even between services it is possible to suck a thread or wool fuzz ball into the works....

 

[Baja28]

As you should...... But even between services it is possible to suck a thread or wool fuzz ball into the works....

 

[Cowgirl]

As you should...... But even between services it is possible to suck a thread or wool fuzz ball into the works....

Don't listen to Mikey. He wouldn't know a sewing machine if it hit him in head.

 

[HouseCat]

Thoroughly clean and lube, before you start to adjust anything... brush, vacuum or blow the bobbing carrier, foot and the machine parts in the head and underneath

I would do this first. Also, have you been running over any pins? Sometimes, hitting a pin with the needle will knock the sewing machine out of time and it will have to be professionally calibrated. probably know better, but sometimes, I forget and run over one...and its like aww sh**!!

 

[Cowgirl]

I would do this first. Also, have you been running over any pins? Sometimes, hitting a pin with the needle will knock the sewing machine out of time and it will have to be professionally calibrated. probably know better, but sometimes, I forget and run over one...and its like aww sh**!!

I really try hard not to run over pins. I may have run over 1 or two the entire time I've had the machine, but hopefully that's not the problem. I really need to take it apart and clean it.

 

[Pete]

Mine did that when the bobbin was threaded wrong.......Uh I mean, Hit it with a hammer, yea that's it.

 

[huntr1]

Mine did that when the bobbin was threaded wrong.......Uh I mean, Hit it with a hammer, yea that's it.

My sewing machine works just fine. I give the items to be sewn to the wife and next time I see them, they have been sewn appropriately.

 

[Cowgirl]

Mine did that when the bobbin was threaded wrong.......Uh I mean, Hit it with a hammer, yea that's it.

It's threaded correctly.

 

[Pete]

It's threaded correctly.

I had the thread behind a dohicky instead of in front of it and that is all it took.

 

[Cowgirl]

I had the thread behind a dohicky instead of in front of it and that is all it took.

Hmm.. It does seem that the little thingamabob that holds the thread hasn't been holding it as well.

 

[Pete]

Hmm.. It does seem that the little thingamabob that holds the thread hasn't been holding it as well.

ah ha!

 

[onebdzee]

the bobbin was threaded wrong

I had the thread behind a dohicky instead of in front of it and that is all it took.

uuummmm.....you really shouldn't use the technical name for those parts....might confuse the not so well informed

Hmm.. It does seem that the little thingamabob that holds the thread hasn't been holding it as well.

Bobbin may be in backwards....take the bobbin out and make sure when you hold the bobbin in your left hand you pull the thread the bobbin is going in a counter clockwise rotation

If so......put the bobbin back in and thread it threw the casing and have the needle pick it up and pull threw the hole on the bottom of the machine....pull the bobbin thread....there should be a little tension when you pull it....if not, tighten up the screw on the side of the casing(shouldn't take but half a turn)

If it is still doing the same thing after this....the tension on the top is to tight

Troubleshooting Sewing Machine Problems

 

[Cowgirl]

Bobbin may be in backwards....take the bobbin out and make sure when you hold the bobbin in your left hand you pull the thread the bobbin is going in a counter clockwise rotation

If so......put the bobbin back in and thread it threw the casing and have the needle pick it up and pull threw the hole on the bottom of the machine....pull the bobbin thread....there should be a little tension when you pull it....if not, tighten up the screw on the side of the casing(shouldn't take but half a turn)

If it is still doing the same thing after this....the tension on the top is to tight

Troubleshooting Sewing Machine Problems

Well, I'm not in front of the machine now, but if I remember correctly, the bobbin goes in the bobbin holder (the part you remove) with the tail pointing to the right. Then, when you replace the bobbin holder in the machine, it gets flipped around. Does that make any sense to you? It's always been that way. :shrug: I'll have to double check everything when I get back home.

 

[onebdzee]

Well, I'm not in front of the machine now, but if I remember correctly, the bobbin goes in the bobbin holder (the part you remove) with the tail pointing to the right. Then, when you replace the bobbin holder in the machine, it gets flipped around. Does that make any sense to you? It's always been that way. :shrug: I'll have to double check everything when I get back home.

I'm refering to the way the thread is coming off the bobbin....if the thread is coming off the bobbin the wrong way when it goes into the bobbin holder, it will cause an issue like this

take the bobbin out and flip it over and put it back in the holder and see if it works better....if not, flip it back the way it was and tighten the little screw on the side of the bobbin holder(the tensioner)

If it is still not working....loosen the top thread

 

[backagain39]

For thicker material, make sure the needle is the correct size and use longer stitches. If this doesn't help then the tension setting for the bottom stitch is too tight for the thread and the material combo......you will have to fiddle with the tension until you get it correct.

I know it's a pain......good luck!