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Posted on May 04, 2017
Answered by a Fixya Expert

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The problem actually started with the thread wadding up on the bottom of the fabric so much so that the fabric couldn't move. So I removed the retaining ring and hook and cleaned them and the bobbin case. I also replaced the needle. Now when I try to get the bobbin thread up, the thread (from the needle) is getting caught somewhere down around the bobbin. But if it happens to come through correctly, when I sew the thread will bunch up on the bottom of the fabric (but continues to sew) and leaves almost a straight line of stitching on the top.

1 Answer

Chance Miller

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  • Brother Expert 455 Answers
  • Posted on May 04, 2017
Chance Miller
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Joined: Dec 14, 2007
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Re thread the machine, and make sure the bobbin is installed correctly.
Cheers,
Chance
Embroidery Services
San Diego, CA

5 Related Answers

Anonymous

  • 15 Answers
  • Posted on Dec 10, 2007

SOURCE: kenmore 12 stitch sewing machine-wont sew

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Anonymous

  • 41 Answers
  • Posted on Dec 03, 2008

SOURCE: bobbin thread/feed dog eating fabric

This is a very common problem with really lightweight fabric and can often be cured (if doing straight stitching) by using a straight stitch needle plate and foot. The wider needle plate and foot openings on newer machines give the machine/thread a wider area to pull the fabric into the machine. By using a straight stitch plate/foot you remove the wide opening, eliminating the majority of the problem.

Also - try using a specially coated needle (Teflon or other non-stick finish). The thread feeds more smoothly through the needle and the needle more smoothly through the fabric, causing less drag into the needle plate opening.

Hope this helps. Don't hesitate to respond to this if you have further specific questions. We're always happy to help

Happy stitching,
Kim & Linnette
www.sewingexpressions.com

Anonymous

  • 1 Answer
  • Posted on Apr 07, 2009

SOURCE: Thread in needle or bobbin keeps on breaking

The tread only breaks in the needle. what can i do . i don't get to sew anything . I tread the needle and get everything ready and start the machine and as quickly as that the tread is broken and the machine has not sewn at all.

Anonymous

  • 55 Answers
  • Posted on Jul 27, 2009

SOURCE: bobbin thread tangling up

are you doing embroidery? if so turn off jump stitch cutting if possible. is the machine threaded correctly (pull needle thread out of machine and thread again with presser foot raised.

check for foreign matter in needle tension assembly. ensure there is sufficient needle thread tension.

the thread you see caught up underneath the fabric will be needle thread and indicates insufficient needle thread tension or something preventing the needle thread from being pulled up into the fabric (maybe a damaged bobbin case, or bobbin case position finger, or damaged needle plate hole).

goodluck,
scott

bargainbox

Hassy

  • 1388 Answers
  • Posted on Aug 02, 2009

SOURCE: Huge loops on back of fabric!

Please TRY the solution BEFORE giving your considered rating.
Specific detail on bobbin case adjustment (with picture) near halfway down reply, the remainder will help you achieve a balance of top and bottom tensions.

Ensure that all is clean and free of lint and jams, this is the most likely cause....now for tension troubleshooting .......

This solution is for tension problems...if you cannot form any sort of stitch, the issue is quite different, so please let me know if you need a different problem solved.....

It is quite long, but just work through each section in order.

The "knotting up" can reveal a lot. If you have loose threads on one side or the other, the tension on the opposite side will be the culprit.

QUICK SUMMARY FIRST:
Ensure sharp new needle,
Thread guides and Bobbin are Clean & Clear of lint
Set Top Tesion to 4 ....then....
Balance Bobbin to suit.

TOP THREAD TENSION:
If the looping threads are on the underside as you sew, it is the top tension. Top tension ought to be between 4 & 6 (this variation to allow for the different weights of fabric in your projects).

IS YOUR NEEDLE SHARP ?
If you are using a needle that has seen quite a deal of work, or you suspect it may be blunt, change it for a new one !

TOP TENSION & GUIDES:
Make sure that when you thread the machine the presser foot is up so the thread goes between the discs and not to one side, top tension between 4 and 6, and that you have threaded through all the guides, including the last one, usually on the needle arm, just above the needle clamp.

It may be there is lint trapped between the discs, this will keep them slightly apart and reduce the actual tension, sometimes dramatically.

If tensions appear correct, and the thread is definitely in the channel between the discs, but still too loose and looping, try raising presser foot and remove your thread.

Now, with a 2" (50mm) wide strip piece of fabric 8 - 10" (20 - 25cm) moistened with methylated or denatured spirit, gently insert the fabric strip and clean between the discs with a see saw / to and fro action.

In the worst cases, gentle use of a needle to pick & remove the jam may be necessary, but be very gentle and make sure the tension is set at Zero and the presser foot is raised, (to disengage tension plates).... do not gouge or score the plates, they need a polished surface to work correctly.

BOBBIN TENSION:
Far less common, but if the loose threads are on the top, it is bobbin tension that is loose, it too may have lint in the spring and be giving a "false" tension.

I would not recommend fiddling with bobbin tension without good reason, it may end up with missing small screws and spring pieces, however, you can take the needle plate off to clean
the hook race area (where bobbin case sits)

...this is just good housekeeping, my wife does this every time she replaces the bobbin....

just take it out and clean the bobbin case and the fixed metal hook race with a small brush to remove lint. If there is a significant amount of lint, use a vacuum and small brush to get the worst.

Then wipe all this area with a cloth or cotton bud (Q tip) moistened (not soaked) with methylated spirit, especially if there appears to be fine dirty deposits....oil and lint combine to conspire against you.

If it seems likely that you ......really ....do .....actually .....need .....to adjust the bobbin case, first check there is no lint trapped in the metal spring where the thread is tensioned.

TOP LOADER:
Drop-in Bobbin case will look similar to this image with the tension screw in the middle of the metalwork....

4c76dc1.jpg ...the other screw at one end is holding it all together, so beware....it is not a tragedy to undo the whole lot and clean it, but very gingerly and lay the bits out in sequence and orientation, or you risk tearing your hair out !

FRONT LOADER:
....this is a bobbin case from a front loading machine and works in a very similar fashion to the top loader with drop in bobbin, again, if you dismantle it, take care so you can put it all
back properly.
165ca5c.jpg FINISHING UP
GETTING THE BALANCE RIGHT:
When you are certain there's no trapped lint in top tension or bobbin, set the top tension to 4 and the bobbin tension to a point where you just begin to feel resistance.

Try using good quality thread of contrasting colours so you can more easily spot the changes.

Set your zigzag to one width less than maximum (eg. 5 of 6 ...or... 4 of 5 etc) and sew a sample for a few inches and check the result.... adjust the bobbin tension screw very little at
a time, perhaps 1/16 of a turn.

You may find you are playing with this balance for some little while and if you are putting the needleplate on and off each time begin to think it cannot be correct to do this.....BUT....it is,
and eventually, you do get a "feel" for the correct tension and then it happens quite quickly.....as a user you won't be doing it very often unless there is lint built up (or are there small hands at work around the house !?!?!)

OTHER ISSUES:
If you live near the ocean as we do, salt air can play havoc with metalwork inside and out, so to help minimise this, keep a few small packets of dessicant (silica gel) in your machine
case....no case ? then make some sort of cover !

Same applies in any damp or humid environment, keep your machine dry and dust free.

Budget for a proper full service every couple of years (more often if heavily used) and if you don't use your machine for a few years, be aware that old oil will dry out and combining with
dust and form a "clag" like glue (another reason for some sort of cover, even a teatowel !)

FINALLY, A WORD ON THREAD:
If it is worth spending the time, energy and money on making something that you would like to give lasting enjoyment......use quality thread, .......it may seem to cost a little more at the
time, but the results, ease of use and added longevity will be worth the extra, and as a bonus, your tension troubles may be fewer and further between, because there is a more consistent diameter with good thread, and less compensating to be done by your tension plates and less thread breaks !

bargainbox.com.au

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are you doing embroidery? if so turn off jump stitch cutting if possible. is the machine threaded correctly (pull needle thread out of machine and thread again with presser foot raised.

check for foreign matter in needle tension assembly. ensure there is sufficient needle thread tension.

the thread you see caught up underneath the fabric will be needle thread and indicates insufficient needle thread tension or something preventing the needle thread from being pulled up into the fabric (maybe a damaged bobbin case, or bobbin case position finger, or damaged needle plate hole).

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