Bobbin has no motion

The PC8500 does not do free motion well because of its tension design, it is not you.It was one of he earlier machines to set tension by the thickness of the fabric. If you really want to do free motion then it is time for a different machine.

1. Clean the hook area again. Put one drop of oil on the race that the bobbin case rides on.
2. Make sure the holder on the bobbin case area is held secure while it is turning. It will need to be adjusted if the bobbin case wants to fall off of the race or has a lot of room when you move the handwheel back and forth. Test this by turning the hand wheel back and forth.
3. Once this is finished thread the machine through a new needle. a. Place the tension on four.
b. Now, turn the hand wheel towards you and hold the thread in back of the needle.
4. While doing this watch to see if the bobbin thread is pulled by the hook around the needle thread without getting stuck. (Needle now in rising motion still under plate.)
**If the bobbin thread cannot be pulled above the plate try to increase the top tension a small amount.
**If it still can't be pulled above the plate then loosen the bobbin a bit.
This may take a little while to get it right. Always, try to adjust from the top tension first.

That is called "thread nesting," and several things can cause it. The upper thread enters the bobbin area during sewing, catches the bobbin thread, and as the needle goes up, pulls the stitch tight. Something is catching the upper thread as it goes around. The most common reasons are the bobbin or bobbin case (or both) is improperly inserted; the bobbin is warped (roll it down a flat surface--if it wobbles, it's warped), either the case or the bobbin is not seated evenly, there is a rough spot on the bobbin case that is catching the thread, or your bobbin is loosely/badly wound. You need to rule out the possibilities step by step until you find the cause. First, review your threading procedures from start to finish, using your user's manual. Then, without fabric, turn the hand wheel by hand (ALWAYS towards you) to see if you can see it start to catch. The top thread should rotate smoothly in the bobbin area. You should be able to pin-point the cause that way.

Duh. It was the breaker. Always check the breaker ...especially around Xmas!

when this happens have you check to see if the thread has come off the thread take up lever?

Make sure that your bobbin is full and that you have picked up the bottom thread. Before you start sewing you should have two threads lying on the needle plate. To catch the bobbin thread, hold the needle thread and turn the machine by the hand wheel. The needle will bring the bobbin thread up with it. Pull the threads out about 4 inches and then you are ready to sew.

To wind a bobbin put the cotton reel on the top pin, take the thread to the left and round the little wheel and back to the bobbin that should be on the winder, wind the thread round a few times to take a grip, release the stop motion in the balance wheel, turn the winder button so the winder moves to the balance wheel and press on the foot control slowly.
When you put the bobbin in the bobbin case make sure it turns anti clockwise.

try this:
Tension:
If the thread is loose on the bottom of the fabric, it's actually the top thread is too loose. Think of 2 little elves playing tug of war in your machine, one on top and one underneath. If you have loops on bottom, the top needs to pull harder (tighten top tension)
Thread test
Test your thread quality to start, thread your machine and LIFT the presser foot (this opens the tension disks). Pull your top thread straight back. If you feel no tension no matter how much thread you pull, your thread is good. If that your machine passes that test, we can go to step 2. If not, try different spool of thread, do the same test until you get a smooth pull (tip: always check your thread this way when you thread your machine)
Step 2:
Pull on your threaded bobbin thread while it’s in the machine. Does it pull smooth and even? If so, go to step 3. If not, try a new bobbin (bobbins get bent or distorted if wound too tight).
Clean thoroughly in the hook and bobbin case area and oil 1-2 drop is all.
Jamming bobbin case:
If it is damaged from turning out of place once, it could have rough spots on it that makes the thread hang on it, and keeps making it turn over and over. Use a finger nail board (fine sanding) and smoothall rough spots. Then reset the bobbin case taking care to put the notch in the bobbin case in alignment with the proper spot in the machine (basically 5 o’clock) when looking at the round area where the bobbin case goes

Thread test
Test your thread quality to start, thread your machine and LIFT the presser foot (this opens the tension disks). Pull your top thread straight back. If you feel no tension no mater how much thread you pull, your thread is good. If that your machine passes that test, then let me know, we can go to step 2. If not, try different spool of thread, same test until you get a smooth pull (tip: always check your thread this way when you thread your machine)
Step 2:
Pull on your threaded bobbin thread while it’s in the machine. Does it pull smooth and even? If so, go to step 3. If not, try a new bobbin (bobbins get bent or distorted if wound too tight).
Clean thoroughly in the hook and bobbin case area and oil 1-2 drop is all.
Thread knotting on the bobbin can be a lot of things but here's some guidance:
Tension:
If the thread is loose on the bottom of the fabric, it's actually the top thread is too loose. Think of 2 little elves playing tug of war in your machine, one on toip and one underneath. If you have loops on bottom, the top needs to pull harder (tighten top tension)
Jamming bobbin case:
If it is damaged from turning out of place once, it could have rough spots on it that makes the thread hang on it, and keeps making it turn over and over. Use a finger nail board (fine sanding) and smoothall rough spots. Then reset the bobbin case taking care to put the notch in the bobbin case in alignment with the proper spot in the machine (basically 5 o’clock) when looking at the round area where the bobbin case goes.

Have you tried changing out the bobbin case? you may have a small burr or scratch. A new one cost about 20$ I think. I have had to replace mine before and it is always good to have a new one on hand.

hollie