I'm having trouble properly threading my Elna 1010. Could you please help? The bobbin thread keeps bunching up and breaking

try another needle-- one for the fabric being sewed

make sure the top thread has not come off the thread take up lever

clean under the needle plate and in the bobbin area for lint


make sure the bobbin is inserted into the bobbin case correctly

make sure the bobbin is turned the correct way in the bobbin case

OIl on the bobbin will cause you problems as it affects the thread feed. Clean the area and check the bobbin thread rension.

Firstly remove the bobbin and case and give the whole area around the bobbin a good brush out, removing all lint and fibres from the area completely, don't blow it inside the machine deeper. Then if it has marked oiling points, give them a drop of clear quality sewing machine oil.

Now, check that the bobbin thread is fully into tension spring and that the bobbin is in and rotating the right way in the case. Also check the way the thread is wound onto the bobbin, many users have never been shown the right way to wind and just go flat out. You need the bobbin to be wound smoothly and evenly right across the middle top and bottom and you don't want the thread to be wound on with varying tensions on it or it relaxes unevenly in the seam causing puckers.

See my tip on bobbin winding here: http://www.fixya.com/support/r10598580-winding_bobbin_correctly

Then check top tension is set at the mid range number, usually 4 or 5 and that it is also fully seated into the tension discs. Always thread with the pressure foot raised so the discs are open for the thread to seat in.

Change the needle, and check stitch length is appropriate for the weight of fabric being sewn, usually 2.5 length is fine.

Now test sew again and hopefully the stitching is now more even.

Good day!

please try this simple tips:

Good day!

A sewing machine operator can often help themselves when their machine does not operate properly.
Here are some simple instructions, which if properly used can save time and mechanics service calls.
TROUBLE;UPPER THREAD KEEPS BREAKING;
This could be trouble;================Do this;
1.Top tension to tight================loosen tension 1 turn
2.Machine improperly threaded=========check threading
3.Thread twisted on guide post========"
4.Thread twisted out of tension======="
5.Take up spring bent or broken=======Check action of spring
6.Thread jumped off pull off finger===Check threading
7.Needle bent or burred===============new needle
8.Bad cone of thread==================try another cone
TROUBLE;LOWER THREAD KEEPS BREAKING;
1.Bobbin tensionspring to tight=======Loosen tension slightly
2.Bobbin threaded wrong===============check threading
3.Bobbin wound to tight or uneven=====try new bobbin
4.lint or thread on bobbin case=======clean inside case
5.Lint or thread inside hook==========clean inside hook
6.Bobbin case nicked bent or burred===check/change case
TROUBLE;MACHINE STARTED SKIPPING STITCHES;
1.Needle bent or burred===============change
2.Needle set in crooked===============Check
3.Thread jumped off take up spring====check threading
4.Thread jumped off pull off finger===check threading
TROUBLE STITCHES SHOWING LOOPS;
1.Forming loops on top of cloth=======Tighten bobbin tension
======================================or loosen top tension.
2.forming loops on bottom of cloth====Tighten top tension
3.Bobbin placed in case incorrectly===remove and replace
4.Bobbin thread slipped from under====check threading of
tension===============================bobbin case
5.Lint or thread in top tension=======clean between tension discs


Thank you and good luck.

Good day!

please try this simple tips:

Good day!

A sewing machine operator can often help themselves when their machine does not operate properly.
Here are some simple instructions, which if properly used can save time and mechanics service calls.
TROUBLE;UPPER THREAD KEEPS BREAKING;
This could be trouble;================Do this;
1.Top tension to tight================loosen tension 1 turn
2.Machine improperly threaded=========check threading
3.Thread twisted on guide post========"
4.Thread twisted out of tension======="
5.Take up spring bent or broken=======Check action of spring
6.Thread jumped off pull off finger===Check threading
7.Needle bent or burred===============new needle
8.Bad cone of thread==================try another cone
TROUBLE;LOWER THREAD KEEPS BREAKING;
1.Bobbin tensionspring to tight=======Loosen tension slightly
2.Bobbin threaded wrong===============check threading
3.Bobbin wound to tight or uneven=====try new bobbin
4.lint or thread on bobbin case=======clean inside case
5.Lint or thread inside hook==========clean inside hook
6.Bobbin case nicked bent or burred===check/change case
TROUBLE;MACHINE STARTED SKIPPING STITCHES;
1.Needle bent or burred===============change
2.Needle set in crooked===============Check
3.Thread jumped off take up spring====check threading
4.Thread jumped off pull off finger===check threading
TROUBLE STITCHES SHOWING LOOPS;
1.Forming loops on top of cloth=======Tighten bobbin tension
======================================or loosen top tension.
2.forming loops on bottom of cloth====Tighten top tension
3.Bobbin placed in case incorrectly===remove and replace
4.Bobbin thread slipped from under====check threading of
tension===============================bobbin case
5.Lint or thread in top tension=======clean between tension discs


Thank you and good luck.

Good day!

please try this simple tips:

Good day!

A sewing machine operator can often help themselves when their machine does not operate properly.
Here are some simple instructions, which if properly used can save time and mechanics service calls.
TROUBLE;UPPER THREAD KEEPS BREAKING;
This could be trouble;================Do this;
1.Top tension to tight================loosen tension 1 turn
2.Machine improperly threaded=========check threading
3.Thread twisted on guide post========"
4.Thread twisted out of tension======="
5.Take up spring bent or broken=======Check action of spring
6.Thread jumped off pull off finger===Check threading
7.Needle bent or burred===============new needle
8.Bad cone of thread==================try another cone
TROUBLE;LOWER THREAD KEEPS BREAKING;
1.Bobbin tensionspring to tight=======Loosen tension slightly
2.Bobbin threaded wrong===============check threading
3.Bobbin wound to tight or uneven=====try new bobbin
4.lint or thread on bobbin case=======clean inside case
5.Lint or thread inside hook==========clean inside hook
6.Bobbin case nicked bent or burred===check/change case
TROUBLE;MACHINE STARTED SKIPPING STITCHES;
1.Needle bent or burred===============change
2.Needle set in crooked===============Check
3.Thread jumped off take up spring====check threading
4.Thread jumped off pull off finger===check threading
TROUBLE STITCHES SHOWING LOOPS;
1.Forming loops on top of cloth=======Tighten bobbin tension
======================================or loosen top tension.
2.forming loops on bottom of cloth====Tighten top tension
3.Bobbin placed in case incorrectly===remove and replace
4.Bobbin thread slipped from under====check threading of
tension===============================bobbin case
5.Lint or thread in top tension=======clean between tension discs


Thank you and good luck.

Good day!

please try this simple tips:

Good day!

A sewing machine operator can often help themselves when their machine does not operate properly.
Here are some simple instructions, which if properly used can save time and mechanics service calls.
TROUBLE;UPPER THREAD KEEPS BREAKING;
This could be trouble;================Do this;
1.Top tension to tight================loosen tension 1 turn
2.Machine improperly threaded=========check threading
3.Thread twisted on guide post========"
4.Thread twisted out of tension======="
5.Take up spring bent or broken=======Check action of spring
6.Thread jumped off pull off finger===Check threading
7.Needle bent or burred===============new needle
8.Bad cone of thread==================try another cone
TROUBLE;LOWER THREAD KEEPS BREAKING;
1.Bobbin tensionspring to tight=======Loosen tension slightly
2.Bobbin threaded wrong===============check threading
3.Bobbin wound to tight or uneven=====try new bobbin
4.lint or thread on bobbin case=======clean inside case
5.Lint or thread inside hook==========clean inside hook
6.Bobbin case nicked bent or burred===check/change case
TROUBLE;MACHINE STARTED SKIPPING STITCHES;
1.Needle bent or burred===============change
2.Needle set in crooked===============Check
3.Thread jumped off take up spring====check threading
4.Thread jumped off pull off finger===check threading
TROUBLE STITCHES SHOWING LOOPS;
1.Forming loops on top of cloth=======Tighten bobbin tension
======================================or loosen top tension.
2.forming loops on bottom of cloth====Tighten top tension
3.Bobbin placed in case incorrectly===remove and replace
4.Bobbin thread slipped from under====check threading of
tension===============================bobbin case
5.Lint or thread in top tension=======clean between tension discs


Thank you and good luck.

Good day!

please try this simple tips:

Good day!

A sewing machine operator can often help themselves when their machine does not operate properly.
Here are some simple instructions, which if properly used can save time and mechanics service calls.
TROUBLE;UPPER THREAD KEEPS BREAKING;
This could be trouble;================Do this;
1.Top tension to tight================loosen tension 1 turn
2.Machine improperly threaded=========check threading
3.Thread twisted on guide post========"
4.Thread twisted out of tension======="
5.Take up spring bent or broken=======Check action of spring
6.Thread jumped off pull off finger===Check threading
7.Needle bent or burred===============new needle
8.Bad cone of thread==================try another cone
TROUBLE;LOWER THREAD KEEPS BREAKING;
1.Bobbin tensionspring to tight=======Loosen tension slightly
2.Bobbin threaded wrong===============check threading
3.Bobbin wound to tight or uneven=====try new bobbin
4.lint or thread on bobbin case=======clean inside case
5.Lint or thread inside hook==========clean inside hook
6.Bobbin case nicked bent or burred===check/change case
TROUBLE;MACHINE STARTED SKIPPING STITCHES;
1.Needle bent or burred===============change
2.Needle set in crooked===============Check
3.Thread jumped off take up spring====check threading
4.Thread jumped off pull off finger===check threading
TROUBLE STITCHES SHOWING LOOPS;
1.Forming loops on top of cloth=======Tighten bobbin tension
======================================or loosen top tension.
2.forming loops on bottom of cloth====Tighten top tension
3.Bobbin placed in case incorrectly===remove and replace
4.Bobbin thread slipped from under====check threading of
tension===============================bobbin case
5.Lint or thread in top tension=======clean between tension discs


Thank you and good luck.

check the needle to see if it's damaged
lower thread tension may be to tight
check to bobbin & bobbin case for burrs
check for loose threads in bobbin area

it sounds like the needle hook timing is out. You need to get the needle in the lowest position and measure the gap from the needle to the hook point on the bobbin shuttle. It should be 1/4". You will need to remove the foot and foot plate to be able to see. I use a 1/4" drill bit as a gauge. If you need to adjust it, you will need to remove the free arm cover to the right of the foot and loosen the 2 allen head screws that hold the drive gear. Adjust the gap, tighten the screws and retry. Usually if the needle catches the thread to early, it will make a bad stitch and the upper thread will break. If it catches to late, it will make thread loops and the machine will skip stitches. Good luck, these are a good machine and worth fixing. Phil