I had to replace a bobbin case because either a design ( I made) was too dense or my thread caught on something and the machine needed to be timed. When I did the test stitching in sew mode it stitched perfectly. I am also able to embroider but all I can see on the top and on the bottom is the top thread. The stich looks fine on both the top and the bottom but I know that this must not be right. I have a Futura 100 thanks

If the thread keeps getting caught on the bobbin case and making a loud clanking noise, it's possible that the bobbin case is not properly installed or is damaged. Here are a few steps you can take to troubleshoot this issue:

1. Check that the bobbin case is properly installed in the machine. The bobbin case should be securely snapped into place, and there should be no wobbling or movement when you gently tug on it.
2. Inspect the bobbin case for damage. Look for any cracks, chips, or burrs that could be catching the thread. If you find any damage, replace the bobbin case.
3. Check the tension on the bobbin case. The bobbin tension should be adjusted so that the thread pulls evenly and smoothly from the bobbin. If the tension is too loose, the thread can bunch up and get caught in the case.
4. Make sure the thread is properly threaded through the machine. Check that the thread is not caught or looped around any of the machine's components.
5. Try using a different type of thread. Some threads are more prone to breaking or getting caught in the machine than others.

If you've tried these steps and are still having trouble, it may be time to take your machine to a professional for servicing

Check bobbin case for loose threads in spring area that could be causing bobbin not to hold enough tension on bobbin thread. You can check bobbin case tension by using your needle plate. Holding bobbin case in your hand, insert a bobbin and thread it through the spring as usual. On the end of the bobbin thread, tie your needle plate to the thread. Hold case in your hand side ways so that thread travels downward with needle plate and thread trails downward across the case. The case should be perpendicular to the table top or floor. The weight of the needle plate should be so that the thread does not travel down unless the bobbin case is shaken slightly. The thread should then travel down slowly but stop once you hold case steady. If this is ok, check top tension. Turn on the machine. Lower the presser foot. With needle threaded, pull the thread the needle. You should feel some resistance. If there is none. Raise the presser foot and brush out any loose threads that might be caught in the upper tension disks. Many times, loose threads can get caught here that will keep disks from closing completely.

Hope this helps. Good luck.

I find that most problems for me have been from poorly wound bobbins or very dense designs. With the dense design, when nearing the end the hoop starts catching/jumping up with the needle, breaking thread. I use software to decrease density one or two increments then embroider. Clean out the bobbin shuttle and the upper thread path. Change needle & make sure your stabilizer is appropriate for the fabric. If too lightweight it tends to shred causing issues.

Do you have a manual for this machine? You need to follow the cleaning instructions and remove the needle plate, and clean under the bobbin holder. I've attached an image from my Janoma 6500 manual, it looks very similar to this Elna so I'm thinking its the same design bobbin and race. There may be a little triangular shaped tool in your kit but any short flat blade screwdriver will remove the two setscrews. (always good idea to unscrew off the pressure foot and take out the needle first so you've got room).

PLEASE NOTE: If you've never pulled this bobbin area apart before, good idea to snap pics with your digital camera as you go to refer to and for reference next time!!

This uncovers the bobbin holder area, you'll see there is a black plastic holder which your bobbin goes into which has the tension device on the side and this then sits inside an outer metal casing which is the hook race. The bobbin holder is held there by a magnet underneath it and sits up against another little stopper. Look at the bobbin case and the stopper, there should be two red marks that must line up. Are they???

If the answer is no, then you need to remove the bobbin case, clean out any lint and fluff using your little brush that came with the machine, and you may also have pieces of thread caught in here too. Once clean, place the bobbin case back into the outer surround, under the other piece and lining up the two red marks. This is where photos are so helpful.

Now replace the needle plate and screws, pressure foot, pop in a new needle and thread everything up again.

If the thread continues to catch then you may have managed to damage the bobbin case; as they are plastic if they move out of position the needle can catch and burr or pierce them. If this has happened you could try to smooth out the burring with an emery board or similar. Or you may need to replace it if damaged badly. I've changed mine twice so far because I've damaged it badly.

I hope that this helps you out, good luck with your machine.

Check the timing of the needle to the hook.
Here is a guide to generic principles of Timing

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

First try taking your bobbin case right out of the machine (not sure if this model has a top loading or front loading bobbin, but your manual will help you here) and floss out the tension slot with a piece of strong thread. Don't use waxed dental floss, but non-waxed would work okay. (The bobbin case is the piece that the bobbin sits in.) Look around while you have the machine open and remove any fluff and thread you can see - TURN MACHINE OFF BEFORE DOING THIS! Replace bobbin case. Replace bobbin and make sure it "clicks" into the tension slot.

Then unthread the top of the machine, clean the tension disks by passing a folded dollar bill (or any paper money, depends on what country you are in) through the disks in the direction you thread the machine. Do this several times. Re-thread making sure you follow the correct thread path.

Make sure the needle plate is on firmly.

If after all that it still won't work, I'm sorry to say that it sounds like you have a misaligned needle bar. This commonly happens after you have a major thread snaffoo and needle breakage. The needle gets caught in the thread knot, pulls to the side and breaks but if it gets seriously caught it can pull the needle bar out of place. You cannot put the needle bar back in place yourself - it's a job for the workshop. Don't sew on your machine until it is fixed. The noise you are hearing is likely to be the needle striking against the needle plate or even the bobbin. Your timing will probably need re-setting too and this needs to be done by a qualified technician.

If you really need to sew before you can get your machine into the workshop, and if you can move the needle position on your machine by pressing a "sideways" button of some sort, you could try to get the needle in the centre yourself using this feature. This will not help if it is the timing that is the major problem.
Pam M.

This has happened to me as well. What I usually do is:-
* remove bobbin case and clean out any lint, also under the needle plate, then replace needle plate , bobbin case and the little front cover. replace the bobbin , checking that you have the thread going the correct way.
* replace the needle with a new one of the correct size for the weight of your fabric and the weight of your thread
*remove and rethread the top thread
* check that the stabilizer is of sufficient weight for the density of the design. (You may need to float an extra piece of stabilizer underneath the hoop)
* check also that it is bobbin-fill in your bobbin (it is easy to get it mixed up)
* when stitching out lace, sometimes it helps to hoop the solvy double.

Designer 1 bobbin case tension adjustment:
When the bobbin runs out, sometimes it bends the bobbin case tension spring. Then tension is too light. Take the bobbin case out of the machine. Tie the loose bobbin thread to the Designer 1 needle plate. Insert the bobbin in the bobbin case. Here’s the tricky part set the bobbin case on the table as if it’s in the machine (Bobbin is visible and sitting horizontal to table top) threaded as if sewing and loose end tied to needle plate (that is removed from the machine). Lift the bobbin case off the table rotate it so that the flat side of the bobbin are vertical to the table and no longer horizontal. Have the bobbin case oriented so that the thread coming out of the bobbin case sprint (slot area where it is put for sewing) is at the top. Lift it high enough that the needle plate is lifted from the table. It should not release thread unless you shake it gently and then a very small amount of thread. The needle plate is the exact weight resistance your bobbin case should have on the thread.

It isout of time you need to time it.by adjusting the screw on the bobbin holder turn it left or right and the tension knobe and foot tension.