Bottom thread Ravel when sewing

You have a tension issue. Use the dial on the front of the machine. to turn the tension tighter.Use a double length of fabric and sew a little, turn knob, sew a little, turn knob. Continue doing this till top and bottom thread are equal and grabbing in the center. Good Luck... xo

the looping on the bottom usually is a tension problem, the top & bottom tension are unequal usually fixed by adjusting the top tension.
some people that I've talked with have had success with changing to a different size needle ( depends what type of thread is being used).
when the machine is threaded the foot needs to be up ( this releases tension on the thread), when the foot is lowered it the tension is set on the thread. if the material being sewed is too thick it raises the foot too high & releases tension on the thread ( the material has to be really thick to do this).
if there a piece of thread or lint in or around the tensioner or bobbin area it could cause trouble.
other wise if you've tried everything you can think of, take it back th the store & have them try it & tell you what is wrong.

also this machine has bad reviews (i'll provide a link so you can read them), people having the same problems as you are. the newer singers just don't seem to be the same quality tha the older ones were.
all bad reviews
http://www.amazon.com/Singer-5400-60-stitch-Sewing-Machine/product-reviews/B007ZG9DTQ/ref=cm_cr_pr_btm_link_1?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=0&sortBy=byRankDescending
mixed reviews
http://reviews.walmart.com/1336/20573406/singer-5400-sew-mate-60-stitch-sewing-machine-5400-reviews/reviews.htm

Go back to the tension adjustments that were doing well with other fabrics.
You may need to go to a smaller size needle, and a finer thread. Sometimes I use a wooly nylon in my looper because it is very stretchy, but be careful when you pull it through as you are threading it because it will also break easily if you don't have your tensions full open as you are pulling it through.
Start out by buying a sheet or roll of Solvy. You can either cut it into strips to lay on top of the material as you sew or under it if you prefer. It should make the material lay flat as it sews. I have used tissue paper before under it to make it lay flat and keep it flat to make the looper thread stretch itself out as it sews.
If your looper thread tension was too tight on other fabrics too, that is a whole other problem.

Hello Daniel, I suggest you start with a new needle. Back off the needle thread tension and the bobbin thread tension to a minimum and see how it sews. If it does not ravel the thread, you can increase the tensions until you acquire the stitch you want.

I use a piece of tissue or thin paper to start the seam/zigzag. I've always thought the problem occurred most when I used llight weight or 'ravel prone' fabrics. I also took extra time to cut, not tear, the tissue off because the strenght of the tissue on delicate or fraying fabrics will literally pull the threads and fabric apart--a big problelm.

Sometimes I just got lazy and straight stitched a 1/2 inch until the fabric's vulnerable corner was firmly over the base plate. Then I changed to zigzag.

whether its bias or straight does not matter to machine. loosen the bobbin tension and put more tension on take up spring by inserting a screwdriver in the slot of the top thread tensioner. turn to right.

try adjusting the top thread tension and see if that helps
also try changing the thread.
also change the needle--make sure it's the right needle for the fabric
being sewed.

Hello

Adjust the tension

Load your sewing machine with one color on top, threaded through the needle. Load the second color thread into the bobbin and thread.


Fold the scrap fabric in half, and sew a straight stitch at least 2 inches long. Look closely at the seam. If you see loops of the bottom color thread on top of the fabric, proceed to Step 3. If you see loops of the top color thread on the bottom of the fabric, proceed to step 4.


Loosen the top tension. Since the top tension is so tight, it is pulling the bottom thread up through the fabric. Loosen the top tension by turning the numbered knob on the front of the sewing machine counterclockwise by one number.


Tighten the top tension. Since the top tension is too loose, the bottom thread is pulling the top thread down through the fabric. Tighten the top tension by turning the numbered knob on the front of the sewing machine clockwise by one number.


Sew a straight stitch 3 inches in length. Check the stitching. It is perfect if the threads meet in the middle, and you can only see the top thread on top and the bottom thread on bottom. If it still needs adjusting, go back to step 2 to repeat the needed steps.


Using two different colored threads makes it easier for you to see which thread is being pulled.

Always use proper precautions when working with electrical machines.

Hi. The upper tension is too loose (even tho it looks ok). If the upper thread is too loose, it can't pull the bobbin thread up to properly form the stitch and you get those messy 'birds nest' on the bottom side of the fabric. I posted a Tip on Adjusting Tension--read that and adjust your upper tension.

Thanks!

Robbie

It is possible that you threaded the machine with the presser foot down.

This creates loopy stitching because the thead never entered the tension control. Foot down = closed tension.

Put the settings back to their normal settings.

Raise the presser foot and re thread the machine.