I have a metal spernova child's sewing machine. I have threaded it, but it keeps jamming up. It doesn't create the chain stitch on the fabric. What am I doing wrong??

A serger (overlocker) is not a sewing machine. If you look at the inside seams of a purchased t-shirt, you will usually find a serge stitch that was created using a serger (overlocker). A serger/overlocker usually uses 3 or 4 threads to create that stitch. It also trims the fabric at the same time it finishes the fabric edge. The serge stitch is a chain stitch that, if you pull a particular thread, the entire stitch will come undone.

Your sewing machine is not able to create that same stitch. Your sewing machine may have what is called an "overlock" stitch, but it will use only 2 threads (the top and bobbin) to create that stitch. You would have to consult your owner's manual to see if it can make an overlock stitch.


Different Serger Stitches and How to Use Them

The BERNINA Serger Overlocker line BERNINA

try rethreading the machine top and bobbin
try turning the bobbin the opposite direction
clean under the needle plate and in the bobbin area for lint or loose
threads
make sure the top thread has not come off the thread take up lever

try these suggestions
change the needle
make sure the thread doesn't come off the thread take up lever--this
can jam the machine
make sure the bobbin is turned the right way in the bobbin case--this
can cause problems if the bobbin is turned the wrong way
make sure the bobbin is not warped or damaged
make sure there are no burrs in the bobbin area or on the needle
plate

It loops, it's just that your shuttle isn't catching the loop. The loop is formed on the upstroke of the needle on the back or "scarfed" side of the needle. If the shuttle point doesn't catch that loop, no stitch.

First make sure you have a fresh needle. If still no stitch... take it in for service. (clean, lube and time)

After cleaning out the bobbin area, re-threading the top thread, turning my Pfaff 4.2 off and on it still said " remove thread jam under the the stitch plate". I pushed the "ok" button and it started working again.
Keeping my fingers crossed.

try changing the needle--make sure the needle is correct for the fabric
clean under the needle plate & in the bobbin area for lint or loose threads
if it keeps jamming up & making noises I suggest to have the machine
serviced

type in your browser chain stitch machine & it will bring up website
that have them

Make sure thread is not laying across the bobbin when you look down into the plastic slider that covers the top loading bobbin case. The bobbin on mine I observed was loose in the case so that as the machine ran, eventually the bobbin thread would jump out of the stitch finger (the silver piece to the far left of the bobbin case, past the tension slots). I solved this problem and so can you! Take the extra felt spool pin felt in your accessories kit that came with the machine, remove bobbin from case and drop this small felt circle into the bobbin case. Replace bobbin. On the 4423, the bobbin thread goes counter-clockwise and drops into the tension discs, and goes all the back until it falls into the space left of the silver stitch finger. Make sure take up level raised all the way up! Then pull the needle thread toward you until bobbin thread comes all the way up. If you start sewing and you actually can SEE the bobbin thread laying across the bobbin, STOP and tethered because that would mean your thread did not slide all the back behind the silver stitch finger--however, I assure you, if you go one step at a time, you did it correctly! You will be smiling in no time! Why? The felt helps to make the bobbin rest in the correct position to keep it from jumping out of the groove. I hope this helps you.
Jimmy

Hello

Primary causes of upper thread breakage:


-- misthreading: pull all the thread off and thread again, using the manual, step by step. Read each step aloud before you do it. (sounds dumb, but helps.) (And make sure you thread the takeup lever!)

-- thread has wrapped itself around a thread guide or spool pin from one of the breaks. Take the spool off the machine before rethreading.

-- bad or damaged needle. Replace with the right size for the fabric, turned correctly (backwards needles skip stitches)

-- dirty machine, especially in the bobbin case area: review cleaning instructions and do it, using brush and vacuum only

-- bad/cheap thread: should not be slubby or break easy. Try another spool.

-- top thread tension too tight. 4 is normal for most fabrics, most stitches.

Tips;

1) do a light cleaning (brush and vacuum) every day you sit down to sew.

2) replace the needle if you hear it hit metal, if you've got a really bad thread jam, if you see it deflect as you sew (for instance, sewing over the side seam on jeans when hemming). Replace every 3-8 hours of actual stitching time anyhow.

3) buy good quality thread

4) when your machine isn't sewing right, stop; take all the thread off of/out of the machine (bobbin out of bobbin case, spool off spool pin) and give it a quick cleaning. Rethread from scratch, carefully. If that doesn't fix it, do it again, then replace needle and rethread one more time, manual in hand (yah, even if you've threaded it 8 million times before). #4 is curative about 98% of the time. The other 2% often requires professional attention.

Hello,
Here are a couple of things to try.

* Un-thread your machine and remove your bobbin. Clean any loose thread or lint out of your
bobbin case. Re-thread your machine, reinsert and re-thread your bobbin.

* Change your bobbin
There could be a nick along the edge of your bobbin spool that’s catching your thread as you
sew.

* When you start to sew a seam, grasp the upper and bobbin thread tails. Hold them back
and out of the way as you sew your first couple of stitches. This will keep them from getting
caught in your machine.

I hope this helps.