HELP - My Sewing Machine is NOT SEWING - the Thread keeps Bunching up on the Fabric/ What could it be?

Question

I haven't used my Sewing Machine in about 4 years - so I oiled the parts and it seemed to be working fine - but when I try to sew -it gets BUNCHED up - as far as I know everything is inplace and the thread & bobbin are in correctly - but its been so long - I could be doing something wrong -I guess
But I am making my daughter's Easter dress and I'm running out of time - What could be causing this and what can I do to fix the problem - should I just take it to a Sewing Machine Repair Shop ? Its a Pro-Sew brand Sewing Machine only 6 years old and I dont have my manual - can I find one online maybe ??
Any suggestions ?? HELP

Answer 1

Hey girl
You have a thread tension adjustment problem here
at some point in the threads travels to the needle-- there is a tension adjustment knob--- this is usually located at a point in the thread's travel approximately half way down the sewing machine's head and the point where the thread is looped into a "tension spring" ---- it is at that point that you need to do your adjustment----- tighten it slightly and make a pass of some trash cloth thru the machine--- if the thread's knotting up has improved--- adjust a little more--- test again etc until the proper tension is set !!! It should be fairly evident once you start this process if the tension needs to be slightly tighter or slightly looser--- you may even have to "tweak" this setting slightly once you have the actual project material into it's run--- because the type of material and the thickness of the needle's pass will have a lot to do with the necessary tension setting--- the thread should "lock" at the back side of the material passing thru the machine to have the proper tension setting !!!

Hope this helps you---- set that tension and get that dress done--- time is wasting here !!!!

Answer 2

If the thread is bunching or looping on the bottom then check the tention guage on your machine it is usually an knob inwhich the thread is put through. If it is just staying in one place check the feed foot, this is the foot under the fabric that moves it forward (also make sure the upper foot is in the down position before sewing).... Some fabrics like satin may need what is called a feed dog foot, this is a special attachment which takes the place of the top foot and helps feed the fabric through the machine....... If this does not help email me with more details...... A great sewing book is the VOGUE sewing book it has EVERYTHING you need to know about sewing it is the only book you will ever need. NOTE: The old and new versions are exactly the same only some of the pictures are updated to more modern ones....

Answer 3

You are on the right track by already knowing that you should always thread the machine with the presser foot up. Double check the guides the thread is suppose to go through for sewing - this may be different than for bobbin winding. Check the bobbin case to see if there are any stray threads or lint that is causing the problem. Also, be sure the bobbin thread is feeding the the correct direction from the bobbin and through the proper guides. Sewing and sewing machine questions are usually posted in hobbies and crafts, but I do agree sewing needs to have it's own category.

Answer 4

The bobbin usually has a direction of flow that it needs to come off of the bobbin as it feeds as it stitches. Anytime your stitches are messed up on the top it is the bobbin, and if it is messed up on the bottom it is the top tension. You explain that it gets bunched up. Not being real sure of what you mean I will try a few guesses. If the fabric is pulled into the bobbin casement the bobbin is not put in correctly. It will be difficult without your manual, but most machines have arrows as to the direction that they need to flow. Try both ways if you are unsure. If by bunched up you mean the fabric is tight when you sew, it would be the tension and then it would depend on if it was the top or the bottom. Adjust the top if it is the underside and visa versa. Your bobbin casement should have an itty bitty screw which will tighten or loosen the tension on the bobbin. The top tension is usually a knob, but not always. Do a search online putting in the name of your sewing machine with the model number and then manual. Something should come up, or at least the site of the company who makes your machine. A manual should be available either through a download or mail. I hope this helps.

Answer 5

It most likely is one of the tension settings. The top thread setting is usually easy to find with a knob somewhere along the thread path. The bobbin tension is a bit harder, usually on the side of the machine with some sort of flat dial. It's sometimes gets bumped when a machine gets moved or if little hands want to help mom.

The other thing you can check is if there is dust from the long storage built up under the bobbin. I know on my machine (Kenmore) I have to take the bobbin plate of the machine with a screwdriver, pull all the pieces out and then clean all the lint and dust out.

EDIT TO ADD: One other thought. Are you holding the loose ends of the threads out of the way as you start to sew? Sometimes the machine will pull one of those into the way of the bobbin thread and that can lock things up, too.

Answer 6

I'm a technician and will say all the above is good advice. My first thought is that you may have your bobbin backwards in the bobbin case and its turning the wrong way. Or your upper tension disks are dirty and stuck. I follow three rules. TTN... Thread, Tension, Needle. Is the machine threaded correctly? Tension top and bottom good? Needle sharp (new) and in the right way?
Bottom line though, you have a machine that cost , low end - 49.99. Its not supposed to last 6 years. Unless you seldom use it in which case it has sat and the oil is old and/or turned into varnish over time. Sewing machines need to be oiled regularly and tuned up once a year at least. You could get another like you have from Wal-Mart for what it could cost to tune it up. Good luck

Answer 7

Bobbin Thread Bunching Up

Answer 8

my machine is an excel 30 22 Brother and I am experiencing bunching up on the second thread while sewing what is the cause of this?

Answer 9

Machine is set at teh wrong tension for the thread type. There should be round nob which the thread wraps around. Try to increase the number and see if that works.

Answer 10

sYour bobbin might not be in correctly make sure your thread gos through you slit in the bobbin some time when its not right it will bunch up.

Check your manual
some times cheap thread can cause this

your tension might not be right
needle is to thick for fabric

bad needle put a new one in
hope this helps!