Why is my sewing machine thread knotting when I begin sewing?

Question

I am an inexperienced seamstress trying to make roman shades for my bedroom. I have just started to use a new machine--or new to me; it's a rebuilt Sears Kenmore machine, simple but highly serviceable. (I got a copy of the manual from Sears.)

Here's the problem. When I sew forwards and backwards and forwards again to get started and keep the thread from unravelling, the thread knots, the needle gets stuck, and I have to ease the fabric out with great care and cut through a major rat's nest of thread on the underside of the fabric.

I am currently trying to sew loop tape to a simple cotton panel in order to make Roman shades, but I have the same problem when I try to sew backwards and forwards again on scrap cotton. I think my tension is okay (?). The thread I am using is somewhat thick. I am not sure what other specifics to offer.

Can anyone tell me how to solve my problem so I can take down the old sheet that is currently covering my window?

Answer 1

If you sew across a couple layers of scrap, how do the stitches look? If you have loops on the to or bottom, you need to adjust tension. I usually don't touch bobbin tension, but if you are using heavier thread, you could loosen the little screw in the bobbin case maybe 1/4 turn.

Make sure you are using a proper needle (type and size) for what you are sewing, and change them often. Clean lint out of the bobbin area and from under the feed dogs. Oil as directed in you manual (at least every six hours of sewing time). Also, hold onto the two threads behind the needle for the first few stitches as you begin to sew. That will prevent them being pulled back inside to tangle.

HTH

Answer 2

I hate to see new seamstress get discouraged just because the machine won't co-operate.

It may be as simple as working too close to the edge. Butt the fabric up against a scrap piece of material so the needle can't push the edge down into the sole plate, and see if that helps?

If it's just that your thread is looping and making a birds nest on the underside of the fabric, it may be that it has slipped out of the bobbin. It happens to me sometimes. Make sure the thread is in the bobbin so that it will wind off clockwise, and that it is all the way in the slot. Also, be very careful that you are not missing anything when you thread the machine. This is also a common cause of looping.

Use good thread. Coats sucks. Gutermann is a good brand. Make it polyester while you're at it, and don't use antique thread.

Clean out the lint every time you change a bobbin. Make sure you pull off the sole plate and clean it out from the top too. I know that is a pain on some machines because you have to undscrew the sole plate. On your next machine, look for one that has a pop-off sole plate.

Oil your machine every 15 hours of sewing.

Answer 3

Your needle size could be wrong for the type of thread or the type of fabric you are using. You owners manual should give you the answer to that. Also, check you bobbin to be sure it is threaded right. Sometime my thread will, somehow, get out of the tension lever and knot up. If there is a lot of lint or any thread in the bobbin race it could cause knotting. Your owners manual should give you all the possibilities and what to do about them.

Answer 4

When you begin sewing, try to hold the "Tails" of the threads behind the needle of the machine. Hold pretty tight so they can't get sucked down into the machine. That should make a big improvement. Some machines take the thread down into the mechanism and it gets tangled.

Answer 5

I was thinking that maybe the tension is off. If not, you might need a different type of needle for your machine.

Also, make sure that you've got the foot down on the fabric before you begin to sew! I've messed up so many times by forgetting to do that, and I end up with knots on the back of my project.

Good luck! Wish I could help you more! : )

Answer 6

I've had that happen to me with my new machine! I don't sew but my mil tells me its my bobbin. Make sure it is in right and on tight (sitting correctly and not reversed or anything like that). You may have to take it apart (around your bobbin ) and oil it. I know you've said its been serviced.

Also check your tension and make sure you have the right stitch setting. Needle in the middle.

If all else fails go step by step with your manual or call a friend that sews really well. Not be sarcastic as I've been there and done that!

Good luck! Your curtains sound like they will be lovely.

Answer 7

These are all excellent answers above and recommend trying them all. You should also make sure that you are not "speeding" or trying to sew too fast. Use your wheel and set a couple of stitches and then hold the wheel like a break (sort of ) so you don't get started too fast, you need to go SSLLOOWWLLYYYY when you first start your stitches

Answer 8

are you holding the tail of your thread as you start? is your needle dull? is the bobbin threaded right? you need to use standard thread, you cant use button thread or carpet thread in a normal machine. use coats and clarks dual duty thread.

Answer 9

One other thing you might do is make sure that the thread you are using is not old. Sometimes, when it is old it will sort of unwind itself which causes knotting. So make sure you have really good thread that is not too old.

Answer 10

Wrong size bobbin, or wound the thread wrong on the bobbin.