problem with my sewing machine! help!?

Question

Heres the problem, the bottom thread bunches up and catches in the mechanisms near the bobbin and this causes the needle to stop and stick in one place.
On the hem in looks fine on top but on the bottom there are bunches of thread all jammed into the hem if the machine doesn't stop and actually sews the whole line.
I need to finish my project in 2 days and I can't figure out what is causing this.

It seems like i get it to go fine when i am practicing on scraps, but as soon as i start on the project it bunches up and stops again. My scraps are the same fabric as my project, just extra pieces.

I am SO upset at my machine!!!
What is causing this? How do i fix it?

Answer 1

When the thread makes rats' nests on the bottom of the fabric, the top tension is not engaged properly (similarly, loops on the top of the fabric means there's something wrong with the bobbin tension).

Here's the most likely way to fix the problem:

1) Unthread the machine completely. This is a good time to
brush out the bobbin case and evict the "felt" that forms
under the needleplate, too.

2) Rethread from the beginning *making sure the presser foot
is up*. This is important... the thread does not enter the upper
tension if the presser foot is down in the "sewing position". (You
can lower the foot to thread the needle, but make sure it's up
until you get to the needle threading stage.

3) Rethread the bobbin, making sure the thread goes through
the bobbin tension.

4) Using the handwheel, fetch the bobbin thread up through
the hole in the needleplate.

5) Pull about 4-6" of both threads, and hold them behind the presser foot.

6) Lower the needle into your work. Lower the presser foot.
Take one stitch while you're still hanging onto those thread ends.
Now you can let go and sew. (Hanging onto the threads keeps
the beginning-of-the-seam-snarlies from happening.)

When you end a seam, pull out a few inches of bobbin and
top thread and you'll be ready to start again.

IF THIS DOES NOT WORK: The next thing to suspect is the upper tension. Raise the presser foot and unthread the top. Using a clean, folded piece of washed muslin that you've dipped in rubbing alcohol or unflavored vodka, floss between the tension
disks to get out the bit of thread or bits of cruft and fuzz that are keeping the tension disks from closing. Start with #2 above,
and things should be fine. If they're still not working well, it's probably time for a COA (clean-oil-adjust) at the sewing machine mechanic's.

If you've played with the upper tension and are not getting a good stitch, try setting it back to "4", which is the default number they set tensions at for muslin weight fabrics.

The most common causes of malfunctioning sewing machines are:
dull needle
needle in backwards (causes skipped stitches)
improper threading
threading with the presser foot down
dirty tensions
not hanging on to the thread at the beginning of a seam.

Answer 2

What I would do is firstly, start as though the machine had just been delivered. Usually it is the top tension causing the bunching up of threads so unthread your cotton and check that there is no small bits left in any of the guide threads, then re thread again. Change your needle, clean out your bobbin area. If this fails to rectify the matter adjust the TOP tension only and try putting your thread on a stand further away from the machine itself. Hope you understand this and it helps.

Anita

Answer 3

When my machine does that I take apart the bobbin casing using a screwdriver and clean all the lint out of there. 90% of the time that takes care of the problem.

The other 10% it's been something in the threading so I'll usually go ahead and rethread the top thread, too.

Answer 4

This cute little machine is for crafting, but none the less, it is a sewing machine. Using the manual as your guide re-thread the upper thread and re position the bobbin. Remove the thread and bobbin, lift the presser foot and set up the machine as the manual indicates. Always thread the machine with the presser foot up. The bobbin thread feeds counter clockwise on most drop-in bobbins. Make sure you get the thread, both top and bobbin through all the proper guides. You may have to return the machine for a more substantial model.

Answer 5

When this happens to me, it is usually because the thread has slipped out of the bobbin case. When you put the bibbin into its case, make sure the end is tailing out into your left hand. Get it all the way down into the slot.

Use a paintbrush to clean fuzz out of the machine every time you change a bobbin. Oil every 15th hour of sewing, and don't skip the yearly tuneup.
.

Answer 6

My mother and I both think it could be one of two things:

1) Most likely, the 'tension', which can be adjusted. You might have adjusted one tension, but the bobbin has its own, separate tension also, so check that you have also adjusted that,

2) If it is not the tension, it could be that the needle you are using is the wrong type for the fabric you are sewing. You may need to check with your sewing shop and get the right needle type.

The shop may also be able to help with information about tensions.

Best wishes :-)