Trying to learn to use new sewing machine, thread gets into jumbled mess...?

Question

I'm trying to learn to use my new sewing machine but as soon as I try to sew, the threads just turn into a tangled shredded mess on the material. I am sure I have it properly threaded, the correct needle, good quality thread and I don't think I have altered the settings much. It is a very basic beginner machine (Brother) and I am just trying to sew regular medium cotton material to start. I am bringing bobbin thread up and am setting presser foot down. It seems as if the feed dogs are trying to gobble up the material as well and so on top of the jumbled shredded threads, the material is also sometimes torn. Does anyone know what I mean and what the solution might be? THANKS!!

I do have the instruction book that came with the machine and I even bought a basic "how to" but none of these books mention this problem.

Answer 1

chances are that its a tension problem -

you are stating that its a new machine - did you get it from a sewing machine dealer - if so, take it back in (with the material that you plan to sew) and have them show you how to fix the tension, as it sounds like the tension is off or something is wrong with the bobbin case..

if you didn't get it from a dealer (like you got it at walmart), then you need to adjust the tension -

1st - ALWAYS (when trying this) start sewing ON the fabric - dont run onto the edge, start ON the fabric -

next - take a sharpie or dry erase marker or something, and mark the adjustment knobs as they stand (so you have a point of reference)

then - start to sew a bit and see what happens -

a jumbled mess is usually a threading problem (are you sure the bobbin is in so the thread goes counterclockwise, you pull it back clockwise and THEN pull it up) - OR you could have the wrong sized bobbin (flip it upside down, or try a metal if you have plastic or vice-versa)

then slowly move the knob for tension in one direction, sew a bit more - does it get better (even a little) - if so, then move it more to see if it improves further - if it gets worse, go the other direction

i would suggest going into the shop, if you are a new sewer, so they can check and make sure you didn't get a "lemon" with a broken bobbin case from shipping or something...

good luck

Answer 2

Did you thread with the presser foot up? This opens the upper tension disks and allows the thread to enter them properly. You can lower the presser foot when you're ready to thread the needle.

Loopies on the top of the fabric mean the bobbin tension is too loose; loopies on the bottom of the fabric mean the top tension is too loose -- generally because you threaded with the presser foot up (been there, done that!).

If you've played with the top tension, set it back to "4"; this is the default setting for normal sewing, and shouldn't change for regular thread and regular seams. If you suddenly have to increase tension on top to get a good seam, your top tension needs cleaning.

The other issue you may be having is not starting a seam correctly. Here's how to do it:

1) Raise the presser foot.

2) Raise the thread takeup lever to its highest point (the machine may do this automagically for you... it's called "automatic needle up" by several manufacturers.)

3) Pull out about 3" of top thread and 3" of bobbin thread.

4) Place the work under the needle, and use the handwheel to
lower the needle into the work. This gives you a nice, precise beginning position.

5) Lower the presser foot.

6) Hang on to the top and bobbin thread with your left hand,
stretching them out behind the presser foot. Take 1 or 2 stitches, then let go and continue to sew the seam.

If you don't do the hang on to the threads thing, quite often the fabric gets sucked down into the needle hole as the threads become a nasty little thread nest on the bottom of the fabric and the fabric refuses to feed. This is a special problem with lightweight fabric. Might as well get used to doing it right.

Answer 3

Having the fabric caught by the feed dogs and pulled downward is very common. I suggest you slip a piece of crisp tissue paper between the feeddogs and the fabric. Try sewing the first few stitches while tugging gently straight back on the thread tails while sewing over both fabric and paper.

If your seam begins to sew properly, remove the tissue.
Do you have membership in a sewing group or list? There are many here on Yahoo and other other ISPs whose members can save you a great many tears while struggling with beginners's blues. By-the-way, don't trust your memory, keep a notebook and samples of things that do and don't work for your machine. Good luck.

Answer 4

Gobbling of material may be because you are starting too close to the edge. Start a little ways in, go backwards, but not ALL the way, and then go forwards. You only have to go far enough back to get into the seam allowance.

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