Sewed over a needle and now sewing machine isn't sewing--HELP!?

Question

I have a Kenmore Model 17626 and I accidentally sewed over a pin. I had to take off the screw plate over the bobbin to get the pin out. It didn't break the needle or anything but now the thread gets stuck as it winds around the bobbin. It doesn't seem to be catching right. Is there anything I can do to fix it myself? I am in the middle of making a halloween costume and need it fixed ASAP! Thanks!

Answer 1

Make sure there are no lose or broken threads in the bobbin case or under the screw plate. If you had to re-thread the needle you may have put it through the "eye" from the wrong direction (I have done that many times myself). You could also try replacing the needle as the slightest bend in it could mess things up.

Answer 2

Unthread the machine completely, and remove the needle (note which direction the flat back of the needle faces).

Take out the bobbin and bobbin case, and remove the bobbin.
Brush out any shards or lint from the bobbin case and from under the needleplate. Inspect the sewing hook on the bobbin case for nicks; if there are any, polish them out with crocus cloth. Reinsert bobbin and bobbin case. Check the needle plate for dings; polish those out, too.

Insert a new needle of the right type and size with the flat back of the shank in the correct orientation. Rethread.

99% of the time that'll do it. A slightly bent needle (even if you dont notice the bend) won't sew. Sewing hook damage is usually limited to nicks on the sewing hook, but I have seen a broken sewing hook from that sort of thing.

And vow not to sew over pins again. Or at least wear safety glasses, so someone doesn't have to haul you to the eye doc,
like I had to do for my former neighbor.

Answer 3

Put in a new needle first, then check out the bobbin for any burrs, then try it again. Go through every aspect of the operation, then if it doesn't work, go through it again. Sometimes it's just a little thing.

Answer 4

Best guess you have a bent needle!