Newbie machine help!

[5terre]

I have an older machine that MIL gave me. The thread under my fabric is a loopy mess. What's wrong? I'm pretty sure that I threaded the bobbin correctly, and I have the top thread in right, and the foot is down. When I look under the plate, it seems like the top thread is getting caught up/snagged underneath. Am I doing something wrong? Or is something wrong with the machine? When I was trying to thread the bobbin the last time, it wasn't working, and the spin-y thing underneath looked like it was out of correct alignment. Not that I know how things should be working under there... Any adivice?? I have an intense desire to sew myself a badly needed baby bag (that is cut and ready to go!) and I can't get my machine to cooperate. Thanks for any ideas!

[love2bmom]

Are you threading with two hands? Meaning, pull out your length of thread your going to need to thread the needle or bobbin. Then use one hand to hold the thread at the spool. Keeping the thread taught as you thread helps to ensure it's getting into all of the tension disks properly.
I'm not too familiar with older machines, but I am sure you'll get lots of help here! You can also call a local sewing machine dealer, tell them the brand and about how old, and the trouble your having. They will most likely be able to help you over the phone. If not, you could take it in for a quick threading lesson. Or, maybe it needs to be serviced ...do you know when it was last serviced?
Good luck mama!!

[Kari_mom]

Sometimes it is as simple as holding the thread tails to the back and left with your left hand when you start stitching. Otherwise the top thread can be pulled under and makes a snarl on your project.

[5terre]

Thanks for your replies. MIL came over (hasn't used it in 20 years), and couldn't figure it out. However, I learned that the machine can thread the bobbin for me!! I feel silly now. However, it's not working (can hear the machine going but it isn't spinning up there). After she left I read your responses and started wondering about the top tension. Turns out (I think) that I may have had the top threaded wrong. The way that worked was the way that I thought was hasty and wrong. So I got to make my bag. Thanks! Any ideas now on how to get the bobbin threader to work? Maybe I need service?