What's wrong with my sewing machine?

[andreac]

When I try to sew it goes ok for an inch or two then it starts making this horrible knocking noise. The fabric seems to pull down into the throat plate(?) and the thread gets all tangled. I took off the plate cover and cleaned out a good amount of lint, including under the bobbin hook thingy, but it's still doing it. It worked once for about 5 inches of sewing then when I tried to start another seam it started doing it again. Any suggestions before I bring it in for service?

Thanks!

[astrophe27]

Could you have accidentally put the bobbin thread spool in backwards? When you put it in and you are looking right at it, if you pull some thread it should spin clockwise.

If you put it in backwards (and I have! when I've been distracted) it will sew for a bit and then get stuck because the thread is creating a nest in there.

HTH!
A.

[MaryLang]

I've had that problem. If its tangling on the bottem (bobbin thread), chances are your top thread is not threaded properly. I always thread it again carefully even if it looks right. Or it could be the timing of the motor, in which case a short trip to the sewing machine repair man would be in order.

[andreac]

Thanks for the tips ladies. I've got to pack everthing up for the night to have dinner (I need my own table!) but I'll double check both things later tonight or tomorrow.

[orangefoot]

If your top tension is too loose too much thread will go down into the bobbin and that will make a huge bundle under the foot and make a mess of your fabric too.