HELP!! What am I doing wrong?!

[BeckC]

I got a new sewing machine for Christmas and I'm just getting around to using it. I just want to sew some simple handkerchiefs and I can't because I can't get my machine to work. It looks like it's going to stitch right, and then the thread gets all caught and clumped together in the bobbin holder part. Then the machine jams.

I think it's a bottom bobbin issue. I'm putting the bobbin in right according to the manual, but somehow somewhree I'm messing up. When I put it in there, the thread does not pull smoothly at all. I've lubricated the living daylights out of it.

I'm going to take some pictures of my machine and bobbin so someone can tell me what I'm doing wrong. I'm running out of white thread here.

Oh, and can you tell this is my first experience with my own machine? I'm not loving it, although it's giving me an excellent excuse to drink.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b2...Picture002.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b2...Picture001.jpg

[BeckC]

Ok, I've figured out that my problem is with the top thread. But I still don't know what the problem is or how to fix it.

The bobbin thread is all set.

But the top thread still keeps bunching underneath the fabric. I've rethreaded it and adjusted the tension a bunch of times.

[ItyBty]

My machine was doing exactly that and I finally took it to a repair guy. He said it was all clumped up with dust and fabric bits and he cleaned it out and reset the tension and it's worked fine ever since. He said it was just due for a cleaning and the tension was all screwy.

[BeckC]

Hmm, I don't think that could be the case with mine since it's brand new and this is the first time I'm using (or trying to use) it.

[ma2maya]

What type of needle are you using? It could be caused by the gauge of your needle or the type of needle(sharp, universal, ball point).

Also, dbl check how you are putting the bobbin in the casing. The bobbin should be inserted into the case so that when you are holding the bobbin the threads direction is going to your right. It is correct that the boobin thread will not pull through the casing smoothly. It will have a tightness to it. There should be no need to lubricate it(i never have done this). Has the bobbin been evenly wound?

As well, is the machine threaded correctly? Make sure the presser foot is up when you thread the machine.

A "safe" and general tension is at about 5-6. In addition a stitch length of 3 is all-purpose.

Also, when you begin stitching are you holding the thread tails so they do not get pulled back under the fabric?

Needle, threading and tension will be your primary causes of the issue you are having.

Kathy

[BeckC]

Thanks everyone for your responses. I'm still not sure what the problem is.

The bobbin is wound with the thread going to the right. I am holding the tails of both threads when I'm sewing the fabric. The tension is set at 5 and the stitch length is set at 3. The needle is the needle that came with the machine - I don't know what type or gauge of needle it is. The presser foot is up when I thread the machine, and I've rethreaded it quite a few times.

I guess the machine just hates me.

[hippiechickinsing]

I'm sorry, I can't help you out. We have the same machine at work and I still haven't figured it out.

I had to respond, though, because I always say the same thing, "This machine hates me!"

Hope you're able to figure it out. When I bought the machine I have at home, the salesperson was able to give me a short tutorial. It really helped. Is there a chance you could find someone at the shop to help out?

[muttix2]

When my machine did that my mom's friend came to take a look at it and he reset the tension. After that it worked perfectly.

[BeckC]

Well I finally figured it out.

I was using the wrong bobbin. I have a bunch of threads already on bobbins and it occured to me that the bobbin might be the problem. I wound some thread onto the bobbin that came with the machine and it works perfectly.



I can't believe it was something so simple, but I'm glad I finally figured it out.

[ItyBty]

I am so glad you figured it out! Sewing machine issues make me so mad because they are so frustratingly hard for me to track down. I had a project where I spent an hour and broke 3 needles, before someone pointed out that I had the needle in backwards.