Quick question about the lower thread on sewing machine.

[madsommer]

This is my first sewing machine and I'm just trying to do simple little project.

Anywho, my problem is that I can't seem to get the needle to pull the lower thread up. It looks like the bobbin is in place correctly and the top needle is threaded properly. But when I lower the needle down and back up, it's not catching the bobbin. What do I do? TIA

[Ruthla]

I'd unthread the entire machine and try again. Just because it LOOKS like it's threaded properly doesn't mean that it is. I'd try rethreading the bobbin first, since that's less work. If that doesn't help, rethread the top thread.

Actually, before doing any of that, make sure the threads sticking out are long enough. Try with about 6 inches (or more!) of excess thread on both top and bottom before doing the 'loop around" with the top thread. Also make sure you're turning the handle in the right direction- if you're making the top thread do the stitch "backwards" it won't catch the bottom thread.

[madsommer]

Originally Posted by Ruthla

I'd unthread the entire machine and try again. Just because it LOOKS like it's threaded properly doesn't mean that it is. I'd try rethreading the bobbin first, since that's less work. If that doesn't help, rethread the top thread.

Actually, before doing any of that, make sure the threads sticking out are long enough. Try with about 6 inches (or more!) of excess thread on both top and bottom before doing the 'loop around" with the top thread. Also make sure you're turning the handle in the right direction- if you're making the top thread do the stitch "backwards" it won't catch the bottom thread.

Ooops. I should have said in the OP that I've rethreaded the top and the bobbin twice now Upon closer examination, when I lower and raise the needle, it appears as though the top thread is wrapping itself around the bobbin case???

[orangefoot]

That is what it should do! Don't worry - it does look odd but that is how it makes the stitch. Scroll down to the second animation on this page to see how it works.

As Ruthla says you can leave a very long thread from the bobbin casing sticking out when you put it in the machine. Hold onto this thread and close the bobbin 'door' or whatever covers it and let the thread lay on top of the machine bed.

Now if you turn the handwheel towards you the needle will go down and 'throw' the thread around the bobbin casing and you will see the bobbin thread that was on top of the machine bed sliding down into the machine. Keep turning until the needle comes back up and you should see a very small loop of bobbin thread around the needle thread.

try threading the machine with different coloured threads for needle and bobbin and see if you can see what is going on better.

[JessicaTX]

Hold the end of the top thread when you turn the wheel. It should help ya hook the lower thread up to the top =)

[madsommer]

Thanks so much!

Thanks for the answers ladies. I finally figured it out. I think one of the problems was that I had it in reverse??? And then once I pressed the reverse button, I tried tugging harder on the top thread as suggested and that worked :

[orangefoot]

Great news! Happy sewing: