Why Your Sewing Machine Is Trying To Ruin Your Fun
A Simple Troubleshooting Guide
The Top Thread Keeps Breaking
This is probably the most common sewing machine annoyance. It can happen for lots of reasons. Cheap nasty fluffy thread that has a tendency to shed fibres and have tiny knots in is often the main reason a lot of beginners unknowingly blame themselves for. Another rookie mistake is using a thick thread (this often includes some decorative or most heavy duty threads) with a needle that is size 70 or smaller. The eye of the needle is also smaller so the fatter thread hits more friction as it is being pulled through resulting in.... SNAP!
The frustrating thing when you are reasonably new to machine sewing, and trying to figure out why your top thread is breaking, is that it isn't always the part breaking that is where the problem is! If the bobbin has been put in the casing the wrong way around, or the plastic bobbin is getting old and a little misshapen or cracked, then as the top thread is pushed around underneath, it can get caught and snagged. If the needle was inserted slightly off centre, it will also catch as the thread goes around the bobbin.
Always rethread the top thread and bobbin thread after a breakage as it can affect the thread positioning which can then cause tension problems and cause your thread to snap again as soon as you start to sew again. Check for bits of fluff or thread as you are rethreading them, as loose bits can get caught up, causing either tension problems or knots which make the thread snap again. It is very unusual, but very occasionally when a needle breaks, it can cause a slight rough spot around the needle plate where the needle goes down towards the bobbin. If this happens, the thread will seem to repeatedly snap regardless of what you do. It can usually be sorted with gentle use of a bit of wire wool or sandpaper to get rid of the rough edge.
The Stitching Isn't Even Between The Top And Bottom Of The Fabric
The stitching here doesn't look pretty. The stitch length might not look right and the bobbin thread is obviously showing on the top or the top thread looks more like it's trying to stitch underneath. This one is a tension issue. There are a few things that can cause tension problems with thread. The most obvious being the tension dial on the top of the machine. Most cottons will happily stitch with the tension in the centre (this is usually about 5 if you have numbers on your dial) However, fabrics that are stretchier generally sew a bit better with a stretch stitch and slightly less tension, whereas think upholstery fabrics tend to sew better with a longer stitch length and higher tension. Have a play on a scrap piece and see what makes the stitches look even above and below.
Bobbin tension generally isn't an issue unless you've fiddled with it before, dropped the bobbin casing or you are trying to use a thicker thread in your bobbin such as when shirring with elastic thread, or when using decorative threads / ribbons when doing bobbin work (explained on this page). Small adjustments on bobbins make big differences so always take a note of your starting screw position (e.g. with a dot with a permanent marker pen or sticker) before you start fiddling!
Your starting tension can be affected if you threaded the sewing machine with the presser foot down. This is because lifting the presser foot changes the position of the tension discs allowing free thread movement through them, whereas if you thread it while they are down, you would have to force the thread through.
If the top thread is getting caught somewhere, then this will also cause tension problems. The most common reasons are that it just needs rethreading, or you need to de-fluff inside your machine - top and bottom!
A Bird's Nest Of Thread Has Appeared Instead Of Nice Stitches
The most common rookie mistake causing this one is trying to start sewing too close to the edge of the fabric. If you really need to sew right from the very edge, you have 3 bird's nest - free options: Butt another piece of fabric next to it and sew from this piece onto the edge of the piece you want your real stitches to begin, start further in then carefully backstitch towards the edge or just start at the other end and stitch to the edge when you get there!
The other newbie or having a daft moment cause is just trying to sew without remembering to lower the presser foot first. I do this on a fairly regular basis! Oops! Also if your threads weren't pushed backwards and out of the way when you started to sew, then they can get caught up underneath having the same effect.
Dust or fluff in the path of the thread can cause the thread to tangle so a good clean every so often, especially when you work with fabrics that shed fluff helps to avoid this.
If your bird's nest of thread is above the fabric, then usually it is the bobbin's fault. If it is below the fabric, then it is usually the top thread's fault.
Bobbin tension problems can cause this. Usually you should never have to adjust your bobbin tension, and if you do, I would only ever adjust small amounts at a time, and make a note of your starting position for the screw, as a small change can make a big difference. If for example you wanted to do something like bobbin work embroidery (as explained as part of our free motion foot tutorial) then I would recommend getting a spare bobbin casing to play with, as it's usually far too big a headache to faff around getting the perfect bobbin tension after making large adjustments! As a general rule, you can use the "drop test" for checking bobbin tension. If you drop the bobbin inside the bobbin case holding on to just the thread end, it should drop down slowly and smoothly to the floor. I would highly recommend you just try rethreading the bobbin and top thread first!
The Needle Wont Bring Up The Bobbin Thread
The most common beginner sewing reason for this one is that when you threaded the top, you didn't leave a long enough tail behind. As you wind the needle down, the thread shoots up and pings back out of the needle, leaving you with no thread in the needle, so always leave yourself a few inches and keep a hold of your thread end. Any other threading issue up top can also change the way it moves around the bobbin case, so if in doubt, rethread it.
If the needle is bent or inserted incorrectly (check the flat edge is lined up correctly and it's right the way up) then it will change the angle the thread is fed through at, which means it may not move correctly around the bobbin case.
If you haven't put the bobbin in the right way around, fully in, or not clipped the bobbin case in properly on a side loading machine then the top thread will just get caught rather than moving smoothly around it. Lastly, if you haven't left enough thread sticking out of the bobbin to easily reach above the feed dogs, then don't expect to see it magically appearing there!
The Sewing Machine Has Eaten The Fabric
From time to time, sewing machines get peckish and decide to swallow a small chunk of fabric down the little hole that the needle goes through. Don't panic too much though. Unless it's a sheer fabric that develops holes easily, you should be able to rescue it. It's usually relatively easy to retrieve despite appearing well and truly stuck. Take out the bobbin (you may need to snip a couple of threads around it to get it free - I actually use dental surgery scissors as the are easy to get into small spots and snip right up against fabric without risking damaging it with your scissors). Then, gently ease the fabric back up as you move the needle slowly up and down by rocking the manual needle dial forward and back.
So why did it ruin your sewing anyway? Usually because you drifted too close to the edge of the fabric without using an overcast foot to maintain the thread tension as you sew over the edge(find out more about how to use an overcast foot here).
It can also happen when the bobbin thread has slightly slipped out of alignment and needs rethreading or the needle has become blunt or bent. If you aren't using the correct needle for your fabric, then rather than passing cleanly through, it can push the fabric down as it tried to piece it. This is especially common if you don't use a ballpoint needle for knit fabrics or you try using a large needle for sheer fabrics. Using tissue paper or a stabiliser under the fabric (especially under extra stretchy fabrics) can also help prevent it from being pulled down.
The Needle Keeps Bending / Breaking
Personally, I think sewing over pins is like Russian roulette for your sewing machine needle. Hit one dead on and you will blunt / bend / break your needle. If you want to do it, then just make sure you have a few spare ones on hand but I personally think it can create more problems than it's worth. Same goes for fabrics with sequins or beads in - be prepared with spares, and where possible trim them out of your seam lines first!
The feed dogs (the little teeth that pull the fabric through underneath) are designed to move the fabric as the needle lifts up. If you try to help it a little bit too enthusiastically by pushing or pulling the fabric through, then chances are, your timing isn't quite as accurate as the feed dog. So if you pull it too hard as the needle is down, it will break the needle. Instead, try to guide the fabric rather than forcing it. If it's not going through easily, then maybe you want to consider using a walking foot / knit foot / roller foot. When the top thread tension is too tight it has a similar effect, and causes the needle to bend following the fabric as it is pulled through. This happens even more as you try to go faster.
Now this reason for needle breakages, I have done so many times - forgotten which of my sewing machine feet was attached to the sewing machine as I got ahead of myself thinking of what I need to sew next then picked a different stitch which is not compatible with the foot attached. Then instead of manually dropping the needle slowly and checking for clearance, I've got carried away and hit the pedal only for the needle  to break off as it's struck metal on the foot... whoops!
Lastly is the needle itself. If you have a thin needle designed for leaving as little marks as possible on delicate fabrics and your trying to jab it into several layers of denim, then it is not going to last long! Make sure the needle is fit for purpose and you aren't trying to sew beyond the capabilities of your sewing machine e.g. sewing hardened leather or trying to force layers under the presser foot.
The Fabrics Started The Same Length But Ended Up Different
This happens when fabrics are stretched or not pulled through equally. This can happen with non-stretchy fabrics if you are sewing something with a bit of weight to it e.g. a quilt, where the weight of the large fabric pulls the pieces, or with slippery fabrics sliding around - the layers move out of alignment as you sew making them look uneven.
When sewing stretch fabrics, the friction from the presser foot means the top piece is slightly stretched in comparison to the bottom piece that is being moved through at a faster speed by the feed dogs.
To help the fabric move through, you may want to consider using a roller foot that reduces the resistance from above, or a knit foot that grips the fabric as the needle goes down then lifts off the fabric between every stitch, or a walking foot which is effectively like having feed dogs working above and below to feed the fabric through between every stitch.
When sewing either, if you try to go around curves and corners too quickly then the pieces tend to shift. Instead, move slowly, use more pins and stop when needed with the needle down to lift the presser foot and move the fabric. Shorter stitch lengths and hand basting stitches prior to sewing will also add more precision here.
Stitches Are Missing
Cross your fingers that your needle has gone blunt or that you just aren't using the right type of needle for the job - especially the case if you don't use a ballpoint needle on stretch fabrics... There is an outside chance there is some dirt or fluff in the way that is causing the thread to move erratically so a good clean wont do it any harm, but otherwise this is likely to be a timing problem... time to go get friendly with a sewing machine repair man. Timing problems are usually best left to the experts to fix.
The Fabric Wont Feed Through The Sewing Machine
So you put your fabric under your presser foot and start to sew but the fabric isn't pulling through. It could be because you forgot to lower the presser foot so it hasn't pushed the fabric down to catch the little teeth underneath called the feed dogs - or on some machines these can be lowered down out of the way, so it could just be they aren't currently up. The other silly thing that stops you going anywhere is if you forget to turn the machine back off bobbin winding mode.
The more annoying reasons why your fabric isn't going anywhere is if it has snagged on something. For example - you tried to start sewing too close to the fabric edge and either the sewing machine has eaten a corner of your fabric or there is a birds nest of thread underneath stopping anything from going anywhere. When you start sewing, if you don't pull the threads backwards and out of the way of the presser foot, then occasionally a little bit can get caught around the foot and cause everything to get stuck here too. More unusually is if there has been some damage to the metal needle plate - for example a broken needle has caused a small sharp spot. This could catch the fabric and cause it to get stuck. Try smoothing it with wire wool or sandpaper.
The other cause of fabric not moving is the fabric itself. For example if the fabric is too thick for your sewing machine or presser foot, or you have chosen a fabric that needs a bit more help to move through the sewing machine like oilcloth or fur. In these cases, consider whether you want to use something like a roller foot or walking foot. You may also want to sandwich your fabric between a couple of sheets of tissue paper so the feed dogs don't mark your oilcloth and slide through more easily.
If the presser foot is tipped (especially with the part closest to you facing upwards, or tipped with 1 side up), then it disrupts the ability to push it towards the feed dogs to pull the fabric through. This is especially common when you are trying to sew around bulky seams. The really simple fix for this is to just use a piece of folded cardboard to even out the presser foot before you start sewing again. Sometimes, if it is just a very small spot, you may also get a better result by sewing backwards over it. Possibly have an experiment with a scrap piece first as different fabrics act differently as you sew.
The Needle Keeps Falling Right Out
This one is vibration related so it is much more likely to start happening when you are using a ruffler foot or a walking foot as the extra moving parts create a lot more vibration.
Usually, the screw that holds the needle in place can be hand tightened, however if you are going to add a bit extra vibration, then I would recommend gently tightening it a little further with the small screw driver which is normally supplied with the sewing machine. If that doesn't do it, then there is an underlying problem - either with the needle or the screw.
Want to keep a copy of all the pictures? I made it into a PDF for you...
Has that solved your sewing machine annoyances? Have you found a way to fix something that I haven't thought of? Has your sewing machine got any other annoying habits that mine hasn't tried yet!? Let me know and I'll try to add it to this sewing machine troubleshooting guide.
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Not mentioned about the bobbin case locked and the wheel which you turn to pick thread up won’t turn
Hi, there are several things that could be the cause of this. Firstly and most commonly is a thread nest somewhere – usually stuck around the bobbin, but it can be elsewhere so I would start off by making sure that the machine is free from threads and possible lint build up. Incorrect threading of both the upper thread or the bobbin can also cause jamming. If a needle has broken, the end can sometimes work its way into the bobbin shuttle, or if the bobbin has become distorted or the casing has broken or been inserted incorrectly, then the needle could hit it and prevent movement. So I would problem solve this by removing the needle plate and bobbin (with the metal case if it is a front loading machine) and see if that allows movement of your wheel again. If you are coming to the machine after a period of not using it, you may need to check it isn’t stuck because it needed oiling and a part may have just jammed. Some sewing machines can become stuck if they overheat so if it feels hot, unplug it and let it cool before trying it again. If none of these work then you may have to consider an internal problem. Things like a broken belt or damage to the gears, or to the washer that connects the wheel to the machine could all potentially stop the machine from moving, so if you can’t see a simple fix, you may need to consult someone trained in sewing machine repairs.
You made an interesting point when you explained that it is important to understand what is causing your sewing machine to be jammed. My wife is wanting to sew a blanket for her sister, but it seems her machine is jammed. It might be a good idea for us to find a repair service since we don’t know much about sewing machines.
If you do, maybe see if they are willing to talk you through what happened and show you what they did to fix it. Nothing like being shown by an expert on your own machine to boost your confidence in how to deal with it safely in future. I hope you can get it sorted out soon.
When I am sewing the fabric tends to sway all over the place, hence not sewing in a straight line. It feels like it is not gripping the fabric properly.
There are a few things that might be causing the problem. Assuming there are no issues with the stitch formation itself, it could just be the kind of fabric you are using – slippy fabrics can benefit from using a tear-away stabiliser, sandwiching the fabric between tissue paper or similar, to reduce the movement of the fabric, possibly even with a temporary adhesive to hold the fabric firmly to the stabiliser if it is super slippy. A walking foot can help some slippy fabrics so may be helpful here, and sewing more slowly will also help.
If you are sewing something with a bit of weight to it – e.g. a quilt or coat or similar, then the weight of the fabric itself can pull on the sewing and cause it to move. This is best fixed by supporting the weight of the fabric better and just adjusting its position around the sewing machine more often.
Another common problem that can cause the fabric to move excessively as you sew, is if the feed dogs are in the “down” position. The feed dogs are the grips underneath the foot. Their job is to move the fabric through and under the foot after every stitch. They can be lowered on lots of machines for projects like free-motion embroidery which allows you the freedom to stitch in any direction. If the setting has been knocked to lower them, it may just need resetting to raise them back up.
Another reason for extra fabric movement can be if you are trying to sew multiple layers together at once. Because the feed dogs only pull on the bottom fabric, and the sewing machine foot will provide some resistance and friction on top, it can cause the layers to want to move at separate speeds. A walking foot helps manage this as it pulls the fabric through from above as the feed dogs pull from below.
Stretch fabrics can be prone to misbehaving too, especially super stretchy ones like lycra. Stretch fabrics will be especially prone to pulling out of position if you are adding more fabric weight such sewing as a long dress. Knit feet or walking feet and stabilisers or sandwiching between tissue paper can help these fabrics sew straighter too.
If this happens whenever you try to sew and isn’t machine or fabric specific, the way you hold the fabric will influence how straight you sew too so might be worth considering trying a new hand position. I often try to hold the fabric with my hands as flat as possible in a way that helps to keep the fabric flat and stabilise it as I direct it under the machine to sew. If you try to bunch the fabric, pull or push it through the machine it can cause more problems trying to keep it straight.
I hope one of those suggestions has helped you!
I have an old Baby Lock Serger with 4 threads and 2 needles. The needle on the left will not be part of the loop. It stays separate. I have tried re-threading all threads and no luck. Could it be I am forgetting something I even looked at my book which is not clear and the picture on the inside cover while I was threading it? Could there be something wrong with my machine? Thanks.
I’d love to help but I’m afraid I’ve never owned a serger so past suggesting giving it a good clean in case fuff/lint is causing the issue and changing the needles, then I’m not sure on that one. I hope you manage to find a solution.
While I am sewing a straight stitch I feel my machine pulling slightly from side to side. I also find it is gathering up my fabric so that I have to straighten out the seam when I do not want gathers. They may be 2 separate problems that I need to address. This is a wonderful sight. Thank for your help.
Hi Barbara, thank you so much. It sounds to me like there could be a tension problem with it being set too high. I would have a look at how the stitches are being formed – do they look tight above or below or have a tendency to skip any stitches. Issues above the fabric are usually caused by problems below from the bobbin and issues below with the needle and tension above. If you do adjust the bobbin tension, then I recommend doing just a half-turn of the bobbin screw and noting down which direction you turned it, if it is a front-loading bobbin – that way you can easily put it back if it doesn’t help (check how to adjust yours for a top-loading). It might also be worth trying a different bobbin – sometimes if they are getting old and the plastic is wearing down or warping, or if the thread wasn’t spun tightly onto it, then it can cause sewing problems too. I hope that helps!
Hi, thanks for the above guide 🙂 I’ve been having issues with the bobbin thread being pulled through and visible on the top of my fabric. I have tried the troubleshooting tips above, but the same thing is happening. I wondered if you had any other advice on what might be causing it?
Many thanks.
Is it happening with all fabric or just a specific one? Maybe if it is just that one fabric you need to try a different needle size or maybe that fabric needs support with some tear-away stabiliser or similar?
Hi
I was told that making a rope bowl can destroy my sewing machine. The rope is 100% cotton. And so is the Fabric. I take my sewing machine in yearly . I was told the guy was fixing it the sewing machine I don’t know what you call it but it make the needle go up and down. I was told the needle is hitting the plate. I don’t pull on the fabric. I stop a pop up the bottom case to got the fabric out. What I’m trying to find out.
I’m going crazy Want to make rope bowls. I was told not to make them.
I just want to know what you think. I’m not going to blame you. I just want a point of view.
Marti
I haven’t made rope bowls myself but I would say in my experience it would depend on the thickness of the rope and fabric versus the sewing machine you have, as to how successful you’d find the project or how likely you would be to damage your machine. For example, many industrial sewing machines are designed to be heavier duty and so are able to cope with very thick fabrics with the correct needle. However, many domestic models aren’t designed to take very thick or heavy-duty materials so even if you aren’t pulling on the fabric, the weight and depth of the fabric itself may cause sewing machine problems. Maybe hand sewing or fabric glue could be an alternative to consider if you have concerns?
Hi, Thank you for this guide. Was just wondering if you could help me with a problem I can’t find any results. I am very new to sewing and bought some fat quarters to help me learn. I have a mini sewing machine as it was quite cheap. On all other materials, it sews perfectly fine but on the material that I bought (cotton) it will sew a few but then the side bobbin will skip some stitches. Can you help? I really want to use the material as the patterns are so cute. It has even sewn perfectly fine on thicker material. Thanks, xx
If you are still having problems with this, have you tried switching out to a smaller needle? A 60-80 universal or sharp needle might fix that problem.
I was hemming linen trousers, all was fine. Bobbin ran out, I replaced it with another that was already loaded so everything else remained the same but my feed dogs are now not pushing the fabric through.
I’m not in bobbin winding mode as I didn’t wind a new bobbin. Stitch is the same length as before…. I have cleared out the dust bunnies from around the dogs and bobbin casing, rethreaded everything and still the feed dogs are not rising high enough to grip fabric.
Singer machine, bought in the 1980’s loved but not used often enough, and I was just getting started again!
Great tips by the way, I will use your handy resource again but can you suggest any other fix for the fabric not feeding through?
Hi Jane. I’m so pleased you’re finding it helpful. As for the problem you’ve been having, if the feed dogs are in a different position from usual then maybe you have knocked a setting? Usually, there is a way to lower or cover the feed dogs for free-motion embroidery. Could that have happened? Also, I assume you have checked that the bobbin has been inserted the correct direction? Otherwise, it could be something like starting on a hem/bumpy bit of fabric that could be giving the feed dogs problems or at a stretch maybe a bent/blunt needle is causing the issue? Let me know how you got on!
Hi … Thanks for this opportunity. I have been making safety masks for all that may need them. In securing the elastic I am finding that as my machine gets to the point of where the extra thickness of the elastic begins, the machine jams and horrible ‘nests’ form. This is beyond frustrating and my biggest drawback in making the masks. Is there any suggestion for being able to roll over the elastic without the jamming?
My guess is that if you have tried all the above fixes then maybe the foot is getting tipped as it hits the elastic. Have you tried using a wedge of cardboard or similar to balance the foot out better as it goes up and over the elastic if it tips sideways or if it is just the lift up and it doesn’t tip the foot to the side, you may need a thicker needle. Or it could just be that it is slightly too thick for your machine to cope, in which case you could just stop before the step up and manually move it over the tipped spot then restart.
A jersey fabric covered in glitter will not sew. Other similar fabrics have been fine.
Have tried various needles. It sews a few stitches then skips lots of stitches.
It is leaving traces of glue on the needle. Reverted to other fabrics without any problems.
Have many years of dressmaking experience but this is the first fabric to defeat me
Any suggestions welcomed.
Thank you
Hi Caroline. Glitter fabrics can be tricky. What I would suggest is to use a tear-away stabiliser or tissue paper above and below the fabric as you sew. This helps to stop the glue traveling up onto the needle as quickly and reduces the amount of glitter dropping down and getting caught up in your bobbin case causing blockages there. You can also try a light swipe of vaseline on the needle to help stop the glue sticking. If you haven’t tried them, blue tip Janome needles are great for sorting out synthetic fabrics that like to cause skipped stitches regardless of what else you try too. I hope that helps!
Such a helpful guide – thank you so much!
Thank you! I’m so pleased you found it so helpful
Hi, my machine sees ok but I keep getting 3 or 4 threads coming up from the Bobbin???
If it is sewing ok, then maybe you are just stopping your machine at the point in the cycle where the thread wraps around the bobbin case to catch the bobbin thread into the stitch. This would leave the appearance of 3 threads coming out of the bobbin when you’ve finished sewing with no actual problems. Try stopping the machine with the needle in a different position (e.g. needle right up) and if that was the cause it will stop. Linda
Hi I bought a brother industrial sewing machine. Every time I go to sew the cotton doesn’t snap but it comes out of the needle yet the cotton is still under the foot
I would double check that you are threading it correctly with the presser foot up. Try starting with more cotton and/or manually lowering the needle for the first stitch – Quite often that will fix it. Otherwise, I would be checking that the needle thread is actually picking up the bobbin thread. I’m also assuming you are using a non-blunt/bent correctly sized universal needle (ie the needle is sharp and appropriate for the fabric). Occasionally a badly placed lump of fluff can knock the thread out of line too so if all else fails, give it a good clean. Hope that helps!
I had some material jam and took out the bobbin holder to remove it. When I replaced the bobbin case, the needle began hitting the metal plate about 3mm before the groove it needs to go in to grab the bobbin thread. How can I correct this??
That sounds like the needle has just been bent. Have you tried replacing it?
When two fabrics end up at different lengths after sewing…
Hold the ends of the fabric closest to you with two fingers on top and your thumb underneath, turn your fingers toward the machine which will put tension on the lower fabric and loosen the tension on the upper fabric. I saw this about 25 years ago on a PBS sewing show. Probably ‘Sewing with Nancy’. I may not have explained it well enough. It is something you probably have to see being done. Anyway, hope this helps someone.
Great tip! Thanks Laura
Hi! Last time I used my sewing machine it worked fine…when I took it out again …I can’t make bobbins it’s like it turns but nothing happens..I have never before had any problems making a new bobbin. Can you please help me….thanks!
Have you tried another bobbin? The usual cause for that is that the bobbin has either got worn or slightly distorted.
Thanks for a really comprehensive trouble shooting guide. It’ll be my ‘must go to’ guide whenever anything goes wrong with my machine.
Thank you so much. I’m so glad you’ve found it so helpful!
Linda
Thank you so very much for this information. Over many years of sewing and teaching sewing I have tried to impress my students with these wonderful solutions to their problems. Keep up the good work.
Thank you so much for your lovely comments. I’m sure your students will have done fantastically if you’ve been teaching them how to sort things that go wrong. Too often beginners just give up when something doesn’t go right and it’s usually so easily fixed. 😀
Hi. What a wonderful article. I usually have a lot of problems sewing knit fabrics. Even while using ballpoint needles it still skips stitches and it can be very annoying any help pls. Thanks.
Thank you so much Mary. My favourite way of sewing knits is with a knit foot with a straight stitch and a twin ballpoint needle. I usually turn the upper tension down by 1 as well. If you want to see more, I did a video comparison of sewing knits with a walking foot vs sewing them with a knit foot on youtube here – Knit Foot vs Walking Foot on Knit Fabrics
This is brilliant. Thank you very much!
Thank you Gail 😀
My Singer machine won’t pick up stitches when set on straight stitch. When I adjust to zigzag it will then stitch straight since it doesn’t pick up the left stitches! HELP! Is this timing?
Hi Christa. Is it not picking up the bobbin thread on the left to form the stitch fully or is the needle not moving side to side?
I have a Brother machine. The bobbin keeps jumping out of the case and jams. How can I secure the bobbin in the case–what is wrong? Thank you!
Hi Bonnie. My brother tends to do this if I haven’t quite clicked the case in to the machine fully (the needle needs to be at it’s highest point when you fit it) or if I have put the bobbin in the case with the thread facing the wrong direction or the thread hasn’t quite gone through the notch properly. It would also do it if the bobbin was the wrong size or had any damage to it (e.g. the plastic is starting to warp and bend or has a notch in it that knocks it off track). If the bobbin area needs a clean then a bit of badly placed fluff may be disrupting things too.
The less common reasons would be – If the bobbin tension was too loose it would not hold the thread position perfectly making it move erratically, or if it was too tight it would cause it to snag and jerk out of position (the bobbin tension is adjustable by the screw at the front of the case). If the needle was bent it could also pass threads through the bobbin area out of alignment. If the bobbin was wound unevenly – e.g. wound by hand with a few loops in it, it wont run smoothly and pull out of alignment. I have also heard that this is a known issue with the Singer Millenium.
Hope that helps you fix it!
A wonderful resource, Linda, especially for someone knew to sewing, but also a good refresher for others, too.
Thank you Pam. I’m so glad you enjoyed it.
I am working just now but just had a quick peak at the sewing machine maintenance tips and tutorial, i will be keeping this e mail, looks very informative and useful
Regards
Mike Clare County Durham
Thank you Mike. I’m so glad you’ve found it helpful. If you come anything I’ve missed then just let me know and I’ll make sure to add it.
This has helped me so much. Thank you!
I’m so glad you’ve found the troubleshooting guide so helpful 😀
A great resource to have thanks Linda! I am sharing it with a friend having machine troubles hopefully it helps her.
Thank you Nina. I’m so glad you like it and fingers crossed it helps your friend too!