Sewing Machine 9 JAMMED MACHINE MACHINE IS NOT STITCHING Threads are too long and get caught in the bobbin holder Machine is dirty Bobbin thread was not drawn up through the machine Threads are stuck when you pull out the stitched fabric The needle is not threaded The needle is inserted wrong The spindle for the bobbin winder is shifted to the right (bobbin winding is on ) Handwheel is not in correct position Hold beginning threads when you begin stitching a seam Clean the bobbin case and bobbin area Re-thread bobbin case and draw thread up through needle hole on the throat plate Turn the handwheel to complete the stitch Thread the needle Place the needle in the needle clamp with the round side facing you Move the spindle to the left position (bobbin winding off ) Push in the handwheel (tighten if using an older machine)
Sewing Machine 9 FABRIC IS NOT MOVING THROUGH THE MACHINE TOP THREAD BREAKS Too thick or too many layers of fabric Stitch length is too small Issues with the presser foot Feed dogs are lowered Feed dogs are packed with lint Not threaded properly Tension is too tight Needle is bent or blunt Thread gets caught and breaks due to rough edge on spool Use a thicker needle Increase the stitch length Make sure the presser foot is flush with the throat plate Raise/activate the feed dogs Remove the throat plate and thoroughly clean between the feed dogs Re-thread the sewing machine Loosen the top tension dial to a lower number (the average setting is 4) Change the needle, use a new one Turn the spool around or use a spool cover (on a horizontal spool pin) 2
Sewing Machine 9 NEEDLE BREAKS (OR BENDS) Dull or bent needle Wrong size needle for your project Needle not tightened enough, falls out and hits bottom of bobbin holder area Needle inserted incorrectly Wrong presser foot Change the needle, use a new one Use a thicker needle Push the needle into the needle clamp as high as it will go and tighten the needle screw Re-insert the needle in the correct position, the round side of the needle facing you Use the correct presser foot for the sitch you have selected, in order to avoid sewing on the presser foot 3
Sewing Machine 9 TENSION ISSUES There are a variety of reasons why you might have tension issues. Here are the most common symptoms and treatments. Try these treatments before reaching for the tension dial: LOOSE STITCHES Loosely wound bobbin Bobbin inserted incorrectly Bobbin thread has slipped from tension guide Tension spring on bobbin is too loose or bent Presser foot is up Use a properly wound bobbin Place bobbin in correct position p or q Drop-in bobbin machine: reguide the bobbin thread through the bobbin holder Front-loading bobbin machine: rethread the bobbin case Tighten the tension screw on the bobbin case or bend tension spring down Lower the presser foot PUCKERED SEAM Tension is too tight Rethread the machine and/or adjust the tension dial to a lower number to loosen the tension 4
Sewing Machine 9 UNDERSIDE LOOPS ALL ALONG THE SEAM UNDERSIDE LOOPS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SEAM Loosely wound bobbin Bobbin inserted incorrectly Bobbin thread has slipped from tension guide Top thread is inadvertently wrapped around needle clamp Presser foot is up The long threads at the beginning of the seam were pulled under the fabric and stitched Use a properly wound bobbin Place bobbin in correct position p or q Drop-in bobbin machine: reguide the bobbin thread through the tension guide on the bobbin holder Front-loading bobbin machine: rethread the bobbin case Rethread the machine Lower the presser foot Hold beginning threads when you begin stitching a seam 5
Sewing Machine 9 LOUD CLUNKING NOISE Bobbin thread has slipped from tension guide (drop-in bobbin machine) Bobbin holder is off track and/or dirty along with the feed dogs (drop-in bobbin machine) Bobbin hook needs to be oiled (front-loading bobbin machine) Reguide the bobbin thread through the tension guide on the bobbin holder Reposition the bobbin holder and/or clean the bobbin holder area and the feed dogs (take off throat plate, clean using a lint brush, reposition the bobbin case and then return the throat plate) Oil the bobbin hook End 6