It will do this all of a sudden, and as it's underneath I won't see it until it eventually jams up. Then I take everything out and put it back exactly the same, and it's usually fine again. I can't understand it!
Is it my tension? Wrong bobbin (it's a drop in bobbin by the way)?
Any thoughts would be much appreciated!
Erk! Is there any fluff/bits of threads etc. in the bobbin space that might be getting caught up? Mine did that to me but I have a shuttle bobbin and there was bits of thread caught behind the bobbin assembly.
ReplyDeleteOtherwise, possibly tension issue or perhaps something needs oiling?
Hi Carly, I'm no expert but I'd check everything is threaded correctly first. Then I'd check that the upper and lower threads are clear of the feed dogs before you start stitching. If they get snarled up around the bobbin that makes a mess but the machine feels 'tight'and eventually the thread snaps. Also, you might check your upper tension and try increasing it ever so slightly. Good Luck Chris
ReplyDeleteUm... mine does that when it's needing a good clean. But it takes longer to reach that stage if I use Brother own-brand bobbins instead of eBay substitutes.
ReplyDeleteHope you get it figured out!
This is exactly what my sewing machine does! All the blessed time! In fact, this is the reason I don't sew half as much as I would like to - I just get too enraged! I'll take heed from the above tips also - let me know if they work for you!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments, it's been behaving for the last two or three days but sounds like maybe it needs a good clean out and the tension adjusted. Sounds like a job for the weekend! Chris, what you describe is *exactly* what happens!
ReplyDeleteI just can't figure out why it does it sometimes but not others, when I haven't adjusted tensions or changed threads...technology eh??
It's the tension. That can be affected by muck and dust around the bobbin so clean that. Then it can also happen because the thread has slipped out of the tension plates at the top. You can think that you haven't changed anything but if you just catch or tug on the thread sometimes that happens. Also your starting and stopping styles can mess up the tension. So unless you have a very modern machine, you need to start by holding both threads to the back right, lower your needle manually into the fabric and then take your first stitch. Don't let o of the threads until you've got your needle in the fabric. Than at the end make sure that the needle is at its highest before you raise the pressure foot and pull out your fabric, preferably towards the back right, if you can. The final thing that messes up your tension really badly is to thread the top of the machine while the foot is down so the tension plates are engaged. The thread will not enter between the plates properly.
ReplyDeleteWhen that happens to me I clean it to be fluff free. It does seem to happen more often with thicker fabrics or with several layers of fabric. I think it's mostly when the fabric doesn't go as fast as it should through the feed dogs so I need to stitch more slowly.
ReplyDeleteSo:
1. Make sure everything is clean and dusted
2. Go slowly if fabric is thick or stitching several layers
If it works fine afterwards it makes no sense to mess with the tension - it's proof that's not the problem.
This happens to me when the thread is not running past the tensioning disks properly. Re-thread your bobbin and spool threads?
ReplyDeleteThanks for all your comments folks - it's still happening, but from reading the above I have deduced that it might be that it just needs a clean. Just need to figure out how to take it apart...!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant advice there from Ruth. I clean my machine out every time I sew, but it does that to me all the time - now I think I know why!
ReplyDeleteRuth is right. I was taught at school, a very long time ago, to hold onto the upper and lower threads. Out of habit I tend to hold onto them until I've sewn about half and inch just to certain they are out of the way. It's also worth always checking your tension on a srap of your fabric before you start.
ReplyDelete