How can I fix this problem with my sewing machine?
I know how to set up and use my sewing machine, but I'm no good at troubleshooting.
When I stitch a line with it, the top looks fine but the underside looks rough. Like the bobbin is feeding too much thread. Theres small loops and bunched up thread.
Any ideas how I can resolve this? I'm making a quilt for my nephews first birthday and I'm running out of time!
If you've got loops on the bottom of the fabric, the top tension is wrong. (Don't believe? Rethread with two colors and sew.)
Chances are, you didn't get the thread into the upper tension when you threaded. But let's do the full check:
- Unthread the sewing machine, top and bottom.
- Brush and vacuum (don't use canned air!) all lint out under the needleplate and around the bobbin case area.
- Moisten a fold of much-washed cotton fabric (a pillowcase hem is perfect!) with rubbing alcohol or unflavored vodka. "Floss" the upper tension with this to get out any debris from cheap thread or coating that tends to build up from synthetic or glazed threads.
- Make sure the presser foot is up. This opens the upper tension, allowing thread to enter it during threading. With manual in hand, rethread the machine. You can drop the presser foot to give yourself a bit more room to thread the needle after you've the thread has entered the upper tension.
99% of the time, all you really need when you see this problem is the last step -- rethreading with the presser foot up.
If you've been playing with the tension settings, normal tension is 4-5 on the tension dial. If you've been playing with the bobbin tension, make sure the upper tension is set to 4, and then rebalance the bobbin tension. Make sure you turn the bobbin tension screw only 5 minutes at a time -- bobbin tension adjustments are usually minute. Also, it's a good idea to put the bobbin case and the screwdriver in a plastic bag while you're working on it. The tension screw is very small and has the bad habit of hopping out of the case and rolling away, never to be seen again.
Also, when you start a seam, hold the thread ends for a couple of stitches. That keeps you from getting thread caterpillars at the beginning of the seam.
Don't forget a new needle for each project. It's amazing how many sewing gremlins disappear when a new needle is supplied!
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