Sewing Lesson #7 (Trouble Shooting Sewing Machine Problems)

Sometimes when you want to sew, things just won't work.  We've all been there, pulling our hair out in frustration! Here are some things to try when you just can't get going and you don't understand why!

The first thing you should always do when you are having issues is re-thread your machine. Take the thread out all the way to the spool. Re-thread making sure you are not skipping any of the thread guides. Also re-thread your bobbin, double check which way the thread should be coming off the bobbin to make sure you have it right.  If that doesn't fix your problem change to a new needle.  These three steps will fix 90% of the problems you have.  Not necessarily because you did them wrong, but threads can slip, needles get dull, little tangles sometimes happen.

Skipped Stitches - often the fault of the needle. Your needle my have a slight burr, be dull or be slightly bent - but so slight that you can't detect it. Replace  your needle.  If you are sewing on a knit, and you are getting lots of skipped stitches, change to a ball point needle, and that should fix it.  If you are sewing on something that is very thick you may need to increase your stitch length.

Breaking/Shredding Thread - if your thread keeps breaking there are a couple of things you should check out.  Is your tension too tight (maybe a little visitor to your sewing room played with your machine?)  Is there something that is catching the thread so it isn't feeding smoothly off the spool?  Sometimes there can be a little rough spot on the edge of your spool that will grab the thread. Try using a spool cap or turn your spool over.  Is the eye of your needle too small for the diameter of your thread?  Try a needle with a larger eye.

Loops of thread - if you are getting lots of loose thread under your fabric, but the top looks fine, that means there is no tension on the top thread.  You may need to increase the tension on your machine.  If that doesn't fix it, re-thread making sure your presser foot is raised while you go through the tension discs.  Sometimes a little knot of thread can get caught in there. In this case you may need to loosen the tension all the way, "floss" your machine with UNWAXED dental floss to remove thread that is caught, then reset your tension.

Seam looks puckered - if your seam looks a little puckered it could be that your tension is too tight. Try loosening the tension. If you are sewing on a very tightly woven fabric, it could look puckered because there just isn't enough room for the thread from your machine to fit between the yarns in the fabric. Try a finer thread and needle. It can look puckered if you are distorting the fabric by stretching it as it goes under the presser foot. You can often adjust the pressure of the presser foot with a knob on top of the machine. Loosen the pressure of the foot and that may help.

A few more things to try.  Make sure you have the correct bobbin for your machine. Clean all the lint out of your bobbin area. Google your problem, there is a lot of online help!  Of course, sometimes even after you have tried everything, your machine may need to go in for repairs.  Most repair shops recommend that you bring in your machine yearly.  I clean and oil my machines myself, so I have to admit I don't take them in that often.  I do take them in if they make a strange sound or have problems that I can't track down on my own.

Good luck with your machine!

Happy Sewing!