Date: 2/9/10 2:27 AM

My 'regular' sewing machine did not come with a manual. So, I have no 'troubleshooting'. (My books for my other brand new machines are crinkled from so much wear n tear:)
When sewing the stitch looks "loopy". Also periodically, it is doing some kind of crazy knotting on the underneath of the fabric....it keeps sewing..but when I am done and turn it over their are several areas of knots(yuck/ugly!) Also, the bobbin thread will become loose at times and completely undone...I will think it is sewing, and then I will notice the bobbin thread has fallen into its bobbin case. And in fact, I am not sewing anything!
Are these User errors? Am I not using the right thread,tensions,bobbin winding wrong? I do feel that I am using the right needle.
Or are these machine errors. Is the timing wrong? Is something broke?
I did 'rough house' the machine during my first few months of ownership. It is only until recently that I have realized there are many things about sewing. I did think you could..just sew! I am now learning that a machine wont sew just anything, with any needle,any thread.(Although, I still dont always know which to use on what) So, I am thinking I broke it. If this post is an 'obvious' ...She broke....!! Can you please suggest to me what you think it is? And if you happen to know around about costs of such repair. I only say because being 28 and knowing NOTHING, I do feel at a couple stores I was treated rushed&rudely. I will hopefully not have to take my future business here. But, either way I would prefer to look knowledgable.
Thanks,
Breanna

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I have learned sewing is a fine art. I want to experience all it has to offer. I'm so estatic to learn,I've been tripping over my own feet since I started.

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Date: 2/9/10 7:37 AM

It might be a combo of both, or just one or the other.

What machine do you have and maybe someone can find you a user manual.

Thread is important too, try a good quality thread, get some simple muslin or quilting type of fabric, and try to get the tension working right with that fabric.

It does sound like a tension/threading issue most likely.

I know the moment my machine is "unthreaded" because it makes a tangle on the underside.

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Annette
http://needlesnails.blogspot.com/

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Subject: Thread looking loopy when sewing. Is this a Me problem or machine problem. Date: 2/9/10 7:52 AM

Sounds like a problem with your upper thread. Most common problem is threaded incorrectly. Second most common problem is the needle is in wrong - the flat facing the wrong way. Third choice would be your tension is incorrect - too loose. You didn't say what kind of machine so we can't provide specifics, but those 3 would be my guess, most likely just threaded wrong. It's less likely that there's something really wrong with the machine.
Nests and messes on the bottom of the fabric are top thread issues. Messes on the top are bobbin issues.

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Reply to Breanna123
Date: 2/9/10 8:17 AM

My machine was having a serious moment over the weekend. It would not sew a decent stitch at all. After about 20 minutes of working with it, I realized that something was wrong with the newly-wound bobbin. For some reason, the bobbin thread was not wound properly and my machine didn't like it. I rewound the bobbin thread and all was well. If you're getting thread nests or the bobbin thread doesn't help in forming a correct stitch, try another bobbin or rewind a new one.

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Subject: Thread looking loopy when sewing. Is this a Me problem or machine problem. Date: 2/9/10 8:23 AM

I used to have this problem with my machine. Someone gave me the advice to remove all the thread, take out the needle plate and clean out the bobbin area, and then rethread the machine. It has worked every time. Sometimes all it takes is unthreading and rethreading the machine.

Little bits of thread and lint sometimes get caught where they're not supposed to and they can cause the thread to not move properly through the machine.

If this doesn't work, then I would assume it's probably a tension problem.

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Subject: Thread looking loopy when sewing. Is this a Me problem or machine problem. Date: 2/9/10 8:25 AM

P.S. I've also had problems when I used generic bobbins in my Janome. Even though they are the right size, they are just different enough to cause problems. Are you using manufacturer or generic bobbins?

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Reply to Breanna123
Date: 2/9/10 9:09 AM

I have found that bobbin terrycloth is usually caused by schmutz in the bobbin case.

take the bobbin asssembly apart, clean and vacuum. put in a new needle, oil the machine and usually that will do the trick.

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sarah in nyc
www.sewnewyork.blogspot.com

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Reply to Breanna123
Date: 2/9/10 9:10 AM

Breanna,
Sometimes you can find the manual for your machine on line. Put in the brand and number and see if it shows up.

My machine does that for four different reasons that I know of

1. wrong needle or I've been using that needle too long

2. threaded the machine wrong

3. tension is set wrong. If the loops are on the bottom either the top tension is too loose or the bottom is too tight. Adjusting the bottom tension can be tricky. Take a look at your bobbin holder. There should be a tiny little screw on the outside, you adjust the tension by loosening of tightening the screw, try to turn it only a quarter turn at the most. Right for tightening, left for loosening tension (righty tighty, lefty loosey, I know, I know, dumb, but it helps me remember). Once you've adjusted the screw thread your bobbin holder with a bobbin of thread and hold the end of the thread letting bobbin holder with bobbin dangle. It should sslloowwllyy let out thread. You can probably find a better description on line.

4. My machine is dirty. I use cotton swabs to clean out all the lent, removing the needle plate to get at all the stuff jammed up in the feed dogs and then oil. I can't tell you where to oil your machine because they're all different (here's where I hope you find your manual online).

If you can't find your manual, you might try taking it to a repair/tune-up shop and getting the repairman help you. Most of the ones I've gone to (7 different one in 7 different states) have all been really nice. If someone treats you rudely, go elsewhere. Ask for an estimate, ask if it costs to get an estimate (some charge, some don't). Be upfront and tell them you didn't get a manual with your machine and you need some help. Sometimes small fabric stores do repairs and are nicer than the big ones. The last time I had my machine worked on it cost about $80, but that was because the movers had put the poor thing in a box without any padding or anything. I think tune ups run $40 to $60.


Rosie
-- Edited on 2/9/10 9:15 AM --

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money spent 2011: 9.50

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Date: 2/9/10 9:26 AM

This happens to me all the time. Start by simply re-threading the needle and starting again. It took me a long time to figure out that this fixed loopy stitching with knots underneath everytime!
good luck

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Subject: Thread looking loopy when sewing. Is this a Me problem or machine problem. Date: 2/9/10 11:10 AM

If you have a bobbin casing (rather than a drop in) it might be that you are putting the bobbin in the wrong way. My machine is very particular about the bobbin being loaded with the thread going clockwise (coming off to the right), and when I occasionally absentmindedly load the bobbin in with the thread going the wrong way it lets me know how displeased it is.

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http://theslapdashsewist.blogspot.com
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2007: purchased 115+, sewed 105+
So close to parity, yet so far

Trying again in 2008
Yards purchased: 133
Yards sewn: Somewhere around 95

2009? I give up

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