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Machine makes weird "punching" sound when sewing twill What's it doing?
stirwatersblue Intermediate KS USA Member since 12/13/08 Posts: 2474	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 8/24/12 3:01 AM I'm sewing some medium-weight brushed cotton twill, and my machine is making a really weird sound every time the needle goes through the fabric. It sounds like it's puncturing it--which, yes, it is, I suppose, but it normally doesn't sound like this! The stitches look perfect and the machine isn't struggling; I'm using just a regular needle (I tried switching to a jeans needle, but it was too large, and it didn't help any anyway), and I routinely sew *much* heavier fabrics on this machine without the weird sound effects. Sewing one layer, no weird punchy sound. Two layers, punch, punch, punch. Anyone know why this is happening? (I asked DH, who was sitting across the room, if he could hear it, too. He nodded, but he may have just been humoring me! ) ------ ~Gem in the prairie
LynnRowe   Advanced BC CANADA Member since 3/9/09 Posts: 6804	Login to reply to this post In reply to stirwatersblue << Like this post Date: 8/24/12 3:06 AM It's the type of weave; twill is an off-set weave, so the two layers aren't going to be aligned as to where the horizontal and vertical grains meet. The needle may be slipping between the threads on the top layer, but is hitting and piercing the threads on the other layer, which makes the dull thumping sound. ------ I heart Panzy, Pfaff Creative Performance, the sewing machine love of my life! And Rupert (Pfaff 2023), Baby (BL Enlighten), Victor (BLCS), Ash (Bernina 350SE), Pal (Bernina 530), Kee (Bernina 750) and the Featherteen Flock! Most of all, I heart Woo (HimmyCat). Until we meet again, my beautiful little boy. I love you.
Sew4Fun Advanced AUSTRALIA Member since 6/23/04 Posts: 4838	Login to reply to this post In reply to stirwatersblue << 4 members like this. Date: 8/24/12 5:23 AM When I hear this sound I know I must change the needle. The sound means the needle isn't piercing the fabric cleanly and struggling. You either need a new needle because the one you are using is blunt, a larger needle, a different needle type or all three. Keep changing needles until the sound stops. HTH ------ Belinda. Melbourne, Australia http://sew-4-fun.blogspot.com/
PattiAnnJ   Advanced OH USA Member since 12/3/06 Posts: 5000	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Subject: Machine makes weird punching sound when sewing twill Date: 8/24/12 6:58 AM Sometimes the noise is due to the bobbin case (drop-in type, especially) having accumulated lint and is in need of cleaning.
Lindy Ann   Advanced KS USA Member since 1/26/12 Posts: 53	Login to reply to this post In reply to stirwatersblue << 1 member likes this. Date: 8/24/12 9:20 AM Have you tried a microtex needle? I've used Schmetz microtex needles on Tencel and other tightly woven fabrics and it makes a big difference. I think the microtex needles are extra sharp.
Learn To Sew   Intermediate WA USA Member since 4/12/05 Posts: 8001	Login to reply to this post In reply to stirwatersblue << Like this post Date: 8/24/12 11:44 AM Needle change. What size needle are you using? Is it a universal or a sharp? You need a sharp for sure. Size 12 I think. I think an 11 might be just a little small. Last summer I took a class and made a pair of twill pants. I do not remember the punching sound, as I had a size 14 in the machine for the class. I did not know it would leave larger holes than I wished. I did change to a 12 sharp and it was easier sewing from that point on. ------ Quilting is relaxing to me. I love to play with fabrics, patterns and colors. Bernina 630 machine only Pfaff 2036 Babylock Molly Bernina 1200DA serger Unique Sewing Cabinet 450L
Annie P   Intermediate AUSTRALIA Member since 3/19/09 Posts: 24	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 8/25/12 0:28 AM I associate that sound with a blunt needle.
Marie367   Intermediate OH USA Member since 5/28/11 Posts: 1379	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 8/25/12 2:18 PM I agree with everyone else that it is a needle issue unless there is something wrong with your bobbin. Sometimes you just have to experiment with size and type of needle for the type of fabric you are sewing. Your needle might be the wrong type and the wrong size. Fabrics and machines are funny things. Not long ago I was making a few bags out of twill on my old Kenmore. I started with a universal 16. My machine didn't like that at all; to my surprise, I ended up using a 14 microtex.
CM_Sews Intermediate CA USA Member since 9/18/04 Posts: 1476	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 8/25/12 6:57 PM Even simple quilting fabrics can produce different sounds when you sew them. Cotton Batiks, in particular, seem to be more "dense" and super-impregnated with dye. They often make little "pop, pop, pop" noises when I sew them that is different than the sound that other quilting cottons make. CMC

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