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Moderated by Sharon1952, EleanorSews
Posted on: 4/5/20 6:06 AM ET
Hello,
I wondered if anyone might have some advice on an issue with my Silver 9300e. Over the past few days I have been having a lot of problems with loops of top thread on the bottom side of my fabric. It also seems that the tension is unstable. I can adjust the tension so that it looks right on both sides (or even too tight on top) and then as I sew there will be a loud click (I believe from the bobbin area) and the bottom side will start looping. The machine will keep clicking as it sews after this point, and the bottom tension will remain poor.
Photos of the issue below. Top thread is black, bottom red. The number indicates the top tension- so the problem persists when the top thread is tightened.


I first noticed the problem when sewing with some slippery polyester fabric, but I am now trying with a stable brushed cotton and the problem persists (though it's not as severe on this fabric). I have tried a number of new needles of different weights- although to be fair the needles I am currently using look to be fairly cheap Chinese ones (I inherited them so I'm not sure of the price). I have ordered some Klasse needles to see if this helps.
I have cleaned the bobbin case and feed dogs. I have also oiled the bobbin area, and have tried loosening the bobbin tension. I have tried with both metal and plastic bobbins (I inherited the machine so I'm not sure which type it came with).
It seems that the problem is worse the faster I sew.
I have had this machine for about 6 months and it was sewing like a dream until this problem popped up! I'm pretty much sure I am threading everything correctly, as I'm not a beginner to sewing. I wouldn't 100% rule out that I'm doing something silly though, so please do let me know if there's an obvious user error which might be causing my problem.
Thanks for reading this long post, and any advice with this issue would be much appreciated! If more information would be helpful please do let me know.
I'd be happy to just pay for a service, but given the current lockdown situation in the UK that's not possible at the moment. I had been hoping to sew my way through the current situation, so I'm really hoping there's something I can do to sort it out.
-- Edited on 4/5/20 at 6:07 AM --
I wondered if anyone might have some advice on an issue with my Silver 9300e. Over the past few days I have been having a lot of problems with loops of top thread on the bottom side of my fabric. It also seems that the tension is unstable. I can adjust the tension so that it looks right on both sides (or even too tight on top) and then as I sew there will be a loud click (I believe from the bobbin area) and the bottom side will start looping. The machine will keep clicking as it sews after this point, and the bottom tension will remain poor.
Photos of the issue below. Top thread is black, bottom red. The number indicates the top tension- so the problem persists when the top thread is tightened.
I first noticed the problem when sewing with some slippery polyester fabric, but I am now trying with a stable brushed cotton and the problem persists (though it's not as severe on this fabric). I have tried a number of new needles of different weights- although to be fair the needles I am currently using look to be fairly cheap Chinese ones (I inherited them so I'm not sure of the price). I have ordered some Klasse needles to see if this helps.
I have cleaned the bobbin case and feed dogs. I have also oiled the bobbin area, and have tried loosening the bobbin tension. I have tried with both metal and plastic bobbins (I inherited the machine so I'm not sure which type it came with).
It seems that the problem is worse the faster I sew.
I have had this machine for about 6 months and it was sewing like a dream until this problem popped up! I'm pretty much sure I am threading everything correctly, as I'm not a beginner to sewing. I wouldn't 100% rule out that I'm doing something silly though, so please do let me know if there's an obvious user error which might be causing my problem.
Thanks for reading this long post, and any advice with this issue would be much appreciated! If more information would be helpful please do let me know.
I'd be happy to just pay for a service, but given the current lockdown situation in the UK that's not possible at the moment. I had been hoping to sew my way through the current situation, so I'm really hoping there's something I can do to sort it out.
-- Edited on 4/5/20 at 6:07 AM --
Posted on: 4/5/20 6:33 AM ET
Referring back to my statement 'I'm pretty much sure I am threading everything correctly, as I'm not a beginner to sewing.'... Turns out that was wrong!
It seems that the problem might be that I was pulling up my bobbin thread with the bobbin plate off, not on? (This is a top loading machine.)
I'll keep monitoring to see if this definitely solves the problem. I'll leave this post up rather than deleting it in shame in case it helps someone else!
It seems that the problem might be that I was pulling up my bobbin thread with the bobbin plate off, not on? (This is a top loading machine.)
I'll keep monitoring to see if this definitely solves the problem. I'll leave this post up rather than deleting it in shame in case it helps someone else!
Posted on: 4/5/20 7:44 PM ET
#6 your bobbin tension is loose. Be sure when you drop in the bobbin it spins counterclockwise, then draw the thread through the spring.
Be sure you are using the correct bobbin. Hearing a click while sewing could be the bobbin is bouncing around in there. Some machines use a class 66 bobbin, some use a 15-91 bobbin. They do look alike, but they’re different. That machine looks like it is a 15-91 type. Check your manual
Be sure you are using the correct bobbin. Hearing a click while sewing could be the bobbin is bouncing around in there. Some machines use a class 66 bobbin, some use a 15-91 bobbin. They do look alike, but they’re different. That machine looks like it is a 15-91 type. Check your manual
Posted on: 4/5/20 11:12 PM ET
In reply to KirstyMS
I believe your problems may be caused by the top thread feeding poorly off the spool. I recommend you use a thread stand instead of the included spool pin on the SM. This has fixed tension issues on more than one of my SMs.
Good luck and enjoy sewing.
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Good luck and enjoy sewing.
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Singer Quantum 9960|Singer 7640 Confidence|Singer 7258 Stylist|Singer 3342 Fashion Mate|Singer 534 Stylist|Singer Brilliance 6199|Singer 15-91|Singer 237 Fashion Mate|Singer 239 Fashion Mate|Janome New Home 654|Brother PE770|Singer Sergers 14SH764, 14J250, 14U354B, 14U286B|
Singer Coverstitch 14T968DC
Singer Coverstitch 14T968DC
Posted on: 4/7/20 10:49 AM ET
In reply to ajknots
Thank you both very much! I will try both of your suggestions, I really appreciate your help.
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