sewing machine troubleshooting

charlies-aunt

Sounds like the tension is not quite right - try these D-I-Y steps

(1). Taking the top thread completely out and rethreading as the snarling up underneath has probably pulled it very tight through the tension arm and rethreading should resolve it.

(2). Make 100% sure that you have removed all bits of thread etc

(3). Take the bobbin out, take a few lengths of thread off it to ensure that the wound thread is the correct tension as again the snarling up will have pulled the wound thread very tight on the bobbin -or use a different bobbin if you have one and putting it back in the other way round.

(4). If you have to release the top to get at the gubbins underneath, make sure that the button has clicked back properly and the top is securely fixed to the bottom (... I have a similar sewing problem to yours when I forget to 'unrelease' my machine top).

Some cheaper polyester threads are hell to use in a machine - try using a different brand if you can as some seem to contantly snarl up no matter what you do.

funkymonkey849

Thank you everyone, will try these tips and see if it helps!

How much does a service usually cost, and where would I get this done? The machine could do with a service even if I can fix this problem x

luckys_mum

Try asking your local fabric shop for the name of a sewing machine engineer that they might recommend. Or perhaps a quilting group in your area.

I got my machine serviced and it needed a slight repair and cost was £25

nanokitten

Do you have the manual for your machine? it normally has instructons for removing the bobbin holder etc and giving it a really good clean out (AND getting everything back in the same way as a small error such as putting in the bobbin the wrong way will make it tangle underneth and complain alot). Also sewing machines should be oiled regularly (once a week if used regularly according to my manual) so I would oil every thime I got it out if not used very often as the oil will slowly dry out. If you don't have the manual a trip to the library for a book such as the reders digest home maintenence and repair manual which (I think) has instructions on servicing most common sewing machines.
also some good trouble shooting tips on here
Having said that I send my machine off every few years, can't remember how much it was though, got the number from the haberdashers.

angeltreats

Be careful with oiling - some machines don't need oiled at all and oil can actually damage them. My Viking for example. (Although machines that do need oiling should be oiled regularly, yes.) Check your manual first.

toffee65

Not sure if this will help but, thread up the bobbin into the bobbin casement and pull thread to see if the bobbin thread tension is too tight . If it is, you will find a tiny screw on the side of your bobbin casement and give that a little tweak to see if it loosens the thread when you pull again.

If unsure of doing this, just turn the screw a quarter round at a time so that you know where to put it back to. Anti clockwise to loosen clockwise to tighten.

If anyone does have a sewing machine at home and it needs tinkering with, don't worry too much about a bit of self mechanics...if you go slow at it you'll get to know your machine and how it works and save money on sometimes unnecessary services'

You have to get to understand the basics of the working and in the end this will also help in improving you quality of the item you produce.

Olliebeak

If you DO have a go yourself, be very careful about 'laying out in order of removal' any bits/pieces - makes putting it back together again much easier and helps not to have anyting 'left-over' when you've finished.

I speak from experience :o.

funkymonkey849

Thanks everyone! Nothing seems to be working so it's time for the professionals I think!

Anyone know anywhere to get it fixed/serviced in South Wales?

funkymonkey849

UPDATE: Just got machine working!

I took as much apart as I dared and oiled any moving parts, I also cleaned out some fluff and changed the needle - basically did everything so not sure what worked, but it did wooohooo am very pleased!

So thank you all for your advice, you've saved me £50 service (3 quotes!!!), a week without the machine, and taught me a lot about a piece of equipment that I use but really have no idea how it works. I never fail to be impressed with the amount of knowledge and good advice on this board. Long live MSE!

I will take it in for a service next year because it probably is overdue, but for now it's sewing lovely and I am very happy :j

LOL Olliebeak good advice on remembering what order the parts came out in

purpleivy

funkymonkey849 wrote: »

UPDATE: Just got machine working!

I took as much apart as I dared and oiled any moving parts, I also cleaned out some fluff and changed the needle - basically did everything so not sure what worked, but it did wooohooo am very pleased!

So thank you all for your advice, you've saved me £50 service (3 quotes!!!), a week without the machine, and taught me a lot about a piece of equipment that I use but really have no idea how it works. I never fail to be impressed with the amount of knowledge and good advice on this board. Long live MSE!

I will take it in for a service next year because it probably is overdue, but for now it's sewing lovely and I am very happy :j

LOL Olliebeak good advice on remembering what order the parts came out in

Something else I remembered about cleaning the machine. A while ago I was having real tension problems with my machine. I had cleaned all the gunk out of where the bobbin goes, changed the needle, rethreaded etc eetc. Then I suddenly thought, well it might be the top thread, so I got a piece of ribbon or something and pulled it through all the places the thread goes through that I couldn't see into. A smallish piece of thread came out of one of them. I tried again and BIngo! It worked.