Help with my sewing machine

Limara

tryingtobethrifty wrote: »

Hi Limara, I did have a needle break and the machine was working before that. What is a burr in the bobbin raceway? Thanks

the raceway is the part on the machine that your bobbin goes into and a needle break often makes a tiny mark on that part, because your thread links around the bobbin that mark cuts your thread at speed!
you need to take it out of the machine they are normally not very complicated to get out, get a bit of old tights/stockings and lightly pull it accross it, around the top and all around the part your bobbin sits in that should snag onto a burr, they can be so tiny you dont actually see them but thats enough for the thread to get broken, if you find one just get some very very fine sand paper and rub the area gently and make sure you have got rid of it with the tights test after, also check your needle plate in the same way as a sharp bit on that can also break the thread.
If you have had thread breaks another common fault is a tiny bit of thread stuck somewhere in the threading route of the machine which knocks out the tension and that would make the thread break on fast only, try threading the route with a very thick thread or fine wool / or several thickness of sewing thread together as far as the needle and pull it a few feet at the needle end and back again to the start point a few times thats usually enough to pull shreds of thread out.
If the machine has only done this since a needle break if its none of the above then try a new needle as well

Tamster150

Good advice from Limara

I always change the needle if I have a problem, I also only use Gutterman thread - anything else causes my machine to misbehave!

And don't forget to join The Sewing Room -
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2169321
and share all your makes with us. (It is a bit quiet at the mo but there are always people lurking ready to help)

tryingtobethrifty

Thank you! Thank you! I tried everything you all suggested - the bobbin seemed fine, so I re-threaded to make sure there was no thread stuck in, then replaced the needle and changed the thread. I'm not sure which one helped but it is stitching straight stitches now. It is mostly doing zig zag ones too but misses a few. I don't mind though at least I can sew something.

So - I've sewn two birds already from the Cath Kidson book - they look a bit like a cross between a sock and a dolphin!!

But I am happy - thank you again everyone.

I will look in the Sewing Room but would be far too embarrassed to put up the birds, maybe when I'm a bit better

Limara

tryingtobethrifty wrote: »

Thank you! Thank you! I tried everything you all suggested - the bobbin seemed fine, so I re-threaded to make sure there was no thread stuck in, then replaced the needle and changed the thread. I'm not sure which one helped but it is stitching straight stitches now. It is mostly doing zig zag ones too but misses a few. I don't mind though at least I can sew something.

sounds like it was simply the thread you were using, some machines ARE REALLY THREAD PICKEY even the £3000+ machines!
I have one machine that will break moon thread all the time and you would never sew more than a few stitches with it and another that sews it totally perfect and never get a thread break with it.

If you are missing a few stitches did you rewind your bobbin with the new top thread you are using, if you have a thread problem it will also be a problem for your bobbin thread as well! ( not as noticable with the bobbin thread) but that could cause uneven stitches.
I do more embroidery than sewing and the embroidery machines are even more thread pickey than sewing.
As already suggested Gutterman thread is usually the best but its so expensive these days.

tryingtobethrifty

Yes, I changed the bobbin thread too. It seems to sew okay when it's going quickly but doesn't always pick up the bobbin thread and so I get one long stitch when it's going slowly. I wonder if I just have a temperamental machine.

When I'm not snowed in (21 inches at the minute) I'll go get some decent thread and practice.

Thanks for all your help, now if only someone could teach me how to sew....

PootleFlump_3

Glad you got it sorted Thrifty. Like Tamster said, come and join us in The Sewing Room. Its good chat, everyone really helpful and we love having a nosey at what everyone else has been up too!!