Needle holder will not move up & down needle, machine is seized.

Doesn't pick up bobbin thread
1. The bobbin may be in backwards.
2. The bobbin thread & top thread need to be pulled to the back before starting the stitching
3. You need a ballpoint rather than universal needle to sew on t-shirt knits.
4. the needle is in the machine backwards
5. Make sure the needle is the correct one for the fabric being sewed
6. Needle inserted wrong in the needle holder
7. Warped needle
8. Warped bobbin
9. Also could be a timing problem

1. The bobbin may be in backwards.
2. The bobbin thread & top thread need to be pulled to the back before starting the stitching
3. You need a ballpoint rather than universal needle to sew on t-shirt knits.
4. the needle is in the machine backwards
5. Make sure the needle is the correct one for the fabric being sewed
6. Needle inserted wrong in the needle holder
7. Damaged needle
8. Warped bobbin
9.First make sure the bobbin-winding spindle (located on top of your machine) has been pushed back to the left for sewing.
10.If it is not in the correct position, the needle will not go down and pick-up your bobbin thread.
11.Next make sure your needle is inserted correctly, with the flat side facing back.
12.Also, make sure your bobbin is in correctly
13.the upper tension disks of your machine are threaded correctly.
14.Make sure the presser foot is up when seating the thread through the upper tension.
15.Turn the handwheel towards you only and hold the needle thread lightly.
16.could be a timing problem
1611

While I know it can only go in 1 of two ways, maybe the problem isn't in how the bobbin is in, maybe it is the route of the thread.
My assumption is you don't seem to pick up the bobbin thread and it bunches. If so the carefully follow the thread to needle you may have by passed the place you put that thread so it maintains tension.
Check that carefully, sometimes that gets overlooked.

Always start from the thread spool pin, install your thread spool to the spool pin & put on the spool holder, pull end of thread to go thru the top thread guide then down to the tension disc(follow the arrow pointer if there is),up to the thread take up lever arm from left to right and down to the needle thru the needle clam guide(just below its needle clam screw)then enter the needle eye from front to back. Turn your hand wheel towards you to bring needle bar down into the bobbin case, keep turning till needle comes fully up, pull out your top thread end & this should bring up the bobbin thread then you be ready to sew.

The top thread breaks

1. the needle thread is not threaded properly

2. The needle thread tension is to tight

3. The needle is bent or blunt

4. The needle is incorrectly inserted

5. The needle thread & the bobbin thread are not set under the presser foot when starting to sew

6. the threads were not drawn to the rear after sewing

7. The thread is either to heavy or to fine for the needle

8. Try a different spool or cone of thread


Bobbin thread breaks


1. There is a right way & wrong way to insert the bobbin in the case --when you insert the bobbin in if it doesn't stitch correctly turn the bobbin over see if that helps or bobbin case is not inserted correctly


2. Lint has collected in the bobbin holder


3. The bobbin is damaged & doesn't turn smoothly


4. Lower thread tension is two tight

if the sewing machine has a top loading bobbin, you may have to have the sewing machine checked to see if there is something wrong with the bobbin case or the hook and hook race.
I suggest try a new needle--one for the fabric being sewed
also try another bobbin
rethread the sewing machine top and bobbin, using every thread guide.

Check the model number of the machine. White sewing machine manuals are available from Singer at http://www.singerco.com/accessories/instruction-manuals . Enter the model number and click Search.

The White Sew E-Z model W338 manual is available here: http://www.singerco.com/uploads/download/705_white-338-x.pdf .

Unlike some machines this one doesn't really need the bobbin threaded. Place the bobbin in the bobbin holder and leave about 5" of thread extended out from the bobbin holder. With the bobbin compartment still open, lower the presser foot and turn the handwheel to move the threaded needle through the stitch cycle. (I find holding the threads helps; normally, you'll feel them pulling under your fingers.) When the needle has returned to the top of the path, lift the presser foot. Then pull both threads around to the front (the bobbin thread should wrap around the top thread). Then move the threads to the back of the presser foot.

If the needle isn't catching the bobbin thread, first try a new needle (bent or dull needles don't always function properly). Next check the bobbin holder for nicks or other damage. There is a small hook on the bobbin holder that should be where the top and bottom threads intertwine. Under rare circumstances, you will find that the bobbin tension of the bobbin holder is misadjusted. This can interfere with the bobbin thread twisting properly. There is a little set screw that allows you can tighten or loosen the bobbin tension as needed. Adjusting the screw is to be avoided when possible and done in small increments (1/8 turn) if needed. It's easy to strip the threads for the set screw and end up needing to replace the bobbin holder.

I hope this helps.

Cindy Wells

There could be a couple of general reasons for this to happen.
First, the tension in the bobbin holder could have tightened when you were trying to fix the needle. I don't explain them, I just know strange things happen when you try to fix one thing.
Secondly, I can't tell how old your machine it, but I know that the mechanism that holds the bobbin holder can become jammed and the thread wound around it. That too will cause the bobbin to not feed properly. You need to be sure the area around the bobbin holder is clear of all threads.
How did you try to change the position of the zipper foot? Did you just change the needle position and move the foot to the other side or did you do something else? I'd need to have more information to tell you anything more specific.

try these suggestions
1.make sure the needle is in the needle holder correctly
2.check to see if the needle is in backwards
3.make sure the thread is not slipping off the take-up lever
4.check to make sure the bobbin is not warped
5.check for lint in & around the bobbin case
6.check for loose thread in or around the bobbin case

There are a few possible causes, firstly make sure you have the correct needle and it is in the correct way and make sure when you fit the needle it is pusshed all the way up into the needle holder. If the shuttle or hook is moving around the bobbin case then the timing may have been knocked out. If the it is not moving it means either the gear or belt that drives the hoo / shuttle has been damaged or broken.

If the bobbin case/holder is trying to lift up and the thread is staying partly around it, your bobbin case may have turned part way.
Remove the needle plate and the bobbin case. The outer edges of the bobbin case should be very smooth. I suspect you may see a needle hole in the flat area that was under the foot. If so, you will probably wish to take it to your dealer and show them. They may smooth it or recommend replacing it. When the bobbin case is placed back into the hook cup that it sets in, the retainer at the 11 o'clock position on it should only allow the case to lift up about 0.8 to 1mm at the most. If it will lift up more than this, press down firmly on the retainer and move it closer to the bobbin case. You must have enough room for the thread to pass between the retainer and the bobbin case, but too much clearance will allow the bobbin case to turn in the machine and it will be damaged by the needle.