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Christine AdlP Posted on Jun 01, 2008
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Upper thread will not catch bobbin thread

When sewing I get irregular seams due to the fact that the upper thread often doesn't 'catch' the bobbin thread. This leaves me with wholes in my seams, sometimes even 3 cm long. I have cleaned my sewing machine, changed needles, changed thread, but nothing seems to help. What can I do?

  • Anonymous Mar 20, 2014

    sewing machine leaves tons of thread on the underside

  • Anonymous Mar 21, 2014

    Sleeve was knitted in flat piece and seam has to be joined before attaching it to armhole. How is this done?

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1 Answer

Rick

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  • Expert 202 Answers
  • Posted on Dec 01, 2008
Rick
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Joined: Aug 21, 2007
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Your machine is out of time. It would be best to have a tech adjust the timing.

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0helpful
1answer

I sewed a support seam on neck line. got the bumpy stitches from bobbin. rewound bobbin, threaded machine. went to sew and now nothing works. it wont sew.

Not quite sure since the symptoms are not clear. "Bumpy stitches from bobbin"--does that mean there were thread nests on the bobbin side of the fabric? That is thread nesting or bird nesting resulting usually from mis-threading, upper thread not completely seated in tension disk, or upper tension too loose. Remove the upper thread from the machine. ALWAYS RAISE the presser foot and rethread from the beginning--verify the thread path is correct. Set the upper tension to the midway point between high & low number and retest the machine. (Upper tension may need to be tweaked because fabric, thread, and age of the machine will have an affect.)

Check that the bobbin is wound smoothly--no lumps, bumps, or thread ends/pieces sticking out of the bobbin. Check that the bobbin is installed in the bobbin case correctly (turning the proper direction) and the bobbin tension is threaded completely.

If the upper thread is not picking up the bobbin thread, make sure to install a brand new needle. (I don't try to straighten or "fix" damaged needles. With today's computerized machines, it may cause more damage than a new needle would cost. That may work on the old mechanical machines like the Singer Featherweights, but my machines are too important to risk for the price of a needle.) If it still won't pick up the bobbin thread, then the machine's timing has probably been knocked out of alignment. Search for sewing machine timing or take it for service.

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0helpful
1answer
2helpful
2answers

I have a brother ls-2125 sewing machine. the upper thread is not catching the bobbin thread properly. help please

  1. Tension
    • Your sewing machine tension controls the rate at which the thread is fed through either the upper section of your machine or through the bobbin case. If your upper or bobbin threads aren't threading properly, sometimes adjusting the tension will correct this problem.
    Timing
    • Your sewing machine works by passing the upper thread through the needle of the sewing machine at precisely the same time the bobbin brings its thread to its uppermost position. If either the needle or the bobbin thread reach these positions too soon or too late, the threads won't interact and create the knots that make the seam. You can throw off your timing by sewing too many layers of fabric or hitting a pin with your needle. See you sewing machine repair facility to correct any timing issues.
    Thread
    • Thread can get snagged or caught in the upper section of your machine or on lint pieces in the lower bobbin section. If your threads aren't catching properly, you may be able to fix it by unthreading and rethreading both your upper thread and bobbin threads.
0helpful
1answer

There is something wrong with the bobbin. When I sew it catches somewhere and bunches thread up underneath

Does this only happen when you begin sewing????? Make sure your upper and lower threads are long enough for you to hold them.......lower your pressure foot and don't release the threads until you have sewn several stitches into the seam. If you don't hold the threads when starting a seam...both threads often get pulled down into the bobbin area and cause a big tangled mess. Hope this helps.
0helpful
1answer

My bobbin wont engage with the stich. it just keeps getting jammed up. i lost the manuel i have no idea what to set the tension.

Hello,
Try these solutions

* Un-thread your machine and remove your bobbin. Clean any loose thread or lint out of your
bobbin case. Re-thread your machine, reinsert and re-thread your bobbin.

* Change your bobbin. There could be a nick along the edge of your bobbin spool that’s catching your thread as you sew.

* When you start to sew a seam, Hold the upper and bobbin thread tails back and out of the way as you sew your first couple of stitches. This will keep them from getting caught in your machine.


I hope this helps.
0helpful
1answer

Lower thread keeps jamming even though bobbin case is clean and tension on thread has been adjusted.

Hello,
Here are some things to try.

* Re-thread your machine

* Change your bobbin
There could be a nick along the edge of your bobbin spool that’s catching your thread as you
sew.

Also, before you start to sew a seam, grasp the upper and bobbin thread tails. Hold them back
and out of the way as you sew your first couple of stitches. This will keep them from getting
caught in your machine.
I hope one of these solutions help.

0helpful
1answer

I am having trouble with my bobbin . When I put into the sewing machine and begin to sew the cotton just bunches up and jams . Any suggestions

Hello,
Here are a couple of things to try.

* Un-thread your machine and remove your bobbin. Clean any loose thread or lint out of your
bobbin case. Re-thread your machine, reinsert and re-thread your bobbin.

* Change your bobbin
There could be a nick along the edge of your bobbin spool that’s catching your thread as you
sew.

* When you start to sew a seam, grasp the upper and bobbin thread tails. Hold them back
and out of the way as you sew your first couple of stitches. This will keep them from getting
caught in your machine.

Hope this helps.

2helpful
1answer

My sewing machine keeps getting jammed when sewing. the top stitch keeps getting tangled in with the bobbin thread and jamming up the machine.

Hello,
Here are a couple of things to try.

* Un-thread your machine and remove your bobbin. Clean any loose thread or lint out of your
bobbin case. Re-thread your machine, reinsert and re-thread your bobbin.

* Change your bobbin
There could be a nick along the edge of your bobbin spool that’s catching your thread as you
sew.

* When you start to sew a seam, grasp the upper and bobbin thread tails. Hold them back
and out of the way as you sew your first couple of stitches. This will keep them from getting
caught in your machine.

I hope this helps.

4helpful
3answers

Thread bunches up on Singer HD-110

my wife's hd110 singer machine is not keeping tension. what can I do/ look at to try and help this
0helpful
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