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Sewing machine not working. :(
So I was in the middle of sewing, when it got stuck and errored. I pretty much had to unscrew some stuff to untangle the thread inside to even get the fabric detached. I took it apart, blew out some stuff, put it together. Everything was moving fine, so I threaded it back up and tried again. It got stuck again. I figured out what happens, is it does these really long stitches underneath the fabric that get all tangled up. I have no clue what could cause this? If anyone has an idea, I'd love to hear it. Getting it serviced and fixed would just about cost as much as the machine cost.
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Re: Sewing machine not working. :(
Aside from cleaning the bobbin area (and take out the bobbin case, too - make sure you don't have lint around the feed dogs. Change thread, change your needle, rewind a new bobbin - and if you have one, put on a straight stitch plate instead of a zig-zag plate and try again!!
Re: Sewing machine not working. :(
If you can also clean out the thread tension disks. I have used non waxed dental floss. When my machine has issues underneath it is normally lint or fuzz above. Good luck.
Re: Sewing machine not working. :(
Take your thread and bobbin out, leave the bobbin cover off. Make sure you have good lighting. To observe the machine movements. Use your flywheel to manually and slowly move the needle and watch what happens when it enters the bobbin area (always toward you, never away, unless you have a rare machine where it is supposed to spin the opposite way). If the needle doesn't hit anything, the machine is probably fine. And if the timing was off, I don't think it would be picking up the thread like that because the hook would be missing it or hitting your needle.
When you say it "errored" does it display an error code you can look up? What machine is it?
Two of the most basic things I can think of to check are to see if your needle is inserted all the way up, and check that you're holding onto the threads as you sew the first few stitches so the top thread doesn't get pulled into the bobbin case and tangle.
Re: Sewing machine not working. :(
Make sure you are placing the bobbin thread coming off from the bobbin in the right direction. My old machine would nest up underneath if I had it going clockwise instead of counterclockwise.
Re: Sewing machine not working. :(
You've gotten some good advice for anyone experiencing machine trouble. Remember to clean out your bobbin area often. Mine is easy to do and I clean it out after 2 or 3 bobbin's worth of sewing-it gets VERY linty in there even with good thread. Don't blow the lint in any way. Use a small, soft brush to collect the lint. Blowing it only sends the lint deeper into the machine. Buy good thread. It is worth it. I use Aurifil or any threads made by Superior but there are lots of good ones out there that others use. Throw away old thread! Change your needle often as well. A dull needle or one with a burr on it can cause a lot of headaches with your thread.
Let us know if you've had any success fixing the problems with your machine.
Re: Sewing machine not working. :(
If you have a machine with an auto thread cutter, make sure it is retracted as it should be. Mine sometimes gets stuck and causes thread boogers.
Re: Sewing machine not working. :(
What machine do you have? I have found that if the machine is not threaded properly that can cause long loopy stitches underneath, particularly if its one of the expensive Janome's. When bringing the thread down and round it needs to 'click' into the spring. I always try my machine on a bit of scrap material if I have had to re-thread it, it make sure the problem is cleared.
Re: Sewing machine not working. :(
The reason it says error, is because all those long loops get tangled up and the machine can't move. I took the machine apart, blew it out with canned air, put it back together. It's still doing that. I wasn't exactly sure if it was the top or bottom thread doing that. I put in 2 different colored threads. It's all top thread, it's not catching on the bottom one at all.
Re: Sewing machine not working. :(
Sounds like its time to have your tech re-set the timing.
Re: Sewing machine not working. :(
Quote:
Originally Posted by
NorwichTerrier
The reason it says error, is because all those long loops get tangled up and the machine can't move. I took the machine apart, blew it out with canned air, put it back together. It's still doing that. I wasn't exactly sure if it was the top or bottom thread doing that. I put in 2 different colored threads. It's all top thread, it's not catching on the bottom one at all.
And please don't share with the repair person that you used canned air on your sewing machine . . .
I agree with Shirley - it probably is your timing off.
Re: Sewing machine not working. :(
Ditto! Canned air just pushes lint balls into tighter places.
Re: Sewing machine not working. :(
Never, ever blow in to or use canned air to clean lint out of your machine.
Re: Sewing machine not working. :(
My first sewing machine did exactly that and it was the timing. I went nuts trying to figure it out and tried everything. I brought it in to the shop they ran it two seconds and said timing. It was a cheap machine It so cost me less to buy a new one then to fix it.
Re: Sewing machine not working. :(
What model machine is this? There are a lot of blogs and YouTube videos with very good help. I wouldn't mind hunting down some that might help you.
If you opened the case and used canned air, it should be fine. You just don't want to do it unless you completely expose the machinery, because lint and moisture will be pushed into nooks and crannies and wreak havoc. Same goes for blowing with your own breath, best not do that at all because of the moisture.
I hope you get it working, many cheap machines are fixable but as you said the repair cost is close to the price of a new one. I'm sewing on a very cheap basic machine and have learned how to do maintenance and troubleshoot; it's a very good and cheap way to learn how a sewing machine works. It's a pretty good feeling to figure it out yourself :)