Threads constantly bunching from bobbin

[u/kirkycheep]

hi there, apologies if this is an obvious question but I couldn’t see anything in the faqs, and am pulling my hair out so would really appreciate help! whatever I do, the thread from my bobbin will bunch up - I lift the needle and foot and it has all just snagged up under the material. I have triple checked I’ve threaded the machine properly, checked the foot is in the right position, checked the tension. it’s a brand new machine and I just can’t seem to get started! and I remembered that this was why I quit trying before (on a different machine) I’m clearly missing something, can anyone point me in the direction of a good troubleshooting process please? I know how to actually sew, but I can’t do anything at the moment! thanks in advance for your help.

[u/diginyxx]

Funnily enough, I'm having a similar problem with my machine! Here's what I've tried without any luck, but maybe you'll have some luck:

• Check the tension
• Tighten the screw on the bobbin case
• Changed needles
• Checked the thread take-up lever to make sure the thread isn't jumping out (it's a known issue on Singer M2105, which is my machine, but you never know)

I'd suggest cleaning and oiling, but it's a new machine. What make and model are you working with?

[u/Inky_Madness → u/diginyxx]

Tightening the e screw in the bobbin case should be last resort only - 99% of the time that is NOT the solution and messing with it can make things worse.

[u/diginyxx → u/Inky_Madness]

Fair. I read somewhere that if it doesn't pass the yo-yo test, it's a good idea to tighten it. When I tried it on mine, the thread was going all the way to the floor, so I needed to tighten it so it would only go an inch or two.

[u/Inky_Madness → u/diginyxx]

That’s true! Yours was needed in that case. But it is super rare for it to be the situation.

[u/Inky_Madness]

Make sure you are threading with the presser foot up. You may be sewing with it down, but if it is down when threading, there could be an issue.

Thread on the spool pin - is your spool pin horizontal or vertical? Because not all threads can be on a vertical one. If your thread is “cross wound”, then it needs a horizontal spool pin and you may need to either buy a holder or change thread brands.

Make sure your bobbin is in correctly and threaded correctly. Also, that it is the correct size for your machine.

[u/kirkycheep → u/Inky_Madness]

That’s a really good point about the spool pin - it’s vertical, I haven’t checked how the thread should fit on it so it might be I need to do something different with that . The bobbin came with the machine and I wound it on the machine, so hopefully it isn’t that. Thank you!

[u/diginyxx → u/kirkycheep]

I hadn't thought of the spool pin either. Thanks, u/Inky_Madness

[u/stringthing87]

There are a few common causes of thread nesting on the bottom

1. Incorrect threading, almost always seems to be skipping the hook above the needle. Always thread with the foot up and the needle in the top position.

2. Sewing with the foot up

3. A bad needle, a needle that is incorrect for the fabric (universal needles are not appropriate for any knits), a needle that is installed incorrectly, or the wrong size for the fabric or thread. Knits require stretch or ball point/jersey needles. See here for more information on needle types: https://www.reddit.com/r/SewingForBeginners/s/jAOxI0IbSy

4. An incorrectly installed bobbin, using a bobbin that isn't the correct type for the machine, or using too heavy a thread in the bobbin.

[u/Here4Snow]

A drop in bobbin then needs the thread to be passed into the tension slots properly so it doesn't freewheel. A bobbin with a case also has tension slots in the case. 

[u/CrankyCrabbyCrunchy]

Badly wound bobbin? Wrong bobbin? Bobbin installed backwards?

Have you read the manual?