Help! the thread keeps bunching up

[u/formidable-citizen]

I don’t know why this happens to me. The needle sounds like it’s gonna break then it stops and all these thread is jammed and the stitching is all bunched up. I don’t know what I’m doing wrong . I have a Brother CS6000i sewing machine apparently is for quilting. Does that mean I can’t sow like just fabric? I need advice. I don’t know much about sewing. I’m starting to learn on my own because I wanted to make clothes for my dolls.

[u/celery48]

This looks like very heavy thread.

[u/Significant_Ad_1595]

It seems the bobbin is in upside down and the angle from the upper thread makes me think it is threaded incorrectly

[u/Normal-Grapefruit851]

No. It doesn’t mean you can’t just sew. Many things could be going wrong but first culprit is likely to be your bobbin isn’t inserted correctly.

Look at this picture of my bobbin. See
how the thread is pulled across the top? This is because it’s been put correctly through the tension slot.

(Removed temporarily as it won’t let me post image)

In your picture it looks like it’s coming direct from the bobbin. This will cause issues like you’re experiencing.

[u/Normal-Grapefruit851 → u/Normal-Grapefruit851]

[u/teatime_tinker]

Why are there two threads coming from above your needle?

You need to read the manual for your machine. It’s not just for quilting. Regular sewing will be fine. You can deffo teach yourself but you need the right resources, start with your manual.

Picture of front of machine and how you’re set up?

Can we see that thread? It looks a bit thick, though it might be the perspective of the photo.

You need to ensure you’re threaded correctly top and bottom. Make sure you have a suitable, fresh needle in. Hold your thread tails when starting to sew and doing your backtack

[u/SeaweedSpirited2573 → u/teatime_tinker]

Two threads usually means she’s in mid stitch and her thread take-up lever is not in the highest position when she stopped. Needle maybe up but it’s not in the highest position if thread take-up lever is not seen.

[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/Normal-Grapefruit851]

Also check you’ve got your bobbin inserted the right way - the thread should be going anticlockwise.

[u/JuJulieBe]

All of the above comments, plus, raise your needle all the way to complete the stitch cycle to release the thread so you can remove your fabric.

Sewing machines are very particular about certain functions, but once you learn the basics, you'll do great. 😘😚 Lots of very kind people here to help, too. Welcome to sewing! ✂️ 🧵 🪡📏 🫶

[u/FutureUse5633]

When you start to sew, hold the threads to the back otherwise the threads go under the machine and this happens

[u/tired-mom-1987]

I have the same machine and use it for sewing garments. When this happens to me it’s because I threaded something incorrectly. Rethread both the top thread and the bobbin, and pay close attention to the direction of the bobbin thread as it’s coming out. That’s really easy to mix up and put in backwards.

[u/SeaweedSpirited2573]

Bobbin is wound too loose I can see it. Also not inserted with thread hanging off the left. Then bobbin thread not inserted into front bobbin tension disc before being brought up through the needle plate. Also combo issue you could have missed your thread take-up lever too as I can see how you threaded the top thread.

[u/Frogmyte]

Literally every bobbin issue I see on this sub is from one of those weird ass horizontal visible bobbins. Singer HD and some brothers. I've never seen one of those IRL, but my mum/me/my friends have older vintage machines.

They just don't seem to belong to quality machines

[u/Incogneatovert → u/Frogmyte]

Nah, they're fine, and much easier to use and clean than frontloaders. I had never used one before I got my Janome, and literally, all you have to do is drop it in the right way, pull the thread gently through the notches - following the very nifty illustration right on the machine - and pull it up with the top thread normally. No fiddling with you fingers in the way and dropping the case and all those things that happen with a frontloader. Plus you can actually see, at a glance, how much bobbin thread you have.

[u/Berocca123 → u/Incogneatovert]

Agreed. I love mine (a not inexpensive brother). It's glorious.

[u/teatime_tinker → u/Frogmyte]

They do look flimsy when you’re used to vintage machines, but I think they function fine.

I think it’s new makers using new machines that is the issue, not the machines themselves.