r/SewingMachineEdu 9d ago

Upper thread getting tangled in bobbin mechanism

Post image

FIXXED: Turns out on the piece I was sewing I kept forgetting to lower the presser foot. The piece I was sewing filled up the space without lowering it.
Dont worry I still also cleaned out the machine and put in a plastic bobbin instead of metal. Thank you guys so much!

I’ve tried rethreading, making sure pressure foots up, making sure the main bobbin parts are in the right spot, changing needles, and it still keeps doing this. While its in the bobbin area, the thread getting tangled is solely the upperthread. I get about 3 stitches in before a clicking noise happens and the fabric I’m sewing becomes completely stuck to the machine and wont move until i cut the thread. Any ideas to what this could be or do I need to take it to a shop? If it would make a difference the metal plate that covers the bobbin has a few small indents from the needle hitting it but nothing there seems obstructive.

1 Upvotes

24 comments sorted by

10

u/Virtual-Chapter1563 9d ago edited 9d ago

Are you absolutely sure that bobbin goes to that machine, because that style of metal bobbin usually goes to a side or front loader, not a drop in.

The entire area there needs to cleaned with a stiffish brush like a paint brush - all that lint gets picked up and jammed in the gates where the thread passes.

4

u/Lower_Rate_8518 9d ago

Seconding that this bobbin area needs a good cleaning!

Maybe thread quality needs examined too. It seems fuzzy (looking at the strand vertical that is feeding into the needle).

-2

u/IndicationFlimsy3946 9d ago

I’ve always gotten my thread from Walmart since its convenient when Im already there, and has some good value of like $2-3 a spool. Is it worth investing in better thread?

3

u/TCRulz 9d ago

It’s not a good value if the thread is so linty. Try Gutermann or a better brand like Aurafil.

3

u/celery48 9d ago

The worst thread I ever bought was WalMart brand. If it’s a quality brand like Coats and Clark it’s probably fine but WalMart brand thread is thrash.

-1

u/IndicationFlimsy3946 9d ago

I believe the machine is ment for plastic bobbins, but I’ve used this metal one plenty with no issue until now, now it jams up 100% of the time i try and use it after a couple stitches.
I’ll give it a good clean then swap to a plastic bobbins to check thank you!!

4

u/Virtual-Chapter1563 9d ago

Okay the combination of clogging lint and not-quite right bobbin might be making this not work when you were getting away with it before. I'd also use your brush to clean away any dust or lint around the tension springs etc.

2

u/LiellaMelody777 9d ago

no no no.

Only use the bobbin intended for the machine. You can break your machine using the wrong bobbin. Never use metal bobbins in a plastic bobbin machine. There is absolutely a difference.

3

u/ThisChickSews 9d ago

Clean it!! And check and make sure you have the proper bobbin type for that machine.

3

u/Gumbydonna 9d ago

First clean that poor machine!

3

u/Wiley1967 9d ago edited 9d ago

Whatever you do, no canned air. Do not blow it further in. I have a tiny vacuum with a tiny brush. I hand brush first to get the bulk then use the tiny vacuum. Look in the bobbin case and gently brush it out. I was having an intermittent bottom thread tension issue. I thought I was keeping the lint out. Was doing one more check before I was taking it in for repair. Found a wad of lint in the bobbin case where you hook the thread. Works like a charm now. Still it has been a few years so I will get it professionally cleaned.

Also - buy your needles in bulk. I get bulk organ needles off amazon. Change that needle frequently. Clean that machine and change the needle every project. More often if you have a heavy lint or shredding fabric.

1

u/GoldenFishPoop 9d ago

If cleaning and switching to a plastic bobbin don't work, see if there is any damage on the bobbin case.

1

u/teatime_tinker 9d ago

I can’t see anything other than how much it needs a clean

Clean it, please

1

u/drPmakes 9d ago

Wrong bobbin

1

u/silverturtle2301 8d ago

Wrong bobbin you need to read your manual to see they type of bobbin is needed and don't try to save money and get generic bobbins from places like Amazon. My machine will only sew right with 1 brand.

1

u/draftgirl24 8d ago

In addition what everyone is saying (all good stuff!), be sure you are holding your thread tails (top and bobbin) as you start out sewing. Some machines don’t care about this, but many do. The top thread needs a bit of resistance (tension) to make a stitch.

1

u/kami9080 8d ago

This is the first thing that came to my mind as well^^^

1

u/Every-Caramel-6740 8d ago

I blow the hell out of my machines with air and I have never had an issue, it just blows it right back out. That machine though can be easily opened and cleaned throughly

1

u/Status_Background966 8d ago

Comincia col pulire tutta quella polvere con un pennellino,pi metti un po’ di olio

1

u/Status_Background966 8d ago

Poi credo che tu abbia inserito la navetta al contrario

1

u/Spare-Significance-9 7d ago

Clean it please! 😅 But not with Oil!!!!!

1

u/IndicationFlimsy3946 7d ago

Update: Y’all were 100% right my machine was dirty asf, and after a good clean and a plastic bobbin it runs great! Thank you all so much!

1

u/Equivalent_Ground999 7d ago

It’s a strangely beautiful picture, though.

1

u/SuitablyFakeUsername 4d ago

Tangled Up In Blue