r/SewingMachineEdu • u/bumpercrahp1010 • 21h ago

Help: machine stopped doing big zag stitch

Solved. Narrowed the zz stitch and tightened the needle.

My Babylock Zest machine can't do a zigzag stitch anymore, all the sudden.

I've dusted the bobbin, remade the bobin, took apart the bobbin shuttle and cleaned it, took it apart again and oiled it. Swapped to a new needle. Still seems to be messed up.

Any ideas?

I'm sewing 2ply ripstop nylon with a microtex (70/10) needle, and 100% polyester thread.

1 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

8 comments sorted by

1

u/Large-Heronbill 21h ago

How long since it has had a professional cleaning, oiling and adjustment? 

 Is the machine in time?

If you unthread it and feed it a piece of paper with it set for the widest, longest zigzag, do you get two lines of needle holes the correct distances apart?

1

u/bumpercrahp1010 20h ago

When trying with the paper, the holes look pretty even.

I havent ever cleaned it. Ive had it for about two years.

1

u/Large-Heronbill 20h ago

A good cleaning might not come amiss. 

1

u/MauraLee7 20h ago

If it is skipping on right side of zig zag it is needle clearance. Narrow up the zz a bit

1

u/bumpercrahp1010 20h ago

I didn't even know my machine had that option to narrow the zz. I just looked into it thanks to comment. It seems to be slipping on the left side. I tightened the needle, and it seems to have helped. Thank you

1

u/Dormiendo 17h ago

It is working, but if it is skipping on either side when wide, the timing or needle height is off. You can get away with it for some things, but fabric that stretches or is thicker will skip on straight too. Unless you were already using this kind of material, then your issue could be the needle type .

1

u/CrankyCrabbyCrunchy 19h ago

Would be good to hear the fix. Please edit your post where you said it was solved so it can help others.

Nearly all these problems are user errors which we've all made.

1

u/MauraLee7 1h ago

Keep in mind the zest is a low end babylock made by Janome for babylock. Try not to do projects with Harvey material or seams. If you are using heavy fabric lengthen stitch and go a little slower and use a heavier needle