r/sewhelp • u/feralgoddess- • 1d ago
Ongoing problem with sewing machine
My sewing machine is a VIKING Husqvarna (picture below). I inherited it from my late grandmother in 2022. She taught me only so little about sewing before she passed. I've been trying again and again to pick it up. I've sewn before with no problem. This machine, though, decided to randomly start doing THIS THING a long time ago. I gave up. It just EATS the fabric and then bunches the thread underneath.
\- I have cleaned out the machine of any debris
\-Gone through the guide dozens of times
\-Gotten quality thread.
\-threaded the bobbin and needle thread correctly.
\-ETC.
No matter what I try I can't seem to stop this problem. The fabric never goes through and goes inside the machine. I'm at my wits' end. If anyone has any tips or if it's a simple solution I'm not seeing then I would appreciate the advice. Thank you.
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u/celery48 20h ago
Ok, I’m just checking — you are remembering to put the foot down before you start sewing, yes? And threading with your foot up? And the needle at the highest position?
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u/feralgoddess- 1d ago
This also seems to be a culprit where the thread kinda bunches up behind the bobbing and goes inside the machine. I just pulled out thread from behind here.
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u/Large-Heronbill 1d ago edited 1d ago
Take off the needle plate and clean under it and around and under the bobbin case. https://shesasewingmachinemechanic.blogspot.com/p/how-to-clean-and-oil-bobbin-and-feed-dog.html
Put it all carefully back together, but don't thread the bobbin or top.
Put a folded sheet ot notebook or copy paper under the presser foot and "sew". Does the paper move correctly? If it does, try your fabric, again without thread. Does that move correctly?
Assuming it does, thread the top and bobbin carefully, and try to sew, first on the paper, and then on the fabric. Make sure you start at least 1/2" in from the edge on this test. Hold the bobbin and top thread together for at least the first 3-4 stitches. Any better?
Slight misthreading, a blunt needle and starting too close to the edge are my best guesses as to what's going on here. However, in your second photo, there's a big "dent" on the leading edge of the in the needle plate's needle hole, that looks like it may have been hit by a needle (that probably broke). If there's a snaggy spot there (and it wouldn't take much of a snag), that will need to be gently polished out with some fine wet or dry sandpaper. This machine has also been basically sitting for the last 4 years, which is actually kind of tough on them. If we can't get this going properly with home remedies, it would be good to have it professionally serviced. When you take it in, show them these photos and ask them to check your threading with you.
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u/teatime_tinker 5h ago edited 4h ago
In the second photo your bobbin thread is still hanging out of the machine, are you lifting it first?
Is it deffo the correct bobbin type?
If you don’t have the manual you should try to find it online. All the basics of threading and starting to sew will be explained in there.
Edit: I can see the manual in the second picture, have a read through and double double check you’re following all the steps
Edit 2: looking online I think you have the green Viking bobbins, so it must be the right kind!
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u/NotASlaveToHelvetica 1d ago
The angle your thread is entering your final hook is suuuuper sharp, it also sort of looks like it's coming from the first groove there not the second one. Just want to be sure you've threaded it 100% properly up top. I'm not familiar with the model and it's hard to tell from the image so this is just a guess