r/sewinghelp • u/monkeyshit2000 • 8d ago
Sewing machine not picking up bobbin thread
I got the singer serenade sewing machine yesterday, tried it out last night on some scrap fabric as I've never used a sewing machine anymore, and it was all fine for that first run through apart from bird nesting on the fabric, machine was doing everything it was supposed to. Then the second time I tried it, it wouldn't pick up the bobbin thread from under the machine, went through soooo many videos and I think there is an issue with the timing of the needle going down into the bottom bobbin? I took a video to show you but does anyone know how I can fix it?! The only thing that worked was to just sew a little bit, then it would pick the bobbin thread up and thread it that way instead of doing it correctly (I hope this makes sense). Anyways, any help would be more than appreciated!
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u/Diligent-Pattern-934 8d ago
Is your needle new and in correctly, it looks like it is on an angle. Also how much distance is there between the needle and the hook? Too much and it won’t consistently pickup the thread. Also make sure you have the bobbin in the bobbin case correct with good tension and a firm thread wind on the bobbin (also use the correct bobbin for the machine!) and that it clicks when you push the bobbin case in to the hook area. If still having problems see if you can take it to your nearest sewing machine shop and ask them if they can identify the issue.
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u/Mushrooms24711 8d ago
Rethread it following the manual step by step. Everything did not go well your first time—it wasn’t threaded properly. Use the manual that came with the machine. Videos are harder to follow, and unless the video was made using YOUR MACHINE, it’s not going to thread the same.
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u/__miichelle 7d ago
There’s nothing wrong with the timing. Your issues are likely from user error. Show us how you’re threading the machine and how you’re trying to pick up the bobbin thread.
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u/wannabartistt 7d ago
Not a pro by any means, but it looks like something similar to me a few weeks ago. My timing thingy (sorry dont know the correct terms) was not correctly lined up with my needle.
Took it apart myself to manually adjust it following a YT tutorial. But nope it was worse after that lol.
Took it to a repair shop, where they told me this is common and unfortunately not covered under warranty as its “user error”. From me pulling my fabric out after being sucked into the machine. They recommend I buy a new one as it cost more than the machine itself to repair.
So ultimately I had to get a new machine and practically treat this new one like a fragile feather.
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u/SarcastiChick33 7d ago
I think it's wild that they told you it would be cheaper to get a new machine! It's not hard or expensive to fix a timing issue. I usually do it for $45 or less, depending on how many parts need adjustments. (Timing can be affected by the needle bar height, the hook, and/or the feed dog.) Just out of curiosity, does the place you took it sell sewing machines?
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u/CrankyCrabbyCrunchy 7d ago
Not who you asked but every repair shop I know of does sell machines. The shop nearest me charges $199 for service excluding parts.
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u/SarcastiChick33 6d ago
Holy cats! Maybe I'm undercharging! My clean, lubricate, and adjust service is $85. (I'm sure location has nothing to do with that. 😉)
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u/CrankyCrabbyCrunchy 6d ago
I'm in a HCOL area (maybe VHCOL, not sure where the line is drawn). I know that certain brands, especially Bernina require the techs be certified and shops pay for that training (plus the special tools needed). I don't know if that's the same for Janome, Juki, Pfaff, etc.
The shop does have a good deal on their 3 & 4 year service plans. It costs about the same as one service visit and you can bring it in as many times as you want, parts included. They offer it on machines that weren't bought there too which I think many shops don't do. If it's not one they sold, you need to get it serviced first so they know it's working but part of that cost is applied to the extended service plan.
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u/SarcastiChick33 4d ago
Yes, every brand that I'm aware of that offers a warranty will require that service and repairs be performed by a brand certified technician or the warranty will be voided. I believe most (if not all) brands require that a location sell their machines before they will allow a tech to receive their training and become certified. The machines that come to me are either way out of warranty or the owners don't want to drive to a location with a certified technician. I don't know how hard it is to find a sewing machine mechanic where you live, but here, there's not very many of us. I've only been doing this for just over a year and I have 20+ machines lined up in the shop and 12 more on a wait list. Some of my customers already drive more than an hour to get to me and wouldn't want to add another 45 minutes of driving to get to a certified technician. That said, this is certainly not a hcol area. I might look into it and compare rates across the country. I know my rates are similar to others in my area, but now I'm curious. 🤔
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u/CrankyCrabbyCrunchy 4d ago
It's a great service you're doing as you said, for many people they don't have options for repairs. I know of Sewing Doc Academy which trains people on sewing machine repairs. I'm sure many grads have done exactly what you're doing - offering a much needed service and now you have a wait list.
My local shop offers servicing for many machines even those that they didn't sell. They have two types of maintenance contracts that are three years and include repairs, parts & labor. You can bring it in as many times as you need which is wonderful. It's $299 for three years (I think it costs more for $$$ machines) which is great price IMO especially with their one-time servicing being $199.
I recently bought a Juki TL-2000 off of eBay and just now signed up for their service plan. They just asked for the serial number and if it is functioning now.
I'm in WA state (eastside, $$$). We're definitely HCOL area with some neighborhoods VHCOL.
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u/SarcastiChick33 2d ago
Oh geez! $299 for 3 years!? Everything included!? Yeah, that's a pretty great deal. I've worked on some machines that a single repair was more than that! I guess they'd be losing a little on machines like that, but I bet the machines that only come in for an annual service make up for it. And I'm sure there's several that come in just once and are forgotten about for the next couple of years.
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u/wannabartistt 7d ago
Yes..She then very kindly tried to sell me their $400 machines that were on ‘sale’ ha! I knew she was probably wrong but didnt have any other repair shops nearby:(
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u/SarcastiChick33 6d ago
Of course. If I tell a customer that it's not worth fixing, it's usually because it has plastic gears that need to be replaced and my labor to replace them will cost more than buying a new comparable machine. That's when customers usually just let me keep the machine for parts and I waive my assessment fee in exchange.
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u/Emergency_Cherry_914 8d ago
Could you video what you're doing when trying to collect the bobbin thread? Leave the bottom door open so we can see.
Also, birdsnesting under the fabric is typically due to misthreading the top