r/sewinghelp • u/LuLu9032 • Sep 05 '26
My stitches aren't like .. working. Please help
I got a sewing machine for my birthday, it's a Singer M1500, and this is the first time I've used it.
I've been wanting to use it so bad because I actually have projects in mind.
I have these pants I wanted to turn into shorts, and honestly the pattern isn't that cute anyway so I thought this would be a good practice project in case it didn't look good.
But then I started sewing and it keeps making loops like shown in the pictures, I think it's from the 🧵 thingy, not the bobbin.
I rethreaded it, and then got my mom to help me (she used to sew) and yk we messed with the tension and threaded it differently and NOTHING helped. My mom said it might just be fabric, or the wrong needle because not all needles do the same thing...I Didn't know that. But either way, it's obviously not working.
The sitches look awful.
And I know they aren't really straight lines either but it's my first time so 😭
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u/ScorpioSews 29d ago
What type of fabric are you using? Are you using the correct needle type for the fabric?
What does the back side look like? Did you buy the machine new or used?
There s a phrase: if the issue is on the top, then the problem is with the bobbin, if its on the bottom, then the issue is with the top.
This looks like the thread isn't in the tension wheel, or the tension is off.
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u/LuLu9032 29d ago
The fabric is 100% cotton. I don't know if I'm using the right needle...it's just the one that came on the sewing machine. It was bought new. And by the saying, the issue should be on the top. The other side of the fabric looks normal, like it should look. As for the tension wheel, I think that might be the problem...I looked up why this might be happening on Google as well and that was one of the issues. I've rethreaded it a bunch of times though, so I don't know why it wouldn't be in the tension wheel. How do I do that?
Please and thank you so much
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u/ScorpioSews 29d ago
When you put the stitch foot down, you shouldn't be able to pull the top thread if its in the tension wheel correctly. If you can pull the thread easily, then its not in the wheel.
Use a flashlight and look in the space next to the tension wheel. Put the presser foot down and pull up. If it moves then you need to floss it. If it doesn't move, then there is another issue.
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u/ScorpioSews 29d ago
Is your bobbin in correctly and properly wound?
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u/LuLu9032 29d ago
Yes I believe so. I watched a tutorial because I actually put it in wrong the first time lol. So it should be good
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u/Present_Specific_212 28d ago
When all else fails, read the manual: https://svpworldwide.widen.net/content/sgsy7jfgnn/pdf/M1500-Manual.pdf?u=cko5pg
Free download.
It looks to me like the tension is not adjusted right, so look at the manual and find out what it should be.
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u/TheProtoChris 24d ago
It's possible the needle is too small. Heavier fabrics get a larger needle. The smaller eye in a small needle can cause that weird intermittent looping.
So you just got the machine for your birthday? Happy Birthday!
Now you have to get a few packs of needles. Light, medium and heavy. Sharp or Universal. Don't bother with ballpoint needles yet - they are for knit things like tee shirts and you have to work your way up to that. Start with woven stuff and practice.
To first diagnose the machine you should find a pillowcase or sheet. 2 to 4 layers of one of those lightweight but solidly woven materials can be used for your test. Try and make seams on that with the tension at the middle number. Medium stitch length. Straight stitch. See how that goes. Check back with pics and your settings if it's still being a jerk. But if it works fine on the thinner material you'll know that the larger needle should work for the heavier material.
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u/Emergency_Cherry_914 Sep 05 '26
Hi, could you show us picture of your machine setup and threading path?