Sewing Machine Quick Fix Guide

This guide was created to help you trouble-shoot problems with your sewing machine, so you can keep your projects going.

Q-Tip, Screwdriver

1. Re-thread: Cut the thread by the spool, and pull out through the needle. Re-thread the machine.

WHY?

Thread can come out of the tension discs, and take-up lever.

If the thread comes out of the take-up lever, your machine will sound like a freight train.

2. Change the Needle/Check the Position.

WHY?

Needles can be defective! Not often, but it does happen.

Needles in the wrong position will not pick up the thread.

The back of your needle (flat side) should be facing AWAY from the bobbin assembly.

3. Check the manual to make sure the bobbin is correct for the machine. Use only one thread per bobbin.

WHY?

Bobbins come in different sizes. The wrong size will jump around in the bobbin case, and cause a jam.

Multiple threads on one bobbin can also cause jamming.

The bobbin on the left fits a standard Janome, while the one on the right fits a standard Singer.

4. Check to make sure the bobbin winder isn't engaged, and the hand wheel is pushed in.

WHY?

The needle will not move.

On older machines, the hand wheel has a dial to turn on the inner handwheel to disengage the needle while winding the bobbin.

5. Clean out the bobbin area.

Remove the bobbin, case, and circular magnet(Not pictured).

Take a Q-tip and clean around the inside of the hook.

Place a drop of oil in the center if there is a wick. (Top Load only)

WHY?

Lint builds up under the case, and causes it to jump up, and jam.

(Front load hook can also be cleaned with an old toothbrush and Windex)

6. Move the needle to the up position BEFORE moving the stitch selection dial.

WHY?

The needle will move against the hook in the down position.

This can cause timing issues, and skipped stitches.

7. If the fabric jams, GENTLY pull the fabric away from the opening, WHILE rocking the hand wheel back and forth.

WHY?

Releases thread from the hook.

(Occasionally, the bobbin case will need to be removed, and the fabric cut from the thread below.)

8. Make sure the button hole lever is all the way up.

WHY?

The machine will jam in the button hole mode.

Always remember to raise it up until snug, after making a button hole.

9. Check that the bobbin is in the correct position.

WHY?

It will jam the thread, or cause looping on one side. f.

TOP Loading: The bobbin goes in with the thread hanging off the LEFT side.

FRONT loading: The bobbin goes in with the thread hanging off the RIGHT side.

10. The bobbin case is seated correctly.

WHY?

The needle can break.

FRONT Loading: Open the clip, and snap into place.

TOP Loading: The notch at the front sits snug, and bounces back against the metal stop spring.

Blue = Correct

Red = Incorrect

Machines come in each week with these simple issues, and we fix them during evaluation for free. I thought making this guide might help other's who are struggling with sewing machine issues.