I'm a very new sewer and I was experimenting with my brand new sewing machine. Well my long needle got caught in the bobbin area and I cannot get it out. I've tried turning the bobbin wheel, turning the machine upside down, nothing works. Help!
By Tahirah
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Uh oh, that doesn't sound good or fun!
What kind of machine is it - brand, model, and is it 'mechanical' or computerised? (If it is computerised DO NOT try to use a magnet to remove the needle if you get that far in following the helps below!)
What kind of bobbin system do you have - do you load the bobbin from the top (called a top-drop in system) or is the bobbin case loaded from below the sewing surface (either a front load as you face the machine, or a side load)?
Did the needle fall completely out of the upper needle insert slot and into the bobbin case area or is it still attached at the upper insert area?
**If the needle fell completely out of the insert, next time you insert a needle be sure to A-fully open the insert area by turning the screw more than you think you need to, B-push that needle all the way up and use the flat edge of the screwdriver or tightening tool supplied with the machine to be sure the needle is 'fully seated', and C-tighten that screw back all the way so that your needle stays seated! Don't feel bad if this is what happened - I've been sewing (and I teach, too) for over 50 years, it happens to all of us:)
Can you see the needle?
Can you remove the bobbin (and case if a front or side load system)?
Let's try to solve your current situation:
Step One: Turn off the machine and disconnect from the power point. Trust me. It's important - this protects you from accidental injury from either a power surge/static electricity or sudden motion on the machine.
Step Two: Raise the presser foot. This action disengages the tension system on both upper and lower tensions, and may solve your problem right there - give a very slight tug on the needle if it is still attached at the upper insert area and it may come right up. (MAY. Key word.)
Right, so let's assume the needle is still in there:
If you have the top-drop in system and the entire needle is lost in there somewhere: remove the bobbin and shine a light down into the bobbin case. If you can see the needle, use a pair of tweezers to carefully remove the needle from the case. This should solve your problem, but be sure to follow the starred tip above to avoid a repeat.
If you have the front or side load bobbin system and the needle is lost in there somewhere: remove the bobbin and case, shine a light as above...
If the needle is still attached at the upper insert area and releasing the tension didn't get it out of the bobbin area, OR if completely lost in there and the above didn't help: you need to carefully pack it and go back to the store where you bought it (unless you got it at a big-box like WalMart or Target) and throw yourself on their mercy. Because it's a brand new machine the store will help you, usually free of charge, and will also help you figure out how it all happened so that it doesn't happen again.
But if you got it at a big-box, you're going to need to take it to a real sewing centre. Their on-site techs will charge you a small amount to retrieve your needle and figure out how it happened. They'll also try to sign you up for one of their classes - if you can afford it, do sign up, those classes are wonderful, you get so much more from your sewing machine if you take the classes offered, you really do.
Er, btw, if you did buy your machine at a big-box and then have to take it to a sewing centre, be prepared for them to sneer at your 'cheap' machine, and try to push you into one of their more expensive machines.
Their machines are great but I sewed for over ten years on a 'cheap' WalMart Singer (built and bought in early '94), and nearly all the things I sewed on that machine are still in my wardrobe or in my home! My daughter-in-law is now sewing on that 'cheap' WalMart Singer and wouldn't trade it for the world.
I needed to take my 'cheap' Singer to a centre a few months after I started using it (um, I ran it way too fast and broke the needle off into the bobbin casing.) The tech dissed my little darling but I held my ground lol! The same man praises that machine to the heavens when my DIL takes it to him now for an annual service, lololololol!
Great information in this answer. I can't improve on it. I just have a suggestion..... when I change my needle I place an index card or a piece of fabric over the area covering my feed dogs.
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