While sewing, I jammed some fine fabric in the bobbin trace. Instead of taking it apart, as I should have done, I gently pulled and pulled until it came out. However, now the bobbin thread will not be picked up by the needle and brought to the surface. Any ideas on how I can resolve this problem without taking my sewing machine to a repairman? Please help!
Hazel
Sewing machines are like a cars engine, they can get out of "time". As an engine revolves or sewing machine "sews" all must work in sync with the other parts. By pulling on the material how hard did you pull? Hard enough to cause the cam in the machine to be one or more degrees out of "time"? Unless you or someone you know is handy, take it to a repairman. (07/18/2008)
By Sam Travis
One idea before going to a repair person with your machine if you haven't tried it already. Try installing a new needle, as it may have bent the one you had on the machine at the time. It's just a thought, but hopefully it will help and you can avoid possible repair costs. I firmly believe in trying out the simple attempts yourself first, and if they don't work you can then do as "fasu" suggests and bring it on to the shop. (07/18/2008)
By Pamela Melon
Is your machine older or newer? I once took mine totally apart to clean and oil, putting it back together and it still works great.
I'd bet money that you need only to remove the bobbin and thread that's on it, and replace with new thread. It likely just got the threads twisted on the bobbin. When you look under the plate where the needle got jammed, you might also find something like thread, lint wad, or cloth that could have gotten jammed and needs to be removed as well. A bent needle can be determined easily without removing or replacing: if it will not go into the hole, or touches the hole when it goes in, it's likely bent, needing replacing.
Also, the type of thread must match the fabric, remember. If silk, it needs to be silk thread. If heavy cotton or linen, use heavier polyblend or heavier weight cotton. Most fabrics in between need polyblend unless fine cotton, which needs fine cotton thread.
You might check your tension to see if by some chance someone or you might have adjusted it? Be careful not to tinker too much with it if you cannot tell. Just a tiny touch one way or the other makes a big difference.
You likely jammed the fabric by feeding it too fast into the needle action, a common error we all make. So just be more careful with all fabrics, remembering that the heavier the fabric, and the more delicate the fabric, the more attention you must give it. Always practice on a scrap piece of whatever you're working on first to get adjustments made, and to get the hang of it, pardon the pun. Lol God bless and help you. : ) (07/18/2008)
By Lynda
Sorry, it's probably the timing and a repairman will most likely charge you around $100. You can buy a brand new machine for around the same amount. (Don't buy a Singer, go for a Brother instead!) The only thing I can suggest is to go to a "ma and pa" type of sewing repair place and ask if you can barter your services for the timing repair. (Maybe your husband is a mechanic and could change their oil, maybe your could wash and wax their floor at the shop, or weed their lawn or sweep their parking lot?
Another idea, buy a machine at the thrift store. I've bought plenty there and never pay more than $25 or $30 max for one. Be sure to take an extra needle, several bobbins and an extra under-bobbin case and a piece of fabric to sew on. This way you can test out the machine without buying it. Don't buy on Craig's list as the machines listed are usually way too expensive!
* But don't give up hope yet. Call around to different sewing repair men and ask how much to re-set the timing. Just look under "Sewing Repair" in the yellow pages. (07/18/2008)
By Cyinda
Check the piece that holds the bobbin to see if it's stretched out. It should have the same tension as the thread coming from the top when you pull it through. If it doesn't you can sometimes adjust it with a small screw driver. This simple adjustment fixed my bobbin problems. (07/19/2008)
I had a similar problem with my machine where the hook only grabbed the thread every other stitch using zig-zag. This was an '80s vintage portable Singer machine with an iron body. The timing for the bobbin hook used a timing belt that could be accessed from the bottom of the machine. One of the pulleys for this belt had a pair of set screws. I removed the bobbin and foot plates so I could clearly see when the hook came around compared to when the needle started to go back up. I loosened the set screws, turned the wheel so the needle just started to rise and then positioned the hook wheel to be just to the right of the needle (at the right most position) and tightened the set screws. The machine sews perfectly now! I'm not suggesting that all machines are this easy to time, however this was not difficult at all. Good luck with yours and I hope this helps. (08/05/2008)
By Dave
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