Machine Troubleshooting — Helpful Hints
Troubleshooting Helpful Hints: Start Here
Before you bring in your machine, try these steps on your domestic machine. They fix the vast majority of issues and save you time and money. YAY!
1) If you've been stitching along fine and all of a sudden something weird starts happening, think about what the last thing was that was changed. That is likely the culprit.
2) The first line of defense is to clean your machine and turn it off and then back on. A dirty machine can cause all kinds of problems.
3) Check your machine's manual for the manufacturer's recommended fixes. If you can't find your manual- Google it.
4) If steps 1 & 2 didn't help, we always recommend a examining your T.N.T. — Tension, Needle, Thread. Follow the checklist below.
Change only one thing at a time. If you change all three at once, you won't know what fixed the issue or what made it worse.
Of course, you can always drop your machine off for service at Quilted Joy during business hours. No appointment is necessary!
Change only one thing at a time
Start with T.N.T. — Tension, Needle, Thread
Tension
It's always best to adjust the upper tension before even touching the bottom tension. On some machines the tension is set automatically; on mechanical ones you may have to adjust it slightly depending on the stitch. We don't recommend adjusting the bottom tension when first encountering issues — instead, rethread the machine.
Do not pull thread up through the machine from the spool position side. Pull the thread through from the needle side to avoid damaging the tension disks and sensitive parts when rethreading. Always make sure the presser foot is up when threading, so the tension discs are open.
Problems caused by tension issues include: thread nesting on top or bottom stitches, thread breakage, thread tangled in the hook area, irregular stitching, and needle breakage.
Needle
Even to the naked eye, needles can be slightly bent after some use. If your machine is used heavily, replace the needle after every project or every 6 sewing hours, or whenever stitches become irregular. Beware of counterfeit needles sold on Amazon or Walmart. Don't buy needles or bobbins off big box online stores because they likely aren't made to spec.
Problems caused by needle issues include: thread breakage, skipped stitches, needle breakage, a change in the machine's sound when going through fabric, fabric tearing, uneven stitches, and strikes on the needle plate or bobbin case.
Thread
Double-check the integrity of your thread. How old is it? Does it break easily in your hands? Is it the correct thread for your project? Don't use thrifted thread, thread that's been stored for several years, or thread that curls in on itself. Check your manual for the best thread weight for your machine and project. Some thread holds the shape it was wrapped around. So, small thread rolls tend to have more kinks and can cause more issues.
Problems caused by thread issues include: thread breakage, thread slipping out of the needle, tension issues, a change in the machine's sound, and thread bunching in the thread path.
Then work through these checks
1. Put in a NEW needle
Use the correct size and point for your fabric and thread. Make sure it's inserted correctly. It must be all the way up into the needle bar until it can't go any further. For domestic machines, the flat side usually goes to the back (true for most, but not all, machines. Check your manual).
Tip: Don't buy needles on Amazon or Walmart. There's been a run of poorly made needles causing all kinds of issues. We love Schmetz. Needles aren't expensive, so get Schmetz. We sell them so get them here!
2. Check the bobbin
Make sure the bobbin is in correctly — not upside down. Try a new, properly wound bobbin with bobbin thread, and don't overfill it.
Tip: Don't buy bobbins on Amazon — it's flooded with counterfeit bobbins that aren't made to spec and can cause a machine to malfunction. Use bobbins made by the manufacturer of your machine.
Baby Lock owners: this video explains the different bobbins.
3. Use the correct bobbin for your machine
Double-check you're using the right bobbin for your model, and inspect the bobbin case for damage such as needle strikes or a broken tip.
Baby Lock owners: here's a helpful video.
4. Clean the bobbin and needle-plate area
Remove the bobbin, bobbin case, and needle plate. Clean the area and the feed dogs. Check for thread particles, bits of broken needles, scratches, and other damage. (Bits of broken needle are the most common culprit.)
5. Completely re-thread the machine
Re-thread from scratch. Always make sure the presser foot is up when threading so the tension discs are open. Try a different brand of thread and see if that helps.
6. Clean underneath and oil if needed
Clean around the feed dogs and under the bobbin case with a lint brush, and oil if necessary. Do not use canned air — it blows lint into the delicate areas in the throat of the machine and can damage them. Use a vacuum instead.
7. Use the correct presser foot for the job
For example, don't use a regular sewing foot to do embroidery. Many machines will prompt you for the foot it prefers for the technique you are doing. Ensure you have that foot on.
8. Try to reproduce the problem
If the steps above don't fix it, can you duplicate the problem? Customers often bring in a machine because something "happened one time." Unless we can reproduce the issue, it's almost impossible to diagnose or fix.
9. If you still need us, bring everything related.
Bring in everything that might be related to the problem and a sample of the problem if applicable. For an embroidery issue, for example, bring the hoop, foot, material, the design on a USB stick, the thread you're using, the machine, and the embroidery unit.
Still stumped? Send it to the Fix-It Fairies
If you've worked through our trouble shooting guide and your machine still isn't cooperating, don't worry, that's what we're here for! Send us a service request or drop off your machine and the Fix-It Fairies will take it from there.
