| There are few things more frustrating than being in the | | | | fabric. Remove pins right before they reach the needle |
| middle of a sewing project and having your sewing | | | | to avoid striking one and bending the needle. |
| machine jamb up or just plain stop working. Your first | | | | Check your bobbin: |
| thought is you'll have to put your project away, haul the | | | | * If your thread is knotting up on the bottom of your |
| machine to the repair shop, wait weeks for it to be | | | | fabric, chances are you are having a bobbin issue. |
| fixed and then have to shell out a small fortune for the | | | | Remove the bobbin and make sure it is properly |
| repair. In the meantime, the sewing project falls by the | | | | threaded. Reinsert it and feed the thread through. |
| wayside. | | | | * Is the bobbin in the case correctly? It is easy to put it |
| Before you have a nervous breakdown over the | | | | in incorrectly when you are working quickly. Perhaps it |
| state of your machine, try a few of these | | | | was not completely locked in place. |
| troubleshooting techniques to see if you can't get it up | | | | * Is the bobbin case in good condition? Sometimes |
| and running again. Chances are it's a simple problem | | | | plastic bobbins become worn and this can cause a |
| because truthfully, sewing machines, like lawn mowers, | | | | problem. |
| are not very complicated pieces of equipment. There | | | | * Is there lint build up in the bobbin case? Use your |
| are only a few things that can go wrong. | | | | sewing machine to brush the area and clean out any |
| The problem you are experiencing with your machine | | | | thread dust that may have accumulated. |
| will give you a clue as to what is wrong with it. If it is a | | | | Thread: |
| stitching or thread problem such as skipping stitches or | | | | * Are you using a good quality thread? Sometimes |
| thread balled up under the fabric, try one of these | | | | inexpensive thread can cause problems with the |
| fixes. | | | | stitching of a sewing machine. It can also cause thread |
| Check your needle: | | | | and thread dust to accumulate in the bobbin area, |
| * Is it still threaded? Sometimes the thread accidently | | | | which can cause a problem. |
| pulls out of the needle and will cause an interruption of | | | | * Is the thread properly threaded through the machine? |
| proper stitching. | | | | Double check that you did not miss a step when |
| * Is it bent? Perhaps you struck a pin as you were | | | | threading. |
| stitching or were working with thick fabric. It is easy to | | | | Machine adjustments: |
| bend a sewing needle and replacing it will fix your | | | | Double check all of your adjustments. Did something |
| stitching problem. | | | | get bumped accidently out of place that has resulted in |
| * Could it be dull? A dull sewing needle may make | | | | the problem you have encountered? |
| sewing difficult as the needle no longer goes through | | | | If you have not found the source of your problem |
| the fabric smoothly and easily. This causes the threads | | | | after troubleshooting, consult your manual and perform |
| to tangle and can cause a stitching problem. | | | | your normal maintenance steps. |
| Tip: Avoid forcing the fabric through the foot as you | | | | Hopefully, by now, you will have your machine up and |
| are stitching. Make sure you use a very sharp needle | | | | running without the dreaded trip to the repair shop. |
| when you are working on thick or difficult to stitch | | | | |