Sewing Machine Problems and Solutions

Problem:

Possible Reason:

Solution:

Machine Binds or is Noisy:

1.There may be bits of thread, lint, or

dirt in shuttle (bobbin) area.

1. Remove bobbin and/or case and

clean area with brush, pointy object,
straight pin or q-tip.

2. Poor grade or in- correct oil type

may have been used or machine was
oiled improperly.
3. Some part may have been left
unscrewed or loosened.

Upper Thread Breaks:

1. Inferior thread may have been

used, or thread may be knotted
somewhere. Needle may be too fine
for thread or fabric.

2. Oil machine only with non-acid, nongumming oil such as 'sewing machine
oil'.
3. Check all visible screws for
tightness.

1. Change to a better quality thread.

(Gutterman, Dual Duty, Coats, or
Molyncke)Avoid 5/$1 specials! Change
needle to correspond with weight of
thread and fabric.

2. Upper tension is too tight.

3. Needle is not in needle clamp
properly, or may be bent or in
backwards.Also, needle may be too
sharp for type of fabric, or may be
dull or blunt.
4. Feed dog does not move material
freely.
5. Needle plate hole has sharp edges
or shuttle has rough spot.
6. Thread may be wrapped around
spool holder or thread guides, or
caught on spool's thread slot.

Lower thread breaks:

1. Inferior thread or mis- matched

thread.
2. Tension on bobbin case is too tight.
3. Rough areas as in #5 above.

2. Adjust tension by loosening it.

(looser= lower number on knob)
3. Replace needle
4. Clean lint or threads from feed
dogs, adjust stitch length.
5. Smooth with fine emery cloth or
file.
6. Check threading of machine. Place
end of spool with the thread slot to
the bottom.

1. See # 1 above. Make sure thread on

top and bottom is same quality and
weight.
2. Adjust tension of bobbin case if
applicable.
3.See # 5 above.

Problem:

Possible Reason:

Solution:

Skipped stitches:

1. Needle is set incorrectly in needle

clamp, bent or dull. Needle size may be
wrong for the thread type. Inferior or
wrong type needle is being used, or
needle may be 'gummed-up' with
something.

1.Check needle for correct positioning,

correct type and size, and if gummedup,use alcohol on cotton ball to clean it.
If unable to clean it, discard and
replace the needle. Replace bent or
dull needles.

Needle breaks:

1.Needle is in needle clamp too low, or

needle is in backwards.

1. Replace needle; make sure it is

inserted properly.

2.Needle too fine for heavy fabric.

2. Replace needle with heavier one

suited to the fabric.

3. Top tension is too tight or thread is

wrapped around something. Needle
may be in loosely.
4. Operator pulls fabric ahead of the
feed dogs and causes needle to hit the
needle plate.
5. Fabric is too thick and too heavy for
your machine.

Stitching is bad or tangles

up:

3. Loosen Upper tension, and/or check

to see if thread is wrapped around
something. See # 5 above. Check to
see if needle is in correctly.
4. Allow feed dogs to move the fabric,
keeping fabric taut, but not pulling it.
5. Try using a 'jean-a-ma-jig' or
similar tool to raise the presser foot
high enough for ease of sewing, 'walk'
the machine through thick areas by
hand-rolling wheel toward you.

1. Poor thread quality or knots in

thread.

1. Check thread placement, replace

poor thread.

2. Thread is wrapped around spool

spindle.

2. Adjust tensions.

3. Tensions improperly set.

3. Remove bobbin and/or case and

clean.

4. Dirt, lint, or thread in bobbin case.

4. Replace needle, insert properly.

5. Blunt or bent needles.

5. Replace bent or damaged bobbin, rethread unevenly threaded bobbins

6. Needle in backwards or not pushed

up all the way into needle clamp.
7. Bent bobbin, overfilled or unevenly

filled bobbin.

60% of service problems are caused by defective needles, and/or dirt and lint build-up!
20% of service problems are caused by rough spots on needle plates and shuttles!