# Troubleshooting ## Troubleshooting In this section we will provide some tips on how to troubleshoot common problems you may encounter when using the sewing machine as well as a couple of handy hints to get the best quality out of stitches. ### Bobbin thread showing on top of fabric 1\. **Possible cause: Top thread too tight** *Solution*: Reduce upper thread tension. 2\. **Possible cause: Thread path is obstructed, putting extra tension on top thread** *Solution*: Check that the top thread is not obstructed and thread is moving freely through the thread path. 3\. **Possible cause: Bobbin thread not in bobbin case tension** *Solution*: Re-thread bobbin. ![Bobbin thread showing on top side of fabric](https://438378289-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-LXaaOYHmuKlW9NvftFH%2F-M632R06MIerRd-rvC66%2F-M638F0d4R9L38PrzPiL%2Fimage.png?alt=media\&token=4c06a870-6275-4f40-9ebb-3cd892589da2) ![Tensioning](https://438378289-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-LXaaOYHmuKlW9NvftFH%2F-M632R06MIerRd-rvC66%2F-M638ey6e7zL7N2-UzCp%2Fimage.png?alt=media\&token=a46da377-5c0d-4bb8-93e5-3af759c0b3ba) ### Upper thread breaking 1\. **Possible cause: Thread path obstructed** *Solution*: Check if thread is caught on thread spool (rough spots on the spool itself) or behind pool pin of spool cap (if the thread has fallen behind the spool cap and therefore cannot feed freely through the machine path). 2\. **Possible cause: Machine is not threaded correctly** *Solution*: Remove upper thread completely, raise presser foot lifter, re-thread machine making sure thread is in take-up lever (raise take up lever to its highest position by turning hand wheel towards you). 3\. **Possible cause: Upper tension is too tight** *Solution*: Reduce upper thread tension. ![](https://438378289-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-LXaaOYHmuKlW9NvftFH%2F-M632R06MIerRd-rvC66%2F-M638pbMQU83UwkPeciP%2Fimage.png?alt=media\&token=1c9f3ce9-2b7c-4be6-aaf8-5c2a0d967095) ### Thread bunching at the beginning 1\. **Possible cause: Top and bobbin threads have not been properly placed underneath presser foot before starting to sew** *Solution*: Ensure that both the top thread and the bobbin thread are under the presser foot and toward the back before starting to sew. 2\. **Possible cause: Sewing was started with no fabric under the presser foot** *Solution*: Place fabric under foot, making sure that needle comes down into fabric; lightly hold both thread tails to first few stitches. ![Thread bunching at the begining](https://438378289-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-LXaaOYHmuKlW9NvftFH%2F-M632R06MIerRd-rvC66%2F-M638s1ApLEoHIAvLZva%2Fimage.png?alt=media\&token=e4f00c08-3f3d-4c3e-89a8-a4c225ce2415) ### Thread loops on underside of fabric 1.**Possible cause: Thread looping on the underside of the fabric is always an indication that the upper thread is not correctly threaded.** This happens when the upper thread is not correctly placed in the thread tension mechanism and has not been threaded through the take up lever. *Solution*: Rethread the machine, making sure to first raise the presser foot lifter before starting the thread, so thread can be properly seated in the tension mechanism and take up lever. To know if you have re-threaded the machine correctly, try this test: **1.** Raise the presser foot lifter and thread the top of the machine. **2**. Thread the needle, but don’t put the thread under presser foot yet. As you pull the upper thread to the left, it should pull freely. **3**. Put the presser foot lifter down. As you pull the upper thread to the left, you should feel resistance. This mean you are threaded correctly. **4**. Put the thread under thee presser foot, and then draw up the bobbin thread, Slip both thread tails under the presser foot towards the back. Lower the presser foot and begin sewing. **5**. If you put the presser foot lifter down, but the thread still pulls freely (you feel no difference whether the presser foot is up or down), this means that you have threaded incorrectly. **6**. Remove the upper thread and rethread the machine. ![Thread loops on underside of fabric](https://438378289-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-LXaaOYHmuKlW9NvftFH%2F-M632R06MIerRd-rvC66%2F-M639cXlYfuI3eLfmItY%2Fimage.png?alt=media\&token=5f6a469a-a595-48e1-a817-8a62b5d6becf) ### Skipping stitches 1\. **Possible cause: Needle inserted incorrectly** *Solution*: Check that flat side of the needle top is toward the back of machine and needle is up as far as it can go, then tighten needle clamp screw. 2\. **Possible cause: Wrong needle for fabric sewn** *Solution*: Use correct style and size of needle for fabric. 3\. **Possible cause: Bent, dull or damaged needle** *Solution*: Discard needle and insert a new one. ![Skipping Stitches](https://438378289-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-LXaaOYHmuKlW9NvftFH%2F-M632R06MIerRd-rvC66%2F-M639lI7RJN8iVHrshw_%2Fimage.png?alt=media\&token=b2c6213a-9701-4153-ab4f-f2aff1114c07) ### Bobbin winding difficulties 1\. **Possible cause: Bobbin thread loosely wound on bobbin** *Solution*: Rewind bobbin, making sure that the thread is paced snuggle in the bobbin winding tension disk. 2\. **Possible cause: Bobbin winding spindle not fully engaged, therefore before starting to wind** *Solution*: Check that the bobbin winding spindle has been fully engaged before starting to wind. 3\. **Possible** **cause: Bobbin is winding sloppily because thread and not held at beginning of winding process** *Solution*: Before starting to wind, hold the thread tail (coming out of the bobbin) securely, allow the bobbin to partially fill, then stop to trim the thread tail close to the bobbin. ![](https://438378289-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-LXaaOYHmuKlW9NvftFH%2F-M632R06MIerRd-rvC66%2F-M639rjbZHIjcSLlQ0hh%2Fimage.png?alt=media\&token=73fa329b-c481-4f77-991e-57aa5ba1c710) ### Bobbin thread breaking 1\. **Possible** **cause: Bobbin threaded incorrectly** *Solution*: Check that bobbin is placed correctly in the bobbin holder. 2\. **Possible** **cause: Bobbin wound too full or unevenly** *Solution*: Bobbin thread may not have been correctly placed into winding tension disk during the bobbin winding process. 3\. **Possible** **cause: Dirt of lint in bobbin holder** *Solution*: Clean bobbin holder. 4\. **Possible** **cause: Wrong bobbins being used** *Solution*: Use singer bobbins that are the same style as those that came with the machine (SINGER class 15 transparent bobbins). Do not substitute. ### Needles breaking 1\. **Possible** **cause: Bent, dull or damaged needle** *Solution*: Discard needle, insert new needle. 2\. **Possible** **cause: Wrong size for fabric** *Solution*: Insert appropriate needle for fabric type. 3\. **Possible** **cause: Machine not threaded correctly** *Solution*: Rethread the machine correctly. 4\. **Possible** **cause: “pushing” or “pulling” fabric** *Solution*: Don’t manually push/pull fabric in order to sew, but allow the machine’s feed teeth to draw under the pressure foot as you guide it. ### Stitches distorted 1\. **Possible** **cause: “pushing” or “pulling” fabric** *Solution*: Don’t manually push/pull fabric in order to sew, but allow the machine’s feed teeth to draw under the pressure foot as you guide it. 2\. **Possible** **cause: Incorrect stitch length setting** *Solution*: Check manual for correct stitch length/width settings. 3\. **Possible** **cause: Stabiliser may be needed for technique** *Solution*: Place stabiliser underneath fabric. ![Stitches distorted](https://438378289-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-LXaaOYHmuKlW9NvftFH%2F-M632R06MIerRd-rvC66%2F-M639wFsLn5-O4TlRI_k%2Fimage.png?alt=media\&token=531bedaa-ba54-4f03-8733-5d05fd66dc99) ### Fabric puckers 1\. **Possible** **cause: Top thread is too tight** *Solution*: Reduce top thread tension. 2\. **Possible** **cause: Stitch length is set too short for the fabric being sewn** *Solution*: Increase stitch length. 3\. **Possible** **cause: Wrong style needle for fabric type** *Solution*: Use correct needle style. 4\. **Possible** **cause: Needle too large for fabric** *Solution*: Change to smaller size needle. ![Fabric Puckers](https://438378289-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-LXaaOYHmuKlW9NvftFH%2F-M632R06MIerRd-rvC66%2F-M63A3P3vxoDKmXJS4xt%2Fimage.png?alt=media\&token=20992e8b-22e5-41ec-a269-7eec85cf5f92) ### Fabric is tunnelling under stitches 1\. **Possible** **cause: Fabric is not properly stabilised for the density of the stitches (for example, satin stitch applique)** *Solution*: Add a fabric stabiliser underneath the fabric to help keep the stitches from tunnelling in together, forming a puckered ridge in the fabric. ![Fabric tunnelling under stitches](https://438378289-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-LXaaOYHmuKlW9NvftFH%2F-M632R06MIerRd-rvC66%2F-M63A9dSk7Xt6vbwFpuH%2Fimage.png?alt=media\&token=91f6a9d5-3e49-43f2-a5e9-5e42da8e3c41) ### Machine not feeling fabric 1\. **Possible cause: Presser foot lifter has not been lowered onto fabric after threading** *Solution*: Lower the presser foot lifter before starting to sew. Don’t push or pull fabric as you sew. 2\. **Possible** **cause: The feed teeth are disengaged** *Solution*: Move feed teeth lever to raised position, then turn the hand wheel toward you for one full revolution to re-engaged the feet teeth for sewing. 3\. **Possible** **cause: Stitch length is set at zero** *Solution*: Increase stitch length setting. ### Needle threader not working 1\. **Possible** **cause: Needle not in correct position** *Solution*: Raise needle to its highest position by turning the hand wheel toward you. 2\. **Possible** **cause: Needle inserted incorrectly** *Solution*: Needle all the way up in the needle clamp. 3\. **Possible** **cause: Needle in bent** *Solution*: Remove the needle, and insert a new one. 4\. **Possible** **cause: Hook pin damaged** *Solution*: Needle threader needs replacement, inform FabLab staff for tag out and repair service. ### Loud noise when sewing 1\. **Possible** **cause: Thread not in take-up lever** *Solution*: Rethread the machine, making sure the take up lever is in its highest position so thread goes in the eye of the take up lever – turn the machine hand wheel toward you to raise the take-up lever to its highest position for threading. 2\. **Possible** **cause: Thread path is obstructed** *Solution*: Check that thread is not caught on the thread spool cap. ### Machine will not run 1\. **Possible** **cause: Bobbin winding spindle is engaged when you try to sew** *Solution*: Disengage bobbin winding spindle. 2\. **Possible** **cause: Power cord and/or foot controller not plugged in correctly** *Solution*: Make sure power cord/foot controller are correctly seated in machine and power supply. 3\. **Possible** **cause: Wrong bobbins are used** *Solution*: Only used SINGER branded bobbins that that the same style as those that came with the machine. --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. 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