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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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