Thread: okay WTF is causing this?!

This happens to every single machine I use. It runs perfect and then a little bit later, I have touched nothing, this starts to happen. My spool of thread starts spinning and I get this bunching on the underside and gobs of thread need to be wrenched from the bobbin case. ..cr.:..cr.:..cr.:..cr.:

I'm so sorry this is happening to you and can completely relate to the frustration.
I've heard maybe it is a tension thing but I'm so remedial on the sewing machine that I need more information.

when that happens to me, it's because the thread has come unlatched/unhinged somewhere on it's journey from the spool to the needle. Usually in the feeder. If I rethread it properly, it goes away. And yeap, it has to do with the tension in that feeder, I'd recommend starting at 3 or 4.

*shaking fist at thread tension doohickey*

I'm sure my partner would recommend to "RTFM" (Read the F--g Manual). Uh, this machine is from the 1940s, I'll have to get my hands on a manual. Anyone have access to a Necchi BU (plain old BU, with "NN" in the center) manual? ,f::

Maranajla, this is definitely causing me to want to stuff an Oh Henry bar in my face. Hm, direct causation...

Could also be the direction that the thread/bobbin was spinning. When i used to get this problem it was because either a) wrong size bobbin or b) bobbin going the wrong direction.

Also, rethread the bobbin, sometimes if its not catching correctly or if its in backwards, or not seated properly, this can happen. AND check your upper tension, and make sure its correct for what you are sewing, and make sure the upper thread is going thru the tension spring.

Also make sure you are holding the tail of the bobbin thread when you start your seam (I hold on to both that AND the tail of the upper thread).

(I totally ceased having these issues when I started using a computerized machine with a drop in bobbin. . . )

I'm no expert, although I've managed to do a lot of things WRONG over the years and seen the result.

I'm betting $5 on bobbin going the wrong direction. Any takers?

That happens to me sometimes. For me, it happens when the thread on the bobbin is not wound tight enough OR the thread tension is too loose on the machine. Check the thread on the bobbin, is it tight? Then if it is, get a piece of scrap fabric and send the fabric through a little at a time, adjusting the tension as you go, you should get to a point after adjusting where it will correct itself then you leave the tension knob in that spot while you sew.

Forgot that one Shirin! IF the bobbin is NOT wound tight enough, wide a new one, and actually hold the thread with your finger while it winds (lift it a bit with your finger as it winds , if that makes sense), it puts just a tad more tension on it and can help things, I had two machines that I ALWAYS had to do this with.

Its called Anala's disease and it is usually fatal over a period of 1.5 hours.

I sometimes use my finger to get the bobbin wound evenly and tightly, although my machine is pretty good.

Does your bobbin have a case? Or does it go straight in? With the kind that are in a case, you hold the tail of the string and drop your bobbin like a yo-yo. It should release more thread...if it spins down like a yo-yo, tension is too loose. If it barely budges tension is too tight. There is a screw to adjust on the case to either tighten or loosen.

I'm with everyone else betting on a thread misfeed somewhere. Bobbin facing wrong direction, or the top thread not threaded properly, or it was threaded properly but then it got thrown off somewhere along the line. My machine occasionally (okay often) throws the thread off the arm and then this kind of thing happens.

Also, make sure the needle is facing the correct direction. There is a flat side and a round side. The flat side should be to the back, round side forward. It seems like if you put it in backwards, something like this will happen.

Oh and make sure you have the right needle and thread for the job. Makes a big difference.

Originally Posted by ssipes

Also, make sure the needle is facing the correct direction. There is a flat side and a round side. The flat side should be to the back, round side forward. It seems like if you put it in backwards, something like this will happen.

oooh, I'd forgotten about this one. So subtle and yet so maddening! I almost wound up in a mental hospital over this a couple of years ago. *tries to bite own face* Another clue -- thread keeps breaking for no apparent reason.

I am going to agree that the bobbin is probably in the wrong direction. . .

{{{HUGS}}}

I had this exact problem once before and I was loosing my mind checking and re-checking tension, upper and lower and all sorts of things, until I somehow figured out that my thread was only unwinding a little bit before it caught on the little notch at the top of the spool (you know, where the thread is tucked on a new spool) and broke. Removed the notch with an Exacto. No notch, no problem!

Originally Posted by Azhia

Maranajla, this is definitely causing me to want to stuff an Oh Henry bar in my face. Hm, direct causation...

Here ya go~ this is as close as you will get to it, I have faith in you.




(Sure hope the pic posts! I'm at work and surf blocks a lot of pics...)

Wow. So much help in so little time, you girls rock.


Nothing to add here luv. Only a little more and encouragement.

Originally Posted by Azhia

I'm sure my partner would recommend to "RTFM" (Read the F--g Manual).

Have I told you how much I like Mike recently ? ..l;,..l;,..l;,

One other thought--dust out the bobbin assembly and feed dogs with a little paint brush or other implement. Accumulated crud can cause drag on the thread as well. And there's nothing like velvet and glittery fabrics for accumulating crud!

Definitely sounds like the bobbin. You may have to take the bobbin out of the case and re-thread the bobbin case to make sure it's threaded correctly.

With my crappy machine it is always caused by tension probs.

Azhia- I could be because your fabric is ugly.


I'm kidding! Mwah!

Also, when was the last time you had the machine serviced? They need periodic cleanings, adjustments, maintenance to keep them running smoothly. If you take it to someone for servicing, they can probably help you trouble shoot as well.

Originally Posted by theesfield

Azhia- I could be because your fabric is ugly.

I have to admit I wondered what she was doing with that fabric and was hoping it was kitchen curtains and not a belly dance costume,r:;

Originally Posted by theesfield

Azhia- I could be because your fabric is ugly.


I'm kidding! Mwah!

..l;,..l;,..l;,

I'm using TEST fabric, naman! ..l;,

But yeah, such a cute machine could be rejecting what's being fed to it.

So far, I managed to make 3 pairs of devil horns w/o too much issue. Fairly safe projects for testing.

Badriya, I LOVE the idea of using an old paint brush as a duster. An excellent use for crappy makeup brushes!!

Sedonia, unfortunately this tiny thing weighs a TON and we have no car. I am inclined to purchase the manual for instructions on maintenance and will reread on winding and installing bobbin. Crossing fingers since it's survived this long that repairs are not needed at the moment.

btw, this gingham is excellent for making slopers/block patterns b/c you can keep track of the grain and maintain parallel lines.

Originally Posted by ssipes

I have to admit I wondered what she was doing with that fabric and was hoping it was kitchen curtains and not a belly dance costume,r:;

it's a redneck costume.....wait till you see the tassells!!!!

and it does come with a matching set of curtains

or beer can cooler-dancer's choice!

After you have rethreaded your machine, hold the spool and give the thread a little tug, that just ensures the thread is fully seated in the tension disks....my Singer does that when I forget to tug.

I had this problem and realized that I put the bobbin in the wrong way.

I wish I would of seen this a few days ago, it would of saved me an hour. lmao!

If it makes you feel better, this happened to my newer machine (which has an auto loading threader and bobbin) I redid everything, no luck. redid everything again, presto. Still have no clue. But it was probably tension!

I could find a lot of people selling the manuals (try googling) but doesn't look like anyone has a version on-line. Sorry...

Originally Posted by rosehips

when that happens to me, it's because the thread has come unlatched/unhinged somewhere on it's journey from the spool to the needle. Usually in the feeder. If I rethread it properly, it goes away. And yeap, it has to do with the tension in that feeder, I'd recommend starting at 3 or 4.

I've had it be because of the unlatched thingy here....usually when I am sewing too fast

But, it has also happened becuase the needle was sticky from glitter dot,
or the bobbin was wound wrong
or in wrong
or wrong needle to fabric combinations
or just because my machine HATES me at times
(been meaning to get it serviced)

but it is probably the threading business. For me it is the part that moves up and down as I stitch.