Sewing machine vent/help please!

[AmberHeartsDisney]

I really enjoy making things. so i thought oh ill get a sewing machine. Im starting to think ive had a big mistake

I was trying to sew two pieces of fleece together and the bobbin thread kept getting all bunched up under bottom of the fabric and then bam the needle broke. So i went and got bigger needles. (it was a 14) so i tired 18 and now the thread is breaking.

My co worker told me to adjust the tension but im not sure if i should go up of down with it. I am going to try the 16 needle next and see how that goes.

I even tried a thicker thread and it still breaks.

any ideas?

( i have a singer brilliance model that i got from cotsco last month)

 

[Piglets Mommy]

It sounds like the tension is too tight to me. Since the fleece is so thick, you will need it to be a little looser.

ETA...you may want to try a longer stitch length too.

Sorry, I can't help too much with the exact settings, as I have my Mom's Singer form the late 60's so it has automatic nothing!

 

[NotUrsula]

Are you using ball-point needles and a stretch stitch? All fleece is knit, so you have to use knit techniques to sew it. Also, if you're not using a walking foot, I suggest trying one; it can make all the difference with fabrics like that.

As to the tension, normally you would use a slightly lower tension but you'll need to test that on a fabric scrap to find the right one. Use a contrast-color thread so that you can see the stitch structure clearly; you do not want to be able to see where the spool and bobbin thread loop over one another; that part should happen inside the fabric, not on the surface.

Also, one last thing. Fleece is notorious for spinning off lint into the bobbin carrier. You'll want to go in there and clean it out with a long pin for every 50 ft. or so of fleece seams that you sew, otherwise it might begin to jam.

 

[monkeybug]

I have this happen to me all the time, and it's so frustrating!
I'm a self taught sewer, so I don't know how to set the tension either, I just fool with it on scraps until it's right.
I have found when this happens it's usually because the machine isn't threaded properly (I wish I knew the term, but it happens when the thread isn't through the thingy that moves up and down above the needle. I'm sure that's helpful. )
The other time it happens is if I'm trying to sew fabrics that are too thick. The solution to this (and is probably what you need with fleece) is a walking foot. I got one at Joannes for around $10 I think, they aren't expensive. If your machine is threaded right, I would try a walking foot and a stronger needle. Maybe even a stretch needle for fleece?

 

[Deb Quen of Colorado]

First thing I would do is take out the bobbin and unthread it and then make sure there are no stray threads lurking about. Sometimes that magically makes my prohblem disappear.

as for threads bunching on the bottom..... some people have a scrap they begin sewing on then feed through the project. That way the beginning threads can't make a mess, they are on the scrap. Or, bring up the bottom thread to the top on the first stitch and hold on to it for a few stitches.

 

[scrapquitler]

When I have ANY breaking thread, skipped stitches or tension problems I do the following:
turn the machine off. unthread the machine, take the bobbin out, take the bobbin out of the bobbin case. remove the throat plate, use a paint brush to be sure that there is no lint or pieces of thread stuck in the bobbin area (9 out of 10 times, this is the main problem). Oil per the instruction manual. Take the presser foot off, put it back on. Change the needle. Turn the machine on, rethread the thread (try flipping the spool upside down), put the bobbin back in the bobbin case, put the bobbin case back in. Check the tension (it should be somewhere in the middle, usually around #3/4 on my machine). Check to make sure your feed dogs are up.

Something in there should solve your problem. I'd almost put money on the lint/broken thread in the bobbin case being your issue, especially since you are sewing fleect...that makes so much lint it's ridiculous.

 

[scrapquitler]

I forgot to add that thread bunching on the bottom probably means your tension is too tight, so you need to loosen it (lower number on the dial)

 

[wdwiala]

Do you have the correct sized bobbins? I had a thread bunching problem one time and it was because I had the wrong sized bobbins.

 

[dyna]

Is the needle in the right way?

 

[java]

Can someone come over and change my thread? I can only sew red things as that is the thread I loaded in there and now I can't remember how to change it. I'm good at Christmas and Valentine's! The red thread went in for a lady bug costume (my first sewing project) and it came out great and my friends were amazed. _ Now not so amazed.

 

[monkeybug]

Can someone come over and change my thread? I can only sew red things as that is the thread I loaded in there and now I can't remember how to change it. I'm good at Christmas and Valentine's! The red thread went in for a lady bug costume (my first sewing project) and it came out great and my friends were amazed. _ Now not so amazed.

LOL!
I used to have to ask my husband to do it (yes, my husband knows how to sew, he was single for a long while and somebody had to sew all that junk on his uniforms.) until I discovered all the sewing machine tutorials on youtube! My husband (happily) hasn't touched my sewing machine since!

 

[OceanAnnie]

LOL!
I used to have to ask my husband to do it (yes, my husband knows how to sew, he was single for a long while and somebody had to sew all that junk on his uniforms.) until I discovered all the sewing machine tutorials on youtube! My husband (happily) hasn't touched my sewing machine since!

Me too! I just didn't have the patience for that thing. And didn't use it much. My DH doesn't sew, but he's quick with stuff like that. I just wanted to get the job done quick. I'll have to check out the sewing machine tutorials! Thanks for mentioning it.

 

[AmberHeartsDisney]

Im using the bobbin that came with the machine.

Ive tried many differ size needles (14-16-18)

how do you tell if its ball point? I believe it said regular point.

I have re thread the machine several times, even trying new thread...
when i adjust the tension it either it to lose or breaks.

Here is the model i have http://new.singerco.com/products/detail/2124


Ive just been using a regular ------- stitch

Ive taken the machine apart, cleaned it i didnt see anything in there :/

 

[NotUrsula]

Well, the package will say Ball Point, if you bought them in a package. However, most brands will make it a bit easier to differentiate by either tinting the metal with a gold color, or painting a small yellow band on the needle just below the mounting shank.

One possibility is that your bobbin tension may be off. This is normally adjusted by means of a small screw on the bobbin carrier. However, I wouldn't mess with that until you've checked every other possibility, and one that jumps out at me is that you might indeed have it mis-threaded, as your problem seems to be veering from one extreme to another. Be careful when threading it to get the thread in-between the metal plates on the tension knob -- if the thread is running behind them next to the body of the machine, all the adjustments in the world won't make a bit of difference.

 

[Deb Quen of Colorado]

Hmmm... will it sew regular fabric without problems? If you were closer I'd have you come on over!

 

[AmberHeartsDisney]

Hmmm... will it sew regular fabric without problems? If you were closer I'd have you come on over!

nope

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

any ideas?

( i have a singer brilliance model that i got from cotsco last month)

You tension is too tight. You need to loosen it.

Singers are notorious for tension issues.

Try adjusting you stitch on a scrap piece of fabric BEFORE you start to sew, you can make adjustments there without ruining your project.

 

[AmberHeartsDisney]

You tension is too tight. You need to loosen it.

Singers are notorious for tension issues.

Try adjusting you stitch on a scrap piece of fabric BEFORE you start to sew, you can make adjustments there without ruining your project.

Ive done that but i just cant get it to work. Can you recommend maybe different machine?

 

[scrapquitler]

Ive done that but i just cant get it to work. Can you recommend maybe different machine?

Before you run out and buy a new machine, take your machine to a repairman and have it cleaned and tuned up. To find a repairman, either look up "Sew and Vac" shops in the phone book or call a quilt shop and ask them who to call.
You might be very surprised at the difference a good cleaning and tune up makes.

 

[agnes!]

Are there any local sewing classes, maybe at a quilting club/community center/senior center? Could you maybe contact a Family Life/Home Ec teacher at the local high school? How about going in to a local fabric shop and asking for some advice? They'll probably let you bring in your machine (that you will have brought with you but left in the car ) and take a look at it for customer service' sake (hey, you have a sewing machine and you'll need to buy fabric to *sew*...)

Don't give up on the machine yet, you could still have similar issue with a different one.

agnes!