Update on my machine

**MJsLady** · 05-02-2004, 10:37 AM

OK yah I know it has been awhile! LOL
Finally today I sat down to figure it out. I reread the threading instructions and followed them again. Step by step.
I took a stiff bruch I bought and cleared out a tiny bit of fuzz from the bobbin area.
MJ checked the spots where the book shows oiling needed, and found it looking plenty oiled as it was.

Then he tested it, and it is still using gobs of thread! Plus the thread feels to him... tight. (He took over after I had got done because I could not see to thread the needle.) He discovered I had not done the bobbin right, there is a notch or something I missed.
So I am not sure what to do next! I want to redo my apron but not until I get the thread to behave!
I put the tension button on 4 because some one (I do not remember who!) suggested that would be a "normal" setting!

So I will take another break and think on it awhile!

**lucy979** · 05-02-2004, 10:43 AM

I wish I knew what to tell you! I hope you get it fixed soon.

**Sara Noel** · 05-02-2004, 10:50 AM

Did you clean under the feed dogs too? By removing the plate?
Have you switched needles lately? Have you cleaned the discs?
Have you checked top and bottom tension? Is the thread on your bobbin the same as needle thread?

Here's some troubleshooting tips:
http://sewandserge.com/tshoot.asp

**SewCrafty** · 05-02-2004, 10:52 AM

You have a manual which is a good thing Mel.

Everyone's tension for thier machine is different, check your manual for what is considered 'normal' for your machine.

If you have a front loading bobbin as opposed to a drop in bobbin which I know nothing about.
When cleaning the bobbin area, did you take it apart? There should have been the bobbin casing and 2 other parts. Then get in there with a stiff brush and clean it, you can also use the screwdriver that came with your machine and take off the throat plate (the metal plate that the feed dogs come up through) and clean those feed dogs too.

Another thing to remember is (this is for front loading bobbins again) if your machine is older, there is a correct way of putting the bobbin in the casing. The thread when pulled on must turn the bobbin in the casing in a clockwise direction. The thread then inserts into a small slit in the casing, under a tension plate and comes out the side of the casing.

HTH All this should only take you maybe 5 minutes to do and should be done on a regular basis when using your machine or if your machine has been left unused for a period of time, you should clean it out and oil it before using.

When oiling your machine, follow your manual that came with your machine, only use oil made for sewing machines! It comes in a tube on the notions wall in any fabric store for $1-$2. when you are done oiling, thread the machine with white thread and using a scrap piece of light colored material, keep sewing on it untill all traces of oil are gone. If you don't do this, you can ruin whatever you are working on.

**SewCrafty** · 05-02-2004, 10:56 AM

Thanks Sara, that is a great chart to print out and keep by your machine!

**MJsLady** · 05-02-2004, 01:11 PM

Thanks for the replies ladies, I have book marked that page Sara, even though I did not see my current problem on it I bet i will need it in the future!
Dee, my machine is a drop in bobbin one. I suppose i will just have to play with it until I find just the right settings.