Beginner Q - Why does my bobbin thread skip?
 

Good Morning,

i am working on applique-ing number to the front of the pockets for my daughters advent calendar. My zig zag skills are not great but I hope they are getting a little better with each number!

I have noticed that sometimes when I am going very slowly the booing thread is skipped by the top thread so instead of a zig zag I get a long straight stitch.

could anyone suggest what I am doing wrong and how I can rectify?

Many thanks
Tamzyn x

Hello and welcome to the board. Have you done all the usual - rethreading top thread, taking bobbin out, changing needle? Is the bobbin in the right way? (I once spent the best part of an afternoon as a new quilter before I figured that one out, lol)
If you've done all that and the needle is the right size for the thread you're using, then it's probably tension. Generally speaking, if the errors are on the top, it's your bottom tension - if the stitches are skipping underneath then it's often the top tension.
Good luck!

Do you have your needle inserted in the correct orientation for your machine?

Hi! Welcome to the board!

Hi,

thanks for your responses, I have re-threaded the machine several times and I have a new needle in the machine (70/10) which is the correct way round!

The machine is a Toyota RS2000 which has automatic tension. I have checked the manual and it is set at the appropriate number.

The bobbin is definitely in the right way around, I have made that mistake before and the mess it makes is quite amazing!

I'm wondering if it because I am going so slowly, I am also hand cranking it on occasion to ensure that the needle stops in the down position so that I can get around the curves.

Perhaps, above all, it is down to inexperience and the fact that the project is a beyond my level at the moment :(

Thank you x

Knitette and Mitches Mom are correct. When I have a problem - this is what I do:

Remove bobbin and top thread completely. Change needle (Mitches Mom is correct - make sure that it is in correctly - I always put in a new needle when I have problems). Rethread top(make sure it is threaded correctly and goes through the tension assemble correctly and the tension assemble is clear of thread bits and dust). Clean out the bobbin area with either a vac or small brush (fabric lint / dust can interfere with the bobbin hook picking up the top thread .Take newly wound bobbin - place in bobbin holder correctly (even after all these years I make mistakes as well - lol).

Make a test sew on scraps that are contrasting to your thread (I use dark fabric w/ white thread or light fabric with dark thread) Sew straight stitches then zig zag stitches straight then in curves.Check the stitches and the tension.

If, after this, you are still having a problem then it could be a timing issue. I do not mess with any timing except on my longarm. When my domestic has (or I suspect it has) this problem it goes to the dealer.

When you get back to your project, make sure that you do not "tug" the fabric as you turn it. When I ziz zag edges in raw edge applique, sometimes when the curve is very sharp I will stop, leaving the needle in the down position and the pressure foot up and turn the fabric ever so lightly to prevent me from forcing the fabric against the needle. If you somehow flex the needle on a turn - the hook will not pass by the needle scarf correctly and miss the picking up the top thread.

Here is a great link to how it all works

http://www.threadsmagazine.com/item/...eedle-know-how

Good luck - let us know how you make out!!

I would also make sure the top and bottom thread are from the same spool. My husky is very particular about this - but my Janome is not fussy.

I think I may be tugging on the fabric, I will watch that!
Thank you also, for the needle link, it's very informative and I didn't know lots of it.

70/10 is too small a needle for your thread type (likely) and what your doing. Try a size 12.

Right, will try that tonight. Thank you x

Welcome to the board

Agree with others ~ double check needle and bobbin

One other idea ... I have one machine that will sew 'without' the pressure foot not being down. The stitches are not regular. But my main machine beeps when I try to sew without the pressure foot down.