So Frustrated!!
 

I upgraded to a Pfaff Ambition Essential on Saturday and am ready to take it back to the store! I can't sew more than 10 inches and it creates a rat's nest of thread under the material & I have to rip everything out.:mad: I've tried adjusting the tension, threading, rethreading, replacing bobbin, you name it. Any suggestions?

I would check for correct threading and correct bobbin placement - I had problems with my tension off and on for about 4 months after I bought my machine - turns out - I wasn't threading the bobbin correctly - Once I read the manual for the 1000th time - I realized that I was not following the directions exactly - anyway, now I know and it works great. The other things to check are what you have listed. Good luck.

I had a simile problem with my Janome 6600P - I was threading the bobbin incorrectly - thought this never happened on my 60 + year Singer. And remembered there were times we fought - and I would re-thread the bobbin and it was fine.
Good Luck!!!

The same thing happened with my Brother PQ1500S. Every time it happened, the bobbin tension was the problem. I know you said you checked that, but just sharing my experience. I wound another bobbin to test out the theory, and then it worked perfect. I'll never know why the other one didn't work that time. Some unknowable mishap when winding the bobbin the first time. So my recommendation is to win another bobbin even if the first one looks fine, start over from scratch by re-threading the machine, and see if that helps. I know it's really frustrating! You have my sympathy!

my vote is also for an incorrectly loaded bobbin.
i will never admit publicly how often i have made that mistake. :shock:

I agree with both comments... and believe I should have a few secrets too.

I had the same problem with my machine. The bobbin looked just fine, UNTIL I started to unwind the bobbin thread. While winding it, some very small loop had formed somewhere in the middle. These newfangled machines are just so sensitive. Maybe I should have apologized to it lolol

Are you threading with the needle up? Also try grabbing both bobbin and top threads when starting a seam.
Regardless of design - I've had the top thread pop out of the take up lever. In machine embroidery, the problem is often the opposite side. If you have a rat's nest underneath, the problem is usually on the top somewhere.

With the bobbin - check to make sure it's securely in there. The new Ambition is drop-in bobbin isn't it? Those who use drop-in bobbins might have more suggestions.
I've got vertical bobbins and they don't always catch on the spindle and pop out. There used to be a good click on the older Pfaffs, not so now.

The older Pfaffs had lousy thread cutters. A lot of times they will NOT pick up the bobbin thread correctly or at all. However, with a drop-in bobbin the thread cutter should have improved.

When I upgraded my Pfaff I had a few threading problems because I was doing it the way I did with my previous Pfaffs. After blaming the machine it finally dawned on me to take out the manual. I slowly step by step and that made me see where I went wrong.
If that doesn't work for you I'd go back to the dealer with the machine and have them try to solve the problems.

Thank you all for your suggestions! I'm going to call the dealer today and see if they can help me out. I live an hour away and don't want to wait till I can get back down there since it will be a couple weeks!

I would take it back and let the dealer sew with it just like you have it and let her/him find out what the problem is. You paid for dealer to know. The dealer should know immediately if it is the bobbin. Don't tell them what you think is the problem. This way you will have future confidence in the dealer or not.

Good luck, I hope the dealer has some helpful suggestions so you don't have to wait the couple weeks.

I checked the threading of the top and bobbin with the manual for a long time when using a new machine. If a problem comes out I will still get it out to make sure I'm doing it right. Sewing on a scrap to get it right helps out too, no ripping and saves your fabric from constantly ripping.

I vote for a bobbin issue, I have 2 Pfaffs (older, nothing fancy) but the bobbins seem finicky. One of them winds the bobbin too full and I have to remember or else take some thread off. Also make sure you are putting the bobbin in correctly, it seems a little different from my Singer. If nothing helps, take it back and let the shop help you. I would call them if it is too far to drive today. Good luck with getting things straight.

Also make sure the needle is in correctly and all the way up in the shaft.

It could be your bobbin itself. I wound some bobbins the other day for my Viking and one of them just did not come out right. Sure enough, I had birds nests and breaking thread. As soon as I changed bobbins everything was a-ok.

I have an Ambition and really love it. The drop-in bobbin is identical to my Viking. Make sure your bobbin thread "clicks" through the first part and ishould be correct. Stay with your Ambition until this one problem is solved and I think you will love it to.

Oh the only finicky part of this machine - make sure you buy a needle plate with the single hole for your straight sewing and piecing. It wants to either chew the fabric or nest it at the beginning when using the zig zag plate.

I have have 4 pfaff's and discovered when I finally read the manual for the 1100 PRO, that there is a little metal circle on the bobbin that the thread needs to go through. My other Pfaffs don't have that additional metal circle. Now it sews fine.

Ok, called the dealer and got a bit of help. I rewound bobbin & re threaded machine again and it seemed to do the trick. I could sew a nice straight line. Tried zigzag, miserable fail. It came out straight too! I have dealer stumped, so I guess I have to take it to dealer to fix. I hadn't even sewn 15 minutes on this thing. It better straighten up or I'm returning it!!!

I have a Husqvarna and I had the same issue once. I re-threaded the machine and re-loaded the bobbin until I was blue in the face. I even took it in to have the experts look at it. As it turned out, nothing was wrong with my machine nor my threading/bobbin loading technique. It was simply the brand of thread I was using. I traditionally use the Gutermann brand but ran out in the middle of a project. I had a comparable color in the Coats & Clark line so I used that. My machine did not perform well at all and I had a huge rat's nest on the bottom of the fabric, the tension messed up and the automatic thread cutter locked up. The experts at the shop asked what type of thread I use, and suggested that the brand might be the issue. We took out the C&C, got out another color of the Gutermann to try and the machine purred again. Strange, but true story! If you've tried all of the other options you've mentioned, plus this one, and still no luck then take it back to see if they will exchange the machine for you. Best of luck to you!

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I'm using C&C thread. Maybe that's my whole problem!!!

I have that problem if the bobbin thread is in the case wrong and headed in the wrong direction (clockwise instead of counter clockwise). Also I do better if I put the thread spool itself is on upside down and unwinds from the front. Don't know why it makes a difference, but works better that way. (I have a PFAFF 2056)

there has been some problems with bobbin winding[[on this site ? where

My problem with my bernina is usually the thread itself. It is a very fussy machine and dislikes some threads.

I had a bobbin for some reason would not work and did the same thing. I used a different bobbin and everything work just fine. I found out from my dealer some boobins may have a flaw and will not work correctly.

Is there a phone number for customer support? Check your manual for this service.

Your dealer should help you. It is probably something very simple you are doing but buying through a dealer is a benefit you should take advantage of.

I've had similar problems & it usually was the bobbin wasn't in correctly or there was a very small piece of thread or lint under the bobbin case. The other thing to try is re-threading the machine. If those don't work go to the back of your manual under trouble shooting. If all else fails call the dealer where you purchased the machine & they might be able to tell you the problem on the phone & how to correct it.

I would change thread brands. I bought a Janome 6600 last fall and was about to tear my hair out. It despised Guterman thread. I fought and fought with it. Finally, it was suggested that I use Aurifil~not a problem since. She also likes Superior and Anton Robinson...go figure! I also bought some of those tiny little white teflon washers that fit down in the bobbin case. They seem to work also.

RE the zig zag: Did you remember to adjust the stitch width?

I wouldn't have a machine that causes that kind of trouble right in the door, it would be right back out the door asap. Take it back and demand another machine, even if they can fix the zig-zag issues.

When I got my new machine I got a whole set of new problems. You just have to open that manual and read. Usually it is a threading problem. Good luck!

I have three Pfaff machines. Some bobbins go clockwise, while others go counter clockwise. Not sure why the inconsistency

I had the same problem with a Viking Mega Quilter. I re-threaded over and over and missed the fact that I was threading the needle from the wrong side. I had someone sit with me and go step by step by the book and that's when we figured it out.

When I had a problem like that I bought a package of the silicone washers that you put in the bobbin and no more bird's nest.

What are these washers? I've never heard of them before. Where can I get them?

Plus, I know it should go without saying, but be sure the presser foot is UP before threading!

I have a Pfaff (not as new as yours, but still a Pfaff), sounds like a bobbin problem. When I've had this problem, I've found that my bobbin is wound wrong. Sometimes too loose, but I've also had a bobbin crack on me and I didn't know it and spent two days with a MESS on my hands. I also had a problem when I didn't get my bobbin locked in place. And lets NOT forget the times I've put my bobbin in backwards. Give your new baby another chance. Good luck and happy sewing.

I have purchased several older Pfaffs, and two new ones (Creative and Expression with 9" throat). I took the new ones back to the store for credit and refund and will NOT buy another new Pfaff as long as they are made in China. The older ones are made in Germany or are Swiss made (I think).

Make sure when you thread it that the presser foot is up and the needle is in the highest position. Those were my mistakes! And the dealer should be able to help you locate the issue if none of our suggestions work. Good luck! I love my Pfaff