Help! Something is going on and I can't figure it out.
 

I could only get a blurry picture but this is what is happening.
The needle appears to pick up an extra loop and instead of stitching brings 3 threads to the surface. And of course breaks.
This pic is from my juki but it also happens with my Janome. Any ideas?
I've always just stopped and rethreaded everything, but I don't know what's causing it.
Tension, timing? Karma?

Are you sure the machines are threaded correctly? I have had this happen when fixing up vintage machines, and I believe it was always caused by me making a mistake in how that particular machine needed to be threaded.

Yes, I have also had this happen when I have inserted the bobbin incorrectly or when the bobbin thread has not 'caught' the thread guide.

Besides checking the top threading be sure the bobbin is wound correctly and loaded in correctly.

I have had this on my dsm. I think the top thread gets looped around the needle before I start sewing

incorrect threading or bobbin insertion was always my problem on my 401 and 2662.

Check that you're using the right needle/thread combo, and check that the needle is appropriate for your machine. I was having a ridiculous amount of issues on my brother pq 1500s and it turns out, it just didn't like superior brand needles, once I put in an organ brand needle, it was happy. I was having thread breaks, tangles, needle breaks etc. It was more frustrating than I can say!

To add, it would be fine for a while, then I'd notice it skip a stitch or two, then all hell would break loose. Always a good time. Does your manual have a troubleshooting guide?

It is SOOOOO frustrating. I'll try it all again. AND I put in a new needle just because......

Not just a new needle, if I had just put a new superior needle in (in fact I did), it wouldn't have solved it.

Mine does this occasionally - for some reason ever once in a while it pops out of the little spring wire that takes up that tiny bit more of slack from the uptake lever. I have yet to figure out how it happens as with my machine, it's darn near impossible - but it happens. When that little bit of slack does not get pulled up, when the needle goes down it loops wrong and the hook grabs wrong.

I've found if I add an extra loop to the upper thread path, that helps keep a bit more tension on the thread and does help. I run it from one spool holder loop to a second spool holder loop and then to the machine - or if on the machine, to a spool holder loop and then back to the machine.

Longarms have a lot of problems with thread as they sew very fast - and use a lot more thread holders between the spool and the tension to keep loops that form as the thread whips around from getting pulled into the tension and messing things up.

skipped stitches is often caused by the needle

Take the stitch plate off and double check that there isn't a piece of thread stuck in there, either from a bad cut or a broken thread.

I had a similar and it was a real pain as I was using poly clear thread. Try to find that in the feed dogs.

I agree with Tartan since we both have a Bernina. This happens just occasionally to me too. I just re-thread and continue quilting.

Superior needles are Organ.

I can see in your photo, that your needle thread is twisted around the needle shaft.....Check threading and that your threadsin the take up lever.

I agree it has to be in the way it is threaded or the placing of the bobbin. If it is happening on two machines it indicates I am doing something incorrect. Although it is a vintage machine, my machine calls for the bobbin to be placed where the thread is coming off in 1 direction. If I reverse it, it won't sew correctly.

It is probably backlash . Tighten up the tension spring on your bobbin and maybe put a small paper disc kind of like a washer beneath your bobbin.

I have also seen it when the foot lever is not lowered all the way to the fabric you are sewing.

My machine doesn't like a certain bobbin that is supposed to be for that machine. Or your bobbin may have been bent or stepped on.

This was my problem too, almost as though the thread was too loose and goes behind the needle before stitching.

It would appear the thread is wrapped around the needle.

I would rethread the upper thread, check the bobbin area to see whether there are any dust bunnies and rethread the lower thread.

Another possibility - using a cone without a thread net. This can result in thread feeding unevenly to the machine.

Do you have the needle inserted correctly? The needle shaft contains the groove, scarf, eye. They all must be in the correct position. If not. all sorts of problems occur. Also there could be a small burr on the needle plate.

Personally I would sleep on the problem then re thread top and bottom checking everything with manual. Only do one machine. Check sewing. Sometimes we become fixed in making the same threading mistake and a gap makes the mind rethink the problem. Now do the second machine. .good luck.

My Juki 98Q bobbin needs to be inserted opposite of my other machines. The thread from the bobbin before I insert it into the holder, must be coming out clockwise but my Singer is counter clockwise. Maybe check what the manual says. Let's hope it's something that simple. Good luck & let us know.

Very frustrating. Try turning the machine off for about 30 seconds to a minute, then rethread, and rethread the bobbin. Sometimes my machine wil lgive me those problems if it needs to be cleaned. Try all of these things first, then change the needle and pray.

I'm sure you probably have the machine threaded ok...if you have done it before. Think back to when this first started...what changed? Thread type or color? Needle? fabric or batting? Did you forget your chocolate?

I have had this from backlash. If you don't have any Magic Bobbin Genies... get a piece of parchment paper (or velum), cut it to a circle to fit your bobbin case (even if a drop in)...put a hole in the middle (use a hole punch, or manicure scissors)......touch a drop of oil with your fingertip... rub the circle paper...and insert that in the bobbin case. This will really help eliminate backlash. If this helps...order a pack of the bobbin genies...you can get them online at Walmart, Joanns, etc. I use them in my commercial embroidery machine...Futura by singer, and Brother machines. I also use in my longarm machine.

So... I've been having this problem the past couple of days, and it was extremely frustrating. I was doing straight line quilting, but using my free-motion foot, and trying to practice using a ruler with it. Anyway, it was always fine going one direction, and when I would switch and come back the other way, it would work for a bit then start to skip stitches, shred the thread, and break it. Last night, I finally figured out what I was doing. At some point, when lining up with the previous lines, or repositioning the rest of the sandwich, I would lift up the presser foot. In my haste (and exhausted haze after working a few 15 hour days in a row), I was so focused on lining things up, and reducing drag, that I was actually forgetting to lower the foot back down! In my trouble shooting, I'd increased bobbin tension and upper thread tension quite a bit, but it kept happening... Face palm!!! Anyway, I was able to lower bobbin and upper thread tension to normal range, and as long as I lower my presser foot, miracles happen and thread doesn't break!

huskyquilter, it is not advisable to use a free motion foot with a ruler; you really should be using a ruler foot for your machine. The ruler foot has a higher edge, making it less likely that the needle will contact the ruler (breaking the needle and possibly flinging needle pieces into your face or throwing your machine out of time).

This happens to me sometimes too. Don't know how, but the thread sometimes gets out of the uptake arm on my machine.