I don't know what its called or why it is happening, but tonight I was sewing strips for a quilt and I was just zooming along minding my own business when all of a sudden my thread decided to go stupid on me.
I don't know how to fix it so I thought I would ask you all for help.
I dont know if its my top or bottom tension, or if its my bobbin thread but when I sew, the fabric gathers up and I am able to hold onto the thread and straighten the fabric out. If you know what I mean. Its almost as if I was "gathering" it (like you do when you make yoyo's). But I am not making yoyo's, I am making strips for a Fabric fling. So I got aggravated and put a smile on my face which wasnt easy since my machine has been acting up lately and I don't have the money to purchase another one. So I nicely set the strips aside, turned off the machine, stood up, walked over to the door turned off the light and shut the door. Went into my bedroom, turned on the TV, fell asleep which wasn't the plan because now I am up again at 3:00am. Went back into my sewing room, turned on the light, turned on the machine, attempted to sew the strips again...same problem!!! Now I am getting aggravated because I don't know what to do to fix it. So....once again I am sitting here in the middle of the night reading posts. :)

What kind of machine do you have? have you rethreaded the whole thing. Are you using the same thread on top and bottom, and have you changed the needle lately. Also have you taken the bobbin case out and checked for any loose threads that may be in there causing a problem. It could be a simple fix or it may need to go to the shop.

Its a brother XL2600. I am actually thinking that it is my bobbin. It is almost out of thread and it doesn't look like it is evenly wound. So after while I will go up and take off all the thread that is left on the bobbin, and rewind it. I know its gotta be an easy fix. I just get frustrated easily when I sew and it doesn't go the way I want it to go. Especially when I am not really wanting to sew at the moment. :) Luckily that doesn't happen very often. Thanks for responding. I appreciate it alot.

Try all of the above and then if it is not better try a different spool of thread or it could be a tension problem. Good luck. Let us know how it goes.

It sounds like you have found your answer.

Clean the bobbin area there may be some lint lerking around.

Thank you everyone I will try again later this morning. I appreciate the help. :)

Sounds like what happens when the top thread catches on the little notch on the thread spool. Try turning the thread spool around.

Was the bobbin put back 'in the correct direction'?

That happens to me sometimes.

Take your bobbin area apart as much as you can and check for lint and thread scraps. I was having a little trouble last night. The culprit was a piece of red thread no more than 3/16ths of an inch long. I haven't sewn with red in quite a while. A drop of oil while you're in there won't hurt.