Need Help with my Brother
 

I have a 2 yr old Brother that has been used very little. It is the Project Runway version. I got it out for my grandson to use and couldn't get it to sew a seam. It won't catch the bobbin in the bottom I think. I rethreaded it several times. It was on 5 for tension and I keep my singer on 3. So I tried changing that to 3. No differant. The top thread is showing in the fabric but the bottom thread is not catching in the top thread. It is pulled out right and as far as I know the bobbin is in there right. I tried putting the bobbin in so the thread comes off the bobbin to the left and I also tried it to the right. Thought maybe I had it in wrong. I have used this machine and not had any problems with this. But it isn't my daily machine. Just use it once in awhile.

I am not good with computerized machines as I don't have any knowledge on how they work. I would like to be able to use this one tho when the grands come.

Thanks for any ideas you might have.

My Brother bobbin has a idiosyncrasy tic, it only want to have the bobbin thread come over the bobbin on the LEFT side. If it gets off of the area it does not sew but makes a mess of the bobbin thread. It also likes the top thread and bottom thread to be the same.

I have the Project Runway PC420-got it a bit more than a year ago, and have had no problems. Make sure you have the right size bobbin for that machine and maybe you need to take out the bobbin casing and clean it out. I find if I do that (I use my machine ALLOT) every couple months (or sooner if I am using quite a bunch of fusible fleece, which I have been doing for purses), I am amazed at how much lint, tiny threads, etc comes out. I keep my tension at about 3 for general sewing/piecing. If you are sure you have the correct bobbin, and the bobbin thread is wound correctly, your needle is positioned correctly, and you have the thread correctly threaded, then my bet would be a thread/dust in the the shuttle or under the needle plate. Let us know if she cooperates after all that. Also, try changing the needle if it is an old one.

My first suggestion is that you put the bobbin case in wrong. I did this a while back and couldn't sew anything, so my advice would be to take the plate off, get you manual out, clean it and put it back together correctly, believe me I didn't think the order mattered as along as all the pieces were on but it does, also try a new needle. If that doesn't work than it may be your timing is off

thanks Pat and Jill I will check these things out. I have used it very little and it sits in it's original box on the shelf so I can't imagine why anything is differant this time than the last time I got it out for Joey. But I will spend some more time trouble shooting. Thanks!

Look at your book and make sure you are threading the needle through the correct direction. I did that once and it wouldn't sew a stitch. I just assumed it threaded from left, but correct way was from right.

I've never taken the casing out so I don't think it can be that it is in wrong. I can clean it and try putting it back in right.

My grandson Joey used it a few months ago for a couple of hours other than that it hasn't been used. I played with it for about a half hour when I had it out for Joey trying out some of the stitches but that is about all. I don't use it so much as have it for a back up. We bought it brand new at Walmart 2 yrs ago. So the needle hasn't been used much and shouldn't need changing

Bobbins usually have to feed the thread "counterclockwise" Try to make sure that's the direction it's going in. Can you post a pic of the bobbin case? Also, does your Singer use clear bobbins like your Brother? I have mixed my bobbins up and depending on the model they are definitely different sizes!

You might tak e alook at this as that is what happens with me on a different machine than I usually sew on.

My friend works at Walmart and says that Brothers get returned a lot because of tension problems. Possibly you got one of the bad ones. Check and see if Walmart will exchange it for you. If not, call Brother and explain the problem. They might give you a break on it.

My needle threads from front to back. and there is a diagram on the top of the machine to show how to thread it correctly. Tho I have had those problems on my Singer. Til I wised up and got it in my head how the thread had to go.

Is the needle inserted correctly and is there any chance the needle isn't inserted far enough or could have slipped down too far to catch the thread?

I would check the bobbin- if it is pulling correctly which should be from the left when you are trying to stitch you should see the thread come across the top of the bobbin- if it is NOT then the bobbin isn't in correctly - also for whatever reason Brothers like the thread on top to feed from the front of the spool , not the back - Keep us posted

I would check the bobbin and bobbin casing as well. My brother top tension is usually set between 3 an 4. And perhaps make sure that joey didn't put a singer bobbin in the brother machine

make sure you have the right bobbin. my singer bobbin will not work in my brother there is only a tiny bit of difference in the size but it does matter I also threaded mine one time with the foot down and it would not sew. If you have never taken the bobbin case out it might be time to i take mine out every few months and clean it all good, hope you get it sewing

I've run into this problem when I used a purchased prewound bobbin. As others have said- be sure you have a good bobbin, or try starting with a freshly wound one. Rethread the machine and insert the correct size bobbin with it unspooling on the left side. If this doesn't work- take out the bobbin holder being Sure you will reinsert it in the right orientation. My 6000i manual is useless for this- no pic of the proper orientation. It is amazing how much lint can accumulate Behind the bobbin holder! My tension is usually about 3 1/2. Good Luck!

Is the bobbin tensioning correct? I don't even remember my Mom telling me about bobbin tensioning - so many years ago - when she was attempting to teach me to sew. (I probably wasn't listening...) The manual that came with your machine should explain how to correctly tension the bobbin, or you can look it up on line. Knowing how to set the bobbin tension solves so many problems.

Also suggest that you follow all the other recommendations, as I've had those things happen, too!

Where did you buy this Brother? I sure hope you didn't buy it from a big box store like Walmart or on line. If you got it from a dealer, take it back and they will fix it immediately and explain what is wrong. That's why we buy from them.Otherwise contact the company.

We bought it from Walmart. It was only $100 so not a big investment. It wasn't my choice but my DH bought it for him to hem some pants and then for the kids to use. So it isn't a big deal if it doesn't work. I do have other machines but this is the only new one I have. The others are all vintage or just plain old! LOL I dont' quilt with it. Just would like to have it work for the grands to use when they are here so they aren't in my space.

The first thing I would try is to try a different bobbin. If that doesn't work, I would take out the bobbin case and clean. Doesn't take much sewing to get a lot of lint in them.

Did you make sure the needle is in correctly? I've done it before and feel a little embarrassed to even admit it but it worked