My machine (1970s Montgomery Ward) has been having a problem for the past couple of days and I'm trying to figure out what the problem area is so I can attempt to solve it before taking the machine in for servicing.

It sews fine for a while but then tiny loops appear on the bobbin side of the seam. They aren't very big but they allow me to pull the bobbin thread right out of the seam with no resistance.

I thought that maybe I was somehow losing tension as I sewed but adjusting the tension doesn't seem to make a difference. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

1) first thing, always rethread the top and bottom - even if you know it's all right

2) have you looked at the bobbin tension?

3) do you still have the manual?

4) is your needle still good? have you tried a new new needle?

I'm sure some of the other members will have more suggestions.

Good luck with the machine. Aggravating when it doesn't perform like it's supposed to.

I had the same problem with my old machine. Sometimes changing the needle helps. If it doesn't, try using a different bobbin. I had found that sometimes the bobbin wasn't getting wound right and it would cause that issue.

Lynette

If the bobbin is wound too tight or too loose it can cause this problem. Try rethreading both top and bottom as already suggested. Check your top tension also, if it's too loose it causes bearding or eyelashes on the bottom of your fabric. A friend of mine had this problem and it turned out was that she wasn't threading the machine correctly, check your owners manual. I hope one of these suggestions helps.

I agree, changing the needle re-threading and a new bobbin could do the trick. I had a similar problem with my old Singer, the bobbin wasn't sitting in it's bed properly, so check that and remove any stray bits of fluff and dust while you're at it. Good luck.

I agree especially try changing the needle.

All those suggestions are good. I found that my old machine would do that if the area around the bobbin case got full of lint. Try giving the machine a good cleaning, especially in that area. I usually found this after sewing on flannel. Good luck.

A good cleaning ... one of my friends had to tell me that it meant: taking the throat plate off, so that you are really seeing down behind your bobbin casing ... and the track of the feed dogs.
I took one of my machines in because it quit advancing the fabric ... long story short ... the next time it happened, I could hear my friend saying: CLEAN THE MACHINE!
I almost missed it, but between the feed dogs ... the lint from the fabric was stuffed in there so tightly it was actually FELTED! Take the bobbin and the bobbin case out if you can and also, after cleaning, are you oiling your machine? A drop of oil on your finger and rub it on to the place that the bobbin casing slips into ...
I don't know how accurate it is, but I use my thumbnail to check how firmly the bobbin is being wound. I have heard that if you do this process too quickly, the bobbin will not wind properly - - moderate speed was recommended.

Check to make sure your bobbin is in right, it's a silly mistake I do all the time. Good luck!

Mine had done that, and after t=removing the bobbin and the holder and cleaning, it was alright.

Thank you all for your suggestions. I knew I could count on you all. I'm starting at the top of your list of suggestions and working down until the problem is fixed.

i had this problem and it ended up being some lint stuck in the path of the bobbin thread when it turns.

pull out the bobbin case and do a good cleaning in there.

If you have canned air like they use for computers. Blow a quick blast in the bobbin area. there are areas you can't see or get with a brush. I watched the guy that services my sewing machine do it and it works like a charm.

I think I would check the tension on the bobbin casing. From age it may have become lose.
Their is a little screw on the side of the bobbin case. Or you will find it in the machine settings.
Good luck :shock:

This happened to me recently. Clean your bobbin case thoroughly; sounds like there is a piece of "foreign matter" in it somewhere.

This is not likely to be a bobbin problem. The rule is if the problem appears on the bottom side of the fabric then the top thread path is the problem. If the problem is on the top side of the fabric then the problem is on the bottom thread path.

Since your problem is appearing on the bottom side of the fabric then it's your top thread path that is having a problem. My guess is the tension discs need flossed out so the thread seats inbetween the discs properly.

Just had this problem myself tonight...followed all advice and ,BINGO, the machine is working fine...I just love these forums...Thank you all for such good advice... :-)

Thanks for all the input. I love this board.