Tiny stitches...Help
 

Recently my machine has started hesitating at seams & sewing really tiny stitches. I've cleaned, changed threads & needles. Still have the problem. Is this a timing thing.

Is your machine computerized? It might help (if it is) to turn it off, then back on a readjust the stitch length. I really have no clue, but it's worth a try.

My old Bernina 930 does this sometime. Most of the time I have knocked the gear up that lengthens and shortens the stitch when I was wrestling with a large quilt. Another time I leaned over the machine and knocked the gear up. I need to tighten it a little more, but then I have a hard time loosening it to change my stitch length again.
I don't know if this will help.

What machine do you have? I have this problem on my Janome if I forgot to engage the acufeed.

Are the feed dogs up? They need to be up to move the fabric along.

have your feed dogs been cleaned? lint can really pack down in between them and that doesn't help them work well at all.

This was the problem with my Bernina. Now I check/clean them regularly.

If the problem with your Janome happens without using the AF, I suggest you see if the O2 foot fits your machine. I have the 6600. I was having problems with it hesitating at bulky intersections an seams. The O2 took care of the problem. The underside is different from the O foot.

This is my guess, too. Basically your feed dogs aren't doing the job they should be, so the first thing to check is that they aren't clogged up with lint.

No, it isn't dirty feed dogs, I was wishing it was something so simple. I have a Brother NX600, guess it needs a hospital visit. Can the 1/4 inch foot wear out. Just tried a reg. foot & no problem.

I am always surprised just how much lint gets packed down in the feed dogs, do not like cleaning out that area of my machine, but it does sew better when I do.

Are your seams nested or are you sewing through layers of fabric?

Yes my seams are nesting.took my machine apart to double ckeck the feed dogs to make sure they were clean & they were. Was putting the stitch plate back on & dropped a screw down inside my machine. Have to wait for DH to come home & take it apart to get that screw out of there. I know better than to mess with screws as my arthritic hands will not co-operate. That's me done for today.

perhaps he can use a long grabber to get the screw out. Hope so. using the 1/4 inch foot might be part of the problem going over thicker seams. I use my walking foot but have a Janome MC4800. good luck.

Yeah, DH just got home. He just turned my machine upside down(cringe) & shook till the screw fill out Since my spool of thread was almost empty I grabbed my serger cone & tried sewing. It is now back to normal. Was the thread the whole time. No more tiny stitches & sews over seams the way it should.

I agree with Tartan and JulieR. Lint build up is a real problem with the newer machines.

Check your manual.

Sometimes I call my machine maintenance person for help and she tells me what to do. Other times I just ask when in the LQS's that carry my brand of machine and they will give me suggestions.

When this happens to me, I know I need to lessen the pressure on the presser foot. There is a knob or dial on top of your machine with numbers. The lower the no. the less pressure.

I did that too. Dropped a screw inside. I tried a long time to get it out. I was forced to turn it upside down and shook until screw fell out. I have two straight stitch only machines, no computer. Now I make sure to put screws in a safe place.

Had that tiny stitch with my machine and could not believe how much lint was 'packed' in between the feed dogs.