This seems to be happening more and more lately until yesterday I wanted to go into the cellar and get my husband's biggest hammer and do something I proabably would have regretted, but at the same time would have been sooooooo satisfying.

Change needle & rethread both spool & bobbin - usually works.

The last time this happened to me, I was free motion quilting and had not put the needle down!

I think you mean presser foot :lol:

yes start with a complete rethread, be SURE you get in all the right grooves, slots, guides, both for the needle and the bobbin, be SURE to put the presser foot down, if it still does it cahnge needles, if it still does it, go get the hammer! :evil:

I read once that if the problem is under the fabric, the reason is above. So rethread and maybe try a new needle. Conversely, if the problem is on top (which almost never happens for me) the reason is below. However, I have had lint in the bobbin area cause problems under the fabric...so that notion is shot.

I just read an article on this and they say
it is caused by your upper tension try that. hope
it works.

Also clean your bobbin area.

I agree - also, do a thorough cleaning and check your tension.

Don't idle in one area. When you start to quilt take off.

mine nest because I forget to hold the thread for the first few stitches.

My Janome does not like different thread in the bobbin than I have in the top.
Also it doesn't like cheap thread, so I buy quality on sale.
I also clean my bobbin area after each bobbin and it helps. Change the needle and make sure it is the correct one for the fabric.

Think its probably the tension. Could be your machine finds it difficult with a thicker layer of fabric if that makes sense.

Elle

Ditto :thumbup:

Be sure that you are bringing your bobbin thread up to the top where you are beginning to sew or you will have a mess of thread underneath your fabrics.. Hope that helps.

Yes, I would change needles, rethread my machine and make sure to check your bobbin.

And Hi from Skowhegan, Maine :)

I just took a free motion quilting class from Frieda Anderson and she pulls her bobbin thread to the top, which I have done, but then she doesn't go back and forth and cut it, but leaves it to the top and then uses cheater needles to re-nest those tails. I just ordered the needles yesterday and am quilting a piece to use them on. Hope that helps with your nesting problem.

have you tried the plastic washers that fit into the bobbins, they work I use one in my featherweight and bird nesting problems is solved.

If the hammer doesn't work. . . when you begin sewing at the edge. hold your thread so the bobbin doesn't munch it up. Sometimes that happens to me at the beginning if I don't hold the thread. My machine is really old and I love it. I have a new machine but I keep it covered up so she doesn't see it.

This problem is usually the thread has come out of the take up lever or your pressure foot is not down.
Rethreading should resolve the problem with take up lever. What type of machine are you using?
Did any of the posted suggestions help?
Diana in Tx

At a recent quilt class, it happened to my SIL, and she was told the bobbin wasn't wound tight enough. She discarded the thread on the bobbin, and pressed a finger between the thread and the machine between the spool holder and bobbin winder. It put just enough pressure on the thread that it wound tighter. No more problem!

Pull your bobbin thread up to the top and take a couple stitches in place and then start out. If you don't pull that bobbin thread to the top to start it will wad up underneath.

If this is happening at the beginning of your stitching, you need to hold the threads, bobbin and upper thread until your stitching begins. If it is happening in the middle your bobbin and upper thread are not set equally. In addition, if you are using different weight thread bobbin or upper thread, it will cause a bird's nest.

Good Luck!

All of the above plus thread with the foot up and then be sure to put it down before you start.

I agree if tension is too loose on top you will have nesting underneath.. clean rethread change needle and adjust tension. Or do one thing at a time then try resewing on something eles to see what the problem is so you know in the future. I would try the tension first though, and if it is that I would still clean, and change needles.... hopes this helps

I recently had this same problem when quilting my DGD's quilt. I finally discovered what the problem was. I was using prewound bobbins, and perodically the thread on the bobbin was crossed and became too tight, that caused the tension on the bobbin thread to pull and the top thread to birds nest. Sometimes the thread would pull loose, and sew on ok. I finally figured it out after the bobbin thread broke a few times and I actually saw the crossed thread on it.
Anyone else have problems with prewound bobbins?

I found that I got nests when I didn't hold the top thread tight while threading the top.

Mine was nesting, and it turned out to be the bobbin tension, which I had never changed. So one day I sat down, and did all of the above, and finally the last thing I did was change the tension on the bobbin. It works fine now. So it's probably something simple. Hang in there!

I find if you hang on to the threads when you start to sew it doesn't do that.

Neat way to troubleshoot!!

Can anyone post a picture of this?

Just a different idea. Same happens to me sometimes, After I check thread, bobbin, etc., I change the type of thread. One of my machines uses C & C. The others I can use Gutterman's. Strange but true.
Debbie

I would thoroughly clean around the bobbin area, change the bobbin, change the needle, make sure the machine is threaded properly, and if all that failed, I go see my machine repairman! It's usually something we haven't done right though, sad to say. Why oh why do these things happen right in the middle our special creations!!!

Yes, re-thread, clean bobbin area...but I also use the Magic Bobbin Washer by Schumacher...Susan Schumacher made it just for this very reason- no more bird nests for me.
Blessings,
MaryAnna

When I have a similar problem, I change the bobbin....Don't know why but this seems to work.

1. Be sure needle and thread and fabric are compatible. Right size needle, thread content and wt and is fabric 100% cotton or a combination.
2. Always use a new needle on a new project.
3. Clean bobbin area and oil where manual indicates.
4. Re-thread needle and bobbin.
5. Hold both needle and bobbin threads for several stitches.
If doing all of the above fails, it time to take machine in for repair! I hate it when this happens, but in my case it is usually operator error! Don't give up.

I have a Brother machine that will not kindly accept any off-brand bobbins. If I do not have the correct bobbin in my machine it does the "birds nest" stitch. Getting rid of all the wrong bobbins I'd used with my other machines got rid of the birds' nest.

If you have a Brother machine, that's probably the problem - wrong bobbin.

About two weeks ago, I had the same thing happen, first once, then every time I moved. I took it to 'the shop' to see if I was doing something wrong and after much trial and error, they decided to keep it. It turned out a tiny piece (size of a plain pin head) had worn off and needed to be re placed. the patient is out of the hospital and doing fine.
Mary

While doing this, use a piece of fresh thread to GENTLY floss between the tension plates, also.