Why is this happening? I've tried re-threading my needle and my bobbin. I need help!!

Looks like your bobbin tension needs to be tighter, check your instruction manual for your machine

you need to re thread your machine.. totally.. also cut the machine off anf let it set a few minutes.. can't hurt!

I would double check my tension and make sure the feed dog area is clear of debri.

Could just be re-threading and double check the bobbin area to make sure its clean of any lint and/or threads. (gosh, I hate it when this happens :)

If the bad stitching is on the top, the problem is with your bobbin. If the problem is on the bottom, the problem is with the top thread. Either way, rethread very carefully, and clean out the bobbin case well and rethread that carefully and see if those help. Also, you might try changing thread spools if the problem is on the top and you are getting down toward the end of the spool. If the problem is the bobbin thread, check and make sure the bobbin thread still looks evenly wound. If it is towards the end of the bobbin, I would go ahead and put a new bobbin in. Good luck, and let us know what worked.

The steps I go thru when this happens:
1: rethread the machine and bobbin
2: clean the bobbin case, throat plate, etc, of lint
3: new needle (sometimes this is step one if I've had the needle in for a while)
4: Adjust machine tension

Whenever I rethread, either top or bottom, I always take a few stitches on a practice piece to make sure everything is OK.

The problem is on the bottom, that's where the mess is. I changed the tension a bit and put on a new spool of thread. This worked. So, I figured it was the tension. When I put my white thread back on, it was messed up again. Could it be the spool? It's not at the end yet. I havn't been paying close enough attention to know if it's been like this since I changed the spool.

I just read somewhere about how thread is wound on the spool by the manufacturer having something to do with breakage, problems, etc. I don't remember where (maybe the Martelli site?), but I do know that I have had problems sometimes at the end of the spools.

clean the bobbin area out..look closely for any threads that may be causght int he cutter or elsewhere.

i would change out the spool anyways..if i am having problems like yours, i rethread,clean,oil, and change the needle and bobbin.

check that you don't have any thread caught in the tentioner on top sometimes that can throw things out of whack. also check the bobbin area that it is clean of threads and fluff

it can be your needle being too small also

Here is another thing I forgot to mention...maybe it's not relevant. This thread is very curly. After I thread my needle, the thread is so curly I have a hard time getting it straightened out. I've used cotton thread before and never seen anything so curly.

I recently had trouble with the thread breaking. So I rethreaded everything changed the bobbin and needle.It was fine so I put the spool of thread back same thing the thread was breaking about every 10-15 stiches. Changed thread again and it worked. turned out it was a bad spool of thread it had little nubs like every few inches very tiny nubs. but when I ran it through my fingers I could barely feel it. Just letting you know it could be something in the manufacturing and not you or the machine. Mary

That's what I'm wondering too. I'm going to get a few more white spools and change this one out. Then I'll see how it goes.

Is you spool of thread standing up or laying over.If it's laying over make sure the thread is comming from back over to the front.Is your threads the same,bobbin and spool?

Mine is standing up and yes, the thread is the same in the bobbin and spool.

I would try a different spool of thread, I had a similar problem and it was the spool, either it was wound too tight or too lose at the factory, I use it for hand sewing and don't put it back on the machine. Hope it works for you. Good luck.

Also make sure the thread is not catching on a notch in the spool. Sometimes just turning the thread spool over solves the notch problem.

I would be interested in seeing a photo after you try a different spool of thread...but do rethread you machine...and perhaps wind a new bobbin also.

Is it possible that you have used a spool of HAND Quilting thread? That kind of cotton thread is Never to be used in a machine due to the waxy finish.
If not, take your top thread and with the pressure foot UP, run the thread back and forth(like dental floss) in the tension area. You might have a little fuzz or broken thread in there and this will release it.

OK, I found my reference: it is from a Martelli magazine I got at the Quilt Festival. Also, here is the same information in video form from their website:

http://www.martellinotions.com/productvideos.asp

I read somewhere put your thread in the freezer over night: especially if 100% cotton. It gets dried out and frizzy needs the moisture just like we do. You said thread was very curly might be your problem if on your bobbin put that in freezer too. Who knows might find something good in there for supper.Good Luck.

I know that I had to tighten my bobbin tension on my 1500 recently because with so much sewing it had loosened.

Is your thread coming off the top of the spool - my SIL had a similar problem & she turned her spool around & was good to go.

I bought new thread (3 actually). I'm going to give a new one a try. Should I put the bobbin away with the old spool and re-thread a new bobbin? Or is the old one ok? I wasn't having any problems with the top just the bottom.

I checked this too, making sure the spool pin hadn't slipped down a bit. Nope, all clear there.

I would also suggest that you change needles. Especially if you have been using this one for a while. Mine was skipping stitches on a buttonhole the other day, changed the needle and the next buttonhole was a thing of beauty.

I would wind a new bobbin.

i had the same problem recently, i checked my bobbin case and found that the tension screw was ready to fall out. a quarter twist with the screw driver and things are back to normal

this could also be that you are using a wrong size thread, for the fabric, and or/ needle....check the needle size, and thread....according to the instructions for what to use, with different weights of fabric...light weight fabrics uses a 11 or 12..needle, and also a light weight thread....be sure it is mercerized also. Heavy weight fabrics use a size 14 needle, and a heavier thread can be used then.

If you adjust the tension on the bobbin, put your hands into a plastic bag while you mess with the little screw. If the screw accidentally pops out of the bobbin it will be in the bag. Ask me how I learned this? grin You cannot guess how hard it is to find that little screw.

One other ting that may be the problem, your timing may be off and need resetting (if you machine quilt with it) or are you using a metallic embossed fabric? That will make your machine skip too. OOPs that's 2!

i would start with a good cleaning in the bobbin area, and a new needle; make sure the thread is properly threaded through the tension disk's and if you still have a problem then you need to start (fiddling) with the tension until you have top and bottom equal. but i have found a new needle and cleaning usually fixes problems like this

Make sure your needle is in correctly, the slit has to be in the back. Clean out the area around the bobbin case, might be full of lint or you might be using the wrong bobbins and they aren't wound tight enough or placed wrong.
Rethread the machine using the manual, you might have skippd a step.

Carol J.

My machine was doing that last year. I played with the tension and nothing fixed it. I finally had to take the machine in for a tune up and then everything was perfect again.

Change your needle!!!!!

Yep, did that. It didn't help. :( I have new thread, I'm going to try that. Plus, I'm going to clean out my bobbin case.

Thanks for putting it so clearly! That seems to cover all the bases for me. I have typed it out on an index card and pinned it on my bulletin board in the sewing room as a reminder.

Try a new needle..even if the one thats in there is new sometimes they are exactly straight..and make sure you have the flat side of the needle on the right side..blessings