Why can't I bring up the bobbin thread on my longarm?
 

Any advice? I have a Janome Artistic 18. It is regularly oiled, lint is cleaned out, and the needle is fresh, but I'm having a lot of trouble bringing up the bobbin thread. The top thread seems to be getting caught somewhere underneath and often ends up breaking rather than bringing up the bobbin thread like it should. I've rethreaded and rethreaded but that hasn't helped at all. The problem seems to be getting worse. I've had some trouble on the last one or two quilts, but right now, it takes so many tries to get the bobbin thread pulled up, that I don't want to start a new quilt and get stuck in the middle.

Any suggestions or should I call my dealer in the morning? Thanks!

Is your needle in the right way? Sounds dumb, but it's an easy mistake to make, and it makes it impossible to bring up the bottom thread. There is a front and a back to the needle.

I'm still new to longarming, so it's certainly possible that the needle is in wrong. I'll check it again. Thanks!

You should also check to see if you have a tiny burr on the hook or if the bobbin is in backwards. Believe me, I have done some really dumb things with my long arm lately. I get distracted easily.

How do you check for a burr on the hook? It looks like the thread is getting stuck somewhere on or above the top part of the bobbin casing.

Also look to see if theres a little batch of thread between bobbin case n throat hole where needle comes down.

if turning or changing the needle doesn't work, maybe try a new bobbin. Sometimes even prewounds snag and pull as they unwind so I just put them aside for handsewing projects. No harm in contacting the dealer for troubleshooting...!!! Good Luck Christine!

Im not farmiliar with with long arms but if you have a top thread make sure that is threaded right. I was having this same problem yesterday with my domestic Janome and it was b/c the top thread was not threaded correctly. Good Luck!!

If you have a throat plate take that off and turn the wheel without thread anywhere and see where the needle is hitting. Or you may just find a mess of yuck under the throat plate and that will solve the problem. I had a problem with my mid arm--not Janome, that the spring that is on the inside of the bobbin area (not the bobbin itself) was broken on one end... it kept catching the thread and shredding it. I spent many an hour trying to find the reason for this. I found it by running my finger around inside the bobbin area and felt a sharp spot on the spring. When I took it out I could tell that it was my problem. New machine after I replaced that 3 dollar part.... good luck on your search and if you can't figure it out you may have to take your baby to the doctor for diagnosis...

Is the bobbin thread clipped or is it still connected to the bobbin? You won't be able to bring it up if it isn't clipped. I would be cautious that it could be the hook if it is completely clean otherwise.