Bird Nesting
Bird nesting is a term we use at the shop to describe excessive looping on the bottom of your fabric, which results in no locked stitches and can jam your machine. The Solution: Re-thread your top thread from the beginning and double-check your threading.
Thread Catching
If your thread is catching, you’ll notice uneven stitching tensions; gently file any rough spots with emery (sandpaper) tape or a nail file until smooth; if this doesn’t work, your machine is probably in need of a tune-up or repair.
Thread Breaking or Shredding
Check that the spool of thread on the top of your machine isn’t stuck, and that the notch that keeps the thread from unraveling is facing the right side of the machine. If you have a vertical spool pin, you may need to get a thread stand for it to unravel properly.
Machine not Feeding
If your machine isn’t feeding, the fabric won’t move and you’ll only sew a big knot! There are two solutions for this, depending on your machine. Check your user manual to find out where to change this in your machine’s manual.
Machine is “Eating” Fabric
Stay off the very edge of lightweight fabrics; Pfaff owners have a built-in “IDT” that serves the same purpose. Did I miss a common issue? Let me know in the comments and I’ll be sure to add it!
How do I stop my sewing machine from eating fabric?
5 Ways to Prevent Your Sewing Machine from Swallowing Fabric
- Check that the needle in your sewing machine is fine enough for the fabric you’re sewing before you start sewing.
- Cover the hole.
- Don’t start sewing on the raw edge.
- Avoid back tacking at the beginning of the seam.
- Try chain stitching.
Why does my thread bunch up when I sew?
A dull needle, improper threading, or tension (the tension in both your upper and bobbin threads must be even), or the bobbin could be placed incorrectly (most likely, you forgot to put the bobbin back correctly while cleaning your machine) are all possible causes.
Why is my machine eating my fabric?
The fabric and needle must work together to ensure that everything goes smoothly; if the needle and fabric don’t get along, the machine may eat the fabric.
What tension should I use for stretch fabric?
To stitch your stretchy fabric, use the appropriate tension setting; for materials like elastane, lycra, and many others, a higher tension level of 2-3 should suffice.
How do you fix bobbin tension?
Turn the tiny screw on the bobbin case clockwise to tighten bobbin tension, and counterclockwise to loosen bobbin tension. A quarter turn or less is a good place to start.
How do I fix bobbin thread bunching up?
How to Fix Bunched Bobbin Threads and Other Threading Issues
- Re-thread the upper part of the sewing machine, ensuring that the thread passes through each and every thread guide on its way to the needle.
- Change the Needle.
- Inspect the Bobbin.
- Clean the Machine.
Why does my sewing machine keep jamming underneath?
Regardless of how certain you are that the machine’s problem is caused by a huge tangled mess of thread in the bobbin beneath the fabric, the most common cause of jamming is a lack of tension in the upper thread.
How do you sew neatly?
Sewing Tips for a Professional Appearance
- Keep Excess Fabric Clear. Excess fabric caught in seam.
- Manage Thread Tails. Stitching start and finish secured with backstitching.
How do you stabilize knit fabric?
Sew some non-stretch ribbon or stay-tape into the seam as you sew it to stabilize it. Knits must be hemmed differently than wovens because they must have some stretch, which means that a regular straight stitch is out!
What is the drop feed control on a sewing machine?
The movement in a drop feed system occurs when the needle is out of the fabric; the needle creates a stitch as it plunges into the fabric, and when the needle is up, the bottom feed dogs grab the fabric and move it through the machine.
What is a stitch starter?
A stitch starter is a small scrap of fabric that’s a few layers thicker than the sheer fabric you’re working with, or about the same degree of thickness as the bulkier fabric you want to stitch, and it’s a few inches by a few inches in size.