needle thread not picking up bobbin thread

18 years ago

Hope that is right. I just got this sewing machine for xmas, and I see that the needle thread is not picking up the bobbin thread.Any suggestions? thx :)

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Comments (6)

kathi_mdgd
18 years ago
Read your manual to make sure you have it threaded correctly,and also check and make sure you have the needle in correctly.The flat part of the needle goes towards the back.(away from you).Also double check that the bobbin is in the proper way and is going thru the tensions it needs to go thru.

What kind of machine did you get,maybe someone here has the same one and can help you along.Don't give up!! Good luck and let us know how you are doing.
Kathi
grittymitts
18 years ago
Like Kathi, I say read the manual closely, then look at the illustrations as you do each step of threading.

My older White machine must have the flat side of the needle facing the right side of the bar. And unlike some others I've owned, the bobbin must rotate counter-clockwise.

Suzi
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If you think there is a thread caught up in the case, of course you can take it out and see if you can remove, if you feel uncomfortable, take your time, get a piece of paper and draw exactly how the case and bobbin look . That way you can figure out how to work on it. If you are a new sewer, take time to go to google and search for how to, topics like threading, cleaning,stitches, most any question is handled by many machine companies, if you still have trouble, write another post, but put the name of the machine, and if it is old or new, someone will probably have one like it, or know how to help, enjoy, don't get nervous Rene
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The problem lies with your Needle. Did you change the needle If you did did you put the flat part of the needle against the post that holds the needle clamp. If have a manual consult it for right needle placement. If you didn't change the needle then--- Is the needle bent It may not look like it but change the needle anyway. Sometimes it is just a small bend but it affects the way the machine sews. When I sew I change my needle often Is your needle too fine for the thread being used EG--a size 11 needle would not work with buttonhole thread.
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Hi, My machine was skipping stitches and it could be the same problem. The bobbin case sometimes gets thread caught in it. I ran a thin straight pin between the pieces that create the tension and it fixed it. You could also try using thread in it like dental floss, back and forth. Thread gets jammed there just like it gets jammed in the upper machine. Also, check the bobbin case area and under the feed dog plate to make sure there's no thread caught in it and make sure the 'hook' that pulls the thread around the bobbin case is moving freely. Did you do anything about the same time that it stopped working, like thread the top or bobbin, or change the needle? If the needle is in wrong or it's not threaded properly, it won't pick up the bobbin thread. Hope that helps. Linda
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Always, always, always double check your needle and be sure it's installed correctly before looking any further when a machine suddenly won't pick up the bobbin thread. Make sure that it hasn't slipped down a bit or gotten twisted in the needle clamp. If you changed the needle before this sewing session, re-check and make sure that the thread groove in the needle is postioned directly below the last thread guide. Even better, consult your manual and make sure you've got the right size needle and that it's installed properly. About 90% of "timing" problems are solved by re-installing the needle. Annie
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newtosew
Original Author
18 years ago
Thanks for the reply-I have a Kenmore 15408-I've noticed the needle does pick up the bobbin thread, but it stays down in the shutter. I pulled it out, had the needle thread thru the loop (just like the instructions). I start to sew and the needle thread is everywhere on the back of the fabric with the bobbin thread(more needle thread than bobbin thread) I have tried everything-cleaning,tighting(i have the needle thread tightend as far as it will go) loosening,replaced needle,cleaning shutter, everything. Its a brand new machine, I dont understand, maybe I should take it back to sears. I dont know. Anybody have a kenmore??? Any hints?? Thanks!!
lime_coke
18 years ago
Have you made sure the thread is feeding through the tensionor correctly? I had a machine that I had to pull the thread back and forth to get it to settle in the tensionor. Sorry to say that this piece on your machine could be bad. I would take it back to Sears and get another one if I continued to have problems.
lotus99
18 years ago
Are you pulling both threads back about 6" before you start to sew? I know that if the bobbin thread is too short it will sometimes mess up. It's really important to follow the instructions in the manual. Is the bobbin thread pulling out freely?

The instructions are usually pretty brief, and if you haven't used a machine before, they often leave a lot of information out. At least that's the conclusion I came to reading through the manual for my new machine. I haven't used a machine in 15 years, and I know if I had never used one before, I would be lost.
grittymitts
18 years ago
Pull your threads to the back of fabric, hold together & hold until you've stictched an inch or so.

This is absolutely necessary on my machine or I get a thread wad underneath & shortly after, a the thread breaks.

Suzi

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needle thread not picking up bobbin thread

Comments (6)

kathi_mdgd

grittymitts

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newtosew
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lime_coke

lotus99

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needle thread not picking up bobbin thread

Comments (6)

kathi_mdgd

grittymitts

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newtosewOriginal Author

lime_coke

lotus99

grittymitts

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newtosew
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