Troubleshooting Sewing Machines

Many-a-times it happens that you are stitching something and the sewing machine starts behaving weirdly. Oh! Then you start all that pulling, breaking and opening experiment on your machine, thread and needle. You get so frustrated that you don't want to open the manual or know the exact cause of all the fuss. Yes, it's but obvious. Hurry to finish stitching that gorgeous outfit and don it, makes the job of troubleshooting sewing machine worst. It is always good to know sewing machine repair for small problems faced during stitching.

Sewing Machine Repair for Some Frequent Problems

The Sewing Machine Suddenly Stops Running:

• This generally happens after running the machine for an extended period of time at one go. The motor power automatically turns off in order to prevent overheating.
• Just turn off the machine for about half an hour and then restart it to continue sewing.

The Sewing Machine is Making a Sound and Stops Running:

• Probably, your needle has stuck in the cloth, because the cloth is too thick. Replace that needle with a bigger one.
• This may also happen if the needle breaks. In this case, carefully remove the broken needle and install the right one.

The Needle is Not Moving:

• You have possibly kept the bobbin winder knob in the winding position.
• Bring the bobbin winder shaft to its original state.
• Also, do check if the presser foot is lowered properly.

The Needle Breaks:

• Check if your needle is positioned properly. In zigzag stitching adjustment, you can move the needle left, right or center; check if it is in the correct position.
• Check whether the pressure foot and needle plate are securely positioned and you are using the right pressure foot according to the stitch pattern setting.
• Make sure you remove the pins when the fabric is near the needle. A needle hitting the pin may immediately break.
• Also, choose the needle according to the cloth thickness.

The Upper Thread Breaks:

• You might have done the threading wrongly or missed some loops. You might have missed inserting the thread in one of the loops.
• Thread might have a knot, re-thread in this case.
• Correct the thread tension, it may be too tight.
• You may be using a wrong size needle. Change the needle according to the thickness of the fabric and the thread.
• Also, check if the needle is bent. Replace the needle, if so.
• Thicker thread or a bad quality thread may be the cause. Check the thread and change it, if required.

The Bobbin Thread Breaks:

• The bobbin may not have been inserted in the bobbin slot properly; re-insert it in the right way.
• Check if the thread is wound slackly in the bobbin. Re-thread the bobbin in that case.
• The bobbin may be slightly damaged at the point from where the thread is pulled out. If this is the case, change the bobbin.

The Fabric is Not Moving:

• Check whether your fabric is free or caught in something.
• If it is a very thick one, remember to adjust the stitch length knob and change the thread and the needle according to the fabric.
• Lint might have gathered in the feed dogs. Remove the pressure foot and clean them with a small tooth brush.
• Check whether the needle and needle plate are in good condition and positioned correctly.
• This may also happen if the stitch length regulator is positioned at the lowest stitch length size.

The Thread is Bunching Up Under the Fabric:

• Check whether the upper thread and the bobbin thread have been drawn behind the pressure foot. If not, draw both the threads behind it.
• Re-thread the machine, don't miss any loop.
• The bobbin may be slightly damaged at the point from where the thread is pulled out. If so, change the bobbin. Also, check if it is threaded properly.

The Sewing Machine Is Skipping the Stitches:

• Check the tension. Loose tension may be a cause of skipped stitches.
• Make sure that the bobbin thread and upper thread are of same type and good quality.
• You may have missed one of the loops; Re-thread the machine properly.
• Check whether the bobbin is threaded properly.
• Check the needle; if it is damaged or positioned wrongly, correct it. Use the needle according to the thickness of fabric and thread.

Loops are Forming While Stitching or the Stitches are Uneven:

• Decrease the tension.
• The bobbin thread and the upper thread should be of equal thickness and good quality.
• Re-thread the machine.
• Re-wound and re-insert the bobbin properly.
• Check if the bobbin is in a good condition.

Seams are Coming out Puckered:

• Check the tension. Tight tension may lead to this problem.
• This may happen if the fabric is very sheer. Using a fine needle and thin thread may help. Make sure both the threads, the upper thread and the bobbin thread, are same.
• Also, try sewing with shorter stitch length.
• Don't pull the cloth while stitching.

The Sewing Machine is Jammed:

• Cut the thread and release your fabric first.
• Remove the entire thread from the machine.
• The bobbin should be removed.
• Clean the lint in and around the bobbin. Cut the jammed thread and remove all its pieces.
• Now, remove the thread completely from the machine. Again start the whole process of threading and then go ahead with the sewing job.

If you face any problem except for the above ones or the above problems continue even after your repeated efforts to solve them, you need to call the company service for sewing machine repair. Also, make sure you clean the lint in your machine thoroughly and get it oiled regularly to ensure smooth working. Troubleshooting sewing machine in case of the above-mentioned regularly occurring problems is really easy, you just need to give it a try with complete patience.