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Anonymous Posted on Sep 25, 2008

No "Zig" to my "Zag"

All is fine when I sew a straight seam, but when I zig-zag . . . urk!
Bobbin thread is picked up fine on the left side of the motion (zig) but never picked up on the right side (zag). What's the deal?

  • 2 more comments 
  • Anonymous Jan 27, 2009

    Checked, re-checked, pulled apart (as much as was wise!), cleaned, oiled, re-threaded.

  • Anonymous Mar 29, 2009

    All is as it should be - but the picture that Brother showed under the faq title "Why won't the machine pick up the bobbin thread?" showed single missed stitch. Imagine, if you will, a whole line of missed stitches.

    /\/\/\/\/\/\/\ is how it SHOULD look.

    ----~~~snarl--snarl------ is how it DOES look

    \

  • Anonymous May 11, 2010

    ok.... let's do some more troubleshooting.
    Are you using the original bobbins, or universal?
    what size needle are you using?
    What type of fabric? and thread?
    Is the shuttle tight or loose (bobbin casing) ?
    what tension settings are you at?


  • Anonymous May 11, 2010

    did you check the hook race? make sure there is no thread caught in it

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  • Expert 65 Answers
  • Posted on Jan 27, 2009
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I Love the support Brother gives!
Here's what Brother says about the Zig zag issue.

http://welcome.solutions.brother.com/BSC/public/us/ca/en/faq/faqh/000000/000000/000018/faqh000018_000.html?reg=us&lang=en&c=ca&prod=hf_xl5130eus&page=FaqEndPage

your manual (download)

http://welcome.solutions.brother.com/BSC/public/us/ca/en/model_top/HomeSewingMachine/hf_xl5130eus.html?reg=us&c=ca&lang=en&prod=hf_xl5130eus

  • Anonymous Jan 27, 2009

    I hope this helps!
    Let me know if I can walk you through it.


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Related Questions:

0helpful
1answer

My needle goes side to side but the stitches are straight stitches on a brother sewing machine

So your set up to sew zig/zag and only get the zig or the zag : )


Could be top thread tension is too high. Switch to a straight stitch and reduce tension until top thread starts to appear on bottom. Then go back to zig/zag and see if it sews properly.


If still dropping stitches, check the needle is not bent and is fully inserted into the holder. Clean the bobbin, hook, and race per machine instructions. Try reducing the stitch width and see if that makes any difference. If still not right then timing may be off.
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I am trying to replace monofilm panels in a windsurfing sail, using a Singer 457 zig zag sewing machine. I cannot create a good zig zag seam when the monofilm is sandwiched between two canvas layers.

Joe, you might try a larger needle than you're using. You might also want to try a larger leather needle. You machine should take needles up to a size 18.

It sounds like the needle you're using is having a problem picking up the bobbin thread, and that might solve it.
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Machine zig-zags but why does it leave a straight seam?

Try installing a brand new needle. Perhaps the needle is bent or damaged so it is not able to catch the bobbin thread. Also be sure the needle is installed with the flat side facing the correct direction.

If it is still not catching the zig-zag stitch, you may need to take it for service.

...
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Sews straight when on zigzag

it's possible the zig zag gear or cam could be worn or damaged
and the machine should be checked to see for sure what's happened.
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Machine won't zig zag even though the needle goes from side to side the line of stitching is straight.

put in a new needle
rethread the machine top & bobbin--use every thread guide
make sure the zig zag settings are correct
it's also possible that the machine could have a worn or damaged gear or cam--which would have to be checked at a sewing machine shop
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Bernina activa 210 won't zigzag and has bobbin issues on straight stitch

it's very possible that the machine is slightly out of time & needs to be service at a sewing machine shop
is the fabric & thread & needle compatable with each other?
did you use every thread guide when threading the machine?
is the bobbin in correctly?
is the bobbin warped?
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Dressmaker zig zag deluxe s3000 doesnt pick up bobbin thread

it's possible that a gear is broken or worn a sewing machine shop can tell you exactly
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I'm sewing a zig zag stitch and the underside is a perfect zig zag and the upper side looks like it should be the underside....how can I fix this so that the beautiful zig zag is on the top?

FIRST > Make sure your bobbin case is threaded correctly...

NEXT
For normal straight sewing the top tension should be around 5, for zigzag or satin stitch you need to lower your upper thread tension a bit. Try it at 4, if it still pulls your bottom thread to the top try it at 3 etc...
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Suddenly zig zag stitch not working?

Because it is almost a straight stitch but the needle continues to move in a zig zag fashion is reason to believe it is in a long stitch. By changing the number of stitches per inch there will be a very noticeable looking zig zag stitch.
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