Spring unattached on Brother LS-1217 near bobbin

I would try here Support Center it is the brothers site for : Find official Brother LS1217 FAQs, videos, manuals, drivers and downloads here. Get the answers and technical support you are looking for. The information is not in the regular manual you need the tec manual that the repairmen learn from I hope this helps

Are you sure that it's a Singer LS-1217? I can't find any model with 1217 on the Singer site.

The Brother LS-1217 manual is available here: http://welcome.solutions.brother.com/bsc/public/eu/eu_ot/en/doc/manual_top.html?reg=eu&c=eu_ot&lang=en&prod=hf_ls1217euk . The direct link to the English version of the manual is http://download.brother.com/welcome/doch000000/ls12171217b13171417ug01enesfrpt.pdf . There are only a few knobs on most machines. On the front near the needle is the Needle Thread Tension knob. If you use contrasting colors (different top, bobbin and fabric colors), you might see a straight stitch where the top thread is visible on the bottom of the fabric for example. Adjust the tension to get both the top and bobbin threads meeting in the middle of the fabric layers. (Increase the needle thread tension - rotate to a higher number but go in 0.5 increments.)

Then you have near the motor area the stitch width and length knobs. The width is only for zigzag stitches. A long stitch length is good for a temporary seam (like basting in a zipper or hem) before you finish that area. However, the width and length should be adjusted depending on the fabric. A fine fabric needs a smaller stitch, usually. The knob on the right side of the machine is the balance wheel (or hand wheel). This adjusts the needle height so that you can have the needle out of the way while changing the bobbin, for example.

I hope this helps.

Cindy Wells
(I use the Singer Sewing Book as a reference for tension issues.)

here's 2 links for a free manual, choose which one is right for
your sewing machine
http://www.brother-usa.com/ModelDocuments/Consumer/Users%20Manual/UM_LS_1217_EN_186.PDF

http://www.brother-usa.com/ModelDocuments/Consumer/Users%20Manual/UM_LS_1217B_MULTI_1473.PDF

Go to www.brother-usa.com and you download a free manual under customer support, the click home sewing machines, they also have a good troubleshooting guide available there too.

Make sure you have enough of a "tail" from teh bobbin... Probably 4 inches or so before starting. If that doesn't work, check upper tension and needle is properly seated.

The needle drags the thread down and then starts back up causing a loop at the eye which a shuttle goes through and acrries the upper thread over the bobbin. The upper thread then drags the bobbing thread up.

needle won't pick up bottom thread. I have a brother LS 1217

Go to
http://welcome.solutions.brother.com/bsc/public/us/us_ot/en/doc/manual_index.html?reg=us&c=us_ot&lang=en&prod=hf_ls1217eus&type2=-1&flang=all&dlid=
to download the manual and the quick reference guide.
Please make sure to rate this solution. Thanks.

have you tried other thread and a different bobbin?  The tension screw on the bobin case could be too tight.

this is the support site for your Brother LS-1217 machine
I found it very helpful, Manuals to download, FAQ and recent troubleshooting questions answered. (It also has bobbin loading instructions)

http://welcome.solutions.brother.com/BSC/public/us/us_ot/en/model_top/HomeSewingMachine/hf_ls1217eus.html?reg=us&c=us_ot&lang=en&prod=hf_ls1217eus

GOOD LUCK! AND HAPPY SEWING
(a sewing machine is a terriable thing to waste)

just wind the thread around the bobbin, don't put it through any holes, wind it around the center pole,