Cannot get bobbin thread to come up

Only thing is to remove the bobbin, bobbin holder if you can, the feed dog cover plate, and then, using a magnifying lamp and a fine pointed pair of tweezers, try and locate the bits of cotton and pull gently out while rotating the hand wheel slowly, rocking it back and forth. Use an air blaster can to blow fluff out, clean, and oil. Including inside the bobbin case.

Candace, while not familiar with the 4.2, I've had thread jams on my trusty old Pfaff. I hope this helps!

If you are able to totally remove the bobbin cover/stitch plate, please do so. Ideally, there will be one or two screws holding it in place.

remove the bobbin

carefully inspect the bobbin housing; thread likes to hide behind the housing. If you find some thread, use a tweezers to remove it.

If no thread is found, see if there are one or two screws holding the bobbin holder/raceway in place, or just a lever. Try to remove the bobbin holder, carefully noting what the orientation is of all pieces is (using a cellphone to capture pictures of before and after is great!).

Clear any threads from the raceway, carefully re-assemble everything, test and good luck!!!

Just open carefully the front of the machine (attention where everything has to be put back), identify the problem and try to remove the thread. Inspect the inside of the machine and the lower bobbin case for thread that may be tangled . Take it easy and you will fix it ; most of the times you we'll not need professional help. Post back to tell us where the problem was and how you fixed it.

try rethreading the machine
change the needle--flat side goes to the back of the machine
check to see if the thread is coming off the thread take up lever when sewing
make sure the thread is not getting caught some where on the machine
make sure the tension is not to tight, usually 3 or 4 is good
clean under the needle plate & in the bobbin area for lint or loose thread

Thread jams underneath usually are caused by top thread tension issues. Things to check:
top tension discs are clean and no thread traces caught in there, tension is set to medium number usually 4 or 5 and that the top thread is running freely from the thread spool, correctly thread through the tension discs, and down to the needle. Lower the pressure foot and pull the thread from just above the needle; it should feel firm resistance if under tension correctly.

As you've had a good jam up, good idea to now remove the bobbin, needle plate and bobbin holder (refer to your manual if you have never done this before) and clean out the hook area well, look for any fine thread remants and brush out any lint etc. Oil the rotary hook area as per your manual. Now reassemble, and rethread everything again checking that the bobbin thread is clicked into the tension spring and that the top thread is through the tension discs correctly.

Also, pop in a new needle, flat shank to the back, then try again.

Good luck with your machine.

Are you having thread jamming problems before you get this message?

I found that my bobbin holder which is held by magnets was being dislodged when I had a thread jam up, usually when I was trying to sew something very thick over a seam such as jeans hems.

Have you mastered removing the needle plate and the bobbin holder to clean in under it and putting this all back together again? With my 6500P, the needle had been striking the bobbin holder when it dislodged and rotated out of postion, the bobbin case had holes and damage to the plastic which was then catching the thread as the bobbin rotated making the jams happen.

Each time, I would dismantle the bobbin holder, clean everything, cut the jammed up threads, check the bobbin case and give the damaged bit a file with a nail file to make it smooth again, then put it back matching the red markings on the bobbin holder and the stopper, rethread and start over. I have bought two new bobbin cases too and taken it back to the dealer a couple of times over 5 years.

I've now learnt to not try to stitch over the thick seam intersections, I'll stop before, lift the pressure foot, move the work past the seam, then restart sewing. However, my machine was just serviced last week and it looks to me like the mechanic has added a part to hold the bobbin case in better, its like a little black lug on the left screwed into the outer housing. So perhaps Janome have addressed this issue with an aftermarket repair.

Apologies if this is telling stuff you already knew, good luck.

Check the bobbin tension and that the thread is tight around the bobbin. Make sure that the bobbin is in the right way around - the bobbin thread should double back on itself coming out of the bobbin holder.

Many causes for this problem. Most common are;

1. Top thread not inserted correctly.(must keep thread tight.)
2. Debris and loose thread around the bobbin cage. All it takes is a tiny piece of thread in the right place.
3. Bobbin inserted backwards in the "bobbin holder". When installed correctly, There is some resistance when you pull on the thread, but the bobbin will spin without trying to pop out of the "bobbin holder".

There is no solution for that problem. My machine was doing the same thing, I returned it for "repair". Got it back 2 wks later and had the same problem. Just the other day, the machine did that, and then something "popped" and now the upper thread won't catch the bobbin thread. I called Customer Service and was told that if I want my machine repaired, I have to send them a check with the machine for $81! Your best bet...get rid of the Intelli-Sew and buy something that doesn't break every month or so!

With power off, take the needle out and the presser foot. Remove the two flathead screws that secure the needle plate from the machine and remove the plate. You'll have a top view of the bobbin housing and see the thread that's stuck to it.