I can't get my bobbin thread to pull up.

First thing--change to a new needle in case it was bent when the threads got tangled. Now un-thread the machine all the way and re-thread it, making sure your thread is going through the needle in the proper direction. You have to have a top thread in order to get the machine to pick up the bottom thread.

the thread is pulled from the bobbin by the sewing action of the needle passing the bobbin hook
all you have to do is fill the bobbin , place it in the bobbin carrier , pull the thread down the slot under the flat spring and leave about 6" free
put the carrier in the machine and turn by hand several times and you will see the bobbin thread come up with the needle thead

This may be due to incorrect threading of the top thread or incorrect winding of the bobbin thread, or the bobbin may be inserted backward. It can also be due to a damaged needle.

Try a new needle first. A brand new one if at all possible.

If a new needle won't help, remove all thread, remove the bobbin, and clean all lint and dust out from around the bobbin. Rethread carefully, making sure all thread guides are used.

Maybe also try using a new bobbin of thread. Ensure it's facing the right way when you put into the bobbin case and that you have pulled several inches of thread from the bobbin case.

Thanks for the question.
If your machine is not sewing on the bottom or making stacks of thread called (bird nesting) there are several simple fixes for this and some not so simple.
First you need to make sure that you are threading the bobbin into the holder correctly, Insure that you pull the end of the thread through the little slit on the side of the bobbin and that the thread is somewhat snug but not hard to pull.
Once you have done this replace the bobbin in the bobbin holder and thread the feed thread over the top from the spool or thread. making sure that you run it through the auto tensioner.
Set the auto thread tension to +1 to start, go ahead and thread the main feed through the bobbin feed so that you have both strings on the sewing deck.
Now with a piece of used material, pull both bobbin feed and Main thread behind the machine, insert your test material, drop the material tension foot onto material and start to sew a 1 inch spot.
After about one inch check to see if your machine is still nesting thread, if it is you need to add more tention to the main thread by moving the auto tensioner to +2. Now test sew again a short distance and recheck. If you still have a issue move the tension up until the nesting of string stops.
If you reach the stop. than it\'s likely that the bobbin holder needs to be adjusted.
The bobbin holder has two small screws in it generally that allow a very small screwdriver to adjust the bi metal pensioner on the bobbin holder. This is the area where you slide the string through the little slot in the bobbin holder.
You can tighten those screws until the string is harder to pull out of the bobbin holder. You may have to repeat this step several times until you get the tensions just right.
but make sure that you reset the main Thread tension to 0 before you start adjusting the bobbin tension.
If after all this work fails you may have to replace the bobbin holder to correct this issue.
There is one other fix that you can try before replacing the bobbin holder and that is to purchase more expensive thread. The reason behind this is that the more expensive thread is thicker and causes more friction in the bobbin holder..
I hope that this has helped you, I know what it\'s like not to have a working sewing machine.
Best of luck and thanks for using Fixya.com

First check that the needle isn't bent. (The simplest thing is to try a new needle.) Next check that you have a correctly wound and installed bobbin. The hole should be facing up and the bobbin thread comes off the bobbin to the left. Make sure that you threaded the bobbin correctly (notch A at the center and then to slot B to the left. (About 7 if you have the center front of the bobbin area at 6 on an analog 12-hour clock.) Pull the thread diagonally across the bobbin and then close the faceplate with the thread going through the opening of the slideplate. Hold onto the top thread while trying to bring up the bobbin thread.

If the bobbin thread still will not come up, remove the bobbin and clean the bobbin case. You may want to clean under the case as well, see page 81 of the manual. This is page 83 of the PDF: http://www.singerco.com/uploads/download/652_288-974-972-244-2405-588-875-1195-3130-3140.pdf .) Do all of the oiling of your machine while you do this maintenance if you haven't done it in a while.

The bobbin case has several parts that combine to provide good bobbin thread behavior. First there is a tension set screw that keeps the bobbin thread at the desired tension. If it is too loose or too tight the thread can't be pulled from the bobbin. (It's easy to strip the threads of the case, so be very careful.)

This is easiest to check on other types of sewing machines with a vertical bobbin case. For those, you remove the bobbin case and thread the bobbin through it correctly. Dangle the bobbin case from the thread (carefully). The bobbin case shouldn't slide on the thread but you should be able to pull out more thread if you hold the center of the bobbin and bobbin case. (Hold gently so that the bobbin turns.)

Next the bobbin race and hook need to grab the bobbin thread and twist it with the top thread. If these are damaged (perhaps by a bent needle), they won't work properly. These are at the back of the bobbin case.

Try replacing the bobbin case or parts of the bobbin case as needed. The Singer 947 is in the same line as the 244 and should use those parts. http://parts.singerco.com/CPpartCharts/2_2999/240_SERIES.pdf has the parts list. Try contacting a Singer dealer to get the parts. Unfortunately, my usual vendors only seem to list the manual as an available part for this line.

I hope this helps.

Cindy Wells

I've had that problem before, I wrap several loops on the bobbin it's self & as I start to wind I make sure the thread from the spool is pulled tight from the spool to the bobbin,,& that usually takes care of the problem

This can be caused by several different things. Check the threading. Un-thread the machine and follow the guidance on the manual and re-thread the machine. The bobbin, if the bobbin thread that coming out of the bobbin case in a wrong direction, could cause this. Re-set the direction. When you pull thread from the bobbin case, bobbin should roll counter clockwise. The needle, if it is not the right size needle for the fabric or the needle is slightly bent, maybe replace the needle and try with different size of needle. Once its balling up, sometimes it's left some thread in the machine under the needle plate around the feed dog, clean them up. Thread tension, different fabric may need to be adjust the thread tension, try to check this one under the manuals/instruction. When ready, check and use a scrap of fabric/remnants!

It is possible the jam threw off the timing and this will need to be fixed by a sewing machine tech.

Try one more thing first. Lift the presser foot - this will open the tension control so the thread can properly seat into the control.

Re-thread the machine.

If this does not help, back to suggestion # 1.

There are a couple things that come to mind. If your plate is not pushed all the way up where it engages the metal tab on the bobbin, it will not wind properly. Second, if you are using a generic or an old bobbin, you need to replace it. I have seen many machines drive the owners crazy and it turned out to be a bad bobbin.

Use a SA 156 metal bobbin (ebay, 20 of them for $8.99 free shipping) and make sure the bobbin thread is turning the right direction, read you manual or call singer at 1-800-4singer