Thread jams trying to gather, gather foot installed but thread jams. I reinstalled reg foot but thread still jams by pulling the fabric down into the needle hole. I have re threaded the needle and bobbin but it continues to jam.I had switched the controls for ''gathering'' but I restored the settings to basic sewing

Besides installing a brand new needle (which you've already done), unthread the top thread. (Cut the thread below the spool, raise the presser foot, and pull the thread DOWN from the thread tail end--NEVER PULL thread UP!)

ALWAYS RAISE the presser foot and rethread the top thread from the beginning. Verify the thread path is correct. Set the upper tension to the midway point and then tweak it so both threads meet in the middle of the fabric.

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Hello Jenny hornsey

This may sound traumatic, but there is no easy way to pin point where the tie-up is located. So proceed as follows.
Cut all the threads as they come off the antennas.

Open the front cover and pull-out all the threads by pulling them straight toward the back. If they do not come easily, try moving the hand wheel back and forth by a 1/4 revolution .. this is like a rocking motion. If still not budging, start cutting back the threads and removing them in sections until all the threads are cleared. If this step is still challenging; check that there is no residual fabric or threads still wrapped around the loopers or other part/s of the serger. If so cut them out bit by bit until everything below is cleared.

Great. Now check for threads wrapped and/or jammed anywhere above.

Since the overlocker jammed, it is possible that the needles were bent. This will continue to cause issues in stitch formation. So just to make sure; change the needle/s. Make sure that the correct needle type is being used. Every overlocker is engineered to be used with a specific needle type. The needle type will be specified in the manual and will also appear on the needle package. If the needle types are not the same, do not use those needles.

Re-thread the overlocker and stitch test on a piece of fabric before pressing down on the foot control.

This should get the overlocker back on track and you back to overlocking.

Please let me know how this works out for you.

Happy overlocking
Sewingirl/

The fabric is tunneling? The pleat is forming the length of the line of stitches? http://crazylittleprojects.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Z4.jpg Loosen the upper thread tension and increase the presser foot pressure and/or choose a flat soled foot, not an embroidery foot and/or add paper or other stabilizer on top of the fabric.

Or if the stitches are gathering up as you sew, go with it... that's what you're going to be doing anyhow, right? You can increase the amount of gathering by parking your thumb or forefinger hard against the needle plate behind the presser foot and allowing the fabric to pile up--- this is called "crimping" or "ease plus" and is commonly used for easing princess seams or sleeve heads. If it eases too much, clip the seam threads here and there and pat the fabric back out a little flatter, till it fits.

PS: If you like Gutermann poly threads, check the prices for Mara 100 at Wawak.com or similar pro sites. At Joann Fabric prices, you get an $8 spool of thread for $2.50 or less. Good stuff.

Stitch length of 4, loosen your top tension by half a number and always pull up the bobbin threads.

If you need to gather yards of fabric then get a gathering foot. Janome make one - it looks like this


This foot is for creating soft gathers in lightweight fabrics. The underside of the foot is raised behind the needle and has a thick bar in front of the needle to gather the fabric. This works great to create the gathers as you sew. You can also gather and attach a ruffle onto a flat piece of fabric simultaneously, run the flat fabric through the top groove of the foot and the underneath fabric is gathered and stitched to the top piece, you need to keep the bottom piece feeding smoothly though so it takes practice to guide it evenly. Once mastered it is great to ruffle on valances and cushion frills.

Other option is use a ruffler foot, these will make a little ruffle every 12, 6 or 1 stitch so give a set result, and to obtain a more dramatic gather. They look like this.


The arm of the foot with a C'shape sits over the needle bar of the machine so it is moved up and down to activate the device. The little blade at the front moves backwards at regular intervals forcing a "tuck" of fabric into the feed to be stitched. Again you can ruffle and stitch to straight fabric at once but it is an art to master.

The weight of the fabric you are gathering is obviously the key variable, ginghams and poplins are lightweight so gather easily but if you need to gather something heavy like cordoroy it is going to be a battle and threads may break. If so, stitch two lines of gathers and don't try to do long runs, you'll just break a thread and have to start over.

Another good way is to zig zag over a length of perle cotton, taking care not to actually stitch the pearle at all. You can then gather up the fabric along it, this works well for heavier weights.

Try a new needle and rethreading. Check your threading by putting the presser foot up , then pull thead, should move smoothly, now put presser foot down, now pull, it should barely move. This usually seats the thread in the tension discs.

Thread under the fabric is usually caused by improper top threading. Try this test, with presser foot up, pull on thread, it should feed smoothly. Now, put the presser foot down, it should barely move when pulled. Also, try a new needle.

Clean the bobbin area.

Thread the machine with the presser foot up - always,

Make sure the bobbin thread is feeding clockwise and through the guides on the bobbin case.

Lower the threaded needle down and back up while holding onto the thread end. This will pull the bobbin thread up. Hold onto both threads and pull under the presser foot and to the back of the sewing machine.

Hold on to the thread ends and lower the needle into the fabric, then press the foot pedal.

You may want to use a leader - a folded scrap of fabric that you sew to the edge of and then **** against the fabric you want to sew. Sew off the leader and onto the fabric and this will keep the thread from going down into the machine. You can have a few stitches between the two to make it easy to cut the leader away.

When you stop to adjust the fabric make sure the needle is down to anchor the fabric (turning corners, sewing a curve. etc).

The slightest movement of the fabric when the needle is up will sometimes cause a thread jam.

The bobbin case and shuttle need to be cleaned and the machine oiled.

When you thread the machine, always have the presser foot up.

When sewing and you need to reposition the fabric, make sure the needle is down into the fabric before raising the presser foot.

When the presser foot is up, the tension opens and does not control the flow of the thread and you get a messy stitch or a jam.

Refer to page 84 of the manual for your machine. If you do not have a manual, download one free at the Singer Co. website. It is important to

follow the instructions in the manual.

This is a very common problem with really lightweight fabric and can often be cured (if doing straight stitching) by using a straight stitch needle plate and foot. The wider needle plate and foot openings on newer machines give the machine/thread a wider area to pull the fabric into the machine. By using a straight stitch plate/foot you remove the wide opening, eliminating the majority of the problem.

Also - try using a specially coated needle (Teflon or other non-stick finish). The thread feeds more smoothly through the needle and the needle more smoothly through the fabric, causing less drag into the needle plate opening.

Hope this helps. Don't hesitate to respond to this if you have further specific questions. We're always happy to help

Happy stitching,
Kim & Linnette
www.sewingexpressions.com

Hi,
If you are getting loops on the bottom side of your fabric then it is a TOP tension problem, usually the thread is not between the tension discs.
Here is a simple check: Thread the upper path and stop short of the eye of the needle. Drop the presser foot. Now if you pull on the thread you should feel the drag of the tension discs. Increasing the tension setting should make it harder to pull. Now while your pulling raise the presser foot. All tension should be gone and the thread will pull thru easily.
I have worked on a few Hello Kitty machines and usually there is a single screw to remove the nose cover, exposing the needle bar and slack arm assembly. The slack arm does just that, it takes up the loop and the tension discs keep it from pulling more thread off the spool. Look for some thread wrapped up in the mechanism and clear it if you can.
This is were I find most of the problems
Good luck!