From your description, it doesn't sound like a tension issue so adjusting the tension would probably do nothing except perhaps mess it up even more.
It does sound like the reverse button may be stuck. You say your machine is mechanical, so it is possible that the mechanism is seizing. If you can open the top of your machine and study the moving mechanics, you may be able to pinpoint the problem. Gently hand rotate the handwheel or move the selector knobs and see what they do. (FWIW, most machines do sew a tiny stitch when in reverse--don't know the reasoning for that, but it just is...) Mechanical machines do tend to seize over time without internal oiling. Different functions can be affected, ie stitch selectors, buttonhole selector, feed dog lever, etc,--most often items that are not used every day.
Wheel on right side that controls the needle up and down is very tight...
...
Wheel on right side that controls the needle up and...
Wheel on right side that controls...
Hi sometime tread or bits can get caught around the button there might be a screw on the side of your button if there is see if its tight take a torch and shine it down around your button to see if any thing is stuck around it gently take a pair of tweezer and remove the obstruction then tighten the button if you have you manual take a look and it will show you a picture of the works this may help you i hope this i of some help to you
SOURCE: stitching looping
This solution is for tension problems...if you cannot form any sort of stitch, the issue is quite different, so please let me know if you need a different problem solved.....the question you pose could have 2 meanings....this reply is for looping thread.
It is quite long, but just work through each section in order.
The "knotting up" can reveal a lot. If you have loose threads on one side or the other, the tension on the opposite side will be the culprit.
QUICK SUMMARY FIRST:
Ensure sharp new needle,
Thread guides and Bobbin are Clean & Clear of lint
Set Top Tesion to 4 ....then....
Balance Bobbin to suit.
TOP THREAD TENSION:
If the looping threads are on the underside as you sew, it is the top tension. Top tension ought to be between 4 & 6 (this variation to allow for the different weights of fabric in your projects).
IS YOUR NEEDLE SHARP ?
If you are using a needle that has seen quite a deal of work, or you suspect it may be blunt, change it for a new one !
TOP TENSION & GUIDES:
Make sure that when you thread the machine the presser foot is up so the thread goes between the discs and not to one side, top tension between 4 and 6, and that you have threaded through all the guides, including the last one, usually on the needle arm, just above the needle clamp.
It may be there is lint trapped between the discs, this will keep them slightly apart and reduce the actual tension, sometimes dramatically.
If tensions appear correct, and the thread is definitely in the channel between the discs, but still too loose and looping, try raising presser foot and remove your thread.
Now, with a 2" (50mm) wide strip piece of fabric 8 - 10" (20 - 25cm) moistened with methylated or denatured spirit, gently insert the fabric strip and clean between the discs with a see saw / to and fro action.
In the worst cases, gentle use of a needle to pick & remove the jam may be necessary, but be very gentle and make sure the tension is set at Zero and the presser foot is raised, (to disengage tension plates).... do not gouge or score the plates, they need a polished surface to work correctly.
BOBBIN TENSION:
Far less common, but if the loose threads are on the top, it is bobbin tension that is loose, it too may have lint in the spring and be giving a "false" tension.
I would not recommend fiddling with bobbin tension without good reason, it may end up with missing small screws and spring pieces, however, you can take the needle plate off to clean the hook race area (where bobbin case sits)
...this is just good housekeeping, my wife does this every time she replaces the bobbin....just take it out and clean the bobbin case and the fixed metal hook race with a small brush to remove lint. If there is a significant amount of lint, use a vacuum and small brush to get the worst.
Then wipe all this area with a cloth or cotton bud (Q tip) moistened (not soaked) with methylated spirit, especially if there appears to be fine dirty deposits....oil and lint combine to conspire against you.
If it seems likely that you ......really ....do .....actually .....need .....to adjust the bobbin case, first check there is no lint trapped in the metal spring where the thread is tensioned.
TOP LOADER:
Drop-in Bobbin case will look similar to this image with the tension screw in the middle of the metalwork....
...the other screw at one end is holding it all together, so beware....it is not a tragedy to undo the whole lot and clean it, but very gingerly and lay the bits out in sequence and orientation, or you risk tearing your hair out !
FRONT LOADER:
....this is a bobbin case from a front loading machine and works in a very similar fashion to the top loader with drop in bobbin, again, if you dismantle it, take care so you can put it all back properly.
FINISHING UP
GETTING THE BALANCE RIGHT:
When you are certain there's no trapped lint in top tension or bobbin, set the top tension to 4 and the bobbin tension to a point where you just begin to feel resistance.
Try using good quality thread of contrasting colours so you can more easily spot the changes. ie a different colour top and bottom just for the test.
Set your zigzag to one width less than maximum (eg. 5 of 6 ...or... 4 of 5 etc) and sew a sample for a few inches and check the result.... adjust the bobbin tension screw very little at a time, perhaps 1/16 of a turn.
You may find you are playing with this balance for some little while and if you are putting the needleplate on and off each time begin to think it cannot be correct to do this.....BUT....it is, and eventually, you do get a "feel" for the correct tension and then it happens quite quickly.....as a user you won't be doing it very often unless there is lint built up (or are there small hands at work around the house !?!?!)
OTHER ISSUES:
If you live near the ocean as we do, salt air can play havoc with metalwork inside and out, so to help minimise this, keep a few small packets of dessicant (silica gel) in your machine case....no case ? then make some sort of cover ! Same applies in any damp or humid environment, keep your machine dry and dust free.
Budget for a proper full service every couple of years (more often if heavily used) and if you don't use your machine for a few years, be aware that old oil will dry out and combining with dust and form a "clag" like glue (another reason for some sort of cover, even a teatowel !)
FINALLY, A WORD ON THREAD:
If it is worth spending the time, energy and money on making something that you would like to give lasting enjoyment......use quality thread, .......it may seem to cost a little more at the time, but the results, ease of use and added longevity will be worth the extra, and as a bonus, your tension troubles may be fewer and further between, because there is a more consistant diameter with good thread, and less compensating to be done by your tension plates and less thread breaks !
If you need any more help with this, just post back here, or, drop a line through the "Contact Us" page at www.bargainbox.com.au
SOURCE: Brother xr-65
This happened to me too! Make sure your buttonholer isn't pulled down and locked in to where it's making the machine sew backward. That's what happened to me.
SOURCE: How do I change the stiches?
The brother website has a users manual for it that can be downloaded. Use this link to get it:
http://welcome.solutions.brother.com/bsc/public/us/us/en/doc/manual_index.html?reg=us&c=us&lang=en&prod=hf_ls2125eus&type2=5&flang=English&dlid=
SOURCE: I have a Brother 98-Stitch
I dropped my feed dogs and when I pushed the button to bring them back up, it wouldn't work. I did discover that when you put the button back to the up position and start sewing, the dogs come back up automatically.
SOURCE: A brother sewing machine 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.
186 views
Usually answered in minutes!
First thought, just sew in reverse! Sorry, not practical. Easy answer, tiny stitch length is controlled by the turn screw - 1" diameter on my machine - on the left side of your machine. Called here, well, it controls tension on the thread. Screw in - tighter. Out = looser. You need to turn that out. Very tight thread shortens stitch length, and may break thread. Normally, as it has numbers, 2 1/2 is normal for most fabrics. Next, stitch length is regulated by large dial on the right. Outer ring - stitch length. Inner ring - Reverses! Your inner ring - pushes in - could be stuck! Work it in and out. Try to get it 'Out'. Or, turn it to the Right - as it might have been loosened, inadvertently. Very much hope this helps. Upper and lower thread tension can also cause some of your problems, but it sounds to me as though a loose knob, stuck 'In' might fix it All! Good luck with your Excellent machine!
×