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I actually just bought a model#18221 Fabric will not feed thru machine. It is properly threaded from top and bobbin, feed-dog is up and moving, foot pressure is at 3, stitch length is on 2 but when I start to sew the fabric stay in one place. I can gently pull thru but will not move on it's own. I am trying to familiarize myself with the machine and test proper stitch tension. I am not a novice machine user but this has me stumped!
Thanks, I found out the problem was an incorrect setting on the stitch selector. It was set on SS instead of 2SS., When changed the problem was resolved but, when moving the feed-dog into a dropped position via the slide on the free-arm it will not return to the up position by returning the slide to the left. I have to remove the entire plate from under the foot and use the screw driver to gently lift it up and then it clicks into position. Am I doing something wrong?Thanks, I found out the problem was an incorrect setting on the stitch selector. It was set on SS instead of 2SS., When changed the problem was resolved but, when moving the feed-dog into a dropped position via the slide on the free-arm it will not return to the up position by returning the slide to the left. I have to remove the entire plate from under the foot and use the screw driver to gently lift it up and then it clicks into position. Am I doing something wrong?
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Pull a bit on those loose stitches and verify it is actually the bobbin thread that is loose. Usually, the looping is the top thread. As a general rule, if the thread problem appears on the bottom of the fabric, it's a top thread issue. If the problem appears on the top of the fabric, it is a bobbin thread issue.
If it is a top thread problem, try increasing the top tension. If it continues to create loops under the fabric, you need to rethread the top thread as follows:
Remove the top thread from the machine.
ALWAYS RAISE the presser foot and rethread from the beginning.
Then tweak the top thread tension until the top and bobbin threads meet in the middle of the fabric.
Increasing the top tension will bring the bobbin thread higher into the fabric. Decreasing the top tension will allow the bobbin thread to pull the top thread down into the fabric. You want a happy medium between the two. That is correct tension.
For FMQ, make sure you have a darning or FMQ foot for your machine. You must use this foot because it is shorter than other presser feet so it does not press down on the fabric. You need to be able to move the fabric freely under the presser foot. When threading your machine, ALWAYS RAISE the presser foot so the thread will seat properly in the tension disk. The presser foot is ALWAYS lowered when FMQing or the tension will not work. To set the tension, test on some sample quilt sandwiches made with the same materials you will be quilting. Be sure to use a brand new quilting, microtex, or top stitch needle in your machine. Skipped stitches generally indicate the needle is dull, bent, or otherwise damaged. Test your stitching on the test sandwiches and adjust the top tension until the top and bobbin threads meet in the middle of the fabric (Increasing the top tension pulls the bobbin thread up. Loosening the top tension allows the bobbin thread to pull the top thread down.) Depending on your thread weight, you may need to adjust the bobbin tension, but do that ONLY if you cannot get the top thread to pull the bobbin thread up into the sandwich. (However, remember that if you adjust the bobbin case, it may not work properly when you go back to regular sewing.) I actually bought a separate bobbin case that I have adjusted only for FMQing on my machine and I use it only for that purpose.
Check that it is actually the bobbin thread that is nesting. Generally, bobbin thread issues appear on the top of the fabric and upper thread issues appear on the underside of the fabric.
If it is in fact the bobbin thread, the bobbin thread tension may be off or malfunctioning.
If it is the upper thread nesting under the fabric:
1. Remove the thread
2. Install a brand new needle
3. ALWAYS RAISE the presser foot. This releases the thread tension so the thread will seat properly.
4. Rethread from the beginning and check the thread path is correct.
5. Set the upper tension at the midway point.
6. Check that the bobbin thread is loaded properly
7. Retest the machine.
If it continues to create thread nests under the fabric, tighten the upper tension.
if your saying that the bobbin loop is too large , 1st ck your bobbin tension clip ,(tiny spring clip with screw on it) thread should slip thru using three of your closed fingers in a over/under arrangement as a puller if you have correct tension , next ck your main tension , lots of times I see thread pulls its from the main tension is too tight for the fabric being used (this one needs to be adj for each fabric ? and it pulls thru fabric making it bunch up under presser foot
the needle used depends on the fabric being sewed. the needle must move thru the needles eye smoothly. make sure the machine is threaded correctly, using every thread guide make sure also the bobbin is wound correctly and that the bobbin is inserted into the bobbin case correctly, if the bobbin is turned the wrong way the machine wil not sew here is a link for a free manual, if you don't have one http://www.singerco.com/uploads/download/756_white-3300-emb-x.pdf
Your problem is most likely that you've run out of bobbin thread (or about to and the bobbin thread is now loose around the bobbin), your top thread is broken/about to break, or you have a birds' nest (a messy knot of thread) forming underneath the fabric/presser foot and/or within the feed dog. Upon occasion, it's a false alarm. Remove the fabric from the machine and clip your threads. If your bobbin and top thread are fine, place your fabric back in and start sewing again. If you get the stop and beep again and the threads remain unbroken, try rethreading both the top thread and the bobbin. Should you still get the alarm, hit the button to start and see if it resolves itself after a couple of tries. If it doesn't, afraid you have a problem I haven't encountered yet. But so far, the above steps have always resolved the problem for me in the last 6 years.
make sure you have it threaded correctly,and also check and make sure you have the needle in correctly.The flat part of the needle goes towards the back.(away from you).Also double check that the bobbin is in the proper way and is going thru the tensions it needs to go thru. pull your threads to the back of fabric, hold together & hold until you've stictched an inch or so. The thread from the bobbin should start to creep up towards the feed dogs and make a loop that the needle and thread can "grab" to pull it up thru the hole for stitching. You might want to slowly put the needle down thru the feed dogs and then slowly with the winder not the pedal but with the winder slowly bring the needle up again. Try this a few times and see if the needle and bring it up. try it couple of times to get it right. This will help. Thanks please keep updated. please do rate the solution positively .thank you for using fixya.
looped stitches are usually caused by improper tension. when the loop is on the upper side, it may be corrected by loosening the top tension or by tightening the lower tension (turn the tension screws on the bobbin a hair at a time)
since using the machine only a few times it is best to clean the machine from dust (can use a can of air) blow air into the bobbin area and between the tension disks and under the throat plate.
make sure the machine is threaded correctly and bobbin is evenly threaded
Question: How does one find the tension discs??? I have a White 1740 with a top drop in bobbin and I went thru the same problems as night_wolf above, then, ultimately, the top thread will now not pick-up the bobbin thread through the fabric. It picks up the bobbin thread without fabric in play, but once fabric is added (for free motion quilting) it won't pick it up. This is after using the machine for the last 10 days to piece and quilt without a problem until this morning.
Thanks, I found out the problem was an incorrect setting on the stitch selector. It was set on SS instead of 2SS., When changed the problem was resolved but, when moving the feed-dog into a dropped position via the slide on the free-arm it will not return to the up position by returning the slide to the left. I have to remove the entire plate from under the foot and use the screw driver to gently lift it up and then it clicks into position. Am I doing something wrong?
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