Lengthening stitches. How do I do it? I'm wanting to do lots of shirring & know I need to lengthen my stitch, but I don't know how. I'm probably just being an idiot. A lazy one, but please help! Thanks, Pam

Consult your owner's manual. On mechanical machines, there is usually a lever on the right side of the machine that slides from zero to 4. Zero will stitch in place, but the more you move the lever toward the #4, the longer the stitch will be. Usually, pushing the lever up above the zero will reverse the stitch.

On electronic machines, there is a setting on the screen for lengthening the stitch.

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Be sure to lower the presser foot before beginning to stitch. The fabric is pulled through by the feed dogs that press against the underside of the presser foot. If the stitch length is set too short, the distance the fabric moves is miniscule. Try lengthening the stitch and see if that helps.

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Basting is simply using a long stitch that can be pulled out after you put the main stitch in. It holds fabric in the right place till it is sewn.

I dont have a fancy machine but any time Ive experienced this problem I do 1 of 2 things. First I check for bits of thread stuck inside till I removed the bobin case again and discovered the thread way underneath there. Second, if that didnt fix it I rewind my bobbin. Dont know if either would work in your situation. Good Luck.

Stop using the button hole program ! Use the button hole foot but do the stitch by hand adjusted satin stich ! Remember to lock off after each rib sewn !

12 wt thread generally will not work well in the bobbin...


"Aurifil 12wt Thread
Aurifil 12 wt thread is ideal for hand quilting, big stitch hand quilting and machine quilting. 12 weight thread creates a more defined and often primitive look. It's great for designs that use a longer stitch length if using a machine. When machine quilting with 12 wt thread, use 40 wt in the bobbin, increase your stitch length, lower your tension, use Topstitch size 90 needles and stitch slowly."

it's very possible that the machine is slightly out of time & needs to be service at a sewing machine shop
is the fabric & thread & needle compatable with each other?
did you use every thread guide when threading the machine?
is the bobbin in correctly?
is the bobbin warped?

You could try loosen the tension on the upper thread to 2.5-3.0 or Lengthening your stitch to 3 or 3.5 should also help.

Try lengthening your stitches on your stitch guide, it could be trying to stitch too tightly together & not stitching 'forward'....

My machines has a shirring foot, so I don;t have the same machine. However, I do not think that elastic thread will work in the bobbin. Have you tried it the other way around? Do you have your manual?