Euro-Pro Shark Mini Mechanical Sewing Machine Logo
Teresa McNabb Posted on Feb 12, 2014

Bottom stitch is gathering, but I think the machine is not threaded correctly

I am having trouble with the bobbin thread. I think the machine and the bobbin are not threaded properly. It gathers on the bottom and pulls tight on he top

1 Answer

gigi

Level 1:

An expert who has achieved level 1.

Hot-Shot:

An expert who has answered 20 questions.

Corporal:

An expert that has over 10 points.

Mayor:

An expert whose answer got voted for 2 times.

  • Contributor 27 Answers
  • Posted on Feb 13, 2014
gigi
Contributor
Level 1:

An expert who has achieved level 1.

Hot-Shot:

An expert who has answered 20 questions.

Corporal:

An expert that has over 10 points.

Mayor:

An expert whose answer got voted for 2 times.

Joined: Mar 08, 2012
Answers
27
Questions
3
Helped
13102
Points
69

Hi there,
I would start by re winding your bobbin and making sure that it is done though all the correct tension loops. A bobbin that is wound to tight or loose can cause all sorts of problems. If that has been done then completely rethread the machine from scratch. Now go through and check all your tensions, it sounds like the bobbin tension is too loose and your stitch tension is too tight. Adjust and try again.
Good luck

1 Related Answer

A

Anonymous

  • Posted on Dec 14, 2007

SOURCE: Yet another stitch tension problem...

Thank you, thank you! I just tightened the screw on my bobbin case and that instantly fixed my thread tension problem. How on earth are you supposed to know about the little screw?! I thank you so much for the tip!

Ad

Add Your Answer

×

Uploading: 0%

my-video-file.mp4

Complete. Click "Add" to insert your video. Add

×

Loading...
Loading...

Related Questions:

0helpful
1answer

My husqvarna 870 fix but stays on causing the machine not stitching

What you have is commonly called "bird nesting" or "thread nesting" and is usually caused by the upper thread. Most times the thread is not seated in the tension disk, the machine is not threaded correctly (sometimes the thread will jump out of the take-up lever or a thread guide), or the upper tension is too loose.

1. Install a brand new needle.

2. Remove the thread from the machine.

3. ALWAYS RAISE the presser foot and rethread from the beginning. Verify that the thread path is correct.

4. Load the bobbin in the bobbin case (make sure it is spinning the correct direction), thread the bobbin case, and install it in the machine.

5. Set the upper tension to the midway point.

6. Test your machine. You may need to tweak the tension a bit, but tension is not static and should always be tested and adjusted for the fabric, needle & tension of every project. The tension is correct when the upper and bobbin threads meet in the middle of the fabric.

If it continues to be a problem, you may consider taking it for service.

..
0helpful
1answer

Brother Sq9185 sewing machine, the thread on bottom just pulls out, when free motion quilting? how do I fix this

Sounds like the upper tension needs to be tightened, or the bobbin thread needs to be loosened. At any rate, the tension is correct when the two threads meet in the middle of the fabric for general sewing.

For free motion quilting, the tension should be adjusted so that the bobbin thread does not show on the top of the fabric, however, it should not lay in a straight line like it sounds like it may appear currently. What you are currently producing is a gathering stitch where the bobbin thread can be easily pulled.

...
0helpful
1answer

How do I get a good running stitch?

Not specific to your machine - a secret to easier gathering is to drop the tension on the upper thread by 1 or 2 numbers before sewing that gathering line. Then, you pull the bobbin thread when you gather. It will gather MUCH easier. Just don't forget to put the tension back to normal before you start regular sewing again! Temporarily switch to another color bobbin if you're afraid you might forget which is which - you'll be pulling it out anyway. I think most people gather with a stitch that is just .5 mm longer than they're using for construction.
6helpful
1answer

Stitch tension problem - bobbin thread lies flat or bunches. If you increase the needle thread tension there is no improvement - even at the highest needle thread tension the bobbin thread is a mess. Any...

Good day!

please try this simple tips:

Good day!

A sewing machine operator can often help themselves when their machine does not operate properly.
Here are some simple instructions, which if properly used can save time and mechanics service calls.
TROUBLE;UPPER THREAD KEEPS BREAKING;
This could be trouble;================Do this;
1.Top tension to tight================loosen tension 1 turn
2.Machine improperly threaded=========check threading
3.Thread twisted on guide post========"
4.Thread twisted out of tension======="
5.Take up spring bent or broken=======Check action of spring
6.Thread jumped off pull off finger===Check threading
7.Needle bent or burred===============new needle
8.Bad cone of thread==================try another cone
TROUBLE;LOWER THREAD KEEPS BREAKING;
1.Bobbin tensionspring to tight=======Loosen tension slightly
2.Bobbin threaded wrong===============check threading
3.Bobbin wound to tight or uneven=====try new bobbin
4.lint or thread on bobbin case=======clean inside case
5.Lint or thread inside hook==========clean inside hook
6.Bobbin case nicked bent or burred===check/change case
TROUBLE;MACHINE STARTED SKIPPING STITCHES;
1.Needle bent or burred===============change
2.Needle set in crooked===============Check
3.Thread jumped off take up spring====check threading
4.Thread jumped off pull off finger===check threading
TROUBLE STITCHES SHOWING LOOPS;
1.Forming loops on top of cloth=======Tighten bobbin tension
======================================or loosen top tension.
2.forming loops on bottom of cloth====Tighten top tension
3.Bobbin placed in case incorrectly===remove and replace
4.Bobbin thread slipped from under====check threading of
tension===============================bobbin case
5.Lint or thread in top tension=======clean between tension discs


Thank you and good luck.
0helpful
1answer

I am experiencing tension issues. Same fabric and thread, worked with the first spooling of the bobbin. Re-spooled the bobbin and now the tension is all messed up. Cannot tighten, and it's gathering...

Good day!

please try this simple tips:

Good day!

A sewing machine operator can often help themselves when their machine does not operate properly.
Here are some simple instructions, which if properly used can save time and mechanics service calls.
TROUBLE;UPPER THREAD KEEPS BREAKING;
This could be trouble;================Do this;
1.Top tension to tight================loosen tension 1 turn
2.Machine improperly threaded=========check threading
3.Thread twisted on guide post========"
4.Thread twisted out of tension======="
5.Take up spring bent or broken=======Check action of spring
6.Thread jumped off pull off finger===Check threading
7.Needle bent or burred===============new needle
8.Bad cone of thread==================try another cone
TROUBLE;LOWER THREAD KEEPS BREAKING;
1.Bobbin tensionspring to tight=======Loosen tension slightly
2.Bobbin threaded wrong===============check threading
3.Bobbin wound to tight or uneven=====try new bobbin
4.lint or thread on bobbin case=======clean inside case
5.Lint or thread inside hook==========clean inside hook
6.Bobbin case nicked bent or burred===check/change case
TROUBLE;MACHINE STARTED SKIPPING STITCHES;
1.Needle bent or burred===============change
2.Needle set in crooked===============Check
3.Thread jumped off take up spring====check threading
4.Thread jumped off pull off finger===check threading
TROUBLE STITCHES SHOWING LOOPS;
1.Forming loops on top of cloth=======Tighten bobbin tension
======================================or loosen top tension.
2.forming loops on bottom of cloth====Tighten top tension
3.Bobbin placed in case incorrectly===remove and replace
4.Bobbin thread slipped from under====check threading of
tension===============================bobbin case
5.Lint or thread in top tension=======clean between tension discs


Thank you and good luck.
2helpful
1answer

Keeps skipping stitches and knots thread

Good day!

please try this simple tips:

Good day!

A sewing machine operator can often help themselves when their machine does not operate properly.
Here are some simple instructions, which if properly used can save time and mechanics service calls.
TROUBLE;UPPER THREAD KEEPS BREAKING;
This could be trouble;================Do this;
1.Top tension to tight================loosen tension 1 turn
2.Machine improperly threaded=========check threading
3.Thread twisted on guide post========"
4.Thread twisted out of tension======="
5.Take up spring bent or broken=======Check action of spring
6.Thread jumped off pull off finger===Check threading
7.Needle bent or burred===============new needle
8.Bad cone of thread==================try another cone
TROUBLE;LOWER THREAD KEEPS BREAKING;
1.Bobbin tensionspring to tight=======Loosen tension slightly
2.Bobbin threaded wrong===============check threading
3.Bobbin wound to tight or uneven=====try new bobbin
4.lint or thread on bobbin case=======clean inside case
5.Lint or thread inside hook==========clean inside hook
6.Bobbin case nicked bent or burred===check/change case
TROUBLE;MACHINE STARTED SKIPPING STITCHES;
1.Needle bent or burred===============change
2.Needle set in crooked===============Check
3.Thread jumped off take up spring====check threading
4.Thread jumped off pull off finger===check threading
TROUBLE STITCHES SHOWING LOOPS;
1.Forming loops on top of cloth=======Tighten bobbin tension
======================================or loosen top tension.
2.forming loops on bottom of cloth====Tighten top tension
3.Bobbin placed in case incorrectly===remove and replace
4.Bobbin thread slipped from under====check threading of
tension===============================bobbin case
5.Lint or thread in top tension=======clean between tension discs


Thank you and good luck.
2helpful
1answer

I do not have a users manual for my janomeHF107 and I am having trouble with the bottom stitches looping. the top stiches look fine, but the underneath stitches have loops. I have tried everything i can...

Raise the presser foot before threading the machine.

What looks like a problem with the bobbin thread is usually due to the machine being threaded with the foot down.

Foot up - tension control opens; foot down - tension control closes.

When the tension control is closed, the thread cannot enter as it should and then cannot be controlled to form a proper stitch with the bobbin thread.

The Singer Sewing Co website has many graphics that are the same for all sewing machines - you can check there with regards to winding, inserting the bobbin into the case/shuttle and bringing up the bobbin thread.
0helpful
1answer

Won't stitch properly

it sounds like you might need a new bobbin case to me try that and see if the issues you are having stop hope this helps
0helpful
3answers

JANOME RX18S

If it was sewing correctly BEFORE the needle break...why did the needle break in the first place?...and what fixes did you make?
If it sewed properly...what changed?

Cut your upper thread close to the spool...make sure the presser foot is raised and pull the cut off thread section through/out of the machine from the needle area (sewing direction...do not pull the thread backwards!)

Clean out the bobbin area...remove any traces of lint or pieces of thread...look for any broken off needle pieces... brush the bobbin area out....then add a drop of sewing machine oil (but only if your manual says to oil that area).

Remove the needle plate to expose the feed dogs...brush/clean out that area too and add a drop of sewing machine oil...then secure the needle plate back on.
Replace the needle...do it again...yup...some needles arrive bad from the factory. Make sure the needle is inserted and positioned properly. Then thread the machine WITH the presser foot in raised position. (The thread needs to get seated into the upper tensions.)
..with the.presser foot down...thread the new needle.
Oh...and use the correct needle for the thread. (a universal 80/12 is standard).
Thread can cause issues too. Try a different bobbin, or maybe a different spool of thread to see if that makes a difference.
0helpful
1answer

Yet another stitch tension problem...

Thank you, thank you! I just tightened the screw on my bobbin case and that instantly fixed my thread tension problem. How on earth are you supposed to know about the little screw?! I thank you so much for the tip!
Not finding what you are looking for?

137 views

Ask a Question

Usually answered in minutes!

Top Euro-Pro Sewing Machines Experts

Mike Cairns
Mike Cairns

Level 3 Expert

3054 Answers

k24674

Level 3 Expert

8093 Answers

ADMIN Andrew
ADMIN Andrew

Level 3 Expert

66968 Answers

Are you an Euro-Pro Sewing Machine Expert? Answer questions, earn points and help others

Answer questions

Manuals & User Guides

Loading...