My bobbin winds unevenly, there is always more thread at the bottom of it than there is at the top. Neither switching to the original pfaff bobbin nor either spool position works.

The Pfaff 332 has a stop motion mechanism that is a small knob in the middle of the hand wheel. This disengages the needle and allows you to wind the bobbin without having to check on the material to be sewn. Hold the hand wheel so that it will not move. Turn the stop motion knob counter-clockwise (turn the knob all the way to the left). Put a second spool of thread (of appropriate weight and color) on the right hand pin. Lead the thread from the spool around the thread retainer clockwise. Pull the thread into the guide and then push the thread through the slot in the bobbin from inside the bobbin. Place the bobbin onto the bobbin winder spindle so that the key at the base of the spindle enters the slot in the bobbin. Press the lever into the bobbin. Hold onto the thread end and slowly start to wind the bobbin. After a few winds of the thread, break off or cut the thread that is above the bobbin. Continue winding the bobbin (at any speed). When the bobbin is full the lever will automatically move back to its original position. (If you do not need a full bobbin, move the lever when the bobbin is sufficiently full.) Remove the bobbin from the bobbin winder spindle and cut it free of the spool thread. Return the stop motion mechanism to the right by turning it clockwise while holding the hand wheel.

Pfaff has a manual for the 332-260 on their support page: http://www.pfaff.com/en-US/Support-and-Updates/Support . The link to the machine page is http://www.pfaff.com/en-US/Support/3421 . The current link to this manual is http://www.pfaff.com/SiteMedia/PFAFF/Products/Machines/Support-manuals/pfaff_332-260-manual-EN.PDF . See pages 13-14 of the manual for some pictures of the guides and levers.

I hope this helps.

Cindy Wells

Make sure the bobbin is seated all the way on the winding pin. There may be an adjustment for it--a technician can probably fix it for you. However, you can also try lifting the thread with a pencil tip just before it winds onto the bobbin. Some of my machines wind the thread unevenly (more on the bottom than the top of the bobbin) and I balance it out by lifting it when winding.

....

Check to make sure the thread path from the spool to the bobbin is correct. The thread should make a loop around a little post that is actually a tensioner that helps the thread wind smoothly onto the bobbin. If something is wrong with that tensioner or the thread is not following the correct thread path, it could cause the thread to not wind smoothly. It appears that your machine has two locations where the spool can be placed to wind the bobbin. You might try using the other option, if one doesn't seem to be working.

Also, you might try slowing the machine down during the thread winding process. It it goes too fast the spool begins bouncing and pulls the thread akilter. Also, some threads will stretch if the winding is too fast causing the thread to "shrink" when sewing your garment and creating puckers.

FWIW, I found that a "SideWinder" stand-alone bobbin winder is a handy gadget. It is available for ~$30 from JoAnn's Fabrics, Amazon, etc and is battery or electric compatible. It saves wear and tear on a machine and can wind multiple bobbins one right after another. Just be sure to verify that your bobbins will work on the SideWinder as some Singer bobbins will not.

Locate the bobbin access panel to the right of the presser foot. Place thumb tip in the oval hole and pull to the left, (It might also tip up, but I doubt it.) Reach in and lift and grasp the little lever on the bobbin case, pull it out. Remove bobbin from case. Select the thread you want to fill the bobbin with. Place it on the thread spindle. Pull thread trough the small round tension disc on top of the machine and back toward the short spindle on the right top of the machine. If your bobbins have holes.. thread a hole and place the botton on that short spindle. Slide the bobbin and spindle toward the metal "fence". Loosen the hand wheel by turning the center knob counter clock wise. Grasp the little thread on the bobbin and start winding a few revolutions with you holding the thread. Stop and clip that short thread close to the bobbin then continue winding until full.

When the bobbin is full. Return the hand wheel knob to it's original position. Slide the bobbin winder spindle away from the "fence" and remove the bobbin. Place the bobbin in the case with the bobbin facing you... the thread when pulled should rotate the bobbin itself clockwise (VERY Important!) Hold the lever open and replace the bobbin.

For your convenience I have located this PDF for your machine. (be patient, it takes a while to load)

http://s2.vsmgroup.com/VSM/Pfaff/pfaffmanual.nsf/1fd5659e6f37141041256697003e64c0/38ca989591640b1a852575f30058c8ff/$FILE/Pfaff%20260%20.PDF

Hello

I would suggest that you revisit the threading up in your manual and double check that the top thread is under tension.

However, if the stitiching on top of the fabric is wonky, this is your bottom tension too loose, and if stitching on the the underside of the fabric is loose, its the top tension causing it.

Quite often bobbin winding can be the cause of bad stitching so pull out the manual and wind a bobbin carefully following the instructions, making sure that the thread is under gentle tension as it winds. What you don't want is for the thread spool to bounce around as it unwinds onto the bobbin as this gives uneven tension of the thread and when you then stitch a seam, the thread relaxes in different amounts causing puckering.

So wind at 3/4 speed, and gently guide the thread onto the bobbin so it fills evenly across the whole core. And ensure there is tension on via a tension guide if your machine has one. If not, then place the curved handle of your scissors onto the top of the thread spool and hold it there as you wind, which holds the spool down and keeps the thread coming off it smoothly.

Always raise the pressure foot when you thread the machine so the top thread goes into tension fully. And new needle for each new sewing job is really important, make sure it is the right size and type of needle for the fabric you are sewing.

Are you using machine embroidery thread top and bottom? Madeira or something similar with a silky sheen. Always, same thread brand and weight top and bottom although you may want different colours for some tasks.

Also you will need stitch and tear or some other suitable stabiliser under the fabric to give it body and support during the stitching.

Have you embroidered successfully on this machine in the past and this problem has now occured?
If so, I would take it back to the dealer and ask him to test sew a design with it and see if he can get a good result out of it.

If you are new to machine embroidery then perhaps visit http://sewing.about.com/od/machineembroiderytips/Machine_Embroidery_Tips_Information.htm for lots of help and advice on machine embroidery.

Also I'd suggest that you revisit how you wind the bobbin - check your manual or there is more on this on sewingabout.com as it is essential to get a good smooth wound bobbin with no jerks or unevenness - you don't want the thread stretched unevenly onto the bobbin as it will relax unevenly when stitched out.

Then revisit bobbin threading into tension device, bobbin thread showing on top of fabric is usually indicative that there is insufficient tension on the bobbin thread, check that it is fully into tension and bobbin is in the right way, you always want the thread to come of the bobbin in a "V" shape, and bobbin should turn anticlockwise as you pull thread from it usually (but please check machine manual for specific threading for this machine, there is always the one exception).

Finally, does your machine have tension adjusments on the bobbin case? some have a little dial that will allow you to make small adjusments, although usually not necesary, adjusting the top tension is usually all that is needed.

I hope this is of assistance to you, obviously if you have tried all the above already, then I'd go back to the dealer and see if he can get a better result for you.

I would suggest that you revisit the threading up in your manual and double check that the top thread is under tension.

However, if the stitiching on top of the fabric is wonky, this is your bottom tension too loose, and if stitching on the the underside of the fabric is loose, its the top tension causing it.

Quite often bobbin winding can be the cause of bad stitching so pull out the manual and wind a bobbin carefully following the instructions, making sure that the thread is under gentle tension as it winds. What you don't want is for the thread spool to bounce around as it unwinds onto the bobbin as this gives uneven tension of the thread and when you then stitch a seam, the thread relaxes in different amounts causing puckering.

So wind at 3/4 speed, and gently guide the thread onto the bobbin so it fills evenly across the whole core. And ensure there is tension on via a tension guide if your machine has one. If not, then place the curved handle of your scissors onto the top of the thread spool and hold it there as you wind, which holds the spool down and keeps the thread coming off it smoothly.

Always raise the pressure foot when you thread the machine so the top thread goes into tension fully. And new needle for each new sewing job is really important, make sure it is the right size and type of needle for the fabric you are sewing. if you aren't sure what size is right www.sewing.about.com has great tips and general machine info, plus needle guides.

you can dowload a manual from the singer website http://www.singerco.com/accessories/manuals.html

If the bottom stitching is uneven, its mostly the top thread not under tension correctly so check the tension dial and the threading up from the thread spool to the needle.

Also, review how you wind a bobbin, you want a nice smooth wind, not twisting or uneven build across the bobbin. The manual for this machine is pretty brief on this but bobbin winding is crucial to getting a good even flow from the bobbin when stitching seams. You want to wind thread smoothly onto the bobbin, across the full width of it, not just mainly in the middle. Give the thread a nudge with your finger tip to fill top and bottom as it winds.

Also, ensure the thread goes through the bobbin tension disc on top of the machine, and even then, use your scissors handle to put some downward gentle pressure onto the thread spool you are winding off so it doesn't jump or bounce as you wind. Wind the bobbin to 3/4 full, then stop.

And lastly, load the bobbin correctly following the manual directions, make sure it is turning the right way in the bobbin case. Also look at page 16, it shows the "dangle" test where you can check the tension on the bobbin case is right, you should be able to dangle the bobbin by the thread tail and it should "stay" but you should be able to pull on it to release thread too. Adjust the little tension screw in minute increments to get this right. Bobbin case tension springs can fail or break too, so check this out.

Hope this helps you; it is my experience that 90% of machine issues are caused by blunt or wrong sized needles, wrong threading, no tension or incorrect tension or lack of maintenance.

This could be one of the following:

• wrong bobbin for the machine
• bobbin loaded the wrong way - must rotate anticlockwise when you pull the thread
• thread not into the tension spring/device on the bobbin holder correctly
• bobbin wound badly, uneven tension, loose or uneven across the bobbin
• poor quality or old dry brittle thread could cause the breaking (but the loops is definitely tension issues).

This is a top loading bobbin machine machine and you can download a manual from
http://www.singerco.com/accessories/manuals.html

Here is the threading diagram from the manual.

It is important to click the thread down into the tension spring on all top loading bobbin machines and then pull gently on the thread to check that it is under tension, you should feel firm resistance when you pull the thread. If not, then take it out, and try again.

Other thing to look at is how the bobbin is wound. It is necessary to wind a bobbin smoothly and with some tension on the spool as the thread comes off it. Best analogy is the garden hose reel. If you wind it up and don't control where the hose goes onto the reel it will all lump up in the middle, and you won't get all the hose onto it. And then when you go to pull the hose out, it will jam and be difficult to pull. Same with bobbin thread. You want a nice neat even fill across the whole width of the bobbin, not just the middle. To achieve this make sure you use the bobbin winder tension disc when winding. Also use the spool cap on top of the thread spool to stop it from bouncing around as it unwinds - the thread will then wind off around the spool cap and this keeps it running smoothly and not twisting and jerking. If you don't have a spool cap then put the curved handle of a pair of scissors on top of the thread spool to tension it while you wind the bobbin. Also watch the bobbin as it winds, give the thread a nudge with your finger to control the fill onto the bobbin so it winds top, bottom and middle of the bobbin evenly.

I would suggest the following:
clean out the race following the manual directions to remove the bobbin holder, clean in this area, replace it. Wind a fresh bobbin and then load it into the machine, following the manual instructions carefully. Also thread the top of the machine following the manual, put in a new sharp needle from the pack, turn the top tension dial to a medium number (often 5 if dial goes from zero to 10).

Now test sew again. Look at the seam, if you have loops on the bottom of the fabric, underside, then the top thread tension is too loose or not in the top tension discs fully. Generally you should not need to adjust the tension on the bobbin thread for these machines.

You need to keep tension on the thread spool as you wind the bobbin to avoid this from happening. Also, is there a little tension device to take the thread around between the spool and the bobbin winder? Some machines have a little silver button tensioner purely for bobbin winding to keep the thread flowing smoothly.

But I always do the following anyway just to ensure a smooth bobbin. Take the thread from your spool, through the eyelet or tensioner, then back to the bobbin and put the tail end up through a hole in the top of the bobbin. Now put the bobbin onto the winder and click it against the stop. Place the curved handle of a pair of scissors onto the top of the thread spool and apply some gentle pressure to stop the spool from bouncing and jumping while winding off. Keep doing this through the winding process.

Start the bobbin winding mechanisim, its a button on my Janome 6500, yours might be a little different. HOLD the thread tail until you've got coverage over the whole bobbin area catching the starting point. Stop, trim the thread tail off top of the bobbin with scissors, then restart winding again. Watch as the thread winds and give it a nudge with your finger tip to the top or bottom so the bobbin winds evenly across the whole spool's width.

Best analogy here is when you wind the garden hose onto the reel, if it goes on all over the place you never get the whole length on neatly, but if you wind it on neatly in an even tight coil across the spool, then back again, then repeat, you get a tidy hose. But just wind madly, it all builds up in the middle, you can't get it all onto the reel, and it won't pull out nicely next time you need it. Same thing with your SM thread.

Polyester and silky embroidery threads will be worse too as they are silky, so if the thread hasn't been wound on smoothly and under tension, then it will "collapse" with gravity, then when you use the bobbin, the thread is going to be caught on itself, will feed unevenly and be stretched, then loose, giving you less than perfect stitch tension.

My other bobbin tip is store the bobbins in a plastic bobbin tray so they are lying on their edges and under a cover. Keeps them neater and they are less likely to unwind stray threads around your sewing cabinet if you store them on the spool pins build onto the cabinet door - and it keeps the thread dust free. But I do not keep thread on bobbins for long, prefer to wind a fresh one off a new spool when I start a project and can usually complete a garment with a 3/4 filled bobbin, use the remaining few metres for handsewing, then junk the rest. Then I put the thread spool that is left back into a sealed takeway container to keep it away from UV, dust and moisture.

I hope this assists you with your machine and certainly if this doesn't resolve the bobbin issues, then I'd suggest you visit your dealer and ask them to demonstrate the technique on your machine to see if there is a technical issue with it.