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Lois Schilling Posted on Dec 12, 2017
Answered by a Fixya Expert

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The bobbin thread is bunching up

The machine is making a clicking noise and the bobbin thread is tangled and bunched up

2 Answers

R.A. Ellis

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  • Sewing Machines Master 12,731 Answers
  • Posted on Dec 13, 2017
R.A. Ellis
Sewing Machines Master
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Re-check your stitch sample. Is it the bobbin thread that is bunching, or is it really the top thread? If the top thread, that is called bird nesting. The clicking sound could be a bent needle.

Install a brand new needle.
Remove the top thread from the machine.
ALWAYS RAISE the presser foot and rethread the top thread.

If there are still issues, probably best to take it for service.

NOEL

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  • Sewing Machines Master 8,606 Answers
  • Posted on Dec 12, 2017
NOEL
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Joined: Dec 23, 2008
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Hi Lois.
this is all i could find out.
Check Your Tension Settings. Looping underneath the fabric usually occurs when there is not enough tension in the needle thread to pull the bobbin thread. Sometimes thread bunching can be caused by something as simple as the tension dial being inadvertently turn.
or try this link.
WHY IS THREAD BUNCHING UNDERNEATH MY FABRIC
or this one,
Sewing Machine Thread Bunching Up Here Why .
if you go to this link a little window might open up in the middle of the page just close the little window down.
or this.

The bobbin thread is bunching up Google Search

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5 Related Answers

Anonymous

  • 110 Answers
  • Posted on Nov 13, 2007

SOURCE: bunching thread underneath

When your thread is bunching at the bottom, your top tension is not tight enough, or you did not thread the machine correctly. Make sure the thread goes through the tension blades. Check your manual how to do it properly. you can check if there is any tension by pulling on the thread before threading through the eye of the the needle, and with the presser foot down. By pulling with the left hand and adjusting the tension with the right hand you should be able to feel a difference. Normal setting is between 3 and 5

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bargainbox

Hassy

  • 1388 Answers
  • Posted on Feb 24, 2008

SOURCE: Thread bunching and knotting under fabric

The thread does pass over the top of the bobbin case to form a stitch, perfectly normal, whether front or top loading bobbin.

Ensure that all is clean and free of lint jams....now for tension troubleshooting .......

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.....

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....

4c76dc1.jpg ...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.
165ca5c.jpg 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.

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 want any more help with this, just post back here, or, drop a line through the "Contact Us" page at www.bargainbox.com.au

Anonymous

  • 155 Answers
  • Posted on Oct 26, 2008

SOURCE: Singer 6217C Bobbin Thread bunching

please check out this link


http://sewvacdoctor.com/cate.asp?categoryID=6#1082

goodluck
 thanks.


Anonymous

  • 1 Answer
  • Posted on Jan 05, 2009

SOURCE: Bobbin thread bunching

I have a Kenmore 16231 That kept bunching up on the bottom side of the material. I found to correct this problem, there is a tension adjustment under the cover on the left side of the machine ( the light is housed under this cover) I found a tensiner lever numbered 1 - 4 and if you try this adjustment on 3 or 4 this machine works great. hope this helps

RickE1

Rick

  • 202 Answers
  • Posted on Feb 11, 2009

SOURCE: Thread is bunching underneath fabric

Needle in correct? Be sure your bobbin is not in upside down and turning the wrong way. Possibly the hook that the bobbicase fits in/on has been hit by a needle and caused a burr that is catching the thread as it comes around. The burr would have to be polished off or hook replaced. The machine could be slightly out of time also.

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Try a brand new needle. Try a different brand of thread.
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hi Sue.
Why does my bobbin thread keep bunching up? Check Your Tension Settings. Looping underneath the fabric usually occurs when there is not enough tension in the needle thread to pull the bobbin thread. Sometimes thread bunching can be caused by something as simple as the tension dial being inadvertently turned.
Sewing Machine Thread Bunching Up Here Why .
if you go to this link a little pop up will come up just close this down.
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How to Fix that Tangled Nest of Bobbin Thread Under Your Sewing
or read up more at this link.
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