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Are you able to remove the bobbin case from the machine? Remove the needle and then work at gently removing any knots of thread in the bobbin area until you are able to remove the bobbin case.
Once the machine is cleaned of all the excess thread, lint, etc., install a BRAND NEW NEEDLE, reinstall the bobbin, and rethread the top thread. Then retest your machine on regular woven fabric. If it stitches, then you are probably okay. If it will not pick up the bobbin thread, then the machine is probably knocked out of time.
Search for: sewing machine timing
or take it for service.
FWIW, vinyl presents issues when sewing. A roller or teflon foot may help. Also, placing tissue paper between the presser foot and vinyl could be beneficial. Look at using a top-stitch needle to prevent the thread from hanging up on the vinyl. Search for web sites or videos on how to sew vinyl.
Pull more thread tail through the needle eye before beginning to stitch. You can also hold the thread tail in your left hand while taking the first few stitches. Vinyl is sticky to sew so it may be helpful to try a top-stitch needle and perhaps a roller foot.
Vinyl is a very difficult fabric to sew because it is sticky and tends to grab the thread and hold on to it causing loops in the thread. It would help to use a roller foot or walking foot to help move the vinyl through the machine. Also, try using a very sharp leather needle or top stitch needle. Sew SLOWLY!
Vinyl is difficult to sew because it tends to stick to the presser foot and the sewing machine surface. Try using a teflon-coated, roller foot, or walking foot to help with that. You may also want to try a sewing needle that has a larger scarf that will protect the thread when it penetrates the vinyl. Vinyl will tend to grab the thread and hold onto it when the needle withdraws from the fabric so you will end up with thread loops underneath.
You may want to try a leather needle or topstitch needle.
You will need a number 18 needle and a long stitch. I use about 8 stitches per inch. Any tighter and it cuts the vinyl. Then I loosen my needle pressure. There is a button on the top of my machine right above the needle area. When pushed it pops up. The higher the button is the looser my pressure foot is on the vinyl. Try a test piece until you get the pressure right. I also use a lot of typing paper between the feed dog and the slick vinyl. Keeps the feed dog from making marks and it still pulls through. The paper just tears off.
The WEDGE POINT NEEDLE, which is designed for leather and vinyl, easily
pierces these fabrics to make a hole that will close back upon itself.
This eliminates unattractive holes in the garment, and also reduces the
risk of the stitches tearing the fabric. The wedge point needle comes
in sizes 11 to 18. The size 11 needle is designed for soft pliable
leathers,while size 18 is designed for heavy or multiple layers of
leather or vinyl.
IMO the problem can be solved in 2 ways, either move the counterweight on the back of the arm towards the turning point of the arm ( by just adjusting it 10 - 20 % of an whole spin you can adjust a lot), or buy an other needle which is heavier then this one...
Try a wing needle, it will keep the vinyl from pinching the thread. Don't be afraid to crank up the upper tension all the way if you are using heavy thread. Hope this helps.
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