My machine drops stitches, bobin hangs up, thread knots up. I have cleaned the bobin case and feeder. What can I do to fix the problem?

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.

I'm going to guess on this one; if your stitches are even (no bunching or pulling), you might have a build up of thread somewhere in the machine. Take out the bobbin and, if possible, the bobbin casing and check for any tangled or loose threads. Second guess, check the feeder on top of the machine, thread may be working its way into and catching on that feeder... be very careful when threading through the feeder because thread will often catch. If neither of these 'fixes' work, might be time to take the machine in for a cleaning and tuneup.

Make sure your bobbin is inserted into the case spinning in the correct direction.
Cheers,
Embroidery Services
San Diego, CA

hi there
the tension depends on thikness of material but you must use heavy thread on needle and thin thread on bobin case .
- you must be sew fiew stitches firist and look if losse stitch from down you must tight tension slowly sloly and if there is losse stitches from upper you must tight screw for bobin case spring slowly slowly until stitch format be agood condation.
best regards
ashraf abozid
[email protected]

Get out the manual and refer to the maintenance section for cleaning the machine.

Especially the bobbin area. You want to make sure the area around the bobbin case is free of lint and thread.

Use a new bobbin and re-thread the machine, with the presser foot UP.

Install a new needle, again according to the directions in the manual. Installed incorrectly can lead to mis-stitching.

If the problem persits, the timing may need adjusting.

This should be done by the sewing machine tech for Kenmore.

Sewusa.com has a guide for this in the repair section, but you could end up with more problems.

I had the same problem and I tried everything including removing the bobin case, cleaning out lint, changing the needle, adjusting the tension but it did not work. Then I finally tried reloading the bobin thread, making sure to load the bobin according the manual directions....and the problem was solved...no more tangles... just a nice even stitch...yeah!

Try taking the covers off again. Now check under and around the bobin case, thats the black plastic bit that holds the bobin. Look for any fuzz or stray bits of thread inside the machine and and around the feed dogs and under the needle too. I use compressed canned air to get in and really blow everything clean. For some reason if the machine is not totally clean, inside the bobin gets tangled up. If you have had even one knot, odds are parts of it are still floating around inside there somewhere and stopping some little lever from moving and jamming your whole machine. Clean under the bobin case too since lint can left it up and keep the bobin from being perfectly level. Also inspect your bobbin case to make sure it isn't scratched along the edge that rotates back and forth. Even a a tiny scratch will cause it jump its tracks and your bobin will lift up and become jamed. In that case you just have to buy a new bobin case. But most of the time your culprit will be some stray bits of thread or lint.

bobbins come in different sizes,try a larger size

I own this little gem of a machine. It definitely sews a perfect stitch. I'm assuming you own the green 3/4 size machine as denoted by your product number. The half size blue one pictured is incorrect.

Anyway, this machine sews a perfect stitch, due to the oscillating bobbin. Most sewing machines with rotary (drop in) bobbins don't have an easily accessible bobbin tension screw, which means your fabric is usually slightly puckered. Fiddling with only the upper tension helps very little. This frustrates me to no end for sewing long curtains, clothing side seams, etc. Wrong tension causes them to hang with puckers, making them look awful. With the Hello Kitty 3/4 size Janome, there is a screw on the bobbin case which allows you to adjust for every thread diameter perfectly. Always a perfect stitch, if you take the time to adjust this screw.

To adjust the bobbin for a perfect tension, load the bobbin into the bobbin case and thread it through the guide. Holding only the thread between two or three fingers, let the bobbin case dangle below. This will be slightly difficult, because the bobbin will want to fall out of the case. Don't worry, just don't move it around too much and it will stay in long enough for this test. If the metal bobbin case slowly drops lower, unwinding thread as it goes, the thread is too loose. Tighten the screw on the side of the bobbin case a little (about a quarter turn.)

If the bobbin case seems to be dangling firmly, give the thread a gentle tug, lifting up fairly quickly. If it doesn't release a couple of inches of thread, it's too tight, loosen the screw. You know the tension is perfect when a quick, light tug of the thread releases a couple of inches of thread.

If you have not oiled your machine then it is best you do so, the machine is dry.or make checks on your bobin case it could be bend or needs to be ajdust.or worn out.good luck.