Below are some possible
solutions to common sewing problems.
|
Problem |
Cause |
Possible
Solution |
|
|
|
Sewing machine suddenly stops
during sewing.
Light is on, and handwheel
can be turned easily by hand.
|
Sewing machine has been run at a
low speed for an extended period of time.
To prevent overheating, motor
power is automatically turned off.
|
Turn power off and wait about 20
minutes. Safety device will reset, and machine will be ready
to operate.
|
|
Needle will not move.
|
Upper thread has run out.
Presser foot is up.
Bobbin winder shaft was left
in winding position.
Buttonhole lever was not
lowered when machine was placed in buttonhole mode.
|
Replace empty spool and thread
machine.
Lower presser foot.
Move bobbin winder shaft back
fully to left.
Lower buttonhole lever.
|
|
Sewing machine will not run.
|
Presser foot is not correct one,
and needle hits presser foot.
Needle has come out and is in
hook of machine.
|
Replace presser foot with new
one.
Remove needle and insert new
one.
|
|
Upper thread breaks.
|
Threading is not correct.
Thread has a knot in it.
Thread tension is too tight.
Needle is bent or blunt or
has a sharp eye.
Needle is wrong size.
Needle has been inserted
wrong.
Needle and thread does not
match.
Starting to stitch too fast.
Thread take-up lever has not
been threaded.
|
Correctly thread machine.
Remove knot.
Correct thread tension.
Replace needle.
Replace needle with correct
size.
Properly insert needle.
Start machine at a medium
speed.
Use proper thread or needle.
Check threading order.
|
|
Bobbin thread breaks.
|
Bobbin has not been fully
inserted in bobbin case.
Bobbin has been incorrectly
threaded.
Bobbin does not turn smoothly
in bobbin case.
Lint in bobbin case or
shuttle.
|
Securely install bobbin into
bobbin case.
Correctly thread bobbin case.
Check to see that bobbin has
been wound evenly.
Clean bobbin case and
shuttle.
|
|
Skipped stitches.
|
Thread tension is too tight.
Needle is bent or blunt.
Needle is wrong size.
Needle and thread does not
match.
Thread take-up lever has not
been threaded.
Light pressure on presser
foot.
Incorrect setting of needle.
|
Correct thread tension.
Replace needle.
Replace needle with correct
size.
Use proper thread or needle.
Check threading order.
Increase pressure on presser
foot.
Reset needle.
|
|
Stitches are not formed
properly.
|
Thread has not been pulled into
thread sensor guide.
Threading is not correct.
Bobbin case has been threaded
wrong.
Spool cap is wrong size for
thread spool.
|
Fully pull thread into thread
sensor guide.
Correct threading.
Correctly thread bobbin case.
Replace the cap with correct
size.
|
|
Irregular stitches.
|
Incorrect size needle.
Improper threading.
Loose upper thread tension.
Pulling fabric.
Light pressure on presser
foot.
Loose presser foot.
Unevenly wound bobbin.
|
Choose correct size needle for
thread and fabric.
Rethread machine.
Tighten upper thread tension.
Do not pull fabric; guide it
gently.
Increase pressure on presser
foot.
Reset presser foot.
Rewind bobbin.
|
|
Fabric puckers.
|
Stitch length is too long for
material.
Needle point is blunt.
Incorrect thread tension.
Light pressure on presser
foot.
Fabric is too sheer or soft.
Using two different sizes or
kinds of thread.
|
Decrease stitch length.
Replace needle.
Reset thread tension.
Increase pressure on presser
foot.
Use underlay of tissue paper.
Upper thread and bobbin
thread should be the same size and kind.
|
|
Bunching of thread.
|
Upper and lower threads not
drawn back under presser foot.
Feed dog down.
|
Draw both threads back under
presser foot.
Raise feed dog.
|
|
Needle breaks.
|
A thin needle was used for
sewing a heavy weight material.
Needle has not been fully
inserted into needle bar.
Needle clamp screw is loose.
Presser foot is not correct
one.
Presser foot is loose.
Pulling on fabric as you sew.
|
Use correct size needle.
Properly insert needle.
Securely tighten needle clamp
screw.
Use correct presser foot.
Reset presser foot.
Do not pull fabric, guide it
gently.
|
|
Loud noise is heard.
Knocking noise, machine
jammed.
|
Dust has accumulated in feed
dogs.
Lint is in hook.
Thread caught in shuttle.
|
Clean machine.
Clean machine.
Disassemble machine and clean
shuttle.
|
|
The machine does not feed
material.
|
The stitch length has been set
to zero.
The presser foot pressure is
too low.
Feed dogs are lowered.
Threads are knotted under
fabric.
|
Reselect the proper stitch
pattern and length.
Set presser foor pressure
adjustment lever to "normal".
Raise feed dogs.
Place both threads back under
presser foot before beginning to stitch.
|
|
Threading cannot be done.
The needle threader will not
turn.
The threading hook will not
enter needle eye.
|
The needle is not in highest
position.
The needle threader is
designed not to turn to protect itself if the needle is not
up.
The needle has not been fully
inserted into needle bar.
|
Turn handwheel until needle
reaches its highest position.
Properly insert needle.
|
|
Thread is bunching up under
needle plate (bobbin cover plate).
|
Given it is bunching underneath,
it will likely be a problem in your top tension. (It
is the opposite of what a person would think.)
|
Your tension is either too tight
or too loose, or the thread is not in the tension discs.
Try different thread. It could be too light or too heavy.
Change your needle, though that is the least likely solution
for this issue.
|
|
Needle threader cannot be
returned and the sewing machine stops.
The threading hook is left in
the needle eye.
|
Sewing machine was accidentally
started while threading hook was still in needle eye (during
threading).
|
Slightly turn handle clockwise
and remove threader.
|