Troubleshooting Sewing Problems - Bookmark this page!

Many problems can be resolved by a simple change of needle or other easy switch. If you don't find the answer you need here, consult your manual! (These tips are synthesized from information provided by various manufacturers.)

Symptom

Root Cause

Corrective Action

• 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.

• 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.