sewing machine question

[jayden]

this may seem a silly question, but i/m stuck. on a sewing machine can you just use the upper thread or do u need to use the thread at the top and at the bottom to sew.

[JediKai]

If by the 'bottom' thread you mean the bobbin thread (winds on a little round disk and goes in a compartment below the needle), yes you do need both.

Does this machine have a manual? If so, it will explain this, probably with drawings or photos. If not, perhaps you can download it from the web (which is what I do when I loose manuals these days!)

[jayden]

the manual is quite plain, does not go into detail about how everything works. everytime i try to sew it gets stuck

[Ani-Chay Pinn]

Stuck sewing machine...what brand is it? That would help to zero in on the problem.

When you get stuck, do you mean that the thread tangles up right away, or the machine just doesn't do anything when you press the foot?

Now about the upper and lower thread...since the stitches work by interlocking the upper and lower threads, then you really do need both upper and lower threads for it to work.

Does the bobbin -- that little round thing the lower thread is wrapped around -- have thread in it? When you threaded the machine, did you also pick up the lower thread to get it started before starting to sew? How did you wind thread on the bobbin; that should be somewhere in the manual.

For thread tangling up problems for me, it's usually:

-- upper thread not threaded right, especially through the tension dial. The upper thread really must go through ALL of the little loops and places that the manual says it's supposed to or it won't work right.
-- bobbin not loaded right in the lower part of the machine.
-- sometimes the thread gets caught on that little notch in edge of the spool, but that's rare.
-- the tails of the thread get caught up in the sewing. When you start, just hold the ends of the thread away from the sewing for the first few stitches to keep them from getting wound up in it.

[JediKai]

Too bad about the manual. Threading the machine (the top thread) is crucial and if your manual doesn't have good images of how to do that you are at a great disadvantage. Those of us who sew can usually look at a machine and figure out how to thread it but it is very difficult for those unfamiliar.

As Ani wrote, there are many causes for difficulty in getting the machine to sew.

Also, I've had machines that though the threads were loaded correctly, it would jam because it was dirty or needed oiling. When I do a lot of sewing, I take out the bobbin case and clean it all out and then oil the parts (per the manual...again, if yours is bad you've got a problem).

[Leda EmBorr]

Jayden, I was exactly in your position when I started sewing about a year and a half ago. I had a borrowed sewing machine with no manual, and internet searches didn't help much. I finally found what I was looking for in an encyclopedia set that I had bought for my son when he was little called "Growing Up With Science, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Invention". By knowing how the thing actually works, it makes it much easier to figure out how your machine should work. Even if your machine looks a bit different (some bobbins drop in from the top, for instance) the basic functions are the same.

Hope this helps. I can send you the larger files if you want to print them full size. There are two sequential pages.

[Leda EmBorr]

Also, like Kai said, getting stuck is a symptom of the machine needing to be oiled. Parts around the rotating bobbin should get oiled frequently. Alot of lint can build up inside, making the parts dusty, as well.

Can you post the model# and brand of your machine? Maybe someone has a more complete manual, or can help you find one.

[jayden]

ty everyone for the help,
the machine is a janome, and is brand new. i tried threading it like the booklet said to.
when i start to use the machine it starts, but it does not sew the fabric and the thread gets stuck inside the bobbin and in the top of the unit.

[Leda EmBorr]

The bobbin should go into the housing opposite the way it first looks like it should go. To unwind the bobbin, the thread should pull away from you, then you pull it towards you and hook it in place. That probably made no sense! lol!

[JediKai]

If it's brand new, perhaps it came with some sewing lessons? Most new machines do. There is also the possibility it is defective. Take it back to the dealer and have them check it out.

Which model?

It's also possible you may have to purchase a more extensive manual....
www.janome.com/products.php
workbooks?

I know I did for my Viking. Though the manual that came with it was at least sufficient for me to thread it and do basic stiches.

[LoreenShadowchaser]

Hmm, interesting, I also have a Janome machine that I'm having problems with. And I can't find my manual. (I guess that's what happens when I put something away for a year, I lose things ) I have the 4618LE



Mine is pretty new, I've had it for two years, but have only used it for 2 small projects, in which cases it worked perfectly.

I used to sew lots of simple stuff on my mom's old Singer when I was a kid and am just getting back into sewing again after many years. I have a lot of future projects that I want to work on, when I get to them.

With mine, I can't seem (seam? lol) to get the thread tension to adjust, and I'm pretty sure I have it threaded right.

The stitch is too loose and pulls the bobbin thread up to the surface of the fabric and isn't locking right. It's probably something simple.

I guess I'll have to contact them to find out what to do about a manual.

[jayden]

i cant find the model number on it. it is the sew mini made for costuming and small projects. it was the only one i could afford atm. my next day off pending i can find the reciept i'll take it back for some help. thanks again for all the help. without a good quality book to guide me i'm lost hehe

[Ani-Chay Pinn]

loreenshadowchaser said:

With mine, I can't seem (seam? lol) to get the thread tension to adjust, and I'm pretty sure I have it threaded right.

The stitch is too loose and pulls the bobbin thread up to the surface of the fabric and isn't locking right. It's probably something simple.

That sounds like the bobbin tension is too loose. If you can find the manual see what it says about adjusting that. My old Viking had a screw on the bobbin case for adjusting that. Or perhaps the upper tension is too tight. Does it help to loosen that?

Leda, interesting pictures! I never realized that the bobbin went all the way around to get the threads to interlock, but it makes this sense. It works, so I never worried about how.

Jayden: if the machine doesn't sew at all, it sounds like the bobbin isn't in the right way. Is it winding around the right way when it's in the machine? Is it locked in? There are two choices and the wrong one won't sew.

[Nova Darklighter]

You also need to make sure that the bobbin is in the casing in the right direction, it needs to rotate in an anti-clockwise direction in the case when you pull the thread.
Loreen, I agree, sounds like the bobbin tension is to loose, try the little screw on the side of the casing if it is a sidewise loading one, usually a very minute turn will do it.
It also could be your needle placement is to high or low or not straight, try a new needle.
Jayden, find the reciept and take the machine to the dealer, they should be able to get you and it set up at least as far as threading and getting started.

[LoreenShadowchaser]

I agree that it seems like the bobbin tension is too loose. Adjusting the thread tension doesn't seem to have any effect.

It has a drop-in bobbin, as I think of it, but the website calls it top loading. I'm not aware of any way to adjust the bobbin tension, I know the manual never said anything about it.

I'm pretty sure I have the bobbin in right, but I'll have to play with it again when I get my project table cleared off again.

Right now, I'm working on retro-fitting some EL blades with thicker tubing, I just repaired a friend's EL saber, and I'm also working on a Rebel Fleet Trooper blaster.

All the stuff on that table is driving my poor mom crazy.