The needle's thread no longer picks up the bobbin's thread. I pull thread thru bobbin's slot and under tension spring, place bobbin and case within shuttle, close the little door, and slowly turn the hand wheel to move needle down and up, as per directions, as always.
But the wheel stops. I carefully pull out bobbin to take a look: Needle's thread has circled the metal pin that sticks out from the shuttle, but has not caught the bobbin thread.
The bobbin and its case feel loose. For months, I sometimes gently held it in place with one finger while I turned the hand wheel, but that no longer works.
I've tried removing the bobbin case and putting it back in. That worked two months ago, but not today. Hope someone can help. I have so much mending to do!
How can I fix this?
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First off I would keep the bobbin holder out and look inside. There are normally 2 latches on the place where the bobbin holder fits into the machine. Push these off to each side and remove the 2 metal pieces. Now clean out all the dust and dirt inside of your machine. You may need to remove the metal plate that is on top of the feed dog so you can clean this area really good. There is a screw that will allow you to release this place. This gives you more access to the bobbin area on the machine and you can see if there is any thread or dirt in this area.
It really sounds like you have not cleaned the machine in a very long time. I have been helping out to sew masks here at home and I have found out that I need to clean this area every 5 or 6 bobbins I change. There is so much lint that gets in there from the material and this clogs up the machine and a lot of times will block the bobbin from threading correctly.
If this is not your issue you may have some worn-out parts that need to be replaced. I had a machine that my grandmother had used for over 70+ years and I have never seen a part in this area go bad yet. I have seen an issue with the feed dog but never the bobbin casing and what you are describing. I had a friend who had a similar issue as yours and all I did was take apart the machine and clean out the years of gunk inside and it worked fine afterward. I even added a small amount of oil that is badly needed and the machine ran again like new.
Thank you! I'll take my machine in for a thorough cleaning. As you and others note, it surely needs it (on average, I clean it once every 50 years).
If you are putting the bobbin into your machine correctly AND the bobbin area of the machine is cleaned out well, try checking the needle. If it is put on the machine wrong, threaded wrong, rusty or bent, that could be the whole problem. Try putting a new needle on and see if the problem persists. Also make sure the machine is threaded correctly and that the thread tensions are set correctly -refer to owner's manual.
Thank you! I already tried a new needle; the bobbin's threaded right, and so on. The problem has got to be that it needs cleaning.
I'll take my machine in for a thorough cleaning. As you and others note, it surely needs it (on average, I clean it once every 50 years).
Sounds like you believe your machine may need a professional clean-up and even though it may not have been 50 years it's still probably a good idea.
Since this is a Kenmore you might want to check with Sears.
www.service-center-locator.com/
If you have further questions you can always ask on one of the sewing machine forums.
This link is the best (I believe) as there is so much about sewing you'll be looking for a while.
www.quiltingboard.com/
Thank you for the advice. Sadly, there is no longer any Sears service center within many miles of our home. Yesterday we took my machine to a family-owned business we've been told has a good reputation for cleaning, repairs, and being able to locate parts for old sewing machines.
Good - I believe you will be much happier working on a nice clean machine and should not have to ever have it cleaned again.
These machines are tough and usually a pleasure sew on.
Hi: You know, it may be as simple as having the bobbin in backwards. I've done that. Or, you maybe using the wrong needle for your project and, sometimes, if the top and bottom thread aren't the same the bobbin thread will break.
Thank you! The bobbin's placement is correct; I double-checked the needle and tried a new one--same problem :(. The tension is fine.
(BTW, it's not that the stitches are not happening as they should. The problem is that the needle won't/can't pick up the bobbin thread, so I can't sew at all.)
Wish I did have the manual! It must've vanished when we downsized a couple of years ago.
I'm going to have it professionally serviced and see how it does.
This may be the classic problem of build up, a build up of strings , fabric, and dust that build up over time and needs cleaning out , to function better. This will hinder the machine function. Check for that as best as you can and clean out the bobbin housing area. Rethread .
I suspect that you're correct. I've recently had a thumb joint redone, so I don't trust myself to take things apart and put them back together well. I've decided to take it to a professional to be examined, cleaned out, and oiled. It's got to be scuzzy inside after so many years.
Thank you!
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