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Sewing Machine Thread Bunching Up Under Fabric?

November 8, 2010

An issue with a sewing machine.My Singer sewing machine model 6286 is wadding up the thread under the bottom of the fabric. The machine is threaded properly. What is causing this?

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By bhooks from Hillister, TX

Answers


Bronze Feedback Medal for All Time! 186 Feedbacks
November 8, 20100 found this helpful

I have that happen sometimes, but not often enough to worry about it. I get it straightened out and don't really know what I do to fix it.

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Bronze Feedback Medal for All Time! 167 Feedbacks
November 8, 20100 found this helpful

Have you accidentally changed the tension, by any chance? If the tension isn't even above and below the fabric, wadding can occur. If that's not the case, then it's a mechanical problem with either the bobbin compartment, or maybe the feed dogs: en.wikipedia.org/.../Feed_dogs Either of these problems requires servicing on the machine.

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November 8, 20100 found this helpful

I have had this happen when the thread in the bobbin compartment has slipped out of the threading sequence or I have accidentally inserted it backwards. You might remove the bobbin and reinsert it.

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November 9, 20101 found this helpful

WildIrish has it right, it is probably the tension. The tension is partly set by that little screw (turn it) in the bobbin compartment. You will have to experiment with a scrap piece of cloth until you get it right. Or it may be the tension of the thread itself (turn your dials).

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Experiment with that, also. The thread sounds like it is too loose. Cheap thread is also a waste of money, as it will bunch up, break, etc. You could also have the wrong needle for the fabric. Some fabrics really do require their own certain needle.

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November 10, 20100 found this helpful

Oftentimes, you need to make sure you are using the same gauge of thread, or close, in both the top and bottom stitching. More than likely, though, its a tension issue. First determine if it is the top thread that is being pulled through the fabric and bunching, or if it is the bottom thread. I've had mine do both on my older machine.

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I also second all of the mentions that ThriftyVicki made. It all can make a difference.

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Silver Feedback Medal for All Time! 337 Feedbacks
November 10, 20100 found this helpful

If you are not an experienced sewer, you might take your machine to a friend who is and have her look at it before you start adjusting bobbin tension and so on. Try all the easy stuff that has been suggested. Rethread everything to start. If the problem isn't solved, have an experienced sewer try to fix it. Then it is time for the repair shop. But it does sound like a tension problem.

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November 10, 20100 found this helpful

I totally agree about the tension and the thread. First, I would double check the way you have everything threaded. Second-Thread gauge, stated by ladybanksia99, especially if you have 2 different types such as cotton in the bobbin and polyester in the top. That will mess up the tension and cause it either break or do exactly as you have described "wadding up" on the bottom of the fabric. If you cannot tell which one is wadding up I would try to use 2 different colors to determine which one is giving you the problems.

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If you feel it is the tension, after you have tried the other, I would suggest you make sure you have them set up to the Manufacturer default (recommendations) and then try sewing on some scrap cotton fabric. Per ThriftyVicki, depending on the material you need to make sure that you are using the correct needle because this is one more way for the tension to have a problem and it will definitely cause issues, breaking needles along with wadding up thread or breaking thread. I hope this helps.

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Bronze Feedback Medal for All Time! 153 Feedbacks
November 10, 20101 found this helpful

I sew on a Singer treadle. My machine will wad up the bobbin thread if I fail to do this: Hold both threads to the left of the presser foot. Take 3-4 stitches. It should sew straight to the end of the seam. Good luck!

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July 4, 20160 found this helpful

Which means what? If it is the top thread pulling through and bunching underneath, versus the bottom thread bunching underneath, does that mean it's more likely that I have the wrong bobbin thread?

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March 31, 20170 found this helpful

The way you're threading the machine to the needle is incorrect. You need to rethread from the spool down. Alsomake sure the needle lever is up while your rethreading.

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April 5, 20180 found this helpful

I agree that it is the tension. Most likely on the bobbin. when you turn the tiny screw on the bobbin case you can tighten or loosen the tension. Ina sewing class one time we were told that you should be able to hold your bobbin by the thread without it sliding down.

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If you give it gentle jerks the bobbin should slide down the thread with each jerk. I hope this helps.

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Anonymous
December 23, 20180 found this helpful

I dont understand the tension

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2 More Questions

Ask a QuestionHere are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community or ask a new question.

December 19, 2018

When sewing a straight stitch the stitches are bunching up. Can you tell me why and help me find a solution to my problem?


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Gold Post Medal for All Time! 677 Posts
December 19, 20180 found this helpful

Your tension is too tight in either the top, bottom, or both. Check you manual to see how to adjust it.

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Bronze Feedback Medal for All Time! 196 Feedbacks
December 19, 20180 found this helpful

If your tension is OK, your thread could be old (this is so common when thread is old). Try new thread on a scrap of the same fabric and see if this resolves the issue.

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OR your bobbin thread could be wound too tight this can cause bunching. Try a bobbin that still has thread that you know works.

OR your bobbin could be improperly seated (take it out and make sure it clicks when you seat it back in.

OR your bobbin release screw (if you have one) is too tight. One of my machines, I think it is my Kenmore, the bobbin has a screw that controls the bobbin tension and if it gets too tight, it causes the issue like you are describing.

Post back what helps!!

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Gold Feedback Medal for All Time! 949 Feedbacks
December 20, 20180 found this helpful

You do not say if it is bunching on top or underneath and that will make a difference in what is causing the problem.

  • You have been given good suggestions to try so I'm not sure that I can add anything but check this out.
  • "Anytime the sewing machine thread is bunching up, or bird nesting, on the top of your fabric, the culprit has something to do with your bobbin."
  • "The reasons that thread can bunch up underneath your fabric have all to do with your needle tension."
  • www.craftsy.com/.../
  • This is an excellent article that has suggestions for vintage and newer machines (and you did not give the name or age of your machine).
  • www.ebay.com/.../g.html
  • If you are still having trouble then just Google your question..
  • www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-ab&q=Stitches...
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February 9, 2016

I have a New Home machine and it is grabbing the top thread and pulling it to the bottom of what I am sewing. There it is bunching up every two inches. It is Model #701 and Serial # 3254.

I have cleaned the bobbin parts and oiled the machine. What other problem do I have? I have also worked on the tension. I bought the machine in 1966.

Answers

February 10, 20160 found this helpful

I also changed the needle and it seems to work better except the tension doesn't seem to change even when I adjust it on the New Home. What do you suggest?

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Silver Feedback Medal for All Time! 282 Feedbacks
February 15, 20161 found this helpful

Your issue could be the feed dogs setting (if your machine has that feature) being incorrect for the fabrics you're trying to sew. Another reason for your problem could be your thread - be sure you're using the correct weight and fibre for your fabric. Also, when starting to sew, be sure to gently pull the fabric through as it begins to feed through the machine - grasp the thread tails and give a bit of a pull (not too much!) as you start to stitch.

Finally, though, it sounds to me as though you have tiny bits of fluff clogging the tension discs. Using a bit of unwaxed dental floss, floss those discs the same way you would your teeth - you'll see 'grime' and likely a few tiny bits of fluff come away on the floss so keep on flossing (with a fresh bit every time) until it comes back as white as when it went in between the discs.

If that doesn't help it's time for a visit with the repair tech - there may be something inside the machine that's beginning to fail and only the tech will be able to find the problem.

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Anonymous
February 15, 20160 found this helpful

Thank you so much.

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