Last Updated on 3 months by Susan Mayrich
Do you want to know sewing machine bobbin case problems and solutions? The most common is the needle thread breaking or coming undone when you try to sew without a needle in place, but then there are also cases where the threads get stuck and cases where the threads come off during everyday use.
I’ve been sewing for years, and it wasn’t until recently that I had a problem with my bobbins. It turns out that there are all sorts of different types of issues that can happen to your bobbin case.
There is so much more to learn, so it’s best to dig into this article further! This guide will cover some ways to fix these problems so that you don’t have any trouble at all with your sewing machine.
Bobbin Case Sewing Machine Problems And Solutions
Here are the answers to your questions regarding your sewing machine bobbin case problems and solutions:
What is a bobbin case on a sewing machine?
The Sewing Machine Bobbin is a small device that fits onto the sewing machine. It stores the thread so you can keep working without having to stop and rewind it manually.
What is the function of the bobbin?
The bobbin is a mechanical device usually found with sewing machines that work as an accessory to hold the thread. The bobbin is loaded with thread before each stitching process.
What are the parts of a bobbin?
Bobbins are made up of four main parts; the body, winder, clips, and top cover. The body typically has loops for thread storage.
Winders are found on either side of the body and are used to gather threads together tightly and store them in their designated loops inside the bobbin case.
Clips secure these loops in place while top covers complete their external casing – protecting everything from coming undone or sliding inside the casing.
What is the function of a bobbin?
It cannot be easy to distinguish whether or not you need a new bobbin case unless it’s obvious. For example, if you have no thread showing on the winder and can’t get the needle threaded without difficulty, you would know that something is wrong with the bobbin.
Can you sew without a bobbin case?
No, it’s impossible to sew without a bobbin case. A sewing machine bobbin case is an essential component for sewing. It stores the thread so you can keep working without having to stop and rewind it manually. Instead, the thread passes through the needle and then off a coil in a bobbin case.
Can you sew without a bobbin?
No, you can’t sew without a bobbin. If you try to sew with just the top threads, your garment won’t hold together because they’re too loose. Suppose you try and tighten them to make them stay together.
In that case, your needle will break, and making any other stitch than plain straight is impossible without an extra thread attached below to help push-pull as necessary when stitching those curves.
What is the bottom bobbin for?
It stores the thread so you can keep working without having to stop and rewind it manually. The thread passes through the needle and then off a coil in a bobbin case.
Do you have to use the bottom bobbin?
No, you don’t have to use the bottom bobbin. If you want a more straightforward sewing process, you can choose to do that. For example, making garments without using the bottom bobbin is possible if your stitches are just on plain fabric or straight-lined seams.
If you try and tighten those threads too much to get them not saggy anymore because they’re too loose, your needle will usually break. And trying to sew anything other than plain straight stitch is pretty impossible without an extra thread below for pushing and pulling as necessary when stitching around curves like armholes and necklines.
How much thread do you put on a bobbin?
Some people put the thread on a bobbin relatively loose. They believe that if the one strand of thread is not tight in the bobbin, it will lay spool-like on top of a needle. Others are more attentive to their sewing machine and try to place the thread as close to a coil as possible, with less slack and clutter.
Spools of thread are rarely related to sewing machines. Instead, spools of thread are used for hand sewing, which is different from the type of needle created for use with a sewing machine. Bobbins have been designed as an accessory for a sewing machine. The bobbin has splits in the body and winders on either side that allow you to place a spool or coils in it.
The thread passes through these coils when weaving fabric together and being guided off of them by the needles (sometimes they pass over). A spool does not have any holding mechanism besides your fingers; therefore, if you let go of it, it will roll all over the floor and get tangled up with other items until someone finds time to locate and untangle it.
Are all bobbin cases the same?
No, they are not all the same. There are different types of bobbin cases that correspond to different sewing machines.
When should I use bobbin thread?
The machine needs to rotate the needle up and down in front of the fabric to make a stitch. The feed dogs pull the fabric through the space between needle and presser foot, where bobbins come into play. They store threads for this purpose, and they also help control tension.
What holds the bobbin case while sewing?
The bobbin case holder holds the bobbin case while sewing.
How do I fix the bobbin case holder on my sewing machine?
The bobbin case holder, also known as the sewing machine table, holds the bobbin case. To fix it, align all base edges with your sewing table and tighten it with a screwdriver.
Ensure that there are no gaps in between. If you still notice this problem after repairing it, try replacing the sewing machine needle (or use a new thread) since that might be causing problems when placing a spool or coils on top of it where they could cause tears in between threads or fabric while stitching.
Why is my bobbin case keeps popping out?
The most common reason for your bobbin case popping out is that your bobbin isn’t threaded correctly. It may also be that it’s misaligned with the thread path, which can happen from time to time if you call to mind the last time you had to try and rewind your bobbin, and it became tangled up.
There’s a secondary hole on either side of the bobbin case to help with alignment, but if you find that the tension is too tight or too loose, it could still be misaligned.
Why is my bobbin not working?
Your bobbin needs to have a thread on it, and it needs to be put in the right way. For example, the thread should go around the outside of the bobbin case (winders) with one strand going under and over.
How do you fix a bobbin which doesn’t turn?
The most common reason for this is that the bobbin is not threaded correctly. You need to take a strand of thread from your spool and loop it around the bottom of the pins (usually found in a circular wire form).
Then, loop it one more time over, then under, then up. It should look like an “X.”
The other possibility would be that you are inserting it incorrectly – try popping out the little hole on top and looking down into it. But, again, you want to see two holes with threads running through them – one going vertically and another horizontally along each side of where you’re inserting your screws.
A diagram inside tells you which way to insert the pins so they don’t get stuck inside when winding.
How do I know if my bobbin case is broken?
If your sewing machine is making clicking noises, this can signify that the bobbin case is broken. Try opening up the bobbin case and winding it with a new thread to see if you can find where the problem is.
Why is my bobbin case moving?
One thing that can cause your bobbin case to move is if you’re using a machine with a horizontal bobbin. This type of machine puts the bobbin on the side, making it easier to fall out. You can use safety pins or hair clips to secure it in place with the tension back at its standard setting. Another thing that could happen is if a thread is caught in the bobbin case itself. Pop out the little hole on top and look down into it. If it’s not correctly aligned, try twisting the screws so they don’t get stuck when winding yarn through them.
How do you fix a bobbin?
Here are the ways to fix the bobbin, Follow these steps:
Step #1. Push the needle set to “warp” below the throat plate. Find the thread coming up from the bobbin and grasp it with your left hand.
Step #2. With your right hand, twist outwards and push downward on each side of the loop made by the finger and thumb of your left hand to form a new “X” shape.
Step #3. One at a time, use the fingers of the left hand to lift inside corners of the loop while rotating the ing bobbin holder (needle set) clockwise until the thread is taut enough for sewing machine stitches to move freely with no slipping or snagging as you usually sew.
How do I fix the timing on my sewing machine?
The needle timing is the distance the needle needs to go up and down each time a stitch is made. If it has come unadjusted, this can significantly affect how your stitches look.
Check with your manual for where to adjust the timing, and remember that if you are sewing with thicker material (leather or heavy denim), you might want to lengthen your needle travel or raise it at a shallower angle. Shortening the travel, of course, will do well if you are using lightweight material (cotton sateen).
What will you do if the sewing machine is not working?
I’d make sure that the needle turns and then use a combination of manual and game to troubleshoot. But, first, I would check my manual for the correct timing. I’d adjust it until the stitches look good (no more snags) if it’s not adjusted). I would also have to adjust the needle if sewing with light or heavy material.
What is the reason for the machine to lock up?
The cause for a machine to lock up usually stems from an issue with the bobbin that can include: a worn thread, stretched yarn, or not enough tension.
What causes the bobbin thread to bunch up?
Thread bunching up can occur when too much tension on the bobbin. For example, overloading the bobbin with thread or using a smaller spool of thread than usual can cause the thread to bunch up. If this continues, it can cause the tension to wear out and break.
Why is my bobbin case keeps popping out?
The most common way a bobbin case pops out is if you’re using a machine with a horizontal bobbin. This type of machine puts the bobbin on the side, making it easier to fall out. You can use safety pins or hair clips to secure it in place with the tension back at its standard setting.
Another thing that could happen is if a thread is caught in the bobbin case itself. Pop out the little hole on top and look down into it. If it’s not correctly aligned, try twisting the screws so they don’t get stuck when winding yarn through them.
How do you get a bobbin out?
Unwind the thread until you can locate it. Remove any excess or unnecessary threads holding it to the bobbin and insert a screwdriver to see if you can pop it out. If not, unscrew the machine’s part that helps trap and control the bobbin—some use a shielded screw, so be sure to check your user guide for specific instructions—until you have enough room to take it out of its housing manually.
When should I replace my bobbin case?
The best time to replace your bobbin case is when it starts popping out of the machine. However, you may also need to replace a bobbin case if you notice any thread bunching up or if it seems like the thread is getting stuck in a bobbin case hole.
What does the bobbin case sit in?
The bobbin case sits in the bobbin winder.
What does the thread do when it is wound onto the bobbin?
The thread winds around the bobbin to be put into service.
How do you put the shuttle back in a sewing machine?
Attach the shuttle to the needle, put it back into place, and tighten it with your hands. Check to see that it’s securely fastened in its desired spot for sewing.
Is the bobbin case supposed to move?
The bobbin case is not supposed to move. However, if it is moving, there may be another problem with the sewing machine that will need to be taken care of before you can have a working sewing machine again.
How do you get a bobbin case off?
Pop the little hole off using your fingers at the top, and you should quickly see the bobbin case. Look to either side of it, and if it’s threaded through with a thread on each side, look for two small holes that line up vertically with one another.
You’ll need some tweezers to screw them out – these are found in sewing kits which you can purchase at any store. Make sure you wind another bobbin with a new thread before reinserting because there could be something stuck inside.
How do I get my sewing machine to pick up the bobbin thread?
The first thing you should do is make sure the bobbin case has enough thread and is wound correctly. When a machine cannot find the thread, it usually means that there isn’t enough thread on the bobbin to guide it through or an issue with this part of the machine itself.
You should also check the needle type to see if that doesn’t explain why your machine can’t pick up the thread from the bobbin. If none of these solutions work, your sewing machine may need to be repaired or replaced. On the other hand, if all parts are working correctly and there’s still no response, contact tech support for further assistance because you will need them even more!
What tension should my sewing machine be on?
The sewing machine’s tension should depend on the project you’re working on. For thicker materials like upholstery or denim, you’ll need about 60-70 pounds of tension for your needle to penetrate the material effortlessly.
For thinner materials, like polyester, you’ll need less than 45 pounds of tension for your needle to move through quickly. Don’t forget to adjust the pressure from time to time if the fabric thickness changes drastically!
When should you tighten the bobbin tension?
The bobbin tension of your sewing machine is an adjustment that you can alter depending on the type of material you are sewing. If the thread is bunching up and breaking, or it’s hard for the needle to move through the material, you should try tightening your bobbin thread. You can find directions in your user manual on how to do this.
What happens if the bobbin tension is too loose?
The bobbin will come out of the needle too quickly, which can cause problems in the stitches. If your machine is making a lot of noise or if there’s a rattling noise, usually, your sewing machine’s tension is too loose, and you need to adjust it. If this starts happening regularly, contact customer service for assistance.
How do I fix the upper tension on my sewing machine?
The upper tension on your sewing machine is usually restricted by a small screw that changes how much thread is wound around the bobbin. If you’re experiencing any of the following problems, your upper thread tension is likely too high:
#1. The needle sticks through and creates a hole in the fabric while stitching.
#2. The stitches are uneven; one stitch stands very loose and appears as though it may break at any time.
Check your user guide for instructions on adjusting up-tension screws to solve this problem.
How do I know if my bobbin tension is correct?
If your bobbin thread is bunching up and breaking, or if it’s hard for the needle to move through the material, then you should try tightening your bobbin thread. You can find directions in your user manual on how to do this. If all parts are working correctly and there’s still no response, contact tech support for further assistance because you will need them even more!
What causes my machine tension to fluctuate?
A sudden shift in the weight of materials could alter the sewing machine’s pressure points. The top end of the needle may also be too loose in its socket. Try getting a technician out to check these two things first.
How do you fix bobbin tension?
Decrease the top tension on your sewing machine so both threads are less taut but still under control.
How do you tighten top tension?
This will make your top thread tighter, reducing slack and slippage. If you want to loosen it, decrease the top tension so both threads are less taut but still under control.
How do I adjust my knitting tension?
Adjust your knitting tension according to the pattern. The tighter your knitting tension, the neater and tighter the stitches will be; however, the project may become too heavy if you use a lot of yarn. Looser knitting tension means more stretch, which won’t make your project sturdy, but it will use less yarn. If you need to add or remove stitches from your knitting project, adjust the decrease and increase stitch size at intervals.
How do you fix a tension disc on a sewing machine?
You can adjust the discs to be tighter by nudging them closer together until your tension is correct. If you’ve loosened the bobby pins on one side and tightened a screw on the other, it still doesn’t work, then tighten those screws snugly.
If none of these solutions work, contact tech support for further assistance because you will need it! You should also check that needle type to see if that doesn’t explain why your machine cannot pick up the thread from the bobbin.
It’s A Wrap!
Now, you’ve known sewing machine bobbin case problems and solutions. We hope that all your questions about this topic are answered. Have a great day!
