Stitches of various lengths in same seam!

[woodtwigg]

So here's the issue:

You can see the really tiny stitches starting on the green fabric I scavenged from some JCP puffers

2015-03-29 17.50.03.jpg

As I'm sewing along it mostly behaves until this interface of the two fabrics. The royal blue is 1.0 NylonD. You can see huge loose stitch that skips from the green like an inch into the blue side. (the bottom row on the blue side is me trying to adjust thread tensions to fix it with no success)

2015-03-29 17.50.20.jpg

Then it just has random stitch lengths after that.

2015-03-29 17.43.29.jpg

I've only done a few sewing projects in the past, so I really have no experience when things start to go wrong like this.

Thanks for any advice you guys can give!

[wgiles]

I often have trouble with varying stitch length in slippery thin fabrics. The feed dogs are not gripping the material well enough to maintain the stitch length. Since I pull the material with mu left hand to maintain tension and keep the feed moving, I may have some long stitches if I pull too hard. Feed dog pressure and worn feed dogs are the main suspects as far as equipment problems. The slippery fabric issues may be minimized by using a back up sheet between the fabric and the feed dogs. I have used tear away backing, tissue paper and cash register tape for backing. It may help.

[Bubba]

Might be an issue with the timing of the machine. Looks like the top stitch is not picking up the bottom stitch.
Make sure the needle is installed correctly and the machine is threaded correctly. Run some stitches on some spare material to get the tension back to where it should be and to see if the problem happens with other material. Those with more knowledge will have suggestions.

[gmcttr]

The machine is "skipping stitches"...the hook is not picking up the top thread consistently.

Did you change needles and put it in backwards?

Did you refill the bobbin thread and put the bobbin in with the thread coming off it the wrong direction?

Did you have a needle strike that left a burr on the hook or even the needle plate hole?

Did you have a problem and get a birds nest that had to be cut free and left a bit of thread in the bobbin/hook area that is interfering with the stitch formation?

If you didn't make any changes, look for any bits of thread and/or lint in the bobbin/hook area and thoroughly clean the area. Use a flashlight and look REALLY good.

[woodtwigg]

Thanks for all the quick responses! I will be unable to work on it for a while, but I'll go through these suggestions and let you guys know how it worked out!

[Levi Tate]

You are also skipping stitches in the first pic, with the green fabric.

I would start with the needle. Make sure its installed correctly, and check to see if its the right one for your machine.

Match the needle size to the thread.

[nothermark]

I also wonder about your stitch length. They look a bit too close in the green fabric.

[gmcttr]

You are also skipping stitches in the first pic, with the green fabric...

Good eye.

[Ramblinrev]

I would start with the needle. Make sure its installed correctly, and check to see if its the right one for your machine.

Match the needle size to the thread.

The needle could be a key culprit. As far as matching the thread size to the needle that's fine if you are CDO (OCD for those who need it in alphabetical order.) I've never worried about and haven't had a problem. That would be my last concern if you are using typical commonly available thread. On the other hand, if you are trying to run baling twine through the machine because you think you need the strength then yeah... get some normal thread and rest easy. It is strong enough if it is good quality.

[IRONFISH45]

Most culprits have been covered, I clean carefully, then use a few puffs of canned air where I can not see, then I get out the alcohol wipes (the little 2X2 squares) and clean the needle, presser foot and feed dogs. That gets rid of any residue. One of my machines, gets microscopic bits of lint caught someplace and only the canned air gets it out. I have spent hours trying to get my stitches right and then use the alcohol and canned air, magically the problem is solved.