Originally Posted by
gargoyle
Did you put the needle in the RIGHT way.?
Have you cleaned the area under the stitch plate? under and around the dogs? Remove the stitch plate and thoroughly clean with a small brush and a puff or two of air.
By "holding the threads at start up", I mean physically grasping the TWO threads, one from the top spool, after it exits the needle and is under the foot. And the bobbin thread,place it under the presser foot also. Leave two or three inches of loose thread out. Always lay these to the rear of the machine.At this time I notice how much tension is on each piece of thread, they should feel the same. Set the fabric under the foot, close the foot, grasp the two threads and maintain a steady pressure.(your not pulling the thread here, just maintaining pressure, so the loose ends do not pull back under the fabric.) I do this with my left hand and guide the fabric with my right. Just for a few stitches (4-6).
When I switch from forward to reverse I slow down and come to a complete stop, then shift to reverse. Its the same with a car, driving 30 mph and slamming R is not advisable. Stop then shift the machine.
On start up and stopping, always, and I mean always...leave the moving thread tensioning arm in its highest position. There should be a hook like arm that the thread rides in above the needle. This maintains tension on the thread as the fabric moves etc.
By setting this arm at its highest point, it opens the bobbin and allows for the fabric, and thread to be removed easily. It also lifts the needle up and out of the way. You can do this by stopping wherever and then spin the machine by hand (forward from the top down, towards you, never turn the wheel backwards)
Now with this arm at its highest point, when you start up the next series of stitching, you'll notice the thread not being pulled backwards. It is starting on the first series of stitches without any tension.
Also, never yank or pull vigorously on a jam up/ birdsnest/ wooly mammoth. Simply cut away all the loose threads, remove fabric, and continue clipping and pulling out the threads. Check in the bobbin for any little pieces. Then rethread the machine and start over, arm up, etc. Soon you will learn the sounds of a jam up and stop BEFORE they become huge birdsnests.
There are some great how-to-sew videos on youtube. Do a search and watch them for lots of pointers or join in a class at your local sewing center.
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