We’ve all suspected it at times…when your sew-jo has flown out the window and everything is going wrong. But how do you really know if your sewing machine hates you? Here are 10 signs to watch for to determine if your sewing machine is out to get you. And jokes aside, there are also tips for troubleshooting each of these issues.
So take the quiz – if you answer yes to question number 8 or at least 3 others, then I’m sorry to tell you, your sewing machine probably hates you.
1. It tries to eat your fabric.
This most often happens when you are sewing knits and or if you start sewing too close to the edge of the fabric. First, make sure you’re using the correct needle for the fabric (ballpoint for knits, universal for most other fabrics) and that your needle isn’t too big for your fabric (thin fabrics 70/10, quilting cottons and similar 80/12, denims, twills, canvas and other heavier fabrics 90/14 and larger needles). If you’re still having issues, try placing tissue paper under your fabric – it tears off easily and will help prevent your fabric from getting sucked into the machine.
2. The back side of the stitching looks like this:
When I worked in schools, the IT guy would sign every email with “80-90% of all computer problems can be solved by rebooting. Have you tried it?” To borrow his words, 80-90% of sewing machine problems can be solved by rethreading. Try that here, both the top and bobbin threads. If you’re still having issues, try the solutions in number 3.
3. Your fabric won’t feed through.
First make sure you’re not starting too close to the edge. Next, make sure your presser foot is down – it’s silly, but even I forget to lower it sometimes. Still not feeding? Make sure that you haven’t somehow accidentally dropped your feed dogs. Many machines have an option to disengage the feed dogs (you’d want to do that for freehand stitching for example) and if they’re not up they can’t pull your fabric.
4. The thread keeps breaking.
See Number 2 – rethread. While rethreading, check that your thread hasn’t wound itself around the thread holder at the top or the base. Still having issues? New needle, and make sure it’s inserted the correct direction – if you accidentally put it in backwards it can shred thread. Still having issues? Make sure your thread isn’t too thick for your needle (don’t try heavy duty thread with a 70/10 needle, for example). Still having issues? Try new thread.
5. The needle keeps breaking.
Are you sewing sequins, hitting pins, using a thin needle on really thick fabric? If so, cut sequins out of seams, remove pins, and/or switch needles. If that’s not it, check that the needles are inserted correctly and not bent, and check for possible pins stuck in the bobbin casing area. If you’re still having an issue, it’s time to go to the sewing machine doctor as your timing may have gotten off somehow.
6. It won’t stop skipping stitches.
Try a new needle. Also make sure your needle is the correct type for your fabric.
7. It unthreads itself each time you start to sew a new seam.
This is an easy fix – and a common issue for beginners. Before you cut your thread, make sure the take up lever is all the way up.
8. It displays a message like this:
Sorry, if your machine is doing this, you may need to call the Ghostbusters. And get the heck out of your house.
Primrose Bohne
One of the problems I had, after a hiatus of no sewing for years – I wasn’t winding the bobbin properly – not per instruction manual – and was getting loose, uneven stitches, nests of thread, etc. So that’s something I’m careful about – wind properly, check that the thread is taut in the bobbin, and loading it correctly. Cleaning off lint also helps 🙂
Andie L
Thanks for all the great tips! Especially the last one! I have called the Ghostbusters. ;P (btw, that made me spit out my coffee. lol)
Emily
Haha! Number 8! I had a small moment of panic when I saw the graphic, and then realized… oh no, this was clearly meant as a joke. *facepalm* Just like the other day–my daughter and I were looking at photos of her when she was younger, and I saw her cute tiny face looking up at me from the picture, and desperately wanted to give that little girl a hug, and then realized I could just give real daughter a hug, and then was somewhat disappointed I couldn’t give tiny picture girl a hug, and then I realized, oh wow, I can’t believe I’m actually having this conversation with myself. #sleepdeprivedfromwakingupearlytosewbirthdaypresentswhilesaiddaughterisstillasleep 😀
Sofia
2, 4 and 6 can also be caused by tension being too tight or too loose. I know from experience. Issues arise when you don’t have automatic trnsion sensors, like on vintage machines.
Elita @ Busy Needle Quilting
N°8 made me laugh! All good advice. Thanks for the reminders. 🙂
Melissa Evans
For almost all of these, I personally have to add, “Has toddler been playing with the buttons” Doing a once over before I start sewing is becoming a necessity.
Lynnea
Hahaha! I think you just solved my sewing machine problem! Thanks! LOL!
Anna
My habit of threading the needle with the presser foot down, because then I had easier access to the eye of the needle, would mess up everything and cause the thread to break. Once I stopped doing that, a lot of issues went away. I also find that older thread (like the stuff my grandma gave me when she was having a clear-out that could be ten or more years old) is more prone to breakage, particularly when the machine’s on a zig-zag setting.
marie martinez
HI Melissa,
Liked your post both for its logical solutions and the funny. As a long time sewist, using various machines, I’d like to add:
#1 & #3, You can use small 1 x 1 fabric sq. as bumper under the needle for 2-3 stitches, then start you fabric. bumpers can be snipped after you’re finished sewing the seam,
#2 & #6- bobbin issues. If your bobbin is plastic, it may be warped. I found this happened with a brother machine (I now use mostly use my bernina);
#7 – pull top thread at least 3 or 4″ past needle (stopped my frustration).
#8 – excellent advice….
Anne
hahaha! This is awesome!! Sometimes I swear my sewing machine turns into a petty little diva. I’ve got a Craft Gossip post scheduled for this morning that links to your post:
http://sewing.craftgossip.com/8-signs-your-sewing-machine-hates-you-plus-how-to-fix-them/2015/03/02/
–Anne
Joanne D.
One thing that my junior highschool home-ec teacher told me that has always stuck with me, in regards to how to thread your bobbin, is “mind your P’s and Q’s!”. Once you figure out if your bobbin and thread look like a P or a Q when you put it into the bobbin case, you’re all set! (I have 2 machines,,,,one’s a P and one’s a Q 🙂 )
Karin
#4 – when I have this problem, it’s normally because of lint in the bobbin area. I remove the metal plate and clean it out and that solves a lot of problems.
Donna Pheneger
LOL! Love #8! Thanks for this as my machine and I need couples therapy!
Terri
Love! My sewing machine is currently being repaired for #1. It started eating my fabric and I didn’t notice for those first few seconds…Well, when I tried to get it out-instead of being slow, patient and methodical, I ripped it out in a rage of frustration. Well it pulled my bottom thread catcher out of wack and it refused to sew properly for me after that.
So don’t do that!
Louisa
Thanks so much for the tips! I am excited to try paper under my fabric when sewing narrow seams. I love using parchment paper when sewing vinyl so I always keep some of that near my machine.
Jane C.
My machine is actually an extra terrestrial. The least little piece of lint causes it to refuse the bobbin. After much ado, if I clean it with the vacuum using the small extensions that also clean computers AND a drop of oil in the hook assembly, it comes back to earth.
I have written BabyLock about this with the intention of adding to their body of knowledge. They are not impressed. My sister thinks that customer service people are too young and in the box.
Lisa
For some time now I’ve had regrets about going “old school” when I bought my sewing machine but o’boy, no more! My sewing machine won’t ever blink any messages to me! 😉
Jan
Opened up my sewing machine after YEARS…naturally trying to sew the hardest thing on earth…Indian silk. I am temporarily living here in India and the materials are inspiring me….however, OMG I’ve lost my touch. My machine is eating my material and all I’m trying to do is sew a faux overlock on the edges to stop them from fraying! tips are RIGHT do not WASH this material before overlocking the edges…wow what a mess I had with strings everywhere and a ball of material to cut through. Still trying to figure this all out but truly had a wonderful laugh on number eight and the comment on couples therapy! Best laugh I’ve had in a long time. Thank you! and thank you for the advice…now I have to find some tissue paper. I’ll probably try toilet paper for lack of immediate supplies here in India.
Lara
On Saturday my Bobbin hated me, for some ready it kept having all these loose threads. I finally got that done. #4 I’ve also found that the thread can sometimes get caught in the little groove that’s on the thread spool to help keep the end of the thread. That stinks when that happens
Tori
I once had a machine that would sew by itself. It did this on and off throughout the day, despite being unplugged and replugged in to the power.When it was left turned on, it would sew for a few seconds at a time, which happened every few minutes. I took it to be serviced and of course it didn’t do it there. I talked to the ghost who was trying to do some sewing and asked her to leave and she did!
Mea Cadwell
Ok, now I want my sewing machine screen to say the same thing. LOL! Wish I could program it to say certain things like, “Time for a coffee break”, or “Don’t forget to stretch”.