A bird's nest of loopy, bunched, and tangled bobbin thread on the underside of your sewing is one of the most common sewing machine problems that quickly derail any project you're working on. But don't panic—this issue is almost always easy to fix.
Most people immediately think thread bunching is a sewing machine bobbin problem, but much of the time, it has nothing to do with the bobbin and you don't even need a repair person to fix your machine. If you've smoothly and evenly wound your thread on the bobbin, the bobbin is likely not the culprit.
The upper threading of the sewing machine usually causes bunching and looping bobbin thread. Here are the steps to take to troubleshoot and fix the issue.
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Thread the Machine Properly
Re-thread the upper part of the sewing machine, making sure the thread is passing through every thread guide on its way to the needle. Your sewing machine manual is the best source of instructions for threading your particular machine.
Always thread the machine with the presser foot up. The thread can seat properly as long as the presser foot is up. When the presser foot is down, the tension is engaged and the thread will not seat as it should. If the thread is not seated in the tension disks, it cannot engage any tension on the thread and stitch malfunctions are bound to happen.
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Change the Needle
If you still have loopy bobbin thread after ensuring you've threaded the machine properly, change the sewing machine needle. Be sure you use the proper needle for your brand of machine, the fabric you are sewing, and the job at hand.
If the needle is correct, is it possible you have bent it? The needle is part of the upper threading and is inexpensive to replace. Always remember to let the feed dogs do the work. If you pull the fabric to the back of the machine rather than let the machine feed it through, you risk bending the sewing machine needle, which can lead to all kinds of sewing problems.
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Inspect the Bobbin
In rare cases, the bobbin can be at fault if it is not threaded properly. If the thread is not smooth, is uneven, has knots, or is very loose on the bobbin, it is not threaded correctly. Knowing how to wind a bobbin eliminates this risk.
Another thing to check is whether the bobbin is inserted correctly in the bobbin case. Your sewing machine guide is the best resource for checking how you should insert it in the bobbin case. If you do not have a manual for your sewing machine, it is possible to find free manuals or replacement manuals online.
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Clean the Machine
Still not fixed? How long has it been since you cleaned the machine? Are there wads of lint and thread hiding under or around the bobbin case? Has your upper thread been shredding and possibly leaving pieces in the upper threading path?
It's time to clean out the lint, oil the machine, and perform any other routine maintenance for your particular sewing machine model, as described in your manual.