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This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was retired in August 2007. It is being provided by “Sew What’s Up,” which serves as the new home for many members of “Sew What’s New.”
From: DorothyL
Date: 01-07-2006, 08:15 AM (1 of 8)
What are the likely causes of the bobbin thread being "all loopy?"
My daughter called last night very frustrated that the bobbin thread is all loopy. I had her re-thread and it didn't seem to help so I'm going to her house -- probably not until next weekend to see if I can help figure it out.
Any ideas?
Thanks Dorothy
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002
Total posts: 3883
From: GreenDragonLady
Date: 01-07-2006, 08:34 AM (2 of 8)
I think the most common cause of that is threading while the presser foot is down. That makes it so the thread is not caught in the tension disks. It needs to be up whiel you're threading.
photos.yahoo.com/greendragondesigns
User: GreenDragonLady
Member since: 07-29-2004
Total posts: 495
From: Tom Land
Date: 01-07-2006, 09:17 AM (3 of 8)
If the thread is looping underneath the fabric there is a good chance the top thread is misthreaded and Dragon Ladys comment is so true.Make sure the presser foot is up when threading. Other common causes are a burred needle, wrong or damaged bobbin, or thread too heavy for the machine.
Have fun or don't do it, Tom
User: Tom Land
Member since: 09-21-2005
Total posts: 514
From: DorothyL
Date: 01-07-2006, 12:13 PM (4 of 8)
That's what I thought too -- poorly threaded.
She re-threaded while we were on the phone, but it didn't help. I'm still not sure she has it right though.
It could also be the needle. She probably hasn't changed it in ages. I'll take a couple new ones with me.
I'll clean and oil it, change the needle and wind a fresh bobbin and see how it does. Thanks.
Dorothy
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002
Total posts: 3883
From: plrlegal
Date: 01-07-2006, 02:44 PM (5 of 8)
She may have the bobbin in the bobbin case wrong, not winding off in the right direction and the bobbin case incorrectly threaded.

Patsy
Patsy
User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001
Total posts: 318
From: Kylnne2
Date: 01-07-2006, 08:56 PM (6 of 8)
In addition to all the good suggestions already posted you might want to ask her to adjust her thread tension to see if that helps.
User: Kylnne2
Member since: 07-10-2004
Total posts: 629
From: mamahoogie
Date: 01-08-2006, 01:00 PM (7 of 8)
It sounds to me like the bobbin is not installed properly. I have put mine in backwards a couple of times and had the same problem.

It could also be the bobbin tension. This is an easy way to test your bobbin tension. It was in a Kenmore instruction book when I got my first Kenmore Sewing machine.

Remove the bobbin and hold on to the thread with the other hand and let go of the bobbin. The bobbin shouldn't unwind much. (If it does, the tension is way too loose.) Now, quickly but gently jerk the hand holding the thread upwards a bit. If the tension is correct the thread should unwind about the same distance and you jerk. If it doesn't move much at all, then it's too tight. Again, if it unwinds a lot, it's too loose. Hope this makes sense.

Violet
I've decided to live forever - so far, so good.
User: mamahoogie
Member since: 12-25-2002
Total posts: 461
From: DorothyL
Date: 01-08-2006, 04:18 PM (8 of 8)
Violet
That's good information. Thanks.
Dorothy
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002
Total posts: 3883
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