In sewing class over 50 years, the teacher said if the thread is bunching on the bottom, it’s caused by something on the the top. Every time this happens, rethread the top and the problem is solved. If the machine is not stitching, check the bobbin. I find on my Singer Touch n Sew, purchased in 1971, that there is a broken thread in the bobbin which must be removed. Been using this advice since 1965.
Thank you so much for sharing, I'm trying to learn but there is a lot to learn. I really appreciate your comment I'll do my best to remember it as well!
Great tips! One additional point: remember to always have your presser foot in the UP position when rethreading your machine. This ensures that the thread guides are OPEN and the thread goes into the path (vs laying over closed guides). Keep on sewing!
Sewing teacher here - jumbled threads underneath the fabric is caused by a problem with threading on the top. The MOST LIKELY CAUSE is that you didn’t make sure the presser foot was raised when threading the machine. Raising the presser foot opens the tension discs whose job is to hold the thread as the stitch is formed. If you don’t get the top thread between the tension discs there is nothing to stop it from being pulled through to the underside of the fabric and just building up there until the machine jams.
I was taught for a half a year in 1965 by a Nun also at a Catholic girl’s high school. She was replaced by a Jewish lady who was a fantastic seamstress. I learned so much from both of them!
The thread is hugely important. I was using thread that was suited for hand sewing on my machine. It caused so many issues. Use thread specifically for machine sewing like Guttemans
Sewing machine tension. The thread's either too tense or too loose. The bobbin housing has a little screw, where you can change it. That's how I saved three singers (one of them over 40years old)
The only cause for this in my experience has been purely because I didn't put the presser foot down. It was hard to tell at times when there were thick layers of fabric whether the foot was down or not. I have that same machine too.
You can also use a test piece of cloth or test quilt sandwich to test your threads on before you put the "good stuff" under your needle. This allows you to make last minute adjustments and save your project from damage.
Thank you! My first project (straight lines only) and the person teaching me didn't tell me. Well, I went home to finish it and I got the "bird nests". I was so frustrated that I gave up until I had another class. 😬😮💨
About to do a standard garment for my costume construction class and setting up the sewing machine always gives me more struggle than the actual sewing😅 thank you for uploading this! I will reference this video when I am not sure what’s wrong with my machine❤️
The times this has happened, I needed to take off the bobbin plate, remove the bobbin and clean out the dust and lint in the bobbin cavern (gently use a q-tip by twirling it, and the strange little brush that comes with the machine).
(I'm completely new to sewing so please excuse me asking if this is a stupid question) What is the take up lever? Is it that metal thing on top at position 5 (?) where you thread the thread lol
Do not "pull" your thread out to top. Snip your thread and pull thru the needle Not doing this is what adds more lint in your machine as thread is meant to only go one way. Just a little trick
this happens to me when i try to use the darning foot, it keeps getting tangled and also stitches keep coming loose. do you have any idea why this could be?
I actually own two Singers. A HD that's 10 yrs old. The other is Treadle Machine. Both work beautiful ✅. I don't plan on purchasing a modern machine with a digital display and programmed stitches. I will go thrifting first.
In sewing class over 50 years, the teacher said if the thread is bunching on the bottom, it’s caused by something on the the top. Every time this happens, rethread the top and the problem is solved. If the machine is not stitching, check the bobbin. I find on my Singer Touch n Sew, purchased in 1971, that there is a broken thread in the bobbin which must be removed. Been using this advice since 1965.
Thank you so much for sharing, I'm trying to learn but there is a lot to learn. I really appreciate your comment I'll do my best to remember it as well!
Yes! Exactly! The Nun that taught me always said that and she was right!
LOL, new to sewing and this “birds nest” drives me bonkers. Thank you!!!!❤❤❤1
Great tips!
One additional point: remember to always have your presser foot in the UP position when rethreading your machine. This ensures that the thread guides are OPEN and the thread goes into the path (vs laying over closed guides).
Keep on sewing!
Clean your machine! It needs cleaning between projects and one of the bigest causes of this issue
Sewing teacher here - jumbled threads underneath the fabric is caused by a problem with threading on the top.
The MOST LIKELY CAUSE is that you didn’t make sure the presser foot was raised when threading the machine.
Raising the presser foot opens the tension discs whose job is to hold the thread as the stitch is formed. If you don’t get the top thread between the tension discs there is nothing to stop it from being pulled through to the underside of the fabric and just building up there until the machine jams.
This helped a lot. I wish I knew this when I started sewing.
I was taught for a half a year in 1965 by a Nun also at a Catholic girl’s high school. She was replaced by a Jewish lady who was a fantastic seamstress. I learned so much from both of them!
Super helpful, thank you for posting!!
The thread is hugely important. I was using thread that was suited for hand sewing on my machine. It caused so many issues. Use thread specifically for machine sewing like Guttemans
Sewing machine tension.
The thread's either too tense or too loose.
The bobbin housing has a little screw, where you can change it.
That's how I saved three singers (one of them over 40years old)
Can you show us how you store your thread?? It looks so neat!
The only cause for this in my experience has been purely because I didn't put the presser foot down. It was hard to tell at times when there were thick layers of fabric whether the foot was down or not. I have that same machine too.
You can also use a test piece of cloth or test quilt sandwich to test your threads on before you put the "good stuff" under your needle. This allows you to make last minute adjustments and save your project from damage.
I was taught 60 years ago to hold the threads at the back of the work when using an electric machine. It didn’t matter so much on a manual machine.
I have also found that if you’re not using the same thread for the top and bottom this will also happen
a very common reason also is a bent needle
Thank you for this video. Just saved it.
This is what made me stop using my sewing machine! Maybe I should go back to it now
Do it! Do it! Do it! Me cheering you on lol!
Thank you! My first project (straight lines only) and the person teaching me didn't tell me. Well, I went home to finish it and I got the "bird nests". I was so frustrated that I gave up until I had another class. 😬😮💨
Also watch the video "Keep your sewing moving with a thread bunny" the lady ther has another helpful tip to avoid that all the time without a fail😅
About to do a standard garment for my costume construction class and setting up the sewing machine always gives me more struggle than the actual sewing😅 thank you for uploading this! I will reference this video when I am not sure what’s wrong with my machine❤️
All good ideas. You can also use a “leader”.
Excellent advice ❤
Omg THANK YOU!!!!! i didnt know wher to put my thread. Thank you
Thank you ❤
Thank you! Tip for #4 😊
it did help! Thanks!!!
Be sure to pull the thread in the direction of the sewing needle and out of there. Pulling the thread in reverse can cause problems of its own.
Thanks much for all the info., i just got mine threaded for the first time and my first two attempts had this problem
Thank you!! This is so helpful!
Also check that there's nothing caught in the bobbin case.
Remove, polish and lightly oil the shuttle hook
Thank you
Thanks ❤
wine the thread on the bobbin up properly and tightly as guide and you can solve the problem. I did that and could save the money
My Singer Brillance has a tiny screw on the bobbin case. If it’s too loose, the bottom thread looks like a birds nest.
I had that problem. It was caused by a dent in one of the sides of the hole where the needle goes in. Sandpaper did the trick.
The slit in the presser foot.....ahhhh!
I never knew these..
I switched from a Singer to a Brother...
So far, so good.
There’s probably nothing wrong with the Singer though. Try putting the needle in the garment before using the foot peddle. Hope that helps too.
Thank you for the advice.
Also make sure your sewing machine is top form. Clear of dust etc, what my mom drilled into my head. Now I feel like sewing now. 😂
You are my hero thank you
The times this has happened, I needed to take off the bobbin plate, remove the bobbin and clean out the dust and lint in the bobbin cavern (gently use a q-tip by twirling it, and the strange little brush that comes with the machine).
***** Main reason and should be checked first …..Is the position of the take up lever when you start sewing….it should be up *****
(I'm completely new to sewing so please excuse me asking if this is a stupid question) What is the take up lever? Is it that metal thing on top at position 5 (?) where you thread the thread lol
So the higher the tension number, the looser the stitch?
Make sure the take up lever is up, before you start sewing.
Another problem can be that the spool for the under threat is slightly too big for your machine
I get this all the time, and I already do all of these steps...I'm convinced there's something wrong with my machine
Do not "pull" your thread out to top. Snip your thread and pull thru the needle
Not doing this is what adds more lint in your machine as thread is meant to only go one way.
Just a little trick
Explain the tension number
I solved this issue by switching from a Singer to a Janome machine.
I ALWAYS get this. I'm giving up sewing.
Good to know
Try a new, sharp needle. I know, too simple a solution.
this happens to me so much
this happens to me when i try to use the darning foot, it keeps getting tangled and also stitches keep coming loose. do you have any idea why this could be?
Ty❤
What about zig zag not zig zaggin? 😢
step one should be throw out the singer HD and tell people to never buy them because those things have been garbage for YEARS😭
I actually own two Singers. A HD that's 10 yrs old. The other is Treadle Machine. Both work beautiful ✅. I don't plan on purchasing a modern machine with a digital display and programmed stitches. I will go thrifting first.
So complicated.
What about the tension on the machine? Adjustment hilarious? How all these newbies are making these videos
Just saw a clip said keep tension on 0
That clip was setting u up for failure 😂
I wonder why it is this fast as if you do not really want anyone to learn about it.
Thank you