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  • What causes bobbin thread to jam up?

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    Old 08-17-2009, 08:15 AM
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    Tried to stitch around my quilt top/batting/backing and the bobbin thread is wadding up underneath and in the bobbin case. Doesn't seem like the feed dogs are moving, either. Since it behaves ok when I just sew two pieces of cotton fabric together, is it a problem with the thickness maybe? I compared the mattress pad I'm using with a small piece of regular batting and there is not much of a difference in thickness. Hoping someone can help. Thanks!
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    Old 08-17-2009, 10:34 AM
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    Have you checked in a manual as to the tension that you need for thicker material? Also, make sure your bobbin is turning in the right direction. I have to put the bobbin in with the thread turning clockwise.

    It's probably neither one of these things, but it's a thought! :P
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    Old 08-17-2009, 10:47 AM
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    Sometimes I think it is just sheer cussedness, Quilter - anything to prevent you from being able to sew! Seriously thought, re thread everything, even if you think you already did that. And I mean right from the thread spool down to the needle. I kept doing that once, but didn't realise that my thread wasn't in between the tensions discs correctly. Are you using the same thread top and bottom? Sometimes using a different thread in the bobbin doesn't work so well when quilting. I hope you can sort it out soon, and get back to the sewing.
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    Old 08-17-2009, 11:06 AM
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    Believe me, when I'm in a jam, I appreciate ANY thoughts. I did adjust the tension. I'm learning it's a good idea to do a test patch before I start, too, so problems aren't always a surprise. Thanks!
    Originally Posted by Ducky
    Have you checked in a manual as to the tension that you need for thicker material? Also, make sure your bobbin is turning in the right direction. I have to put the bobbin in with the thread turning clockwise.

    It's probably neither one of these things, but it's a thought! :P
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    Old 08-17-2009, 11:12 AM
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    I hear you...I rethreaded, rebobbined and still had a problem. I was using the same type of thread in both, and when I changed the bobbin thread to another - no more problem! Strange, but true, maybe? I must say - it's always an adventure! lol...this is a baby quilt, and I cannot imagine doing a bed size, complicated one. Whew, does my admiration grow and grow for what I see on the board.
    Originally Posted by Lacelady
    Sometimes I think it is just sheer cussedness, Quilter - anything to prevent you from being able to sew! Seriously thought, re thread everything, even if you think you already did that. And I mean right from the thread spool down to the needle. I kept doing that once, but didn't realise that my thread wasn't in between the tensions discs correctly. Are you using the same thread top and bottom? Sometimes using a different thread in the bobbin doesn't work so well when quilting. I hope you can sort it out soon, and get back to the sewing.
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    Old 08-17-2009, 12:29 PM
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    Originally Posted by *QuilterWannabee*
    I hear you...I rethreaded, rebobbined and still had a problem. I was using the same type of thread in both, and when I changed the bobbin thread to another - no more problem! Strange, but true, maybe? I must say - it's always an adventure! lol...this is a baby quilt, and I cannot imagine doing a bed size, complicated one. Whew, does my admiration grow and grow for what I see on the board.
    Originally Posted by Lacelady
    Sometimes I think it is just sheer cussedness, Quilter - anything to prevent you from being able to sew! Seriously thought, re thread everything, even if you think you already did that. And I mean right from the thread spool down to the needle. I kept doing that once, but didn't realise that my thread wasn't in between the tensions discs correctly. Are you using the same thread top and bottom? Sometimes using a different thread in the bobbin doesn't work so well when quilting. I hope you can sort it out soon, and get back to the sewing.
    Told you sometimes it is sheer cussedness. Who would have thought it didn't like your choice of thread in the bobbin? There is no rhyme nor reason for these things, but I am glad you are sorted and now able to stitch again.
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    Old 08-17-2009, 01:02 PM
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    My old Sears Kenmore is picky about the threads. It requires me to pull both threads to the back of the machine and hold on tight or it will bundle up. The old Singer I used in high school (okay - that was 40 yrs ago!) did the same thing. You might try pulling to the back and hanging on to see if that helps.
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    Old 08-17-2009, 02:54 PM
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    I have a Singer, too. It's a Genie. Was my mother-in-law's first machine and when she upgraded about 20 years ago, she gave the Genie to me. Too bad she's not still around to finally see me use it! Although she wasn't the greatest sewer, she was a heck of a lady, lol. She made me a dress with a real crooked waist one time, but I did wear it! With a VERY WIDE belt ;) I will try this if I have the problem again, tks.
    Originally Posted by amandasgramma
    My old Sears Kenmore is picky about the threads. It requires me to pull both threads to the back of the machine and hold on tight or it will bundle up. The old Singer I used in high school (okay - that was 40 yrs ago!) did the same thing. You might try pulling to the back and hanging on to see if that helps.
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    Old 08-17-2009, 04:00 PM
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    I just had this issue and discovered the bobbin thread wasn't wound quite right. It was almost the end of a spool, so I'm guesing it just didn't wind evenly. I wound another bobbin, and it's been fine.
    :-)
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    Old 08-17-2009, 06:03 PM
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    Yeah, isn't it just great when you finally get things going again! It's definitely the antidote to my frustration. I have to laugh at myself, every time I can't figure a problem out, I go right to, "Darn it, I am just going to buy a NEW sewing machine." Isn't that awful? I know I can't do that right now, but I always want the quick fix.
    Originally Posted by Diana Rainer
    I just had this issue and discovered the bobbin thread wasn't wound quite right. It was almost the end of a spool, so I'm guesing it just didn't wind evenly. I wound another bobbin, and it's been fine.
    :-)
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