My kenmore sewing machine (Model #385.11803) isn't picking up the bobbin thread. Bobbin thread case isn't turning. HELP!

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Check your bobbin area. – Make sure the bobbin is wound evenly and has been inserted into your machine properly. – Check for scratches on the bobbin case. – Make sure that the bobbin thread is pulled completely under the pretension, to assure that the bobbin is wound evenly.

First, make sure the bobbin-winding spindle (located on top of your machine) has been pushed back to the left for sewing. If it is not in the correct position, the needle will not go down and pick-up your bobbin thread.

The Needle Isn`t Seated Correctly

If you are using the correct needle for your fabric, thread, and the technique you`re doing but are still getting skipped stitches, try pulling out and reinserting the needle. Ensure that it`s not inserted the wrong way, slightly rotated, or not firmly inserted all the way to the top.

There are a few reasons why your bobbin thread might keep getting stuck. The first reason could be that the tension on your machine is too tight. This can cause the thread to break or get tangled. The second reason could be that the bobbin case is not inserted correctly.

Bobbin case – holds the bobbin and provides bobbin thread tension.

A: Looping on the underside, or back of the fabric, means the top tension is too loose compared to the bobbin tension, so the bobbin thread is pulling too much top thread underneath. By tightening the top tension, the loops will stop, but the added tension may cause breakage, especially with sensitive threads.

If your bobbin thread isn`t catching all of the time, the timing on your machine may be out of sync with the needle thread. This is something that should really be looked at by a qualified sewing machine technician. I would NEVER try to fix this – my machine are way to valuable to mess them up in any way.

Bobbin tensions should be 18 to 22 grams (up to 25 grams when embroidering caps). Proper tensions for satin stitches should reveal 1/3 bobbin and 2/3 top thread color on the underside of the embroidery as seen on the image above. A clean bobbin case is essential for proper tension settings.

If you`re experiencing difficulty with tensioning your machine, it might be that your bobbin tension is too loose (or, less frequently, too tight). To test your bobbin tension, remove the bobbin case and bobbin from your machine and hold the end of your bobbin thread. Swiftly pull up on the thread.

Improper Bobbin Tension or Dirty Bobbin Case

Bobbin tension that is too tight can cause thread breaks, misstarts, puckering, and design registration issues. Bobbin tension that is too loose can cause bobbin pull to the top of the design. A dirty bobbin tension spring can mimic any of the problems above.

If I see any jumping or uneven movement of the bobbin in the case, it is an indication the case may be warped or “Out Of Round”. A good clean bobbin with tension adjustments appropriate for your machine, thread, fabric etc will usually produce even separation of color.

The bobbin case holds the bobbin. It is usually not interchangeable between machines. Use only bobbins recommended by the manufacturer for your particular model, or the machine may not work properly.

Bobbin winder—Holds the bobbin while the thread is wound from the spool onto the bobbin.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

Our beautiful Bernina 730 sewing machine has been stored in the garage in its original case, and that wrapped in plastic, for a few years now. Temperatures have been both hot and cold in the garage, but the environment was dust-free.

We have brought the Bernina in, set it up, oiled it as specified in the manual, with the original sewing machine oil. We have correctly threaded the machine and the bobbin thread is up.

When we press on the pedal to sew, the machine gets electricity and buzzes

ANSWER : Hello and thank you for using Fixya ….
From what you describe there can be only 2 causes…Either the machine is still stuck ..and the motor buzzes cause it can not spin it ..and in this case it needs to be oiled more..and be spun by hand until it moves well and free…and after that it will work ..or during the storage ..from condense or so ..the motor is stuck ..and needs to be checked…In this second case ..it probably need to be oiled too (the motor ) ..and the coils changed..
Have a nice day ..!

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My Kenmore sewing machine timing has gotten off. I am sewing a big upholstery project and it starting bunching thread from the bobbin. The thread is so heavy that I had to put some pressure just to get it undone. This happen a few times and then I found it wasn’t sewing at all. When I evaluated without the materials in place I could see the needle would catch on the white plastic piece under the bobbin and the thread would not catch on the metal arm. It appears to be off by 1/4 – 3/8 inch.

ANSWER : Hello

Disassemble your bobbin case which is realy quite easy, clean.thoroughly with a brush and air, paying particular attention to any.rust that may have formed, and any thread that may have weazeled it’s.way into small but very incremental areas of your case.

Make sure your needle is not in backwards.The rounded side should be on the outside

. If threading is correct and your tension is properly adjusted , then check the hook for scratches. If you have ever hit the hook with a needle, it will be scarred and will catch the thread every time the upper thread passes around the bobbin case. the hook is the sharp point on the shuttle that holds the bobbin case. If it is scratched, polish it smooth with VERY fine sand paper

Make sure that your thread arm that rises and falls, constantly having tension running through it and that it is in fact staying in place.

Alternate between the metal and plastic bobbins – sometimes the plastic bobbins tend to chip

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I have the brother Ls-2000 sewing machine i threaded the top as well as the bobbin but when i try to sew the thread gets stuck and it bunches up and tangles in the bobbin. also the little bit that did sew was tight stitches on one side of the fabric but very loose on the other side I followed the instruction and it keeps happening i need help i dont know how to fix it please help me

ANSWER : Adjust your tension.You probably did not wind your bobbin properly as well.Make sure you oil your machine every month or so and make sure your bobbin is seated properly before you sew..
.Go slower with the pressure foot speed and use the right needle.ALWAYS test on scrap of your sewing material first!!!
.
.I have this machine for like 2 years and can do 2-5oz cowhide and buffalo leather on it (no joke, and it works FLAWLESSLY) inside it has full steel construction,just needs regular oiling compared to pro machines and easily made a few grand $$$ with it while my pro machine is getting repaired (I don’t even bother with my pro machine anymore). But you MUST oil it every month and use the RIGHT needle and adjust your tension properly .
.Also pull out the thread a good 6 inches from the needle and bobbin before dropping the pressure foot and sewing..
.Best $70 bucks (WITH TAX) I spent hell,the leather I use costs more than the machine!

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Borrowed Brother XR7700 Sewing Machine

1st: Sewed one inch OK; moved fabric and it stopped sewing, motor made thudding noise. When push-button (NOT pedal) is used, gives error E6,
consistent with motor noise.

2d: In order to check threading had to manually PULL bobbin case toward me or it was UNDER needle plate. Cleaned a fair amount of dust out. Reinstalled bobbin, etc., per manual, rethreaded.

3rd: Will sew 2-3 stitches, then packs up again just like in 1st instance above. Have st

ANSWER : Have you checked your needle. it could probably be bent somehow. you should replace it first because that also can confuse the sensor causing that error.

regards

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While using the pin stitch , the machine has started skipping stitches, knocking loudly, the top thread is breaking, sometimes thread knots up on the underneath side. I have cleaned bobbin area, changed needle and bobbin, using quality thread, the last time I used machine worked fine, yesterday when I started sewing I had this mess HELP!

ANSWER : Hi,
Please go through the link given bellow to have the resolution to your problem…
.http://sewing.about.com/od/sewingmachineindex/a/mtroubleshot.htm
.
.Let us know if you want something else please accept the solution.
.Thank You for contacting fixya.com

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Sewing machine won’t pick up bobbin thread

ANSWER : Open the bobbin case and see if the hook is turning, if it is it is just a timing problem with the hook and needle, if it isn’t tuning you may have a broken gear or timing belt…..It eill need to be looked at or adj by someone who repairs them….Daniel

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I want to get my XL-5000 singer sewing machine to work. It does not sew. The top thread will not pick up the bobbin thread for one thing and the other problem is that it gives me a error message saying incomplete threading.

ANSWER : Check if there is any thread in the bottom bobbin and next remove it and give it a good clean in its surrounding area.Oil surrounding mechanism carefully and manually push the top needle in and watch the bobbin spinning a see if it tried to pick the thread.Look out for anything that tries to stop it from picking it up.Hope this helps.

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With my K6 Industrial Singer sewing machine the top thread seems to be too tight. The bottom thread is looping too much on the top of the fabric. The timming is ok. I have checked and rechecked that I have threaded it correctly. It was working great the other day. Please help as we are live out on a property and too far out to get someone out to look at it. Thanks Tania Sorry no category for sewing machines on your list

ANSWER : Hello there, loosen your top thread tension,if it looping on top of the material the tension is way too tight, you will also find changing the thread size to smaller thread, the top tension will also reduce,depending on application a good size thread to use is 25 grade,bobbin tension should have just a slight amount of drag as the top thread and bottom work against each other when sewing.

regards

Tony

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