I need sewing help!

Can anyone tell me how to sew thick fabric with a sewing machine? My thread keeps piling up and getting jammed inside my machine. I've tried changing the stitch size.....Doesn't work at any size. And I'm not using a decorative stitch.

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14 replies since 31st July 2008 • Last reply 31st July 2008

Reply #1:

Maybe you use to use a larger needle. What kind of fabric are you sewing with?

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Reply #2:

If the fabric isn't going through the machine try loosening the presser foot slightly?

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Reply #3:

I don't really know what kind of fabric it is. It isn't velvet, but it is kinda fuzzy on one side.

I tried changing the needle.....still not working. Happy

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Reply #4:

The fabric isn't going thru the machine.

I loosened it.....still doing the same thing. Happy

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Reply #5:

I don't know. I would try to sew with a scrap piece of fabric of a different material to make sure that there isn't something going on with your machine. All I can think of is changing the needle. I hope that you figure it out soon. Good luck!

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Reply #6:

I used flat cotton bed sheet scraps and it did the same thing. It still did it. I figured the thread must not be pulling tight enough. And voila! The thread had come off the arm on the inside. (Don't know the word for it.) So I sorta figured out the problem.....It is coming off when I sew in reverse. Don't know how to stop that, but at least I can sew forwards now.

Thanx! Happy I would just DIE if my sewing machine broke!!!

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Reply #7:

what kind of machine do you have

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Reply #8:

An old Brother XL-5130. It's not like '50's old.....but I got it when I was in HS.

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Reply #9:

Have you still got the instruction manual for it? There's probably something in there that'll tell you how to fix it.

If not, is there a shop near you that'll mend it? I'm not sure how common they are, but there's one near me and I think that as well as selling sewing machines (that's all they sell) they do repairs and things as well.

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Reply #10:

I don't know where a shop is. I don't really have the money to fix it right now. All my money is going into my wedding.

I don't know what happened to the manual. (Lost in my studio closet, probably. LOL) I'll just tinker with it. Happy

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Reply #11:

i found a link that might help you out

http://sewandserge.com/tshoot.asp


http://www.startsewing.co.uk/PersistentThreadBreaking.html


this should help good luck

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Reply #12:

I know you've sorted the problem out, but in future, an easy thing to remember is if the thread looks wrong on the underside of the fabric, you've threaded the needle incorrectly- if the thread looks wrong on the topside, you've done the bobbin incorrectly.

I know this, but still everytime it goes wrong it takes me ages to remember that little fact, and by then I've completely taken my machine apart even though all I need to do is rethread the needle.

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Reply #13:

I've made errors before by using the wrong TYPE of needle for the fabric I am sewing. Check to make sure you have the correct type for your fabric. Ball needles are used to pass thru the fabric threads without breaking the fabric threads. Sharp needles are used to pierce directly thru. You need to know the fabric type to select the proper needl SIZE too.

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Reply #14:

No matter what I do I can't really sew straight with a sewing machine any advice to help me??????????

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