Sewing Machine Help

Not sure what "bunching of thread" means, but in the back of my manual (for a really old Kenmore 1320) it has it listed in common problems and it sounds like it could be it, not sure. Says probable cause: upper and lower threads not drawn under pressure foot/feed dog down. Correction: draw both threads back under pressure foot/raise feed dog.

If it 's a tension issue though I think you would increase upper tension or decrease bottom. Though, really not sure, as I'm not really a mechanical expert, lolz. You can probably google your manual, or the site for your brand of machine might have it.

This could turn out to be really embarrassing advice.

Try taking the spool and the spool case out. Clear away any fluff and grime that may have accumilated. Put a drop of machine oil on a cloth and wipe it round where the spool case goes. Then replace the spool holder and spool. Make sure your thread is running the right way.

Before you take the spool holder out check its position so you know how to put it back. Sometimes it's held in place with a screw on older machines. New ones have a swinging arm.

You could also check that the needle shaft is moving freely. If it is restricted in any way it affects the stitch.

Check that the spring on the tension control is moving freely.

Try setting your stitch length to about middle and your tension about 4. Use a good quality thread on a non-stretch fabric to test.

Slowly increase and decrease the tension until you are happy.

Most important.....change the needle. It should be changed after doing any major project. They become blunt very easily and will affect the quality of the stitch.

I can't think of anything else at the moment. Hope this helps

I meant to put more information about my machine, but my brain apparently died for a little bit. It's one of the newer model machines with the swing arm.

I will give those suggestions a try when I can get a new needle. I'm a bit frozen in still thanks to the crazy snow that's been coming through lately.

I wish I could help, my last machine was so old (and damaged) that I gave up on it when it was going to cost me more than $100 to repair it. I love my Brother computerized machine though.

the bobbin tension screw on my kenmore had a habit of backing out and causing that to happen. a quarter turn clockwise on that screw usually fixed it for a while. you wanna be able to pull thread through with light force.

Hi Spork. I used to have that problem with my old machine too. It's a Singer. It's just a wear and tear thing I think my machines have developed some of my traights.....unpredictable and slightly worn out.....Lol

the kenmore did it from day one.
I also paid $80 for it brand new. *shrug* it paid for itself in the first year in mending alone.