(I was.). Then the usual suspect called tension can be the culprit in this situation. That way when you troubleshoot you’ll know exactly what causes the change. I started a swatch to determine the stitch width and length I would need. The Zigzag Stitch Won't Work on My Sewing Machine Step 1. It should say in the manual if the bobbin should turn clockwise or counterclockwise when the thread is pulled. When the top thread is too tight, the bobbin thread will be easily visible on the top. (Which I didn’t know until I started troubleshooting.). (Like in row 3 below.). How to Clean Rusty Sewing Machine Easily (Helpful Guide), Do You Tip a Tailor? Check your tension to make sure it is not influencing your zig-zag feature. Solution: Use a stabilizer for support or sew a heavier weight fabric. (As shown in the picture above.) They weren’t specific to zig-zag stitches but more general in nature. So, I rethreaded the machine, put the swatch back in, and took several straight stitches. First, I would try changing the needle and sew on a couple of layers of cotton to see if that results in a normal zig-zag stitch. If you don’t have the manual, you can do a search online and more than likely find one. Check the sewing machine manual to see which way the flat side of the needle should be facing. By missing the stitch do you mean it’s skipping a stitch on the right and not catching the thread to form the z? It’s a great stitch to use for topstitching, embellishment, and to strengthen seams. Remove the bobbin plate using a screwdriver and then remove the bobbin. Your email address will not be published. Have you tried sewing the zig-zag on a non-pleated piece of fabric to see if you get the same missed stitch? Then I went to the back of the manual and looked at the general troubleshooting. Double-Fold Quilt Binding: A Beginner’s Guide, Applique Tools to Make Sewing More Enjoyable, using the horizontal spool pin instead of the vertical one. Note: Post first published May 3, 2019. The quick solution is to realign the thread so they are under the presser foot and placed towards the back of the machine. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Make sure you sign up for Snappy Scissors, my FREE newsletter sent directly to your inbox for ongoing sewing inspiration and education. 1. The zig-zag had to fit in that 1/2-inch space. Hi Marion, Finally, sewing speed will alter your stitches and create loose ones. This fixed the loose stitches on both the front and back of the fabric. The second thing that comes to mind is that instead of a button, you have a lever that is not working right. I used contrasting threads to see what happens with each of them. What type of fabric are you sewing? This type of needle has a rounded point and deep scarf to prevent skipped stitches. This is another way to stay up-to-date on the fun things going on at The Ruffled Purse. Check other factors that may masquerade as a timing problem first; there's no sense in taking your machine apart if you don't need to! Manual help ruins the precision sewing needs to work right. So, I used two different colors of thread. This needs to be done when you are under warranty. The needle did hit pins occasionally but never broke. First, lint may be keeping the feed dog from getting a tight grip on your fabric. If it is not done right, then you have a source for multiple common issues that delay your sewing. Loosening the tension may help free it up. Some machines allow you to adjust tension on both the top thread as well as the bobbin thread. The thread tension information in my sewing machine instruction manual said, “It [tension] can be adjusted to a lower number for less tension on the upper thread, if the bobbin thread seems to be showing on the top side of the fabric.”. One is that there is something wrong with your needle. When your stitches do not work then your fun and relaxing hobby gets to be very annoying as well. Never throw it out or let it get misplaced. If none of these tips help, take your machine to a professional to get it looked at. Email me at nicki@theruffledpurse.com if you need further troubleshooting ideas. Check your tension to make sure you have it right. Most of the stitch issues are common and come with very common solutions. If changing the needle doesn’t make a difference, try out the straight stitch and see if it is working properly. Congratulations on your new-to-you sewing machine! The reason for that is because your sewing machine manual has a lot of simple solutions to your common sewing problems. Nicki, Hello, Welcome to The Ruffled Purse® where you can discover (or rediscover) the joy of sewing! Also, you just may have a dirty machine that hinders your feature from performing its duties. The zig-zag stitch should look the same on the top of the fabric as it does on the back. You have a certain look and fabric you want in mind yet it is not at your favorite sewing store. When this happens you need an expert in sewing machine computers to handle the task. One of the worst frustrations in sewing comes when you cannot find the right fabric for your sewing project.