REASON #1: The machine needle is installed on the wrong side. If you are a beginner seamstress and your troubles with your sewing machine started with changing the needle, let's first take a closer look at how this needle works and why. The machine needle is an absolutely brilliant invention of W. Hunt, and it consists in the fact that there are two grooves along the needle: a long one on one side, and a short one on the other. When this ingenious needle pierces the fabric, the top thread coming from the spool is hidden in a long groove. Thanks to this, the needle and thread passes through the fabric very easily. But the section of the thread that has a short groove on the other side experiences a lot of friction. While the needle goes down, it drags the thread along with it. But during the reverse movement, a section of thread, successfully hidden in a long groove, comes out freely. But the thread in the short groove is unlucky: it has nowhere to hide, and it gets stuck, forming a loop under the fabric, which the shuttle grabs. This is how simple (and at the same time very cunning?) a machine stitch is formed. If you didn’t pay attention or simply couldn’t remember which side to insert the needle into the sewing machine (and looking at the instructions every time, even if you haven’t lost it yet, is so boring!), then now you won’t get confused: the needle needs to be inserted with a long groove in the direction from which the thread is threaded. Failure to follow this rule is a fairly common reason why a sewing machine does not sew: the handwheel spins, the fabric under the foot moves, the needle makes frequent strikes, and instead of stitching there is only a uniform row of holes... REASON #2: The new needle is too thin for the thread threaded into the sewing machine. The thread does not fit in the long groove, it protrudes outward, and the holes in the fabric are too large. The thread on the side of the short valley no longer gets stuck in the fabric or does not get stuck every time. You end up with unsightly gaps, or even no stitches at all. Change the needle to a thicker one, or the thread to a thinner one, depending on what is easier for you. REASON #3. Sewing machine Doesn't sew because the top thread breaks every few stitches. See if it gets caught on the threading path: by the spring of the tension regulator, by the thread take-up, by the tip of the needle. Often a coil of thread, having slipped off the spool, gets wrapped around the rod on which it is installed, and this is not immediately noticeable. Modern cardboard reels behave especially poorly. It is advisable to place a smooth plastic circle under them. If it is not included with your sewing machine, cut it out from the bottom of a plastic bottle and make a hole in the middle with a nail heated over a fire.

Even the most expensive, reliable and high-quality sewing machine, like any equipment, can start to work incorrectly or stop altogether. Moreover, a Chinese single-thread machine is prone to breakdowns. Let's figure out why the sewing machine doesn't sew and how to fix it.

Common Problems

The sewing machine has stopped sewing. Whether it's manual or motorized, you may encounter the following manifestations of this breakdown.

1. The bobbin or upper thread does not feed. The stitch is “short” - there are not enough threads in the seam. Zigzag sewing doesn't work at all.
2. The fabric does not move as the stitches are sewn. Those, in turn, are layered on top of each other, instead of a seam a tangled ball is formed, the threads are wasted.
3. The foot does not work: it is impossible to raise/lower it.
4. The motor runs, the drive shaft rotates, but the needle bar does not move or has stopped working. Sewing has stopped.
5. The machine shows no signs of life - the engine does not fire, the display does not light up and does not display information about the operating mode. The work doesn't start.
6. Crunching, crackling, malfunction of mechanisms, sudden “jerking” of the smooth and smooth running of the machine. Reducing the speed of fabric stitching, which lengthens the time spent on fast and precise actions.
7. The machine works, but periodically stops closer to the middle of the seam or immediately after it begins to lay it along the layers of fabric.
8. The machine tries to reach the stated speed even when the foot pedal is fully pressed, but it moves forward with difficulty.

Some faults are grouped according to common reason their appearance. Others, on the contrary, have various reasons.

Causes

Some reasons depend on the differences between a particular model and others - even, at first glance, compatible ones. So, the thread is not picked up from the shuttle by the needle, the seam does not work due to:

• wear of the shuttle tip, incorrect adjustment (or detuning);
• failure of the spatial movement of the shuttle;
• the presence of nicks on the bobbin cap;
• incorrect setting of the needle friction mechanism (too high or too low);
• beveled screw holding the bobbin;
• desynchronization of the operation of the lower section of the machine and the needle bar.

Most likely, the mechanism itself is faulty. To service it, it is recommended to contact a sewing equipment repair service center.

Malfunctions of the unit responsible for guiding the needle are as follows:

• needle and fabric are incompatible (thin needle for thick fabric and vice versa);
• choosing a needle with a cut-off bulb for an industrial machine with a needle holder without a cut-off (and vice versa);
• The flask size is too small (it is impossible to pinch the needle, it slips out);
• crooked or blunt needle;
• the thread is thicker than the needle, the movement is difficult (the thread breaks, the needle bends and eventually breaks).

The jerky movement of the fabric is caused by the following. When the gap in the needle plate is unnaturally widened and worn out, the entire area of ​​tissue puncture is pulled inward along with the needle. This prevents the shuttle from working correctly, and the seam ends up not containing all the stitches.

It is necessary to check and, if necessary, re-set correct position stapler bar teeth.

When the rack and needle are out of sync, the fabric wrinkles, the lower thread is not pushed into the stitches - the upper thread can be over-tightened and torn. In some cases, the bottom thread may break and stop flowing into the stitcher; as a result, the seam turns out to be single-thread, simplified, easily unravels and does not hold the layers of fabric. The use of threads of different thicknesses is unacceptable. A thicker thread is more difficult to set, which is why the seam has a flaw - missing lower loops.

Ideally, the bottom thread should be slightly thinner, not thicker than the top thread and have more stretch. Excessively twisted threads will also cause skipping stitches and loops - they are poorly grabbed by the shuttle.

Remedies

If the sewing machine does not pick up the lower thread due to an imbalance, adjust the mechanism by setting the correct distance between the needle and the tip of the hook. Do the following.

1. Turn on straight stitching.
2. Remove the needle plate.
3. Set the needle to its lowest position.
4. Raise the needle gradually by turning the drive. In this case, the tip of the shuttle should pass 1.5 mm above the hole in the needle. The distance between the needle tip and the tip of the shuttle should be on average 0.175 mm. These settings are adjusted using the shuttle screw.

On older devices - "PMZ", "Podolsk" and "Chaika" the same calibration is performed in the zigzag stitch mode. The distance between the needle hole and the shuttle tip is determined when the needle passes left and right through the fabric.

The following method for eliminating the same malfunction will help you navigate more precisely.

Fault prevention

1. Place the machine on a stable table, console or other support where the stability and horizontal plane are maintained.
2. Select a needle and thread that matches the fabric you are sewing. Insert and securely fix the needle.
3. Thread the spools of thread according to the instructions. Do not break the sequence of drawing the threads. For example, first the upper thread passes through the tensioner, and then through the lower guide (to the needle bar) - and not vice versa. Also, install the bobbin correctly in the shuttle compartment.
4. Leave a 15-centimeter “tail” of both threads and move them to the side. This is necessary for a quality start and continuation of the seam.
5. Turn on the machine, insert a test piece and try to make a seam. It should be smooth and without sagging loops on the reverse side.
6. Use smooth and elastic threads. If they are too fluffy and twisted, over time they will simply wear down the eye of the needle, make it more “broken”, and the needle will break faster.
7. The machine runs out (runs down) of the mechanism until the next lubrication. The instructions indicate, for example, an interval of 5000 hours. Electronic machines can be equipped with a “timer” function that tracks the total operating time of the motor and drive. It replaces the electromechanical analogue of a motor clock (or a prototype of a tape-recording roller counter), which could have been used in old machines of the 20th century. Do not ignore the indicated regularity of cleaning and lubrication - pay attention to this.

Compliance with these precautions is the key to the durability and trouble-free operation of the product.

For information on what to do if your sewing machine skips stitches, see below.

CARE AND MINOR REPAIRS FOR YOUR SEWING MACHINE

Very often, when sewing, there are problems with the sewing machine and many novice seamstresses do not know how to fix the problem. I will write about the most common causes of failure. For example, I take my working sewing machine (industrial, single-line). All machines are generally the same, whether they are household or industrial in design, and you will find identically similar parts on all of them. I don’t take into account modern cars with program controlled and breakdowns associated with the electrical part of the machine. And if you are still in doubt about choosing a sewing machine, then perhaps my article will help you with this.

? If the needle is in the machine, when working, it knocks on the fabric, like a machine gun fire.

answer– it’s just the tip of the needle that has gone astray or bent. In this case, you need to replace the needle.

For those who want to watch, my video on setting the thread tension on my Typical industrial sewing machine.

? The bottom stitching is ugly, there are loops and loops (see photo 1 - sample).

answer– Upper thread tension is too weak. You need to check the top threading. This thread should run with slight tension. It can be changed using the upper thread tension regulator, indicated by an arrow (see photo 1). In this case, you need to increase the tension until the loops “go away”.

? The top stitching is ugly, there are loops and loops (see photo No. 3 - sample).

answer– the tension of the lower thread is too weak. The lower thread should come out of the bobbin case with a slight tension, which can be adjusted with small bolts (arrow photo 3, below). On household sewing machines there is usually one such bolt on the bobbin case, but I have two.

? During operation, the lower thread often breaks, especially at high sewing speeds.

answer– you need to make a fabric gasket in the bobbin case. To do this, you need to take a thin fabric and cut out a circle with a hole of the required size from it so that you can put it in the bobbin case (see photo 2). For better bobbin glide, you need to drop 1-2 drops onto the fabric. machine oil. If the thread begins to pull out of the bobbin case too tightly, then the spacer should be made of thinner fabric.

? When working, the top thread often breaks.

answer– a very common cause in this case is a knocked down or blunt needle. It needs to be replaced. Check the top thread, it may come out too tightly from the bowls. Move the plates apart and see if there are threads stuck there or just loosen the tension on the top thread. You can rub it on an industrial machine sandpaper the moving edge (nose of the shuttle), marked in the photo, perhaps there are jagged marks from the needle, which the thread clings to and then breaks (see photo 4). If the thread breaks often and on all types of fabrics and none of the above helps, then you need to show the machine to the master, perhaps you need to reconfigure the shuttle device. Without certain knowledge, I do not recommend doing this.

? Sometimes the thread winder does not wind onto the bobbin. The bobbin spins, but the thread does not wind.

answer– if this happens on only one bobbin, then you can add threads so that the bobbin is more tightly located on the axis. If this happens with all bobbins, then you can use a screwdriver to slightly expand the gap on the axle (see photo 5). Then all the bobbins will fit more tightly. I would like to note that the thread from the spool should also go to the winder with a slight tension, which is changed with the tension regulator.

? There are skipped stitches in the machine stitching.

answer– if this happens only on one specific type of fabric, then it is most likely that the machine does not “take” this fabric well. This often happens on knitted fabrics. To avoid this, you need to use a special needle for knitted fabrics, which has a rounded tip. This needle does not pierce the fabric, but simply pushes its threads apart. And also my advice, proven by experience. If the machine still makes gaps, then you can cut thin strips of paper, preferably tracing paper, and when sewing, put it under the machine stitching - there will be no more gaps. Then remove the paper.

Stitch skips can also occur if the thickness of the machine needle and thread is incorrectly selected.

The machine may also make mistakes due to a knocked down, dull needle. The needle needs to be replaced. If the machine uses a needle with a round base, then you can slightly turn the needle to a different position (a little to the left or to the right) until it starts to sew well. In household machines, the edge at the base of the needle is cut off.

If none of the above helps and if there are gaps on all types of fabrics, then you need to show the machine to the master. The shuttle may need to be reconfigured.

? The machine does not advance the fabric well.

answer– you may need to clean the teeth; to do this you need to unscrew the plate. Another reason is that you may need to add presser foot pressure, and vice versa for large thicknesses.

SEWING MACHINE MAINTENANCE

IN sewing machines With automatic oil lubrication, you need to monitor the oil level and remember to add it on time. When using the machine every day, you need to lubricate all the necessary places, according to the instructions.

More often you need to unscrew the plate and clean the teeth; lint often gets stuck there.

A household sewing machine is an indispensable assistant for a housewife. This little assistant can handle anything. Hemming trousers or a skirt, hemming the edges of curtains and even embroidering - all this is possible for a housewife if she knows how to use a sewing machine. But, unlike other household appliances, a sewing machine is a very capricious unit, sometimes it simply ends up sewing. In order for the device to be a reliable assistant for you, it is useful to know why a sewing machine does not sew. In this article we will analyze all the main malfunctions of such devices and give tips on how to eliminate them.

Main malfunctions of sewing machines:

• The presser foot mechanism does not feed material or feeds it poorly;
• thread break;
• the needle breaks;
• the fabric does not move;
• shuttle malfunction;
• The drive belt is loose.

The machine does not feed fabric well

This kind of malfunction occurs very often. When the machine operates correctly, the fabric should move without jerking, evenly, at the same speed. If this is not the case, then most likely the fabric feed mechanism is faulty. It happens that the cause of such a breakdown is the fault of the housewife herself, who, to speed up sewing, pulls out the fabric, helping the machine with her hands. As a result, the feed conveyor may malfunction. In addition, pulling the fabric with force can bend or even break the needle.

If the fabric feed mechanism is faulty, you will need to adjust it. The feed dog of the feed mechanism does not fit tightly enough to the presser foot, causing the fabric to slip. Adjusting the rack is quite a troublesome task, and in this case it is better to contact a professional adjuster. It happens that after prolonged use, the teeth of the feed rack become dull. To avoid this, do not allow the sewing machine to run idle without fabric.

Broken thread

There are a number of reasons why a sewing machine does not sew a stitch and breaks the thread. One of them is incorrect adjustment of the upper thread tension. The thread is simply overtightened and breaks when fed, not having time to follow the needle. To achieve proper operation, you must first completely loosen the upper thread regulator, and then, gradually increasing the tension, ensure that the machine operates correctly so that the thread does not break.

Another reason is a crooked needle. During operation, it may bend and touch the needle plate or the presser foot that presses the fabric. As a result, the thread catches on the edges and breaks. The Seagull sewing machine is especially susceptible to this. Let’s look at why other machines don’t sew further.

Often the thread can break, oddly enough, due to its quality. Threads for sewing machines and for hand sewing or embroidery are noticeably different. For hand sewing - cotton, they have an uneven structure and feel velvety when used. If you put such threads in a sewing machine, they will quickly become frayed and tear. It is important to choose high-quality sewing machine threads. They are thin and elastic.

The needle breaks

This is also a serious malfunction, due to which the sewing machine does not sew. Why does the needle break? There may also be several reasons. The first of them is the incorrect installation of the needle itself in the needle bar. If it is not inserted all the way, then during operation it may hit the shuttle and will inevitably break. The needle position must be constantly checked. If its fastening in the needle bar is loose, then you need to tighten it, after inserting the needle up until it stops.

Often needle breakage occurs due to incorrect selection. If, after sewing thin fabrics, you decide to sew denim fabrics with the same needle, this will inevitably lead to breakage. The needle must be selected according to the thickness and type of fabric. For coarser fabrics, there are special needles that differ in thickness and sharpening. There are also universal needles suitable for all types of fabrics. In addition, needles can break due to poor quality material from which they are made. Don't buy cheap needles from unknown sellers and you can avoid wasting money.

The shuttle is faulty or its adjustment is incorrect

Why doesn't the Podolsk hand sewing machine sew? Most likely this is due to the operation of the shuttle. The quality of these machines often depends on its condition. What malfunctions can there be? Dirt or moisture may get into the shuttle, then it may be difficult to rotate, and in some cases even jam. Because of this, a manual sewing machine does not sew. Why is this happening?

Long downtime of the machine

If you have not used the sewing machine for a long time, moisture may get into the hook, which will inevitably lead to corrosion. To avoid this, you need to periodically lubricate the machine, even if it has been idle for a long time. How to do this correctly is written in the instructions for your sewing machine.

It's another matter if dirt gets into the shuttle. This can happen, on the contrary, from long-term and continuous use of the machine. The threads you sew with are not perfectly clean; there may be dirt or dust accumulated on them. Together with the lubricant, all this forms a viscous mass, which clogs the shuttle. To avoid this, periodically the shuttle must be disassembled and cleaned, adding new lubricant.

Drive belt loose

Another reason why a sewing machine does not sew may be a loose drive belt. This can be noticed immediately after you turn on the machine and press the drive pedal. The motor may spin idle, but the machine will not sew. This can be easily fixed without calling a technician. You need to loosen a couple of bolts on the engine mount and move it down a little, checking the belt tension with your hand. Once it is tight, secure the engine in this position. Just remember to turn off the power to the machine before this operation.

If you have an old car with foot driven, then the above action will not work. These devices do not have a belt tensioner. In this case, the belt must be removed and shortened by approximately one centimeter. Then fasten it with a bracket and install it back. You need to remember that you can’t overtighten the belt either. This can cause the machine to run rough and lead to pulley failure.

This article provided basic answers to the question of why the sewing machine does not sew. Most breakdowns can be fixed on your own. But for things like fine tuning, it’s best to contact a specialist or service center. There is no need to save where you can lose more.