Sewing Machine Problems: The Most Common Issues

(Links to specific times/topics below.)
Amazon Link - Anything Purchased Through This Helps The Channel Grow amzn.to/2mpH2GH
Up to 85% of sewing machine repairs are avoidable and simple things. In this video we try to break down the most common issues we see with machines that come in for repair including their causes and ways to avoid them. Please leave any questions in the comments.
Thanks For Watching & Hope This Helps!
(All shot on an iPhone 7 & standard earbud mic. We used 2 spotlights with daylight bulbs, a vanity light and three ceiling lights to record this in our garage - Sorry for any audio/video issues, just working with what we have.)
0:21 - Spool Pins
0:59 - Stacked v.s. Cross Wound Thread
1:34 - Spool Caps
3:34 - Spool Stand
4:29 - Spool Cones / Spacers
4:58 - Thread Quality
5:40 - Upper Tension
7:19 - Presser Foot Position & How It Relates To Tension
8:03 - How To Check If You Have Top Tension
9:39 - Too Little Tension
11:09 - Too Much Tension
12:39 - Loops On The Bottom (Missing The Take-Up Lever)
13:31 - Unjamming Machine & Hook Care
15:44 - Front Loading v.s. Top Loading (Drop-In)
17:03 - Bobbin Case (Tension, Threading, Etc.)
18:10 - Bobbin Direction
20:25 - Bobbins
21:45 - Be Sure To Sink Your Needle
22:14 - Be Sure To Hold Your Thread Tails
23:45 - Machine Making Sound But Not Running
24:44 - Machine Not Feeding Material
25:20 - Machine Not Releasing Material
25:50 - Best Settings For Dialing In Tension
Amazon Link - Anything Purchased Through This Helps The Channel Grow amzn.to/2mpH2GH

[@merianjones2449]

I am a beginner in sewing machine. Thank you for this tutorial. My machine is making noise and it ate my cloth. I tried your tips. It works. New subscriber here.

[@cellocello1762]

OMG I’ve had my machine for 30 years, and no one told me about adjusting the tension! I even had it in for repair twice because of loose stitches, and still no one told me this could be the problem. I already put it in my basement, ready to send off to charity (for the parts) when I saw this video and decided to give it one last try to fix the problem myself. And now it’s working just fine again! You, kind sir, just saved me hundreds of dollars! Thank you! 👐

[@JackCreekRoad]

That is awesome!

[@antoniochavez508]

Very informative video. I am a guy new to sewing, now that I am retired, and had had my good share of sewing machine issues. This is a very useful video I am sure I will watch again in the near future. Heartfelt thank you.

[@barbaramacvean925]

Your very last tip about checking your tension with a zigzag stitch was a solid gold nugget. See 25.50 minutes. Thanks!

[@mikewilson6128]

This guy really knows his stuff, and has an uncanny ability to explain it all extremely clearly, in layman's terms. Best sewing video on KZbin that I've seen.

[@JackCreekRoad]

Wow, thanks!

[@elizdonovan5650]

Am 65 years old and have learned things I did not know from this video. Thank you. Stay safe. 🌲🌝☘️

[@gpk7683]

I’ve been sewing for two days and this has really helped. I decided to start at 80 with my mother in law’s machine she left my wife. Thanks

[@dcwatashi]

Way2go proud of you!!! 👍

[@TheJudeJane]

GPK Never too late to learn to sew and have fun!! Proud of your ambition! Good luck and keep up the good work!

[@bc7495]

Hey never to late to learn something new I myself have been seeing for about a year on a machine that is hand sewn since I was like 10 so 15 years of experience with a hand held needle and maybe a yr of very casually trying to figure out how to work these contraptions and this has helped more then 50 or more useless vids ice wasted my time on

[@joannemilburn6429]

I have learnt more in 26 minutes about my machine than all the years I have been sewing! Thank you! VERY informative.

[@joannemilburn6429]

Just going to run off and check my bobbin size....!!! 😁

[@AJ-nj5fx]

I am so thankful I found this video before I hurled my machine off the balcony or took it to a repair shop. Thank you for explaining the mechanics of the machine and why it does what it does; many don’t take the time, just don’t know or just can’t communicate this effectively. This tutorial was a true education. Now I can sew a little less stressed and with a smile.

[@patriciajrs46]

Good for you. I'm glad that you didn't chuck the machine.

[@samanthawigley730]

I've only just started to sew. My second hand machine has been puzzling me for the last 2 days.....your tips has solved the puzzle & now works perfectly.....glad I found this video, it saved me £££ to get an unnecessary service. THANK YOU 😊

[@ckottler]

I had no idea that I was supposed to thread my machine with the foot up. I was trying to solve my stitching problem by adjusting the tension -- up, then down, more up, then more down. Nothing worked. I was about to give up when I decided to watch this tutorial. I went back to my machine, rethreaded it with the foot up, and my problem was solved immediately! I'm so grateful that now I'm able to sew masks during the pandemic! Thank you so much!!

[@supermom6kids]

Thank you for this helpful video. I tried all the solutions offered here, and none worked. I discovered that my bobbin was the wrong size! It was not tall enough! I switched out the bobbin for the right size and now it works perfectly!

[@suzannebutcher5418]

Don’t you just hate it when people put a thumbs down, when they are trying to help you? I found it very informative and have subscribed to ensure I learn more. Thank you from Wales good job .

[@jayanthiramakrishnan5130]

Same!

[@Phyllis83864]

Absolutely.

[@lindaoligmueller8827]

What a great video! Very helpful!

[@shezcal]

Thank you for putting out this video. Very informative.

[@-liza]

2021 and you saved me from believing my machine was trash. Thank YOU! 🙂

[@blackdogbite]

WOW! Every sentence you spoke taught me something I had no idea about,. This was the most useful 27 minutes I have spent on KZbin. Thanks you so much!

[@janetmancini8918]

I have been sewing for over 40 years and I learned three new tips watching this. Thank you!

[@codebason]

I hardly know anything about sewing and I'm scared of my spiffy new sewing machine because I can't problem-solve when things go wrong. This video helped me so much. Thank you!

[@jennessalynam7682]

I've been hand stitching my whole life till recently when a friend gave me a really good sewing machine. What a learning curve it has been for me. The first time I stitched anything with the machine it worked great. Of course though it was already set up basically but when I had to re-thread the bobbin I started having issues with my sewing machine. I'm confident and hopeful that after watching this very informative video that I'll be successful with using my sewing machine issue free. Thank you so very much for sharing your knowledge.

[@fred_fred]

Your video just turned my £10 'broken machine' purchase into a fully working beauty... Thanks so much for a great video

[@sitolm9791]

This is the absolute best and simplest information I have ever seen! It is like sewing machine repair 101! This guy is an excellent teacher! His voice is clear, distinct, and at a perfect speed! He shows step by step from ground zero what to do to prevent problems and how to fix problems even before they happen by using the equipment the correct way. The lighting could be better but that is not a real problem! What a great site! Wish I had found this years ago! God bless you sir!

[@ShelbyMarx099]

My grandma in my town was known for her amazing sewing skills and after she passed no one could ever replace her, even to this day. As a kid I didn't learn much from her, but now years later, it's time to pick up on some stuff and continue on her legacy with the things she left behind. Thank you for helping me in making her proud, I'll never be what she was, but i know she'd be happy that I'm slowly following her footsteps.

[@jeannemarie9466]

@Dahlia Awww. Lovely story, but I’m just betting that your Grandmother will be watching & guiding you. I’ll further bet you have learned, through watching, far more than you realize. And you will soon be the ‘go-to’ person, in your town! Happy Sewing.

[@littletoca4263]

That's one heck of a story

[@geminisabah]

Grandmas are like flowers... unique and wonderful ❤

[@patriciajrs46]

Great story.

[@ourlife72]

That was the way my grandma was, After she passed my dad just about beg me to take her sew machine. I didn't just wasn't interested in sewing at 20yr. old. Now at 51 I wish I had and took sewing classes.

[@DJ-mj3wd]

I have been sewing since grade school (I'm in my 50's now) and never have I been taught about tension, nor threading with the foot up! I was getting so frustrated and on my 3rd machine within a year! Your threading advice COMPLETELY and IMMEDIATELY fixed the problem of thread catching around my bobbin case and nesting. Who knew!?! You knew! LOL! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! You saved my money, my machine and my sanity!

[@marionlewis4703]

You made it clear about the different thread spools, I have been sewing professionally for 40+ years and I did not even think about the different ways the thread was wound onto the spool. Thank you.

[@louisel.sinniger2057]

Yes. Same goes for me. Had not give thought on the way the spools were wound. Also made me pay attention to sizing of “universal” spools. And also in way the wheel should be turned. Been sew for 40+ years never been taught in school or where I bought my higher end machine. Interesting how much we take for granted!

[@brucemartin8435]

58 year old car guy and just starting to learn to sew now. Thanks for the tips!

[@jas8815]

I'm 68, and I've been using a sewing machine since I was a child. I can't tell you how many valuable things I just learned from watching your video. THANKS!!!

[@anniek8156]

I’m 66 and have been sewing since I was 13. Have never known the wheel should be turned toward me. Have also been threading with the pressure foot down and end up with the problems shown. Thank you sooooo much for showing me the correct ways of solving my problems.

[@bc7495]

Im 25 just bought a machine after struggling with random machines ice ethier found being tossed out or were given to me thinking the machines were toast I put away and bought a new one and thought it was junk turns out I'm just clueless and I'm glad I hung onto one of the older machines I have now cuz im now much more confident that it will work just fine and that there's nothing wrong with my new machine like superb video so greatfull

[@TheDoozer52]

I am 68 as well and sewing from I was at high school, my Mum was a dressmaker (self-taught) and this has helped me so much about tension that I never ever knew, having the foot up or down, I always had the foot down as I needed to see the eye of the needle, and it was hit or miss, I could not work out why sometimes my machine sewed brilliantly, and sometimes not. So frustrating. Thanks so much. xxx D

[@wrinklies2167]

Your helping me become less frightened of my sewing machine thanx so much ✨👍

[@suelund3882]

Superb video. Clear and specific instructions. Classic case of you don't know what you don't know. 50 years of sewing and I have learnt a lot. Thank you.

[@lisakayakstoo]

Wow! I used to sew a lot; but my career got busy and I stopped for about 20 years. Now, back at it and I couldn’t even remember how to thread the machine. Learned so much from this video. Thanks for going through things so clearly. 👍🏼👍🏼

[@craftychrystal7913]

You just saved my machine! I was ready to throw it out. I had taken it to the repair shop twice and had the same problem when i brought it home. Now it runs like a champ and no big loops hanging up on the bottom. Thank you thank you thank you!

[@caitlynrios4685]

I’m a beginner and I just wanna say thank you sooooo much you mentioned like 5 different problems I’ve been dealing with😂😂

[@Lucky14scubalucy]

THIS VIDEO JUST MADE MY DAY! I was considering buying a new machine! I can now sew again so happy!

[@mlnags2829]

Been sewing ( 8 different machines off and on for 55 years. Had my Bernina 1630 circuit board go bad and had already given away 4 machines due to downsizing . Gave away 150# material to sewing group that makes bags and lap blankets for wheelchair patients and baby blankets. Dug out my White 999 as older cabinet model in garage and original singer antique model packed. Been making beginner mistakes I've never made. Needle in backward, using no felt pad and threading machine with pressed foot down, and thinking it was the bobbin case. Grrr! You have saved me my sanity and a trip to a sewing machine repair shop. Thank you so very much for explaining EVERYTHING. Not talking down to BEGINNERS or laughing at advanced sewing customers. 👍🏻

[@patriciajrs46]

I agree. The not talking down part was very encouraging.

[@SusanSmith-hl3iv]

Like many others who commented, I have been sewing at least 65 years and still learned A LOT. Many times I already knew the best practice, but you taught me WHY. Your presentation is good and your voice clear and actually calming. I bet you don’t get upset often. Thank you for all your practical tips. I just subscribed to learn more!

[@jackiemoffat8499]

I want to thank you.I am new to sewing and as part of a project that im working on it involved me using a sewing machine for the first time. After 3 days of trying to work out how to use the old macnine I kept encountering so many problems that I actually in pure frustration called out to the sewing machine " thats it you have beaten me, I give up " 😂😂😂😂 I left it for a few days because the thought of going back to it brought me out in a cold sweat. Last night I stumbled across you video and today decided to take up the challange again and because of what I learned from you I have succesfully completed what I set out to do. Thankyou , thankyou, thankyou 😃😃😃👍🏻

[@janiceburton7080]

I've been sewing for about 58 years and this is the best info I have ever seen on a sewing machine and how it works.

[@LindaONeill]

I just got a sewing machine for the first time for Christmas never sold before. Your tutorial was very informative and easy to understand thank you so much for sharing.

[@alexmelekhov8118]

Excellent! Very simple and extremely comprehensive. Now i know how to tune my singer. Thanks a lot!

[@fel6533]

After watching this video I approached machine with such vengeance and actually worked. Thank you, tension has been my sewing demon.

[@Schatzie301]

Wow. I’m 85 years old and have been sewing all of my adult life. I recently bought a cheap Janome machine to sew on paper and have been having numerous problems with it. Your fabulous video has enabled me to solve these problems by giving me tips that I have never known before. Since I have always had expensive machines, I suppose they have compensated for any mistakes I may have made while this cheaper machine did not. Many thanks, this was much appreciated.

[@patriciajrs46]

Thank you for letting us know this.

[@karenhubler2792]

I have been sewing 40 plus years, You are the 1st inform teacher ever, this is also the 1st time I have ever SHARED. Thank you

[@Vilexxica]

This has encouraged me so much. I thought I was just bad at sewing but no, turns out nobody ever taught me these best practices & I've been stumbling along sewing total messes because I didn't know better. Thank you!

[@saulduenas9354]

I have not been able to use my sewing machine until now. Thank you for helping me "fix" my tension. Something so simple has prevented me from sewing for a couple of years.

[@sarahripley3511]

Thank you so very much for your patience in helping us walk through a sewing machine. My husband leaves the house every time I tell him that I am going to sew. So many things that I didn't know. I guess I should have been more serious when I took homeconomics in school. I am 66 and still have lots to learn. You tell us to only turn the wheel towards us, ooops, I have turned it many times the other way. Have I broken it?

[@saramunoz-witthauer3625]

You are a great teacher! Thanks! I've been sewing for a long time and my granny always handled all my issues. She died recently so I really was clueless as to how to handle any troubles! Thanks a billion! Now I can keep quilting and my granny won't be disappointed in me from the great beyond! Blessings to u!

[@JackCreekRoad]

Thank you so much for your kind words! I know you'll make your Granny proud :)

[@nickyp2820]

Best sewing video ever! PEOPLE !!! Everyone needs to watch this! NOW I understand why re-threading the needle and bobbin case fixed my jamming problems AND can avoid this! Must save this video in case I forget something!

[@nicorobin7211]

I am a total beginner in sewing, I want to have a hobby and i was drawn to sewing. My husband bought me a sewing machine as a gift. I followed the instructions on the manual and cd, I tried like 20 times. And it wouldn't sew. It would just keep drilling in the same spot and all the thread gets caught in the bobbin case. I will watch this video tonight i see many positive comments. Hopefully it will help me :( I really want to start sewing :)

[@achillesheal0]

Awesome Video - I have been sewing for over 50 years and still learned a few new tips for keeping my sewing problem free. Thank You so much.

[@LP-yu7xr]

You are a life saver, quite literally!! I've been making masks and am primarily self taught, for the most part. I've never understood tension at all. You showed the tension mechanism outside of the machine and it finally makes sense. 1. Set tension to machine's recommended setting. 2. Thread the machine when the presser foot is UP not down. 3. Sink your needle into the fabric before sewing. 4. Pull the thread tails before sewing. I sincerely thank you for posting this. You're a fantastic teacher and helped me to be a much better sewer in just 26 minutes. Bravo Jack Creek Road!

[@ailishmaher7511]

YOU ARE A LEGEND......foot was down when threading & my bobbin was running in the wrong direction. I had literally spent 2 days taking the machine apart to clean and oil thinking it was in need of servicing. Tension had overnight just decided to go loose in the middle of a project & it was all down to those 2 very simple things. Many thanks for saving my sanity.

[@lisadavis637]

I have been casually sewing since 8th grade. In the past when the machine was giving me issues I sent them to the repair shop at $75 per repair. I purchased a new Singer and after sewing for three weeks the bottom thread was very loose. For weeks I have tried to remedy myself so I decided to try this site for help and your video is the best ever!. OMG I cant thank you enough for the VIDEO I put to use your advise with the bobbin, spool cap ( had no idea about the size) then threading it correctly and tension. FINALLY it is working. Thank you Thank you THANK YOU!

[@JackCreekRoad]

Thank you so much for your encouragement! I'm glad we could help :) It's people like you who make this worthwhile!

[@maryamamatullah6343]

I agree his details are the best Especially the threding advice. I love it.

[@5DNRG]

Smiling hard now... I understand the relief you feel and am so happy for you that your sewing world will open up now. 🧡🌻👍

[@goddessdennis6394]

Thank you. 😮I just fixed my sewing machine

[@newbeequilter]

Just imagine how many more customers would be happy at the start of purchasing their first sewing machine if the sales person made this required viewing before "ringing up the sale". I'd recommend any new sewist view this video before even reading their machine's manual and certainly before threading a machine the first time. Thank you for this helpful information. Like others who've sewn for years, I also learned a few things. I love to know how things like a sewing machine operate because it reinforces why and what I should be doing to ensure a more successful experience. Thread for a sewing machine is like gas to a car. You've got that right! Thank you again for your generosity in sharing these tips with us. You did a good thing here! I've just set up a new YT folder titled, "Sewing Machine Issues" that's included this video as a result. Hopefully, others will check it out, watch, and learn more from all the videos on your channel. :-)

[@margaretkoster1130]

So informative - I have been sewing for 65 years and I learned something new today! I have picked up many of the tips you gave here and there, but having them all together in a logical sequence has very helpful. Thank You!

[@nestrealestate]

Omg. Thank you so much. I learned more about sewing machines from your video than from the previous 45 years of sewing. Bobbin case tension. Who knew? Thank you thank you thank you. 😘

[@romanscibora7064]

I just stumbled onto your video. I had a NewHome sewing machine that wasn’t working. Your video helped me to understand the small adjustments of tensions I needed to get my machine working again, and not have to buy a new machine. Your explanations are clear and so easy to understand and listen to. Thank you!

[@susantyler7115]

Excellent Video! You have saved me so much time and grief! Your instructions were very clear and concise. My husband even learned a few things!!! Thank You!!!

[@JackCreekRoad]

Thank you for your kind words Susan :)

[@IslamsWay]

This is sooooo informative. I've sent my Pfaffs for repair so many times because I couldn't figure out why I was sometimes getting a mess under my fabric and jamming over and over again. Everytime, I ask the tech why this is happening, but NO-ONE, not even other seamstresses could tell me it was just the lifter on the top thread. Always they blamed my bobbin. I actually gave away a perfectly good hardly used Pfaff years ago and bought a new one. Unbelievable it was just ensuring my thread caught the lift arm. 🤦‍♀️ Thank you SOOOOOO much for this video. (I learned other great tips, too.)

[@btw7382]

I’ve been having problems with my sewing machine for such a long time and even stopped sewing cause it was so frustrating. This has been the most helpful video I’ve seen so far. I got my sewing machine to sew a straight line!!!!YAY! thank you 🙏🏻

[@lizkaji2750]

This is, by far, the most helpful video I've watched on KZbin ever. As with many things, all of my problems come down to operator error. Now I can see what those errors are. My machine was all packed up and ready to go for service and it wasn't a problem with the machine at all! I've been sewing for 40 years but never realized that I didn't understand the mechanics of what I was doing and how important that really is. Thank you!

[@pilofun1]

One problem I made for myself was putting my needle in backwards!!! Could not figure what was wrong with my machine. That was an expensive rookie mistake. Embarrassing too! Congratulations on covering and explaining how to fix most every problem one encounters with a sewing machine. Loved it and learned a lot. You’re a terrific teacher.

[@gearldineallen6072]

He is a wonderful teacher explaining how to thread the machine ihave been a sewer for many years he has helped me understand better thank you very much

[@susanleonard1621]

I have been sewing for about 40 years. Your video and tips is so interesting and informative. Thanks.

[@stockmanbooks]

DANG! This is the BEST video I've ever seen on all the problems people have with their machines. KUDDOS to you for producing a real teaching aid!

[@vanillascooplinda8849]

You just saved me so much stress. My bobbin case was knocked out of position & I thought I was losing my mind. Fixed!!! So many great tips in this video...thank you!

[@My_secret_is_i_pray]

I have watched 10 other videos not one of them told me I had to drop the needle before I start and nothing about having the threads go towards the back!! I thought my machine Was broken. Thank you!

[@cathyhatfield445]

Wow, I realize this video was three years ago but truly helped me with my machine. I was going to buy a new one cause I thought I had bought junk. I do appreciate so much thank you.

[@femellechatqueen]

OMG where were you when I needed simple help like this...Im 68 and you have learnt things I did not know and would come across. I was trying to set up an old white 970 for my daughter so she has something to sew or mend with and I was fiddling with the tension and came across your video and I sat here and watched it all I wished back in the days I would of had online to solve hours of fiddling on why how come issues lol Thank you for your awesome step by step I loved how you explained it in details and why some just tell you how too but do not say why it does this and why you should do things a certain way. Again thank you

[@babiesdontgoclang]

My mom has tried several times since I was a kid to teach me how to use my sewing machine (most recently last year). Never has it made as much sense as what I've learned in this video. Thank you for explaining everything so fully. It really helps me understand when someone explains why you should do something. Definitely going to watch more videos as I try to learn again.

[@patriciajrs46]

Good job. Never give up.

[@KtGirl-oq2ci]

Wow most helpful video for any machine. Very clear. I’m Self taught and have been sewing for 8 years and I learned a lot from this video. Keep making more videos! Thank you

[@thorne840]

Thank you! Your clear and simple explanation of how my machine works saved me from an unnecessary trip to the repair shop. Thank you for your kindness!

[@davidarnds3831]

I agree with JA. I am 65 and I have been sewing for a while. Thank you so much for your explanations, some things I have lost just because of senior memory loss. I will drop crumbs to find my way back to your video. Thanks also.

[@TheDoozer52]

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, I am 68 and sewed since I was at high school, these things were never taught. Foot down, foot up was never mentioned, nor was the fact that you should put your needle in the work by turning the wheel forward!! Amazing, Please make more videos, you take us through step by step, I followed you step by step on my machine, and was totally amazed at what I thought was a bobbin issue was just the matter of threading the machine right and starting the initial first stitch right! Thank you, I now have your channel and the link to this video written on the back of my machine instruction book, and I have subcribed!!! xxx Doreen

[@sareasarea3311]

I couldn't figure out why my reverse stitch was so messed up and though it was the bottom stitch. Turns out it's just the tension (my thread came loose); your video saved my life during this quarantine!

[@pawsomekat2003]

I had uneven stitches suddenly and I tried to adjust the tension, changed the thread, but nothing helped. Until I saw the part with the bobbin tension and it was fixed immediately. Stitches are perfect again, thank you so much for making this video!

[@blackcheshire9703]

I've been struggling for the past 2 hours trying to get a good stitch (it's my first time using a sewing machine) and you made me realize i wasn't using the bobbin correctly. Thank you so much

[@klintathesewer]

Hi! I watched many tutorials on how to start sewing with my sewing machine, but this was the best. I now understand so much more about the mechanics of the sewing machine. Thank you very much for the detailed explanation. Now I can start sewing! Super thankful and happy! :)

[@JackCreekRoad]

You are so welcome!

[@libbylandscape3560]

Wow! Thank you, I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this video. I’ve been sewing on & off for about 60 years starting with my mother’s vintage Singer which was simple and so easy to use. Fast forward to today’s machine’s and I couldn’t figure out what the problem was with the wacky tension, snarls, etc. I finally tossed one machine in the trash after about a year of monkeying w/it because the stitches it produced were hopeless and nothing held together. The current machine is better but still has tension problems, now thanks to you I can solve them. ❤️

[@jezcartwright5477]

Was having a nightmare with my machine. As a past experienced leather worker. (stitching leather) I should have known better. So I searched troubleshooting for my machine, your video came up first and five minutes later I knew where I had gone wrong. Thank you! Thank you!

[@eexner4242]

I’ve been sewing for years. I didn’t think I needed this but some of the Facebook groups have lots of questions about problems. I thought I’d check your video out. Wow, what a great video! I learned some new things! I’ll be sharing this! Thanks!

[@JeighPunzel]

thanks so much. I just start sewing and have had a problem already w/ my new machine and also w/ a brother my mother gave me that's from the 70's. so helpful already

[@reneesmith2665]

I just wanted to thank you! I am new to sewing and you helped me to correct how I was threading my sewing machine. I kept getting birds nest and you helped me solve what I was doing wrong.

[@mollyhazen]

I am also new and was making the same exact mistake and was getting so frustrated! I ended up putting my sewing machine away for a whole year. Finally I pulled it back out and found this video. So helpful compared to other vague videos I've found on troubleshooting.

[@christinafields1611]

......i am appalled at all the things I've been doing wrong with my multiple machines over the years. Thank you so much for this video. I'm gonna go and ask my machines for their forgiveness now.

[@marinoceccotti9155]

Your last advice (the take-up lever must be up when removing the material) is the one I had been looking for for a long time. I even thought my machine was to be fixed. Thanks a lot.

[@lindapearson3926]

No matter what machine I have ever used I have been able to mess up the tension in record time. What a blessing it is to find your video. You have explained so much here. Knowning how things work is key for me. Now that I understand the "why" I can trouble shoot future issues I may run into. Thank you so much for everything you covered.

[@spacepop7186]

Saved me the fattest headache during the quarantine my dude

[@Gantzz321]

seriously, I have never used a sewing machine in my life, trying to make masks for my family using my mother's old machine for 1970. When I asked her for help, that is when she told me she used it a couple times and has not touched it since. Turns out her best friend did all her sewing. Ended up messing around trying to teach myself this stuff today for a couple hours, gave up and this video I think has just saved me mind.

[@kimberlysimpson8086]

For real. I've been trying to get my machine to run right for 2 days and this video just made everything make sense.

[@24starchild]

Fantastic and helpful video, thank you so much.

[@katetx2001]

Now maybe I can finish my granddaughter's mask and go on to donate some. Thank you so much.

[@coletta1928]

I never learned what your lessons taught me this morning and I am so grateful to finally know how to fix some problems with my ugly sewing. Thank you.

[@Nightfawn555]

Thank God ,that KZbin recommended your video 😊 I didn't sew in about 15 years now (only by hand) , and I got a front loading machine from my best friend's landlord to sew some face masks and I had issues with jamming .so I tried troubleshooting and after I gave up because noone in my family or my best friend could help me and I totally wouldn't want to ruin somebody else's machine 🙈 when I watched your video, I saw in front of me the picture when I was looking up to the top and the last time the thread slipped from the needle ,it jumped from the top and I threaded it false, so it jammed 😭 so now I ran to the machine and took out the crescent shaped metal but thankfully it doesn't have marks on it 🙏 I hope that you guys can understand what I wrote,English is not my first language but I understand everything 🙈😊 Thank you so much again ,and I learned so much from you 😊😊

[@kathrynwood9642]

I've been sewing for YEARS and learned a lot from this demo. Thank you for being so precise and comparing two different styles of machines which I have. I didn't realize that a front loading bobbin machine had more narrow stitches. I wondered why my Bernina didn't have wider stitches. My Baby Lock has very nice wide stitches but right now it wants to stop sewing forward and sew in reverse and I can't make it for forward. I hope you are still engaged with this site, it is really helpful. Kathy

[@tlrmd4you]

I THINK IM IN LOVE!!!!! I haven't tried it yet...but I see what might be my problem...not holding my threads in the back, however, I do start with my needle down...reently anyways. But the huge problem I have, which happens almost always while I'm top stitching, so it has to look great, is that I have to go through different thicknesses and it will 1) either give me a bunch of threads at the beginning, because it is thicker and will not want to move, or 2) it gives me long stitches periodically where it seems almost like it drags the thread over a half or 1 inch space?? I am completely bewildered!! I think I will buy me a "jumper foot" to try. I have a much lesser quality machine than you do, when my machine grows up...it wants to be just like yours!!!!

[@spamh0g]

Thank you for this video. My thread was bunching up constantly and your tip about the spool cap helped fix that in less than 30 seconds. I thought I'd never get my project finished. What a great video.

[@judywebb3565]

What an EXCELLENT teacher you are!!!!!! Simple awareness - quit fixes - Making sense Thank you so Much!!!

[@patriciajrs46]

I had no idea that spool cap size actually made any difference. I thought it was just to stop the spool from pulling out. Thank you. Very informative.

[@KathyY1948]

This was fascinating. I was doing everything right because that was how I was taught but I didn’t know why you needed to do it that way. Your video really taught me the why. I have been sewing for over 50 years.

[@kaymgee08]

Brilliant! I was brought up using an old treadle Singer from the age of 7 and never had any problems, in fact I used to fix it when my mother had trouble! Then a couple of decades later I was given a new portable Brother and hated using it. Graduated to a Janome, which I still have, but I think I have had every one of these issues. I think we expect to be able to work things out and never have any lessons as we wrongly assume we are too experienced to need them! Thank you - I will take all your tips and explanations on board.

[@deziabeyta7887]

Just got my moms mid century sewing machine and with your help I got it working! Thank you so much!!

[@sammyscat8429]

After yet another sewing project that is giving me problems I decided to search out troubleshooting. You were the only source necessary. I have experienced every one of your examples. And, lo and behold, it is the user not the machine. Thank you so much for your great demonstration of issues with the causes and cures.

[@joninagel798]

"User error" was a good place for this novice sewist to start...spent nearly an hour (re)taking out the bobbin casing and cleaning imaginary lint out of that area since that's the only thing I could think was causing repeated jamming after 3 stitches. Ready to make a repair appt...Then I saw the "you missed the uptake lever when you threaded" part. Ugh! But thank you so much - I'm back in the saddle.

[@12thDecember]

Thank you so much! I brought my sewing machine out of storage and thought it would be a good idea to get a refresher course. I learned a lot of new things from your video, things I either didn't know to begin with or had forgotten. Now I'm going to watch your video on bobbins, which give me more trouble than anything else. By the way, you have a very pleasant voice. Makes it much easier to pay attention.

[@deborahberland5979]

have quilted for many years and I learned a lot from this video. Will watch video again.

[@tea3ali]

I used several of your tips to fix bobbin tension issues on my sewing machine that I cleaned and oiled today after not using it for about 10+ years. I always gave up on projects because I was unable to figure that out. Thank you! :)

[@joyjoslin2265]

I have been sewing for 19 years and I read the guides, other books etc. And yet I learned more from this video then I ever learned before! WHY? Because you explain why we need to do "that"! Now, that it makes sense. I will automatically know what to do and do it because...

[@chanrekaleftridge5051]

Thank you soooo much!!!!!! I was about to pull my hair out. The problem for me was the tension. I did the tension test and just had to rethread my machine. Smooth sailing afterwards.

[@karoligou]

Thank you so much!! I am brand new to sewing and I was so upset because I couldn’t get my machine to work correctly. I wasn’t putting my presser foot down when I was threading my machine. You have made my day! Also this video was so informative to me.