Why Your Machine Is Jammed Frequently

After lots of trouble shooting over the years, I've discovered that there are several different ways to reduce the chances of your machine jamming up. Here are a few habits and tips I practice on my sewing machine that prevent issues with your machine.
My sewing machine:
amzn.to/383Du2X

[@laurenloertscher1319]

I plead guilty to a few of these. I'm basically self taught, so this was very helpful! I love how professional this chanel is.

[@thetailorette]

Thank you! Glad you are enjoying my channel 🙂

[@lisareiman-strand7200]

Really great camera work!

[@thetailorette]

Thank you!

[@sewwithmsjones1196]

About the bobbin, I have been telling my students for years that "p" is for "perfect," "q" is for "quit."

[@thetailorette]

Awesome! 👍🏼

[@jimjackson4256]

I think of it as counterclockwise.

[@TheBDD1970]

Thanks, that explains why I keep having issues. I sew upholstery and often back the needle in the wrong direction....I bet thats doing it.

[@thetailorette]

Absolutely!

[@ardentgailla]

These are great tips! I was seriously scratching my head at the last one! 😅

[@thetailorette]

🤣 glad all my points except the last one were helpful 😁

[@michellecornum5856]

Just one more -- Do not ever thread your machine with the presser foot down. Even if you thread it part way and then raise the foot, the thread will not lay in the tension wheels properly and you will get a bird's nest or jam it. Excellent tips!! Thank you!

[@thetailorette]

Good point! I didn’t even think of that one since I never have threaded my machine that way, but you’re right!

[@kikidee857]

Thank you! My singer instructions said to put bobbin case on so tread runs clockwise!! I switched it up. All fixed!!

[@thetailorette]

Great! Glad you fixed it!

[@deborahddenmark]

all your points are right on, my mom taught me all those things right from the start before she would let me even sit in the chair at the machine, lol. she was very adamant about these things.

[@thetailorette]

That’s great! Helps with having a good start to your sewing experience 👍🏼

[@nicoleajna7810]

So helpful! Thank you for this video.

[@gregorymcdpachsa]

Wow, you are the greatest. I try to just make a few repairs and I spend all my time getting the machine to work.

[@user-wg5vj2bn3i]

I retimed it once, can’t hurt to try it again! At this point I’ll take all the suggestions I can get!

[@AllThePeppermint]

THANK YOU!!! I am trying to learn how to sew. I wanted to learn as a girl from my mother who is a sewist, but she didn't have the patience to teach. She would always end up taking over my projects that I was trying to learn how to make.

[@ukpurr]

Very helpful - you helped me to solve my problem of jamming the bobbin thread! Thank you

[@vandamathismusic8101]

Fantastic tutorial!!! Thank you so much!

[@nitagrace3]

Thanks for these great tips

[@earthlightstudio]

Thre are two of these that I didn't know.... but they make perfect sense! Thank you!

[@thetailorette]

Great! So glad it was enlightening 🙂

[@msbelle73]

I just wanted to say thank you for sharing some basics. I had no idea about never pulling the wheel away from you. I was doing it daily and your tip on the bobbin being in the shape of the letter "P" was also helpful and I was loading it incorrectly. I was becoming very discouraged and searching for how to videos and none of them were as helpful and easy to understand as yours. Just wanted to thank you and I am sure my sewing will be more enjoyable. 😀

[@thetailorette]

I am so glad this video was so helpful! I appreciate you commenting to let me know. :) This is the very reason I made this video because I've seen so many people have an unenjoyable experience sewing on their machines. Happy sewing to you!

[@Warnerfit]

Thank you! Very helpful.

[@blackcatsbcool]

Amazing. Idk only why this popped up after months of wondering why and searching fixes for these problems- love it!

[@thetailorette]

Yay! So glad this was helpful 🙂

[@vivianminnsmaroney6490]

This video is sooo helpful. Thank you so much. Great job!

[@thetailorette]

Glad you found this helpful!

[@triciacastello4074]

So I’m DEFINITELY following you now! Thank you so much for making these videos! I just bought my first sewing machine last weekend and I’m teaching myself to sew through KZbin. I was ready to cry last night, and practically deciding sewing wasn’t for me because my machine kept jamming up. (The instructional vids that come w the machine are ridiculous). I found your vid, I watched it 3 times and took very careful notes. I changed to everything you recommended and now my machine is being my friend! Problem solved! Thank you again, so much! You’re my new hero!

[@thetailorette]

I am so glad this video helped you so much! I remember wishing I had seen a video like this before I started sewing! Makes such a huge difference!

[@selfsufficientsue3307]

Seriously, I had tailorette withdraw when you got married. I’m so glad you’re back!!

[@e.1914]

I've found all things that you mentioned are tried and true! Very helpful video :)

[@thetailorette]

That’s great! Glad you found my information to be accurate 🙂

[@maryaston1607]

Fantastic video, you’ve just saved me the cost of a service for a jamming issue as I had not realised my bobbin was inserted as a Q and not a P. It now works perfectly so thank you for sharing x

[@thetailorette]

So glad this helped you so much! I know I would’ve really appreciated this knowledge when I first stated sewing!

[@annereidy7981]

Thanks, I needed that!

[@thetailorette]

🙂👍🏼

[@Transitlady59]

Thank you for the tips

[@thetailorette]

You’re welcome!

[@cestmoiiiiiiiiii]

I spent about two hours trying to figure out how to get my stuck needle to lift up on my Brother XR9550 Sewing Machine. I told myself to watch videos on other models to see if I could get a solution. Within a few seconds of watching your video, I was pleasantly surprised. You mentioned hand dial. I decided to try turning mine. It's a miracle. It worked. It lifted my needle up. Thank you very much. Thanks for helping amateurs like myself.

[@kristinajackson9606]

THANK YOU!!!! my fabric was never wanting to come away from the machine. Your last tip was my issue (bad habit I didn't know I had). I appreciate the tip❤❤

[@thetailorette]

Glad I was able to help!! I know I would’ve appreciated this video a lot earlier myself!

[@lollieglover1411]

Thank you so much! I've been sewing for decades and learned something new and useful today. Keep it coming your great!

[@thetailorette]

Thank you 🙂

[@evaweaver5461]

Me too

[@l.m.2404]

I have been sewing more or less, all my life and I have never heard of most of these tips. I'm obviously not a seamstress , mantua maker or tailor and taught myself on a ancient treadle Singer of my grandmother's. Thank you, thank you, thank you. lol

[@thetailorette]

Doesn’t mean that at all! Honestly I discovered these tips because I sew for practically 8 hours a day and found them to be tried and true. Honestly I don’t think these tips are super well known. Ancient singer machines are amazing! 🙂

[@traceygarrett4323]

Your video is very informative. I appreciate the fact that you helped us beginner industrial sewing machine users. I wish I had seen this before I made all of those mistakes. I am stuck right now and need your help, please. I have a problem with my bobbin area. I don't have any thread stuck. I have rethreaded my machine. I have wound new bobbins. I have put everything in place as it should be. I was honestly sewing along fine and all of a sudden, my bobbin thread began bunching. I adjusted the tension. I tried again and it did the same thing. I also oiled the machine as my machine has to be manually oiled. It is a 20U machine. If you have a suggestion for me, I will readily receive it. Thank you so much for your time.

[@jennipherlewis8214]

Excellent tips!! I haven't been enjoying my machine because of jamming, now I realize it is because of my habits. I was wondering about button holes. My machine will sew about three holes then it jams while stitching the next one and stitches in one spot, making a very intense french knot.

[@thetailorette]

I totally know what you mean about buttonholes. Honestly I’ve had the same issue, but I’ve noticed that it might be a design issue with machine and the buttonhole foot. Started using a regular foot and that seemed to help some.

[@donald469]

Great advice video just in time for a new delivery of my ddl 8700 , please tell me what your standard everyday needle and what thread as standard you use

[@tabassumiman5531]

When you get a thread jam, do you fix it yourself or do you have it professionally serviced? There are videos on KZbin showing how to unjam thread. Thank you! You’re absolutely fabulous!

[@emiishino5422]

The reason the needle should be raised all the way up and slightly back down to pull the threads out is because of how the rotary hook forms the stitch. If the stitch is incomplete, the threads don't pull easily. I'll try to find a video on how a rotary hook works.

[@thetailorette]

Oh I see. Very interesting! Makes total sense

[@dennisbrown2395]

Your advice of the thread being stuck if needle is not slightly past the up position is very helpful. Its happened to me and I wasn’t’t sure why... : ). Could you please answer a question: I have an old White sewing machine. Seems to work ok but the home position of the needle for straight stitching is to the left edge of the foot. For zig-zag setting, the needle moves to the center of the foot. The zig-zag stitching appears to work ok. Is the needle home position to the left on my machine normal, or is something possibly out of adjustment.

[@pamelaanderson4211]

All good tips except the one on installing bobbin. All machines are different and all of mine have had the bobbin put in the case with the thread coming off the bobbin clockwise. It’s a good tip to put the bobbin in correctly for your machine. Another tip is to inspect the bobbin area well at each bobbin change. I have had the tiniest piece of thread cause the biggest problems. Using a flashlight to inspect is helpful.

[@thetailorette]

Good point, thanks for the clarification! As you mentioned, maybe the better way for me to word it is “thread your bobbin right”. And yes to that thread in the bobbin! Makes a huge difference.

[@pamelaanderson4211]

@@thetailorette thank you for not getting upset with my comment. I love your videos. Been sewing over 60 years and still learn great things from you.

[@thetailorette]

@@pamelaanderson4211 I appreciate constructive criticism. Yours was helpful and helps me to check my facts first. 🙂glad you’re enjoying my channel. I love that we all can learn from each other!

[@smailib]

Oh my god, I have done, like, all of these, at one time or another. The other night I was trying to sew slowly and the motor would run but needle wouldn’t move. It could have been that the needle was starting to sew without fabric? (i was sewing a huge sheet & couldn’t see the foot very well.). Owner’s manuals don’t include all of these tips! Thank you!

[@katherinemorelle7115]

To be fair, I never push my foot pedal- because I prefer using hand controls. My Janome always automatically raises the needle when you finish sewing. It’s great for preventing jamming, because that last issue never happens. But, if you want to go around corners, you do have to stop seeing, and then manually lower the needle again before you can turn your fabric. And ho early, that was a problem I had- basically trying to pull the fabric away while the machine was still in the middle of a stitch. And I had thread jams because of it. But it’s just never an issue now.

[@thetailorette]

Yes! That is an upside to that feature 👍🏼

[@aliyaroshan11]

Thnks

[@stepbysteplistening]

Thank you for sharing. I think I have been guilty of all of them and now it looks like my needle is longer aligned I assume that’s what you mean by out of timing and that means another service

[@iw6544]

Thank you for this. Seems like I was threading the bobbin wrong. 😥

[@SparkyOne549]

Another reason for jamming, is that the take up lever is not all the way up before sewing.

[@burumunwolf]

My machine was driving me crazy, thank you so much i found my issue is i wasnt loading in like a P lol

[@thetailorette]

So glad this helped you! I've found that the bobbin is an issue for many sewists!

[@elenavangeli8824]

I did everything the sewing machine manual said, everything you said that wasn't said in the manual and did some troubleshooting on tension, length and width of the stitch on top of that and the result was the exact same, every time... it jammed every time with no exceptions.. I have no more words or will to try..

[@thetailorette]

It sounds like your machine might be out of time. It may need to be serviced.

[@elenavangeli8824]

@@thetailorette I used two times in total cause it always did that.. I got it to work properly only on one stitch. It's new, but it might need to go anyway!

[@thetailorette]

@@elenavangeli8824 what brand machine is it?

[@elenavangeli8824]

@@thetailorette Necchi q132a heavy duty

[@thetailorette]

@@elenavangeli8824 okay, my guess is it could be the brand if you are bc doing everything right. Usually a good sewing machine won’t jam in the first use of it. Have you had experience with sewing on a machine before?

[@ifinicle]

All good tips but for an old seasoned sewer like me, I was still trying to figure out why I was still having problems (new machine to me) and it turns out I was using a new metal bobbin that didn’t come with the machine) instead of the little plastic ones that came with my Brother, and as soon as I switch back to them, I started having smooth sailing. I think the new metal bobbin that I used is just not the right size and it caused the bobbin to constantly get jammed up.

[@jojosewist8921]

Different machines load the bobbin differently. My domestic Vintage Kenmore loads the bobbin like the #6 it is a front load bobbin. My Singer and Brother machines with drop in bobbins load like the letter p. The manual should show the correct position. You are right if want a mess load the bobbin backwards.

[@hioni9721]

Hi, why is my machine jamming on the fabric underneath and is making a jam on the bobbin case, the thread just keeps rolling inside the case and blocks my needle. Please help

[@canbe1945]

It’s not so much my thread getting jammed, more often it’s my fabric, it’ll just randomly get bunched up halfway through. However I do use a mini singer machine so maybe that’s why.

[@thetailorette]

Singer machines tend to have this issue (at least the newer ones). Typically with a new singer machine all the principles I talk about here need to be applied with exaggeration to keep from jamming. Old singers are a completely different story though!

[@dmariebella6309]

Do you know how to remove thread if it gets caught in the hook? Can you please make a video on that.

[@thetailorette]

Excellent question! Every machine is different in how to clean it, but I just really work with it to get it out. I will take making a video into consideration.

[@V.Z.69]

I just got Singer M1000, a beginner model. I just put one side zipper on a jacket. I replaced the zipper. I turn the zipper over and my machine won't go through the thin puff fabric and the zipper. As if it's THICK. But it's just a thin puffer jacket (thin cotton stuffing super thin). The needle just stops as soon as it hits the plastic coating on the end of the zipper. There is a plastic texture at the end of the zipper that is stopping thee needle. It's not like I'm sewing denim. Is it my basic machine, just not enough horse power? Or what am I doing wrong? THX!

[@thetailorette]

Hello! Sounds like it’s %100 the machine you purchased. New beginner singer sewing machines jam at everything and there’s no reason for any of the jamming. I have a video on buying sewing machines and I explain all of this. I promise, I’m not being a sewing snob… every student I know that starts on a beginner singer machine ends up returning it. You’d be better off buying a brother machine (it is better, but not the best, but it will function much more).

[@bethanyschuster2865]

What do I do if the handle is already jammed and I've removed the thread and bobbin to check for threads, and nothing is visible?

[@thetailorette]

If you are talking about the hand wheel of the sewing machine, it could be that something inside the machine is blocking the wheel from moving altogether. Did you break a needle or have a large nest of thread gather somewhere? I know when I break a needle, the tip can fall in the machine and keep the machine from moving.

[@sheilaroch5548]

Hi can this sewing machine sew leather, pvc, canvas, pu ,cotton tq

[@sheilaroch5548]

What sewing u r using tq

[@frankjanvari8650]

hello tailoret please kindly film how to operate the juki industrial sewing machine foot and how to wind the bobbin and how to thread the juki sewing machine please OK?please kindly let me know OK?thank you very much

[@cindygaudet1390]

Okay just did all the tips,re did bobbin just in case. My thread tails are long anyway. So started oh great got further than-an inch and jam my needle won’t even come up to remove the fabric. Literally just stuck. Last3 times I was able to get the needle out of the way and cut threads and clean out the bobbin area. Argh again

[@thetailorette]

So sorry you’re experiencing this! What kind of machine do you have?

[@cindygaudet1390]

@@thetailorette an inexpensive kenmore. Profile. I saw a video to take the workings of bobbin out snd clean and oil and embarrassed to say i have machine oil but have never done this. So will do that put the 2 parts on, make sure i thread bobbin right snd see.

[@user-wg5vj2bn3i]

I’m incredibly frustrated. I’ve gone through all the basics, bobbin in place correctly, thread wound snugly, no lint, tension is right, machine is threaded correctly,changed the needle, changed the thread, etc., but nothing changes. It’s getting caught at the top of the retaining ring where it feeds up through the dogs. I’m lost and since I just can’t afford to go to the repair shop I’m also just plain out of luck 😢

[@thetailorette]

Sounds like your machine is most likely out of time and need to have it serviced or learn how to retime your own machine. I can't diagnose exactly without being there, however, I had the same issue and it turned out my machine needed to be retimed correctly.

[@patricialake104]

Trouble shooting for an hour...I put the needle in backwards

[@maryjosealphons]

❤❤

[@Gull-e-Hadiqa777]

Hi sweetie! I am grateful just at @0.48 seconds of your video. I did as you said. I am grateful to Allah after twenty years my janome model 808 jam is unlocked. May you be blessed with all your heartiest wishes. It's in our religion Islam, that if anyone removes someone's hardship in this world The Lord of heavens will remove his/her ways hurdles towards heaven, and make it easy for that human. Thanks!

[@user-wg5vj2bn3i]

I’m having trouble with my front load bobbin getting stuck where it feeds through the bobbin case. It’s my first front load bobbin so I was careful to make sure I was installing it properly. It will be fine for several inches of sewing then it’s stuck. Grrrrrr

[@thetailorette]

Is this an older or a newer machine? It's possible the bobbin case is too tight or your machine is out of time

[@user-rc1vz4rk1x]

not all machine bobbins thread that way. Mine is just the opposite.

[@vierakanjoka4194]

I still have a problem with my hand wheel

[@thetailorette]

It’s possible you may need to have your machine serviced.

[@frankjanvari737]

hello very beautiful sewing skills very beautiful videos please kindly film how to thread and operate the juki sewing machine please OK?please kindly reply back OK.thank you very much

[@lindabonner5836]

I just bought a Juki DC7 and I am so so disappointed! I’ve sewn all my life and this is the most expensive and crap machine I’ve ever sewn on. All I can say is I’m ready to throw it away. Don’t buy one!

[@thetailorette]

I am so sorry you are having a bad experience! I've never sewn on a home Juki machine before. Their industrials are amazing, but I can't speak for the home sewing models.

[@Nicole-oi6il]

Thank you!!! I was having issues with my bobbin and fought with my machine for hours till I seen your video. You saved me from giving up and throwing the darn thing in the garbage. I’m an amateur sewer btw. 😬

[@thetailorette]

So glad this helped you so much! Good for you in getting on KZbin to figure it out! 🙂

[@freakishchick182]

Thanks for sharing these tips 😊

[@thetailorette]

You’re welcome 😊

[@AJansenNL]

This is such a useful video. Thank you!

[@thetailorette]

You’re welcome!