You must have heard the proverb – prevention is better than cure. That’s to say it is always wise to avoid the problem before it pops up. Holding the connection between problem and prevention, today we have come up with a write up showing how to avoid common sewing machine problems.
It presents you with almost all the regular sewing machine issues and prevention system against each. As a conscious sewing machine user, you should have a clear idea regarding each of the prevention systems. This will keep your sewing mood animated and help shorten the sewing hour.
How to avoid common sewing machine problems?
Sewing machine problems don’t have any limit in number yet presenting all of those will be unwise as most are not common and you have nothing to do with most at-home environment. Hence, here we have listed the most common 11 sewing machine problems with easy prevention instructions.
Does the thread bunch up at the time of your sewing?
Prevention: Follow the instructions well before jumping to the main sewing part.
- While threading make sure that you have followed the threading schematic available to the machine’s manual. Along with this, make sure that the presser foot is up.
- Before winding the bobbin, consult the manual to learn the way to which the bobbin is mechanized to be wound.
- Avoid using thread of different weight for bobbin and top thread.
- Adjust the settings of tension on the basis of your fabric weight. Make a short experiment with the settings on a rag and then go for sewing.
You may Read: Best Sewing Machine Needles
Does your needle keep breaking or bending?
Prevention:
Do you know when this problem arises? It’s when you’re unable to select the right type of needle for your project. You might have a misconception that you can use any needle for any project. If you really have it then come out of it and try to learn which specific needle is suitable for your current project.
- For example, you should choose a jersey or ballpoint needle if the project is of knit fabric. Again, a sharp and sturdy needle is a must if the project is of vinyl, leather or denim.
- Besides choosing the right type of needle, it is also necessary that you know the correct needle installation system. For this, you must consult the manual well.
- If even after adopting all these formulas, the needle breaks or bends, then consult a machine expert. Because in this case, the machine must have serious some inner issues.
To enlighten your knowledge you may read- 20 Essential tools for Sewing
Being repeatedly unable to feed the fabric?
Prevention:
- Remove the darning or embroidery plate that has kept the feed dogs shut
- Don’t forget activating the drop-feed
- Down the presser foot and set the pressure correctly
Do you often get the thread broken?
Prevention:
- Never and ever choose delicate threads for sewing. Remember that this thread type is for hand sewing, not machine. Then, ensure that the thread of bottom and top is of the same quality.
- Still facing the same issue? Down the tension settings of the top thread.
Does the stitch skip even when you’re careful?
Prevention:
- First of all, be sure that the needle you will be choosing is the suitable one for the running project. Then, recheck whether the needle is bent even by a mm or not. Is it? Then, discard it. Besides, install the needle in the proper way following the machine manual instructions.
- Moreover, you must make sure that the top thread meets the bobbin thread. Do this before starting the main part.
Having inconsistent bobbin tension?
Prevention:
This problem arises mostly when the bobbin is of plastic that wears away over the time.
- Therefore, you have no better alternative to switch to a metal made bobbin.
Has the machine stopped sewing?
Prevention:
- Be sure that the weight of the fabric matches the capability of the machine. If the machine is compatible only with lightweight fabric then you can’t expect it to sew your medium or heavy weight fabric.
- Besides, the needle must be of correct type and it must be straight. Installation of it should also be perfect.
- Most importantly, to avoid this time-killing and irritating problem, a regular cleaning of the machine following the manual instructions is a must.
Does the thread or fabric bunch at the beginning or ending of seams?
Prevention:
Although the issue seems to be very tough yet the prevention is simply easy.
- To avoid the issue, you just need to sew a few millimeters extra before moving to backstitching. This technique is for the first seam where you start sewing.
- In case of the end seam, before hitting the edge backstitch for a few millimeters.
Getting inconsistent knot, loose and tangled thread?
Prevention:
This type of problem most often pops up not because of the faulty tension or threading settings but because of fluff.
- However, to prevent the problem, there is no substitute for keeping the machine clean.
- For a better cleaning, you must go through the machine manuals and adopt the ways and things recommended.
Are you tired with the consistent breaking, fraying and shredding of the thread?
Prevention:
- Be sure that both thread and needle are compatible with each other. For example, the needle eye must be large enough to pass the thread easily. The eye mustn’t pull or catch the thread.
Do you find the machine to be irritably noisy?
Prevention: There is a 99% chance that you have left the machine uncleaned for many days and so the noise is being produced by the jam parts.
- So, before the noise issue starts irritating your ears, it is wise to clean the machine parts regularly.
- Don’t open up the parts and clean those without consulting the manual well.
Final words
To sum up, your interesting sewing project can result in a nightmare experience if any of the sewing machine problems start popping up frequently or constantly. Therefore, having sound knowledge of how to avoid common sewing machine problems is a must.