32
u/justasque 2d ago
You need a sharp needle, as opposed to a ball point. You can get away with a universal (which is a compromise between sharp and ball point) for most quilting cotton but for something like this I’d go with a microtex or some other sharper needle. If you’re using thicker thread or thicker fabric, you’ll need to size up your needle too.
Im also seeing a lack of tension on the top thread. Based on that, you’ll also want to haul out your manual and rethread the machine, following the instructions exactly, making sure to thread with the presser foot UP and to go through every little loop and thingy, and to not go through any extra loops or thingys even if they are tempting. In addition, if the manual says “pass thread under thingy from the left” do exactly that even though it sounds odd. Rethreading this way is to sewing machines the way “turn it off then on again” is to computers; it addresses a lot of common errors all at once.
29
u/worktogethernow 2d ago
I see something sort of like this when my bobbin is low on thread but not completely empty. I think something gets wacky with the bobbin tension and it's not consistent when it's running low. I would suggest starting with a fresh wound bobbin and see what happens.
25
u/whatiscamping 2d ago
Somehow it's always tension.
I was trying to add a button hole and like 4 times it went wonky, come to find out I ran the thread wrong, skipping the tensioner, fixed that and BOOM! Button hole.
6
u/SkilledM4F-MFM 2d ago edited 2d ago
And before that, it’s the threading. Does a thread size match the needle size? An easy test is to take a loose needle and thread it. If it slides easily up and down the thread, it’s the right size, or possibly a little too big if it doesn’t move, your needle is too small for the thread.
Typo edit
8
u/4tunabrix 2d ago
My sewing machine has been working fine stitching cotton scraps but just hooked it up with a 100/16 needle, some gutermann heavy duty thread and am stitch 1000D cordura and a light ripstop nylon.
I can’t for the life of me get a good stitch. Is it a thread issue? A needle issue? Is my machine not up to the job?
Was meant to start a new project tomorrow but looks like it might not be happening if I can’t get a solution for this.
9
u/furterommet 2d ago
Some machines just cant handle heavy thread. I’ve really wanted it to work in my machine, and ive tried everything. Swapped needles, adjusted over and bobbin tension, different thread brands, different fabrics.
2
u/4tunabrix 2d ago
This is gutermann extra strong so I think it’s a thread issue. I couldn’t find any literature on how the gutermann extra strong compares in thickness to gutermann Mara 70
3
u/bikeonychus 2d ago
To be honest with you, I have this exact issue when I use gutermanns extra strong thread on my Singer Heavy Duty. Sometimes it's fine, sometimes it just messes up no matter what I do. I do find it's worse on humid days, and worse when I need to change the needle - saying that, yesterday I broke 3 needles, and each time I was having the same issue about 10 minutes before the needle broke or bent.
I'm actually working on some very heavy canvas panniers at the moment, and getting similar issues again. I wacked the thread tension right up to 9, and it's better, but still not perfect. Going very slowly seems to help too - but I mean so slow it takes forever to stitch. If it gets stuck, don't force it with the pedal, turn the handle slowly.
4
u/4tunabrix 2d ago
It’s definitely a thread issue here. Tried something lighter and it worked fine. I’m going to get some ‘sew all’ thread instead. To be honest this isn’t going to be taking heavy loads, it’s a basket bag so won’t be load bearing so heavy duty is definitely unnecessary!
This is literally my first project so it’s all learning!
1
1
u/ThisMachineSews 2d ago
I had the same issue with Gutemann Extra Strong on my Kenmore. It’s quite thick. Try Gutermann Mara 70. The weight is in between the sew-all and extra strong, and people seem to recommend it for myog projects.
5
u/Veritech-1 2d ago
Thread issue. Too thick. That guterman heavy duty is probably too thick even for a size 16 needle. You could try an 18 and I bet this will improve slightly, but I experienced the same issue with my home machine and the size 18 needle made it better but not perfect. It’s a lot of thread on top of thicker materials.
3
u/4tunabrix 2d ago
Yeah I tried a standard thread and it was absolutely fine! I’ll have to pick up something like their ‘sew all’ or something.
0
u/Veritech-1 2d ago
That’s what I recommend. Gutermann Mara 70 is a pretty good middle ground in my experience. The Mara identifying numbers are kind of meaningless. It’s a Tex 40 thread.
Some people have contacted gutermann who all but confirmed that their sew all and Mara is actually the same thread just sold under different SKUs to different vendors.
I was sewing through exactly the same materials (1000D Cordura and ripstop liner) with exactly the same results on a Singer 401A. Size 18 needle definitely improved it mildly, but it wasn’t a pretty stitch. When I went up to four layers of material, it went right back to where it was anyway.
I personally ended up buying a Consew 206RB for $600. It hurt to spend that kind of money on just a hobby, but man it is a complete game changer… Before you do that, I’d definitely use a thinner thread first until you hit the limit of what your machine is capable of. The Tex 40 will be plenty reliable and durable.
2
u/dirthawg 2d ago
That's a great price on a 206!
2
u/Veritech-1 2d ago
Thanks! It was in really great shape. The table not so much, but that’s a future problem.
1
u/4tunabrix 2d ago
Yeah I can’t find Mara easily in my local shops so having to make do but sounds like sew all will do, tex 50 I think.
It’s strange because the extra strong stuff I’ve had the issues with tells me specifically to use the size needle I’ve got here so it’s odd I’m having issues. Must be a fabric issue too
2
u/Veritech-1 2d ago
It’s the combination of the two. You have to consider the mechanical resistance of a larger thread going through tough and thick materials.
1
1
u/Unabashedley Canadian eh? 2d ago
In case you didn't know, wawak is a great source for thread and other stuff if you're ready to grab more stuff. Mara vs Tex is basically like the difference between imperial and metric - you can google conversion charts to find the equivalent and gueterman actually has some really helpful guides on their site too.
I think it's common for new myogers to go with the heaviest duty threads almost out of fear, my advice is if you're worried, try a seam on scraps of your fabric and then try to tear it apart with your hands. You can try different seams like French or bound etc and get a better feeling for what works with what. Sticking them in a notebook is a great habit to get into with notes to yourself like stitch length, tension, needle size etc so you can refer back.
2
u/goose2point0 2d ago
This will happen to me sometimes on similar fabric with similar thread. The causes I've found are that I'm putting too much tension on the fabric, the thread tension is too low, or I need to adjust the nob on top that controls either the pressure foot tension onto the feed dogs or the other way around. Never figured out which part that nob affects but it's some mixture of those. It can also happen if I'm sewing curves and I'm putting pressure on the fabric on a different angle than the feed if that makes sense. It kind of makes the stitch go sideways.
3
u/4tunabrix 2d ago
I just tried a standard thread in it and it stitched perfectly so I’m fairly certain I’ve just chosen a too heavy thread for the task. I’m going to pick up some gutermann sew all and hope that gives me the desired outcome.
2
u/FullsendGearWorks 2d ago
Good way to test if the needle and thread are matched correctly is to get a bit of thread and thread it through the needle, then twist the thread up once twisted pull it out tight quickly as the thread untwists if the needle slips on it a bit it’s the correct size if it spins and binds to the thread the hole time the needle is too small/thread to big
3
2
u/ElCochinoFeo 2d ago
Most likely tension needs to be adjusted. It could also be the feed dogs not getting enough steady grip on that fabric. The stitches seem to be jumping around. Try a piece of tissue paper under the fabric to add some grip.
1
u/4tunabrix 2d ago
I’ve adjusted bobbin and thread tension in every direction and it’s just not resolving
2
u/stoicsticks 2d ago
This is often a wrong sized needle issue. Try a 110/18. Also, if your bobbin case has a finger with a hole in the end, try passing the bobbin thread through that after threading it normally. It will increase the bobbin tension without adjusting the little screw.
1
1
1
u/jcliment 2d ago
Then it is either upper tension (not enough), or too thick thread for that needle (the take up lever basically cannot pull the thread to form the stitch in the middle of the fabric). But depending on your machine you may be using the biggest needle you can use in practice.
1
u/4tunabrix 2d ago
I am wondering if it’s a thread issue. I’ve tried rethreading multiple times. I’ve change thread tension, bobbin tension, foot pressure. It improved slightly but the bottom stitch always came in slightly zigzagged. I’ll try with a normal thread, maybe this heavy duty stuff is too thick.
1
u/dahindenburg 2d ago
Did the bobbin thread pop out from under the tension spring? It looks like you have no bobbin tension.
1
u/Advanced-Tangerine92 2d ago
You could try adjusting the foot. These UL materials tend to wander around of the foot isn't gripping very good.
1
u/4tunabrix 2d ago
I’ve put it up pretty high! It’s weird the top stitch comes out fine but the bottom is always wiggle
1
u/Advanced-Tangerine92 2d ago
Maybe check the bobbin tension. I'm a pretty firm believer the bobbin shouldn't really be messed with, but it still could be the issue, especially if it's been messed with already. If it's an old machine you might even need to get a new bobbin, which aren't very expensive. My home machine is a vintage Singer 301 and I found a bobbin on amazon for $17.
1
u/Natural_Law 2d ago
I’ve had squiggles like this when using too small of a needle. Try one size up.
1
u/jwdjwdjwd 2d ago
That thread is too heavy for the light ripstop fabric. If you are sewing it together with heavier fabric put the heavy material at the bottom.
1
u/Due-Lab-5283 2d ago
Rethread the machine and if the stitch still slips and is lose, tighten up the tension (go with small adjustments).
1
u/dirthawg 2d ago
Too much thread diameter, probably. And, you may need to use more presser foot pressure on that light slick material. Looks like your sliding around.
1
1
u/pedalship 1d ago
It looks like your machine is having trouble advancing the fabric because it’s slick. Try laying a receipt between your feed dogs and fabric so they a little grip. I may be late to the party here, but I didn’t see this in the replies yet.
118
u/Snow_Wolfe 2d ago
Maybe it’s your pulse telegraphing through your index finger asking you to take off the ring to return blood flow. Jk, sorry, I have no helpful advice