Common Sewing Machine Problems and How to Fix Them (Plus a Simple Care Routine)

The short answer: most sewing machine problems come from four things: incorrect threading, the wrong or a dull needle, a badly wound or wrongly inserted bobbin, and lint build-up. Before you call a repair shop, rethread the top thread with the presser foot up, change the needle, reinsert the bobbin and brush out the bobbin area. That fixes the majority of problems in a few minutes.

Machine trouble is the number one reason beginners give up, and it’s almost always fixable at home. Here’s what to check, in order.

Why is thread bunching under my fabric?

A tangled nest of thread under your fabric is the most common beginner problem. Despite where it appears, it’s almost always caused by the top thread, not the bobbin.

1. Raise the presser foot. This opens the tension discs.
2. Remove the top thread completely and rethread from the spool, following every guide, including the take-up lever.
3. Lower the presser foot before you start sewing.
4. Hold both thread tails lightly towards the back for the first two or three stitches.

Why is my sewing machine skipping stitches?

• The needle is dull, bent or inserted incorrectly. Replace it and push it fully up.
• The needle type doesn’t match the fabric. Knits need a ballpoint or stretch needle (see our needle guide).
• The machine is threaded incorrectly. Rethread top and bobbin.

Why does my thread keep breaking?

• The top tension is too tight. Lower it slightly.
• The thread is old or poor quality. Old thread becomes brittle, especially in our humidity.
• The thread is catching on a notch in the spool. Turn the spool so the notch faces away from the thread path, or use a spool cap.
• The needle eye is too small for the thread. Use a larger needle.

Why are there loops on the underside of my stitches?

Loops on the back usually mean the top thread isn’t sitting in the tension discs. Rethread the top with the presser foot up. If loops appear on the top instead, check the bobbin is inserted the right way and clicked into its tension spring.

Why is my fabric puckering?

• Your stitch length is too short for the fabric. Try 2.5 mm to 3 mm.
• The top tension is too tight.
• You’re pulling or pushing the fabric. Let the feed dogs move it.
• The needle is too large or blunt for fine fabric.

Why won’t my fabric move?

• The presser foot is up. Lower it.
• The stitch length is set to zero.
• The feed dogs are lowered (some machines have a lever for free-motion sewing). Raise them.
• Lint is packed around the feed dogs. Clean the area.

Why is my sewing machine making a loud or clunking noise?

Stop sewing. Check for a bent needle, thread wrapped around the bobbin area, or a pin or broken needle tip caught under the needle plate. If the noise continues after cleaning and rethreading, take the machine for a service.

How do you clean a sewing machine?

Lint is the silent machine killer. Clean the bobbin area after every project, or after every few hours of sewing:

1. Switch the machine off and unplug it.
2. Remove the needle, presser foot and needle plate (usually one or two screws).
3. Take out the bobbin and bobbin case.
4. Use the small brush that came with your machine to sweep out lint from the feed dogs and bobbin area.
5. Wipe the area with a dry, lint-free cloth and reassemble.

Avoid blowing into the machine or using canned air, which can push lint and moisture deeper inside.

Should you oil your sewing machine?

Only if your manual says so. Many modern home machines are sealed and should not be oiled by the owner. If yours does need oil, use sewing machine oil only, one drop at each point shown in the manual, then sew on scrap fabric to absorb any excess.

How should you store your sewing machine in the Caribbean?

• Keep it covered when not in use to protect it from dust.
• Store it away from direct sun, sea air and damp corners. Humidity can cause rust and makes thread brittle.
• Keep thread in a closed container rather than out on a shelf.
• Have your machine professionally serviced about once a year if you sew often.

Frequently asked questions

Why is my sewing machine making a bird’s nest under the fabric?

It’s usually the top thread. Raise the presser foot, rethread the top thread completely through every guide, lower the presser foot and hold the thread tails for the first few stitches.

How do I fix skipped stitches?

Change to a new needle of the right type for your fabric, make sure it’s pushed fully up, and rethread the machine. Use a ballpoint or stretch needle for knits.

How often should I clean my sewing machine?

Brush out the bobbin and feed dog area after every project or every few hours of sewing, and have the machine serviced about once a year if you sew regularly.

Should I oil my sewing machine?

Only if your manual tells you to. Many modern machines should not be oiled at home. If yours does, use sewing machine oil only, one drop per point.

When should I take my sewing machine for repair?

If the machine still skips, jams or makes grinding noises after you’ve rethreaded it, changed the needle and cleaned the bobbin area, it may need its timing adjusted by a technician.

Learn it hands-on in Trinidad

Reading about sewing is a good start, but most people learn fastest with a teacher beside them. Our Beginner Sewing Bootcamp is TTD 1,500 for three sessions at our Woodbrook studio. Machines are provided, no experience is needed, and you leave with a garment you made yourself. Not ready to book yet? Download our free Sew From Scratch Starter Kit and start practising at home.