If you’ve ever used a sewing machine, you’ve probably heard that you need to lubricate the machine, and most of us have probably heard that pressing the “over-feed” button doesn’t always do the trick.
However, there are a few small details to keep in mind when it comes to lubing and feeding your machine, that could improve the way you sew and give you better results.
You should check the slip wheel and feed dogs. Lubricate the machine, all parts, and tension parts. If everything moves smoothly, the machine is good.
Common Causes of Grinding
Whether you are a newbie or a seasoned pro, you have probably experienced the frustration of having your sewing machine grind to a halt mid-sew.
Sewing machines have a lot of moving parts and they can break down from time to time, especially when you are working on something delicate.
Sewing machines can be subject to a lot of wear and tear if not properly used.
Grinding is a common problem caused by the constant friction of threads and materials within the machine. If this happens, there are a few steps you can take to prevent your machine from grinding.
Common causes of Sewing Machine Grinding are:
- Incorrect Thread Tension
- Insufficient Thread Tension
- Clutch Setting
- Thread Holder
- Nylon or Polyester Stitch
- Lint
- Needle and/or Needle Plate
- Cotton Stitch
- Thread
Fixing Grinding
Reports of sewing machine noise can be a sign of more serious problems, however, so if you hear a noise, don’t ignore it.
A sewing machine must be working properly to be used properly. If it is not working properly, how can you fix it? Go through the steps and you will be able to fix it.
- Remove the needle plate.
- Remove the needle from the machine.
- Remove the presser foot.
- Pull the bobbin winder to the right and lift it out of the machine.
- Remove the thread from the machine.
- Check the bobbin for any thread that might be wrapped around the axle.
- Replace the bobbin and make sure the thread is coming out of the slot on the left side of the bobbin.
- Wind the bobbin by turning the hand.
Why does my sewing machine sound like a jackhammer?
Sewing machines are powerful machines. The sewing machine uses a needle that penetrates the fabric creating a hole, pulling the thread through the hole, and then pushing the fabric back into place.
This is the same process that a jackhammer uses to drill through the pavement, except the sewing machine does not have the same jarring effect on your hands and arms while working.
The stitching machine is a mechanical device that can cause irritation to the ears. This is due to the erratic piston movements caused by the needle bar’s hit-and-miss motions.
What causes the thread to bunch up underneath when sewing?
The answer is; it depends. The first step to solving this mystery is to understand how sewing works. So, let’s start by looking at the thread as it enters the needle and goes through the stitch.
The thread goes through the needle parallel to the needle’s shaft; this is called a horizontal thread feed.
As the thread goes through the needle, it is pushed forward by the action of the needle’s eye, which is the hole in the needle’s eye.
Sewing is one of those things that can be endlessly creative. The possibilities are endless.
But, unfortunately, many of the things that make sewing so fun also introduce the problems of not-so-fun problems. One of these problems is thread bunching.
When sewing, thread bunching occurs when the needle is in the fabric and the thread is up through the “hole” (can be threaded, or a knot can be between a loop like in buttonholes), so when you pull the thread, it goes up in a loop.
To prevent this, pass the thread through the “bottom” of the loop, through the eye of the needle, and pull the needle through before you start sewing.
What tension should my sewing machine be on?
The tension on your sewing machine is the right amount of tightness in your thread. The right amount depends on the thread you are using and how you are sewing.
The basic sewing machine tension is set by the type of thread, such as embroidery, quilting, or sewing.
There’s a lot of tension to be applied to your sewing machine, and it depends on what kind of fabric you’re working with.
If the fabric is thick or slippery, you’ll need more tension, and vice versa. So, if you’re using cotton fabric, you might need to use 7.5-8.5 pounds of tension or more.
If you’re working with a thin fabric like a t-shirt or a sock, you might only need 3-4 pounds of tension.
Clean the machine
One thing that happens often is the sewing machine being dusty. Dust and dirt build up from regular use and this makes the machine dirty. As time passes, the sewing machine becomes dirtier and dirtier.
You can clean the sewing machine with this method:
- Remove the foot pedal and the needle plate.
- Remove all the loose lint from the bobbin area.
- Clean the bobbin area with a damp cloth.
- Use a brush to remove any lint trapped in the bobbin area that you couldn’t remove by hand.
- Fill the bobbin case with new oil and install a new bobbin. You can either use sewing machine oil, or baby oil, or 3-in-1 oil, or mineral oil, or sewing machine grease.
- Place the needle plate back on the sewing machine and re-install the foot pedal.
