# Help with sewing/bobbin **URL:** \ **Category:** Craft Talk\ **Created:** [19 July 2017 19:29 UTC](https://talk.folksy.com/t/help-with-sewing-bobbin/14317 "2017-07-19T19:29:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![GrimmExhibition](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/folksy/user_avatar/talk.folksy.com/grimmexhibition/32/4093_2.png) [@GrimmExhibition](https://talk.folksy.com/u/GrimmExhibition)\ **Post date:** [19 July 2017 19:29 UTC](https://talk.folksy.com/t/help-with-sewing-bobbin/14317/1 "2017-07-19T19:29:05Z")
Hi folks, I need help please. Even though Ive been sewing for 30 years I cannot work out whats going on with the bottom bobbin thread, its loopy. Ive tried a different bobbin, cleaning the inside of machine but its still happening. ANy ideas please. ![](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/folksy/original/3X/3/5/35854f6a9df5d7a92d45e1d4d3fd5ceaa13cf51f.JPG) ---
**Author:** ![beadedgarden](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/folksy/user_avatar/talk.folksy.com/beadedgarden/32/980_2.png) [@beadedgarden](https://talk.folksy.com/u/beadedgarden)\ **Post date:** [19 July 2017 19:36 UTC](https://talk.folksy.com/t/help-with-sewing-bobbin/14317/2 "2017-07-19T19:36:24Z")
Might you have accidentally adjusted the tension? Or maybe your upper thread is not going through every bit of the thread path… Jane x ---
**Author:** ![bekokodesigns](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/folksy/user_avatar/talk.folksy.com/bekokodesigns/32/18575_2.png) [@bekokodesigns](https://talk.folksy.com/u/bekokodesigns)\ **Post date:** [19 July 2017 20:29 UTC](https://talk.folksy.com/t/help-with-sewing-bobbin/14317/3 "2017-07-19T20:29:20Z")
Have you made sure you have a new sharp needle that is the right kind for the fabric you’re sewing? Have you oiled the machine? ---
**Author:** ![Beesandblossoms](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/folksy/user_avatar/talk.folksy.com/beesandblossoms/32/16852_2.png) [@Beesandblossoms](https://talk.folksy.com/u/Beesandblossoms)\ **Post date:** [19 July 2017 21:19 UTC](https://talk.folksy.com/t/help-with-sewing-bobbin/14317/4 "2017-07-19T21:19:47Z")
Are you stitching on paper? I’ve not sewn much on paper but I do remember it meant I blunted needles very quickly and the tension went kaput. I had to fiddle with the top tension to get it to cooperate. If the printed text is either fabric or just a background for the photo, then I’d suggest a new needle (I’m pretty sure I can see holes at each stitch) in a smaller size, and adjusting the top tension if that doesn’t fix it (loosen it a wee bit). ---
**Author:** ![Susieshackletontextiles](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/folksy/user_avatar/talk.folksy.com/susieshackletontextiles/32/139675_2.png) [@Susieshackletontextiles](https://talk.folksy.com/u/Susieshackletontextiles)\ **Post date:** [19 July 2017 22:55 UTC](https://talk.folksy.com/t/help-with-sewing-bobbin/14317/5 "2017-07-19T22:55:06Z")
Redo everything, including the top thread. Sometimes the issues seem to be with the bobbin when somehow the top thread has gone wrong! I see Jane @beadedgarden has already mentioned this! ---
**Author:** ![MadeintheTemple](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/folksy/user_avatar/talk.folksy.com/madeinthetemple/32/16764_2.png) [@MadeintheTemple](https://talk.folksy.com/u/MadeintheTemple)\ **Post date:** [20 July 2017 06:36 UTC](https://talk.folksy.com/t/help-with-sewing-bobbin/14317/6 "2017-07-20T06:36:16Z")
Is the machine due for a service? My stitching tends to play up when it is due one. ---
**Author:** ![HeidiMeier](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/folksy/user_avatar/talk.folksy.com/heidimeier/32/8207_2.png) [@HeidiMeier](https://talk.folksy.com/u/HeidiMeier)\ **Post date:** [20 July 2017 06:45 UTC](https://talk.folksy.com/t/help-with-sewing-bobbin/14317/7 "2017-07-20T06:45:35Z")
I’d echo everything: change needle, adjust top tension, try a different cotton. Hope it sorts itself! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![GrimmExhibition](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/folksy/user_avatar/talk.folksy.com/grimmexhibition/32/4093_2.png) [@GrimmExhibition](https://talk.folksy.com/u/GrimmExhibition)\ **Post date:** [20 July 2017 08:45 UTC](https://talk.folksy.com/t/help-with-sewing-bobbin/14317/8 "2017-07-20T08:45:43Z")
Thanks one and all, I tried adjusting a number of things suggested and its working a lot better this time. Il give the machine a good clean at the top today. Il swot up on oiling. As far as I know Its a pretty new machine so don’t think its due for a service. ---
**Author:** ![thesherbetpatch](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/folksy/user_avatar/talk.folksy.com/thesherbetpatch/32/202_2.png) [@thesherbetpatch](https://talk.folksy.com/u/thesherbetpatch)\ **Post date:** [20 July 2017 09:22 UTC](https://talk.folksy.com/t/help-with-sewing-bobbin/14317/9 "2017-07-20T09:22:35Z")
I feel your pain! Mine has been playing up all week - skipped stitches, dodgy tension, unthreading halfway through… I’ve tried all sorts, but to no avail! Good luck! Sarah x ---
**Author:** ![EileensCraftStudio](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/folksy/user_avatar/talk.folksy.com/eileenscraftstudio/32/339_2.png) [@EileensCraftStudio](https://talk.folksy.com/u/EileensCraftStudio)\ **Post date:** [20 July 2017 12:43 UTC](https://talk.folksy.com/t/help-with-sewing-bobbin/14317/10 "2017-07-20T12:43:21Z")
Defiantly look like a tension issue to me. I have a singer that has to be slightly adjust if I use it a lot. ---
**Author:** ![sewflair](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/folksy/user_avatar/talk.folksy.com/sewflair/32/654_2.png) [@sewflair](https://talk.folksy.com/u/sewflair)\ **Post date:** [24 July 2017 10:31 UTC](https://talk.folksy.com/t/help-with-sewing-bobbin/14317/11 "2017-07-24T10:31:07Z")
I have always found that if the problem is underneath its the top thread at fault and if the problem is top thread its the bobbin thread at fault - check your top thread. Worth a try. ---
**Author:** ![EileensCraftStudio](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/folksy/user_avatar/talk.folksy.com/eileenscraftstudio/32/339_2.png) [@EileensCraftStudio](https://talk.folksy.com/u/EileensCraftStudio)\ **Post date:** [24 July 2017 12:42 UTC](https://talk.folksy.com/t/help-with-sewing-bobbin/14317/12 "2017-07-24T12:42:14Z")
It depends if the top stitch is loose so the bottom stitch is tight or if the top stitch is loose with the bottom stitch being too tight. ---
**Author:** ![GrimmExhibition](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/folksy/user_avatar/talk.folksy.com/grimmexhibition/32/4093_2.png) [@GrimmExhibition](https://talk.folksy.com/u/GrimmExhibition)\ **Post date:** [24 July 2017 16:12 UTC](https://talk.folksy.com/t/help-with-sewing-bobbin/14317/13 "2017-07-24T16:12:10Z")
My machine is still skipping stitches. Its usually the bobbin/under side that is playing up, either in a tangle of everything is loose. ---
**Author:** ![HelenCliffordArt](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/folksy/user_avatar/talk.folksy.com/helencliffordart/32/5051_2.png) [@HelenCliffordArt](https://talk.folksy.com/u/HelenCliffordArt)\ **Post date:** [24 July 2017 18:48 UTC](https://talk.folksy.com/t/help-with-sewing-bobbin/14317/14 "2017-07-24T18:48:59Z")
I’m absolutely sure you are not doing anything as obvious as this … but my machine skipped stiches for ages till I actually re-read the manual and discovered I’d been putting the bobbin in with the thread leading off anticlockwise instead of clockwise. My only excuse is I don’t use it very often, just for the odd bit of mending, and I was putting it down to just being an old machine … Do tell me someone else has done this ! ---
**Author:** ![MadeintheTemple](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/folksy/user_avatar/talk.folksy.com/madeinthetemple/32/16764_2.png) [@MadeintheTemple](https://talk.folksy.com/u/MadeintheTemple)\ **Post date:** [24 July 2017 19:11 UTC](https://talk.folksy.com/t/help-with-sewing-bobbin/14317/15 "2017-07-24T19:11:47Z")
Yes I have and on more than one occasion. ---
**Author:** ![kernowclaire](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/folksy/user_avatar/talk.folksy.com/kernowclaire/32/10094_2.png) [@kernowclaire](https://talk.folksy.com/u/kernowclaire)\ **Post date:** [24 July 2017 21:04 UTC](https://talk.folksy.com/t/help-with-sewing-bobbin/14317/16 "2017-07-24T21:04:22Z")
It looks like the tension is too loose to me. When I sew cotton and then swap to oilcloth I get a problem similar to this a lot and have to alter the tension. If I tighten the tension it pulls the stitch tighter to the fabric. Hope this helps xx ---
**Author:** ![GrimmExhibition](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/folksy/user_avatar/talk.folksy.com/grimmexhibition/32/4093_2.png) [@GrimmExhibition](https://talk.folksy.com/u/GrimmExhibition)\ **Post date:** [25 July 2017 09:56 UTC](https://talk.folksy.com/t/help-with-sewing-bobbin/14317/17 "2017-07-25T09:56:15Z")
Thanks everyone for your suggestions, it seems ot be running ok at the mo, I just finished these, the 2nd one had no unpicking!! ![](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/folksy/original/3X/4/0/40865395753d7db464e37b6f6732d5a3855df8ba.jpeg)