The post whore thread.

[TheGrey]

That's excellent, Erni! A good, solid skill to have, and definitely one put to use when you've got kids.

[Irving]

Good stuff, Irving! What kind of a machine do you use?

The pajamas are very cute.

I haven't taken photos of what I've sewn. Right now I'm working on stuff for DCC, so they are more costume-y clothes.

As far as clothing repair goes, it IS a bit of a different beast, but I would imagine it could be done. You've done YouTube, I'm sure. What are some of the other sites you've used for learning to sew?

Pretty much exclusively YouTube. I use a Brother JX2517. After hearing me swear and curse and cuss at my machine all morning, both before AND after the trip to Joann Fabrics, she made me watch the dvd. I sat through the painful 18 minute instruction video watching everything I already knew.

I found this video, and it pretty much exactly describes my issue, as what is pictured on the last page is ALL top thread. I'm going to see if I'm some how so stupid that I haven't threaded the top thread correctly.

[Great-Kazoo]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZws5pT1Ics[/video]

YOU, STUPID

[Irving]

It's threaded correctly, but there is definitely some issue with the top thread. The thread spool moves at lightning speed compared to usual while this issue is happening.

[brutal]

It's threaded correctly, but there is definitely some issue with the top thread. The thread spool moves at lightning speed compared to usual while this issue is happening.

Thread tension?

I know on ma's old Kenmore I inherited (when she got a new one) I had to fiddle with the top thread tension knob depending on the material and stitch used.

[TheGrey]

The rule of thumb is: when something goes wrong with your top thread, it is something wrong with the bobbin. If something is wrong with your bottom thread, it is something wrong with the top.

I haven't watched the Youtube video you've posted, and I don't have a Brother sewing machine. Have you called the store, or brought the results to the store and spoken with someone about it? They're pretty good at helping you with troubleshooting.


1) When did you change out your needle last?
2) Have you messed with the tension at all in your bobbin?
3) Swap out your bobbin for a freshly-threaded one.

[Irving]

It's working now, but I can't figure out what is different. The problem was that it wasn't picking up the bottom thread from the bobbin. I took everything out and put it back in about ten times each. Everything has been correct. The only thing that I've changed was to pick the bottom thread up with the needle before putting the fabric in, and laying both threads on top of the foot and out the back. I've spent hours sewing on this machine and have never had to do those steps before.

[TheGrey]

It's working now, but I can't figure out what is different. The problem was that it wasn't picking up the bottom thread from the bobbin. I took everything out and put it back in about ten times each. Everything has been correct. The only thing that I've changed was to pick the bottom thread up with the needle before putting the fabric in, and laying both threads on top of the foot and out the back. I've spent hours sewing on this machine and have never had to do those steps before.

That's actually what you're supposed to do before each time you sew. Only, the tails of the thread aren't supposed to go on top of the foot and out the back; you raise the foot, manually move the top needle down to pick up the bobbin thread while holding on to the top thread. The needle will dip down, the raise up and you'll feel a little tension on the thread you're holding because the lower thread will be looped around the top thread. Take a pen or closed shears and slide them beneath the sewing foot, sweeping in a horizontal arc, and you'll catch both threads, which you then sort of push to the back of your sewing foot. When you slide your material under the foot, the threads will be nicely out of your way.

I'm glad you were able to resolve your issue!

[Irving]

Mine has an auto loader thing, and it picks up the bottom thread automatically and then I just pull the excess out of the way each time. It just wasn't picking up the bottom thread for some reason. Stupid sewing.

[TheGrey]

It picks up the bottom thread automatically? Ooooo, that's a fancy machine!

There are some days when I just think Skynet is trying to control the machines. It sounds like this was one of them.