Buyers Guide & Frequently Asked Questions
Basic Sewing Machine Troubleshooting
Four Basic Steps before you sew!
Solution:
- Always turn the handwheel TOWARDS you (counter clockwise) as turning it in the opposite direction (away from you, clockwise) may knock the timing out requiring repair from a service centre.
- Always be sure your presser foot is in the DOWN position before sewing. Sewing with the presser foot in the up position will cause your thread to tangle and your bobbin to jam.
- Change needles regularly as dull/weak needles can cause damage to your machine and fabric.
- Always be sure you are using the correct bobbin for your machine.
Sometimes your machine just doesn’t want to co-operate! For me, it’s usually when I’m working with a deadline. The thread breaks, my needle bends, or skipped stitches – UGH!
Solution:
- When’s the last time you cleaned your machine? It can get linty in the bobbin case area. You should clean your machine fairly often and you should be able to tell when it needs a cleaning. A small brush and compressed air are both very helpful tools.
- Un-thread and re-thread your machine entirely. Sometimes you forget a loop when you’re threading and everything goes haywire. Also make sure your bottom bobbin is threaded in the correct direction.
- Check your needle. Does it need to be replaced? Is it the correct size and type for the fabric you are using?
Problem: My thread is bunching on the back of my fabric!
Solution:
- We definitely recommend re-threading your machine. Go slowly and make sure you aren’t missing anything. Check your bottom bobbin too – is it threaded correctly? A lot of the time thread bunches at the back of your fabric because the machine is not threaded properly.
- Are you using good quality thread? Are you using the right thread for your project?
- At the beginning of each seam, hold the top and bottom threads up and away under the presser foot. This should help with any bunching that occurs at the beginning of your stitches.
- Make sure your presser foot is in the down position while sewing.
- Check your tension settings for your upper thread – see your instruction book for tension settings.
Problem: Adjusting Tension
- A properly threaded sewing machine with the correct tension settings should set you on your way to happy sewing. But it’s not always easy to determine which tension settings to use. Your sewing machine probably has a dial with numbers, but sometimes unmarked. The general rule is “lefty losey, righty tighty”. You’ll adjust your top tension most often, depending on your fabric and thread. Always use a scrap of fabric to test out your tension before you sew any seams.
- Adjust your upper thread tension slowly and inspect your test fabric for signs of improvement or decline in how the stitches are coming together.
Why is my electronic machine beeping? Why won't my machine sew? Why will my machine start to sew then stop?
Solution:
- You may have accidentally lowered the buttonhole lever located just to the left of the needle bar. To make sure it is in the correct position for sewing, place your finger under the lever and push up.
- Also make sure the needle is set at the highest position and the bobbin winding spindle has been pushed back to the left.
- NOTE: To set the needle at the highest position, turn the hand wheel TOWARDS you, until the needle moves to the highest position.
- Finally, push the reverse button a couple of times, this will reset the machine.
- If none of the troubleshooting techniques above solved the issue, please contact the GUR Sewing Service Centre to have your machine serviced.
Why is my bobbin not winding evenly?
Solution:
- If your bobbin is winding unevenly, it’s possible you have not placed the thread correctly around the bobbin winding tension spring. If you believe the thread is placed correctly, please try wrapping the thread around the tension spring a second time – a common practice among keen sewers.
- If none of the troubleshooting techniques above solved the issue, please contact the GUR Sewing Service Centre.
Why is my machine skipping stitches?
Solution:
- Skipped stitches can mean one of two things: needle issues or disrupted timing.
- First, your needle may be dull or damaged and needs to be replaced. You should also check that you are using the correct needle for the type of fabric you are sewing. For example, knit and synthetic fabric requires a ballpoint needle. (Please see our How To Choose The Right Machine Needle For The Job section for more information).
- Next, check the needle is inserted correctly. The needle needs to be pushed as far up the needle shaft as possible. (It’s easy to insert the needle half way, clamp it down and think it is inserted correctly).
- Also, the flat part of the needle should be positioned towards the back. If the needle is not inserted correctly, it will not be able to pull up the bobbin thread and will cause skipped stitches.
- If the trouble shooting tips above did not correct the problem, please take your machine into a GUR Sewing service centre. It is possible the timing on the machine has been disrupted and needs to be reset.
Why doesn’t my stitch pattern match what is on my machine?
Solution:
- Different stitch patterns require different stitch lengths in order to sew correctly. Depending on your machine model, a decorative stitch such as a crescent or bead stitch will require the Stitch Length dial to be set at a smaller number (between 0.5 and 1.5).
- Continue to decrease the Stitch Length until you obtain the desired effect. If your machine has stretch stitches, you may be required to set the Stitch Length dial to the “S” or Stretch setting to obtain the stitch you want.
- The width setting can also affect the look of your stitch. You will obtain the best results if you set the Stitch Width dial to the highest number.
How often should I oil my machine?
Solution:
If your machine manual does not include instructions on oiling, your machine has been pre-lubricated at the factory and will not need additional lubricating. However, you can put 2 to 3 small drops of sewing machine oil in the bobbin case area and on the needle bar as this will not harm the machine.