Can someone help me? I'm all set up to make a tote bag with a see through pocket (to hold my Tupperware catalogues when I'm out in public :_)), but my machine is acting weird. The stitches look fine from the top, but the bottom are all loops and the bottom thread (I think) can be pulled right out. I've tried adjusting the tension, new needle, proper thread, but I can't seem to get it right again. Can anyone give me some ideas to try...the simpler the better. If I can figure out how to, I'll post a pic when I done.
I'm assuming that the pocket is made of plastic. I've sewn it before and didn't have any problems. Make sure that your bobbin is in correctly and the thread is hooked properly cause that is one of the symptoms of loops on the bottom thread.
When I sewed plastic, I sewed bias tape around the edge of the plastic pocket and then sewed the pocket (along the bias tape) to the tote bag. I've googled and found some tips about sewing plastic. Use a walking foot or a roller foot when sewing it. Another suggestion was to use waxed paper on the throat plate to prevent sticking. Or put tissue paper over the seam line and sew through it (both sides of fabric if necessary). This sounds as if sticking could be your problem. Another suggestion I read was to use a leather needle.
Is it just when you stitch through the plastic? Though other answers are assuming that - I don't see where you say that. Anyway - I'll bet you a million bucks that the loops you are seeing on the bottom are the TOP thread - NOT the bobbin thread, and what is happening is that you have threaded the machine with the presser foot down instead of up. When the presser foot is down, the tension discs are closed, therefore your thread isn't caught back in the tension discs, so there is no tension on the upper thread - thus it is loos in loops on the bottom. Thread up again, making sure the presser foot is UP when you thread the top - and make sure you have the thread back in the tension disc. Also - thread top and bottom with different colors so you can see for sure which thread is making the loops.
Let me know...
Londa
I know I am chiming in late but here are some of my thoughts. After ruling out these other wonderful "might be's" and if you are stilling having issues it might be as simple as using the right needle for the fabric choice and using a longer length of stitch. If you have already found the issue I would love to hear how you fixed it.
Permalink Reply by Cat on September 18, 2009 at 12:31pm
I agree that it is probably the wrong type/size needle, the plastic is grabbing the thread and not allowing it to be pulled back up by the thread take up lever. Needs a deeper groove. However, try sewing with tissue paper on top of the plastic. It will perforate and tear away. (bias binging will probably do the same thing..)