Tag: maintenance

Embroidery Machine Problems and Solutions

10 Comments

Embroidery-Machine-Problems.pngHere are some common problems you may have while using your embroidery machine. This handy guide provides suggestions that may be of some assistance.

  • Have your machine checked and serviced by a qualified mechanic at least once a year
  • Keep the machine clean, change the needle often and use good quality thread
  • Use a dust cover to protect the machine when not in use

Common Problems…

Machine making noises

Problem cause:

  • Machine needs cleaning or oiling
  • Blunt or damanged needle
  • Machine needs servicing

What to do:

  • Clean feed teeth and shuttle areas
  • Insert new needle
  • Check manual for oiling (some machines must be oiled by a qualified service person)
  • Have machine serviced

Continue reading →

Thread Tensions and Common Issues

Leave a comment

by Gary Walker

Just the mention of thread tension strikes fear into many home embroiderers and it shouldn’t. Tension is a very simple thing to understand, as long as you know where to start.

The most common tension issue is when the bobbin thread peeks through to the top of the fabric resulting in little white thread spots in an otherwise good-looking design. In simple terms, this result is due to an imbalance between the top and bottom thread tension. Either the bobbin tension is too loose or the needle tension is too tight. This problem can sometimes be due to the variability of thread and it’s not necessarily a quality issue. Different types of thread can give very different tensions but the first starting point for setting any machine tension is to make sure that the bobbin tension is within an acceptable range.

Unlike the needle tension, there is no dial or electronic measurement to work with, just a tiny adjusting screw  on the bobbin case or bobbin holder.

Continue reading →

Maintaining your machine

Leave a comment

Sewing and embroidery machines are some of the most expensive appliances to be found in any household, and for good reason. They are miracles of technology and far more mechanically complex than virtually any other appliance. Thankfully the introduction of computerized machines has both simplified the operation and made them more reliable. But there is still a lot of mechanisms needed to make them do all the amazing things they do.

With that comes the need for preventative maintenance. Just like a car, sewing machines have moving metal parts that run at speed and will eventually wear out. How long they last depends on how you maintain them. Let’s take an in depth look at what is needed to keep your machine in top condition. Regardless of how advanced or how good the quality is, all machinery needs preventative maintenance at some stage. So let’s start with the easy questions.

Continue reading →