Thread From Spool Pulls Right Out

Hello,

I had not used my sewing machine for years, but decided to get it out two weeks ago.  I sewed a few lines in my pants pockets to make a place for my cell phone.  It worked great!  Yesterday the bobbin ran out.  I filled up a new one and put it back. 

I wanted to hem a t-shirt, so I sewed on some test fabric and decided to test the stitching by pulling on both ends of both threads.  Now, the "top" thread, or rather the line which comes from the spool, will slide right out when I tug on it.  When I was sewing the past few days, the thread was strong.

I've found the .pdf manual for my machine and have read it. It is a Singer "CM-17 C."  I THINK I have the machine threaded correctly, but unfortunately the pictures in the .pdf manual are hard to see.  I have spent some time adjusting the thread tension, but not a whole lot.

Does anyone recognize this problem?  Thanks....   

I really does sound like a tension problem and that would be my first guess.  Try upping both of them and see what happens.  I hope you get it figured out soon!

Thanks for your response.  I'm open to thinking that you are correct, because, in spite of not being able to clearly see the pictues in the manual, I do think I have the machine threaded correctly. 

As I've been researching this issue at various sites, I keep stumbling upon the concept that there is a second thread tension adjustment.  Are you saying that there is an adjustment for BOTH threads?  Or is there a second adjustment on the thead which comes from the spool somewhere? 

I've just spent another 5 min.s going over my .pdf manual, and I don't see where a second thread tension adjustment is mentioned.   

I think it depends on the machine as to if there is thread tension settings for both the bobbin and the spool.  Do you have a drop in bobbin or the other kind that goes in kind of sideways?

The metal kind of sideways kind...you can adjust the bobbin tension on that thing that holds the bobbin in place.  There should be a screw there that can be tightened or loosened.  The will address that issue.

If you have the drop-in sort, you may want to make sure that your bobbin housing is seated correctly.  Mine can be taken out to clean the lint from around it.  It sometimes comes unseated and thise causes problems. 

I hope this helps and doesn't confuse you more!  Hopefully, you'll find your answer soon.

Thanks for your ideas -  Very clear - no confusion at all....

The bobbin is dropped into the area below the needle.  I have looked carefully for any sort of screw head which might relate to the bobbin and I don't see any. 

The area around the bobbin does move - but I'm sensing that it's supposed to move just a bit from side to side.  I tried to remove it entirely, it would not come out.  I did sweep some thread dust out with my finger. 

I have continued to experiment with thread tension.  At 1,5 and 7 the top thread from the spool will easily pull out. 

Weird idea here - is that top thread supposed to be easily removed if pulled???  It would be ever so nice if it emerged that, in fact, I did not have a problem.     I did test the stitching by pulling hard on the material in a sideways motion.  The light cotten fabric tore before the thread came undone. 

One good thing from all of this fiddling around, I was not using one of the notches near the bobbin correctly, I did not realize that a horizontal slot was half a centimeter "deep."  I am running the thread through there correctly now.  It's good news, but not the sort which will solve my current problem though!

I think you've got a tension problem as well.  Make sure you're following the manual's directions perfectly for placing the bobbin into the holder and the holder into the machine.  One missed step could easily be the cause of your problem.  Be sure to re-thread everything and change your needle.  Make sure there aren't any loose thread pieces stuck anywhere.  And since it's been awhile, I highly suggest oiling everything.  Your manual should direct you to the places that need it the most. 

Good luck, but stick with it and you'll find the problem.  I wanted to throw my machine out the window last night due to skipped stitches, but I finally worked out the tension-needle size balance and now it sews beautifully!    

Your top thread is too tight (relative to the bobbin thread).

That means that either your bobbin isn't inserted correctly or the tension there has been loosened (that is unlikely, but technically it could happen.) Also, make sure you are using the correct size of bobbin. You said you "filled up a new one."

OR

Your top thread is too tight. Unthread everything, lift the presser foot (to disengage the tension discs) and rethread the machine, with the tension on a medium setting.

My guess is that your problem lies in the bobbin.

Looks like I will get this problem solved one way or another.

I took my machine to a fabric store, and they told me that the bobbin tension needs to be adjusted.  I showed them a line of stitching and how the top thread can be pulled freely.

They have a firm that will oil, clean, and adjust for $70.00.  They also said that most machines need a technician to adjust the bobbin tension.  I found that to be a surprising statement!

Being that I'm a cheap and handy, I'm going to take one swack at doing it myself.  I mean, how complicated can it be?  It's just a sewing machine!!! 

Thanks for suggestions from all.  This is a great forum!

The issue of sewing machine repair is a big one.  Fifty years ago, every home had a sewing machine and there were plenty of technicians quite capable of repairing and adjusting them.  Sometime around 1970, the quality of home sewing machines declined.  Reliable, quality machines became too expensive for most consumers forcing home sewing into the doldrums.  Sewing repair technicians were no longer in demand.

As a result, finding reliable technicians who are qualified to repair sewing machines is a crapshoot.  They often do more harm than good.  Yes, you should be wary, but that does not mean you can do it yourself.  Unless you know what you are doing, you can ruin your machine.

You don't say what brand of machine.  If I were you, I'd try to get factory service.  Most machines come with a 25 year warranty.  I recently had a timing problem with a 14 year old Viking that they fixed for free because my warranty is still in effect.

If it is a vintage machine, check Yahoo Groups or Google Groups for other owners of your machine.  They can lead you to the best repairs.  There are also courses you can take on how to repair sewing machines. 

It's just a little screw, if you have a bobbin case. You can certainly experiment with that first. If it's a drop in bobbin, it may be harder to reach. For your machine, if you don't have a warranty, it would be worthwhile to try it yourself first.

Hi Ambimom - thanks for the ideas about warrenties and groups.  If I get entirely stumped, I'll be checking into that.

Cathe - It turns out I DO have a bobbin case after all !    I removed the needle plate and the slide plate and dug out a palm-full of old thread and thead dust.  After pulling out a bunch of thead which had lodged beneath the bobbin case, the case was freed up and I was able to take it out. 

I've been experimenting with the tiny screws on the side of the bobbin case.  I watched a video on youtube on how to gauge the bobbin tension, by a sort of "yo-yo" motion.  I still have the problem of being able to pull out the top thread readily. 

Oddly, I have a new problem, when I lift the foot after stitching a line, I have an extra line of thread from the spool, and I cannot freely pull the material clear of the needle area.  I have to snip the thread as opposed to just pulling the fabric free.

I'll keep at it - no big rush.  I just need to be able to make a cape and tights by Halloween.  ( kidding! )

Um.... my guess is that that mess was your entire problem. Once you have it cleaned out and the bobbin inserted correctly, you may not have any problems at all. A good cleaning and some oil (unless you have a machine that says NO OIL) should usually be your first response to most machine problems!

Cathe,

For being such a very young person, you are way smart!

I have since noticed that the black nylon bobbin case is chipped.  I'm ordering a new one at:

http://www.vacsew.com/vacuum/singer-apollo-bobbin-case.html

Twelve dollar! Many Cheap!

I now know that the issue of having two strings from the spool thread coming up from the bobbin area and preventing me from separating the fabric from the machine was associated with the chip: the thread was catching on the outside portion of the bobbin case.

The funny thing is, well, to copy and paste a phrase: Thread From Spool Pulls Right Out.  Yes, tightening the screws on the bobbin does not correct the problem! 

But, the new bobbin is on the way, and I do have my health.  Aren't I a hoot.

Isn't it nice when it's a cheap fix??? That seldom happens with fancy new machines...

Isn't my granddaughter adorable?