Can somebody who knows how to use a sewing machine please help me?

Question

Basically my sewing machine will not sew properly. It's an elna 3210. I have threaded it properly, according to the manuel. I have figured out that the top thread goes down into the bottom bit and keeps getting caught and brought round to the front. This happens repeatedly and results in the material being knackered and a lot of thread caught in the bottom. I have tried to explain as thoroughly as possible.

Thanks xx

Answer 1

Remove the spool cam from under the needle. Adjust the tension. This is usually done by using a screwdriver to loosen or tighten the s***w on the cam. Try again. If this doesn't work, you may need to loosen or tighten the upper thread tension on the machine itself. It's usually a balance between the two. The other thing that you need to check is that you have threaded the sewing machine correctly. Once you have found the perfect balance, write down the upper tension setting and make a mental note of how tightly you turned the s***w on the cam. Usually, it needs to be just tight enough for the spool to be pulled but reasonably tense at the same time. Hope this helps.

Answer 2

You could have your spool of thread in the wrong way round or your tension is wonky which can be a nightmare to fix. If your machine is a second hand one it would be worthwhile having it serviced to sort this out.

Answer 3

As you might already know, the threading mechanism of a sewing machine is due to a top primary thread spooler and bottom secondary thread spooler.

After ensuring you have correctly threaded the thread path of the top spooler, you also have to ensure the bottom spooler is correct.

Directly beneath the needle is the opening to the bottom spooler. There is a bob situated beneath the surface directly below the needle. There is a tiny handle on the bob that allows you to pull the bob out.

The bob contains a small spooler of thread. Ensure the thread in the small spooler is correct and not messed up. Ensure that

- any thread is not liable to be caught by the bob/container

- the other end of the thread in the spooler is not visible but is buried under the spool of thread - otherwise cut it off. Only one end of the thread should be available. And ensure that end is freely available.

If the spool of thread in that bottom spooler is messed up, you can use the sewing machine to respool it. You should read your manual on how to respool the bottom spooler. If the spooler or bob is rusty, you need to replace them. You would need to get back to the manufacturer to replace a rusty bob.

You should exercise caution when placing the bottom spooler back and ensure the thread end is not caught in the bob mechanism. You might have to wash to bob before putting things back.

Another cause of thread getting stuck or wrongly woven is, even if the bob is cleared. the bottom compartment needs to be cleaned periodically of dust, debris and broken threads. I am not sure if soap and water is alright but I would not use them. I would use cleaning alcohol from the pharmacy. You should read the manual on cleaning and maintaining the bottom compartment.

Remember to disable or turn your machine off before meddling with the bottom compartment.