Sewing Machine, misaligned needle help?

Question

The needle on my Brother sewing machine is misaligned, making it hit the bobbin case, and making the bobbin thread pile up. Or... the bobbin thread piling up misaligned my needle... either way, does anyone have experience with this?

How do you keep your bobbin thread from piling up? I thought it was the tension, and tried tweaking that, but it happens regardless, so I think the bobbin case is inserted wrong. I've tried adjusting that, but the problem is reoccurring. Now this afternoon I notice the arm up top, holding the needle, is positioning the needle off its mark for a straight stitch, making it hit the the bobbin case inside the bottom of the machine.

Does this make sense?

Also, what are the going rates to have a machine repaired?

Answer 1

Kay is giving you some good advice. Another thing you need to do is to hold both threads at the back of the foot when you take your first few stitches, this can help keep the threads from making a "birds nest" under the fabric.  

Answer 2

Serious problem , take it to the repair shop. Last time I had my machine serviced it was $40.00 per hour of work . Good Luck ;)))

Answer 3

First, take out the current needle and throw it out.  If it's hit something, it's bent, and you won't get good stitching from it.  Doesn't matter if it still looks straight -- it's a tiny bit bent which makes a big difference.

Next, take out the bobbin and bobbin case and do a thorough cleaning under the needleplate and in the bobbin case area.  Use a vacuum (not canned air) or a brush and evict all the dust bunnies.  Oil and reassemble according to the manual.  Make sure the bobbin case is in completely.

Next, put in a new needle, and make sure the flat side of the needle is correctly oriented in the machine.  Make sure the needle is inserted into the needle clamp as far as it can go.

With your handwheel, lower the needle into the bobbin case area, watching carefully as the stitch cycle is completed.  If the needle does not hit the bobbin case (or anything else), then thread up the top and try sewing a straight stitch *with your hands off the fabric*.  (Fabric pushing and pulling under the presser foot is a major cause of bent needles -- if you've got that habit, do your best to break it!).  If the straight stitch is ok, try a medium width zigzag, and the widest zigzag.  If all of those are ok, your problem was probably a bent needle or impacted dust bunnies.   If the needle hits the bobbin case, then you've probably got a timing problem, which should be a short trip to the repair shop.

Timing problems are actually very rare in sewing machines except those belong to people who persist in trying to pull or push fabric under the needle.

Answer 4

Make sure you don't have the machine set up to do zigzag or to hem. And make sure the needle is put in correctly.