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Thread bunching, or ‘bird nesting,’ is one of the most annoying sewing machine problems. It’s not fun to sit and unpick that pile of looped threads that sometimes damages your fabric beyond repair. Here are five reasons why bird nesting can happen on top of your fabric, and what to do about each one.
Your Sewing Machine Is Not Threaded Correctly
Even people who have been sewing for years sometimes thread their sewing machines incorrectly. This is the first thing you should check if your sewing machine is not working properly or your stitches do not look right. Typically, thread bunching on the top of your fabric indicates something wrong with your bobbin thread.
Unthread your sewing machine and rethread it from the beginning. Ensure your thread take-up lever is in its highest position, attach your spool of thread, and then pull your thread through your tension discs and thread guides according to the instructions in your user manual. Then, pull your thread through the eye of your needle and leave a four-inch tail of thread. Rethread your bobbin thread through your bobbin case, too.
You Are Not Using the Same Thread in Your Bobbin and Take-Up Lever
Your stitches will not form properly if you use different thread in your bobbin and the upper part of your sewing machine. If you have a sewing machine with embroidery features, you might have forgotten to change your bobbin thread. Embroidery thread is a lighter weight than regular thread and can cause looping on top of your fabric.
Your Bobbin Is Not Inserted Correctly
Your sewing machine will still form stitches if you insert your bobbin backward, but your stitches won’t look right. If you are getting a mess of bunched-up threads on top of your fabric, your bobbin might be inserted backward. Some sewing machines require the thread to go clockwise in your bobbin case, and some require it to go counterclockwise. Check your user manual to see which direction is required for your sewing machine.
Your Bobbin Case Is Full of Lint
Lint builds up in your bobbin case as you sew. If you have too much lint in your bobbin case, your hook timing can get messed up and cause looping on top of your fabric. Clean your sewing machine frequently to make sure it works properly.
Your Thread Tension Is Too Tight
Your thread tension should be adjusted for different weights of fabric and thread. Make sure that you are using the same weight thread in both your bobbin and upper thread. If you don’t, your tension can be uneven and cause your thread to break or loops to form.
Sewing machine manufacturers suggest that you don’t mess with your bobbin thread tension too much, but you should adjust your upper thread tension if your thread keeps breaking while you sew. If your tension is too tight, it can pull your thread and break it. Turn your tension dial counterclockwise to loosen it. If you can’t seem to get your tension right, a sewing machine repair technician can reset your bobbin tension, or you can make small adjustments yourself.
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I have found that if not using the same quality of thread on the top & in the bobbin it will do that same thing?
Anything to that?
Thanks for your helping all of us being on top of hints & our questions.