Sewing Machine Assistance Needed

[monarch64]

Hi, I think there are a few PSr's who sew, so thought I'd pose a question here and maybe this could turn into a thread wherein we provide tips and tricks about sewing machines.

I received a Brother sewing machine a couple of months ago and have used it several times. My issue is with the bobbin winder. The first time I used it, everything went fine. The next two times I went to refill my bobbin, the damn thing won't work. In May, I read and re-read the instruction manual, made many attempts to resolve the issue, and finally figured out that I had to leave a slight gap between the spool of thread and the spool cap. That worked, and I made note of it in my instruction manual. Well, same issue happened again today, and the fix I used last time isn't working. What the heck is the problem now? Do I just have a faulty machine? It's a computerized Project Runway version. I've been on various sewing forums, consulted the company's help site, FAQ's, etc. Still haven't found an answer. I'm about to wind the damn bobbin by hand.

 

[yennyfire]

Weeellll, I have a Baby Lock machine, so I'm not familiar with your model, but mine can be picky sometimes too. I can usually tell if it's not winding properly and start over before it makes too much of a mess. I'd probably take it in to a place that services that model and ask them to help you troubleshoot it. There's nothing more frustrating than when you want to work on a project and can't because you don't have a bobbin with the right colored thread!!

Hope that you get it resolved soon!!

 

[luv2sparkle]

Monarch, where did you purchase the machine? If you can't get the thing to work right, I would return it, if you bought it somewhere like Costco or Walmart. If you purchased it at a sewing machine store, you should be able to go in and have them either fix it, or show you what you are doing wrong. Brother makes some good machines and you should be able to get one at a comparable price. Even if it is their entry level model, you are still better off going with a dealer who can help you and service the warranty. Every machine has their own quirks and you need someone who can walk you through them.

The important thing about finding a dealer is that you like them and can work with them, and also who does their repair work. Do they send it out, or do they have a guy who works out of the store. In my experience, I would want them to have a repair person at the store.
You get the best service and you can talk to them if you have a problem.

I have owned Viking, Janome/ New Home, Elna and now Bernina. I have had three Bernina machines and they are my favorite. That is not to say that I haven't had issues. My store has a great repair guy, he is really a genius, so I have been okay with it. He always fixes my issues and most of them are operator error. You can run the machine to a Brother dealer and maybe they can help you. I'm sure they will want to sell you a machine but if they help you and fix your problem then you have found a good dealer.

I wish I could help you more but without sitting down and playing with it, it is hard to be able to tell you what the problem is. I would be so interested to hear what you find out.

You can purchase a bobbin winder machine that will wind your bobbins but that is an extra cost. Nancy's Notions or Connecting threads would be two places I would look. You will have all kinds of problems with your machine if you try to wind the bobbin by hand. It is just inviting tension trouble. You cant get the right tension on the bobbin thread by hand.

 

[luv2sparkle]

Monarch, I was going to look up the manual online but don't know your model number. There is a you tube video called How to wind a bobbin for a brother sewing machine. I would watch that and see if you can figure out the problem.

 

[movie zombie]

different thread? not all thread is created equal....or at least that's been my experience.

 

[Von03]

My husband is a service center for Brother sewing machines. He said it could be a few different reasons. One being it could be oil on the bobbin tire , possibly making the bobbin winder not spin. Two, there's a bobbin winder stop on the top of the machine (either chrome or white) if the adjustments not right it can cause the bobbin to not make contact with the hand wheel. He recommends taking it to an authorized dealer.

Edited to say "He teasingly also said you need a Bernina" lol. We sell all makes & models. Hope you get it sorted out soon!

 

[VRBeauty]

My husband is a service center for Brother sewing machines. He said it could be a few different reasons. One being it could be oil on the bobbin tire , possibly making the bobbin winder not spin. Two, there's a bobbin winder stop on the top of the machine (either chrome or white) if the adjustments not right it can cause the bobbin to not make contact with the hand wheel. He recommends taking it to an authorized dealer.

Edited to say "He teasingly also said you need a Bernina" lol. We sell all makes & models. Hope you get it sorted out soon!

Wow! Talk about your good advice!

(ETA I'd second that Bernina recommendation! )

 

[TC1987]

The direction that the thread comes off the spool is important, too. Check whether yours is supposed to be clockwise or counterclockwise.

Unless you want to do computerized embroidery, there are a lot of old sewing machines out there, from 1880s treadles to '50s-'70s Japanese machines that will sew great. And you can buy them for $10-$100, too. I prefer all-metal construction to computer wizardry. But I mostly sew garments, and do tailoring. I don't fuss with embroidery and frilly stuff. Quiltingboard dot com has a good forum for vintage machines.


See if anything here helps. I think it hits on most of the possible probs, even it it's not your model:
http://welcome.solutions.brother.com/BSC/public/us/us/en/faq/faqh/000000/000400/000038/faqh000438_003.html?reg=us&c=us&lang=en&prod=hf_ce8080eus&Cat=53

I have a Bro XL2600I that I won as an award. Otherwise, I wouldn't have it, LOL. It's plastic, and it's so azz-backward that I have to read the manual. I think it will be a great machine for lightweight knits and sewing lingerie and things like that. I grew up sewing on the '50s Singer 15 and '20s Singer 66 that belonged to my mom and grandma, and the White Rotary that the previous owner left in the house my parents bought. Then my aunt and uncle gave me a Featherweight that they never used. I bought a Kenmore Japanese zigzag freearm in the '80s. I collect Singers and other old machines.