Last year MN helped me put up a tent. This year I need you to help me thread my sewing machine. Please.

[PippiLongBottom]

Right, so last year, the fabulous population of mumsnet helped me put up my tent singlehandedly. The thread is here and is relatively amusing. (I was suwoo then)

This year my chosen summer hobby is sewing. I have a 2nd hand Janome shitty thing which I think I have thread correctly by following the instructions BUT this is what is happening...

The bobbin casing is not one that drops in, it faces me IYKWIM. When the needle goes down into the machine it catches on the bobbin casing, which moves around with the thread caught on it and then causes a jam.

I have threaded it numerous times and this happens every time. I have taken the plastic housing off so that I can watch what is going on and every time I turn the handle to lower the needle the thread catches on the bobbin.

So A) Does that make any sense?

B) Can anyone help me?

Thank you.

Thank you. That's what I did and it worked again. Temperamental bastard .

I won't be showing you all the results, you'll laugh me off mumsnet

Phew! I was getting worried there Pippi. What are you making?

An owl cushion. Pattern off eBay. My fabric choices make up for the shit zig zag stitch.

zig zag is a hard stitch to master so don't be too harsh on yourself! don't aim to get it looking like the stitching you get on bought appliqued clothes, aim for something a lot looser

Is your white thread old? My machine is temperamental about brands and age of thread...

It's a lot more... something. I can't put my finger on anything else but shite. Maybe irregular? Uneven? Wonky? Or just plain shite.

Wifeofdoom, they are both new threads. Cheap though.

seriously, don't try and get the stitches to close together
something like this to start with ^^^
keep the needle down and go really slowly, especially on the curved bits

Agree, you can even use the wheel to hand rank on the really tricky bits. Seriously, no matter how wonky individual it looks, you'll be so proud of yourself, so persevere!

Its all finished. Pic on my fb, but will try to add one here tomorrow.

surely adding a photo on here should be your priority!

well done though, i'm impressed and i haven't even seen it yet

Have PM'd you.