Why does my needle get stuck? - sewing machine question

[kiskidee]

I am a real beginner so please answer this idiot question for me.

My sewing machine - a basic model - sewed for about a foot along a hem and then the needle got stuck in the down position. I had to dismantle the bobbin carraige thing to extricate it.

then every time i tried to sew again, it happened again immediately.

what am i doing wrong??

could be the thread is not threaded correctly...on mine if i just slip the thread off of one bit it recats badly!

but...i am pretty sure it will be your tension...the knob usually above the needle...needs fine tuning! Sometimes a sign of tbhis is 'loopy' tangled stiching.

also on the holder the bobbin goes into there should be a kind of screw which you can very very very slightly adjust

aack, your descriptions are scary. this is what i was afraid of. not understanding your diagnosis.

will have to have a look. (but not now cause i have to go tidy up)

i really want to do a sewing course so i can have someone there to walk me thru this sort of thing.

no loopy tangled stitches. will have to make a checklist of the other things and have a look after dd is in bed.

thanks so far.

any other suggestions welcomed

yes...is scary....but you will get there!

i remember at scool never being able to thread up my own machine...always needed help!

what i suggest you do is start from scratch...unthread it...and start again

also check manual for 'trouble shooting page'...

stick with it...trial and error ...as you adjust for example the tension knob...remember what way you are turning it- and do it bit by bit....it may still get tangled...but maybe a little less...and then a little less again...so you know you are heading in the right direction.

was thinking, the fabric is heavy and is folded too. what suggestions have you got? thicker needle, what tension setting?

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what do you mean by the timing [idiot emoticon]

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