Sewing machine bottom thread bunching? Do this!

You sit down at your sewing machine and start sewing. Hmm, something doesn’t sound quite right. You flip your fabric over and find this:

A big mess under your fabric and your sewing machine bottom thread bunching. Aaaagh!

So what do you do?

There’s a few things that can cause the bobbin thread to create a bird’s nest, let’s look at what they are and how to fix them.

Is your sewing machine threaded correctly?

A problem with the bobbin thread is often caused by an error threading the top thread. It sounds backward, but that’s just the way it is!

Pull out that top thread and try threading your sewing machine again. Take particular care with the following:

• Presser foot up: make sure you thread your sewing machine with the presser foot up. This opens up the tension discs, making it easier to thread correctly.
• Thread Uptake Lever: Skipping that hook that bobs up and down while you sew is a fast way to thread bunching. Double check you’ve included that crucial step.
• Check all the thread guides: sewing machines can be slightly different, so double-check your manual to make sure the thread passes through all the thread guides, including above the needle.
• Tension discs: after the machine is threaded, lower the presser foot and pull the gently towards the back of the sewing machine. If the thread is correctly inserted, there will be some resistance when pulling the thread.

Hold your thread when you start sewing

If your bottom thread is just bunching at the start of your seams, holding the top and bottom thread tails will stop them from getting pulled under the fabric and a tangle of threads.

Is the presser foot down?

Make sure your presser foot is down when you start sewing.

OK, I know this sounds obvious when you’ve been sewing for awhile. But it’s a little mistake that can easily happen, especially when sewing thick fabric (or lots of layers).

(And my sewing machine gives me a warning if try to sew with the presser foot up, so I know I’m not the only one to make this mistake!)

Check the tension

If everything is threaded correctly, double-check your thread tension. Has someone been playing with your dial?

You may need to adjust it up or down – experiment on a scrap of your fabric to see if it fixes the problem.

Change the needle

Are you using the correct type and size of needle for your fabric? Is it an old needle? Sometimes this can cause the fabric to be pushed into the needle plate and cause the fabric and thread to tangle. A new needle can make all the difference!

Also, when changing the needle, make sure it’s inserted all the way.

Clean the sewing machine

Check there isn’t stray thread or lint caught in the tensions discs. Stray thread or lint under the throat plate and in the bobbin area can also cause problems. So give your sewing machine a quick clean.

Change thread brand/type

Cheap thread can create lint or fluff and stop your thread from feeding smoothly. And some machines just don’t like some brands of thread (don’t ask my why!). If you’ve tried everything else, and your bottom thread still bunches, try using a different brand or type of thread.

I personally prefer Rasant or Gutermann thread.

Get your sewing machine serviced

When all else fails, it’s time to take your sewing machine in to the professionals. Book your sewing machine in for a service or take it in to your local dealership and see if they can help you trouble shoot the issue. (A good reason to buy your machine from a local dealership!)

Hopefully, going through the list fixes your sewing machine thread bunching woes and you can get back to sewing!