amitymamaThe Attachment Parenting Community

jillbertx4 · 05-12-2005, 11:45 PM

Oh no!!! I'm trying to finish up costumes for the renn faire this weekend and my sewing machine is giving me trouble (Babylock Decorators Choice). I've only had this machine since Jan but I use this baby daily. Suddenly, the bobbin isn't working correctly. It's making a "chunking" sound and skipping bobbin stitches. I've removed and cleaned the shuttle (wow, what a lot of fuzz in there!!!!) and replaced it according to the manual but it still isn't fixed. Anyone have any tips? I'm dreading taking it in tomorrow because then I'll be out a machine and don't have a spare.
Thanks for any help......

ETA: Thank you, thank you, thank you, Kim!!! The new needle did the trick!! Yay!!!! I'm off to sew some more. Just curious, why would the needle affect the bobbin???? I still have soooo much to learn about how a sewing machine actually works.

Mamaheart7 · 05-12-2005, 11:51 PM

First off, even if you have a newish needle, put in a new one (this may sound simplistic, but double check that the flat side is facing the correct way), then try again. Let us know if it's still doing it after that.

Mamaheart7 · 05-13-2005, 12:36 AM

LOL, I'm glad that helped

. It has to do with how a stitch is formed - a dulled or burred needle can cause multiple problems, and is always the first thing to try.

My first hint was that you're sewing for renn faire. When I sew historically, I'm more careful about watching my actual time on needle. Try to switch out every 3-4 hours of needle use when you're using your $$ material. Historical sewing means yarrrrrddddds and yarrrrrddddddds of fabric, probably heavier/lined/flat-felled and such. Hard on needles.