Sewing Machine Trouble...

[Kisa]

I just bought a brand new Brother XL-2600i sewing machine. I got it up and running and tested it out on some scrap fabric. It worked wonderfully. I adjusted the stitch width and length, switched the thread color and moved on to an actual project and I keep getting loops on the bottom of the fabric. The top thread refuses to pull through the fabric. I re-threaded the thing multiple times, adjusted the top thread tension to every possible setting, switched back to the old thread, switched back to the old fabric and checked to see if anything was jammed. I'm still getting bad loops underneath. I always hold the threads back so that's not it. Everything is brand new so it's not dust, lint or a worn needle.

I'm out of ideas and very stressed out. I tried to adjust the bobbin tension but I can't get the thing out. I tried and I would up almost losing a screw and not being able to unscrew the plate because of the placement of the screws and the size of the screwdriver they gave me. Any ideas would be appreciated.

[Kisa]

I was just playing with the top thread and I figured out where the problem is. When the thread goes thru the circled area, the tension gets really high even though the tension is on 0 at the moment.

[Shannarah]

To start with I would suggest unthreading your machine.
Lift your presser foot, undo the tension knob to the lightest setting.
Have a look if you can between the tension disks (the bit that the thread goes through that tightens up) checking that there is no fluff or stray bits of thread in there.
Check that your needle is seated in correctly and is not bent or blunt.
Rethread your machine, pat yourself on the head three times, turn round clockwise three times praying to the gods of sewing machines and then try it

Just joking about the last part, but seriously, some days i swear that I am doing everything right, but anything and everything will go wrong.
It helps sometimes to just walk away, and then come back when you are in a more patient mood, and then everything sometimes just works.

Oh, btw, bobbin tension is the last thing that you should adjust, until after you have tried everything else.

These links I hope will help

http://www.treadleon.net/sewingmachi...djustment.html

http://thesewingcorner.blogspot.com....e-tension.html

http://www.generations-quilt-pattern...e-tension.html

[Kanalah]

First thing: Did your machine come with a manual? Nevermind, found it online.

Are you following the needle, thread and fabric combinations?

Also for the love of quilts, please never use coats and clarke brand thread in a sewing machine. - the outer layer disintegrates and gums up the machine.

Okay, according the the troubleshooting section of your manual (love this thing! I keep mine open to this section and consult it first if anything goes wrong. ) for a lower thread tangling issue: the bobbin thread might be wound too loose, the bobbin itself might be damaged, or the bobbin case may be dirty.

What I would do, is pull the bobbin out and clean the machine - that seems to fix most everything on Nina. Then check the bobbin and make sure it's wound correctly. You may need to pull all the thread off the bobbin and wind it again. It's a pain in the butt, but worth it if you want your machine to work correctly and last a long time.

This is where I found your manual online: http://www.manualowl.com/m/Brother%2.../Manual/255911

Of course ask away if you have any other questions.

[sms001]

lmao. I actually remembered your sig, and thought I'd pop in and try to earn a couple of bucks, and here you went and answered you own question. (And in fifteen minutes to boot!)

Anyway, nice machine. I just inherited my M-i-L's old high end model, gonna start taking it apart this weekend. Hopefully I'll get a few bucks out of my old 'beginner' Singer.