Sewing Machine problems

[Dixiecat]

Sure enough it shows the bird's nest and says it's bobbin tension is the solution

As I said, this is the LAST thing you should even consider when confronted by birds nesting. While bobbin tension is important and interrelated to the top tension, it's used as the 'baseline' that the top tension works from. You should change the tension on the bobbin case only when changing thread thickness from the norm of the factory setting. Considering the bobbin tension as a solution to a problem is different than using it as a control for changing threads as I was explaining above.

Here's my checklist for birds nesting (when using normal sewing machine thread):

1) top tension:
-check the control: is it correct for the stitch I'm using? is it correct for the thread I'm using?
-check the thread path: is there lint caught in the discs? do I have the thread path threaded correctly?
-is the presser foot down? is the fabric under the foot too thick?

2) needle: am I using the right needle for the project? do I have the needle threaded correctly? is there a burr or broken tip on the needle? did a Singer needle slip through my security perimeter?

3) bobbin: did I put the bobbin in the correct way? is the thread caught in the tension spring properly? is the bobbin case inserted properly? is there lint caught in the tension spring?

I might glance at the bobbin tension screw to make sure I hadn't somehow turned it and forgotten about it, but you can see, it's not in my checklist at all. Keep in mind that this is the checklist for normal everyday sewing with good quality regular sewing thread, top and bottom.

So, basically, when confronted with a birds nest, I will unthread both top and bottom, rethread paying particular attention to what I'm doing this time instead of trying to watch SG Atlantis or BSG while I'm doing it, and mentally checking out the needle and tension control, fabric, etc. Once I had to do this operation (no word of a lie!) 10-15 times and on the last time, a tiny thread fell out of the top tension disc and bingo, no birds nesting. And lint control got added to my list.

Anyway, if you keep getting a birds nests when you do everything on my list, then you can consider the bobbin tension. You should get resistance when you pull the thread. If you have a removable bobbin you should bounce it from a thread and on the down stroke get a bit of thread coming out. If you get a lot or none at all then you'll need to play with that. Non-removable bobbins may need servicing to be set properly. In fact, if you haven't taken your machine in for servicing for 2yrs, get ye hence to a service depot and have one done. Don't forget to ask that they set the bobbin tension for you! That will give you a baseline to work from if you ever have to change it.