by Allawson5 26 Oct 2013

Help please!!!

I have a brother machine (PE-780D) I'm having issues with my top thread. I have adjusted the tension, re digitized the file, changed my needle, cleaned the bobbin area from dust or lent... I'm at a complete loss for what could be wrong.
I have attached a photo - this is of an appliqué all the stitching is a little loose and when then the last appliqué stitch is just so loose it looks horrible. I'm going nuts trying to figure this out!

I also practiced on a different kind of fabric and messed with the tensions - still the same

Thanks
Amanda

122

by Patricia109 03 Nov 2013

Amanda, I have a 780D too and this looks like a problem I had with my sewing machine. I had the presser foot down whilst threading the machine. That is a no no. I always cut my embrodery thread between the reel and the first hook for threading the machine and pull it out at the needle. Keeps it cleaner and doesn't mangle the tension discs.
My mechanic is a whiz. If it doesn't behave using one of the inbuilt designs and you have threaded it properly, then I would take it for a check-up aka service and clean. There was a lady in my Embroidery Club group was having similar problems to the above and she tried all sorts of things, then the teacher asked her when she had last had it serviced. Took it in and when we saw her the next month, she said it was working like a dream. No more problems. Mine just went in for it first service. I missed it terribly but now it is humming away. Good luck.

1941
by deedee2341 29 Oct 2013

Have you tried putting the foot up when you thread the top thread so that it can lock in tension properly. This happened to me. I had put foot downt to thread and it gave me a headache trying to figure it out.

458
by rsehorse 29 Oct 2013

I have the 770 model, sometimes when the thread breaks a piece will get stuck up inside the machine. I take a very bright flashlight and shine it in the machine thread track above the needle. If you can see a trace of thread or knot in there use a long straight pin to try and work it out. Good luck. Please let us know what or how you fix it. hugs, Susan

25510
by anangel 29 Oct 2013

Amanda, the stitching from my commercial machine looks like this, if the bobbin tension is set too low. There is a small screw on my bobbin case that has to be turned only a wee bit, until I get the stitches to look nicely. Screw turned to left loosens stitches; turned to the right tightens stitches. I have also had a piece of thread caught in the thread cutter and bobbin area, that caused abnormal stitches. I had to remove the needle plate to fully see this area and find the stray piece of thread. Hope you are back to stitching happily soon.
Hugs, Angel

12500
by rescuer Moderator 27 Oct 2013

Welcome to Cute! If the wonderful tips from the other Cuties don't work, let us know. If they do work, let us know -- here on this thread -- which one did. It helps others with the same questions know what works.
A flower for your garden and good luck

57675
by pcteddyb 27 Oct 2013

You have lots of ideas - I will add a couple.... Does your bobbin case have a purple dot as you look inside of it or does it have a green screw on the side where the tension screw is? Sometimes the purple dot may not like the thread (especailly if it is more than 40 wt). Also, if you are using the short bobbin you need to use the little top hat to raise the bobbin up to the right height (and not use the little top hat if you are using the taller bobbin). Also be sure you are putting the bobbin in the right direction (hold the bobbin in your left hand and pull the thread out the right - then put it in the bobbin case and thread through the channel like the picture - be sure you go under the little plastic finger first). Let us know if any of the tips worked.

1 comment
pcteddyb by pcteddyb 27 Oct 2013

Think I was not clear... When you hold the bobbin in your left hand be sure the thread is closest to you when you pull out to the right. It should be in FRONT of the bobbin, not behind the bobbin to be going the right way to load to the bobbion case.

11271
by noah 27 Oct 2013

mine did the same above the bobbin there is a straight bar,mine got bent just enough to throw it off .I tried bending it up and down and could-not get it so i ordered that part .It was less then five dollars.Then i bent my old one to match,then wallaaaaaaaaaa it sewed right again.

360641
by theduchess 27 Oct 2013

Welcome. Try changing the top thread to a Madiera or Gutterman thread.I too had this problem and was using the original factory bobbin case(black)this likes factory recommended thread. The other likes any brand thread. Anyway it cleared the problem. My dealer is almost 250 miles away round trip. Hope it helps.

2 comments
theduchess by theduchess 27 Oct 2013

Also when changing top thread DO NOT PULL THREAD BACK TO TOP. Rather just cut then pull the left over thread out from bottom. prevents pieces getting stuck in track.

rescuer by rescuer 27 Oct 2013

Pulling the thread back to the top will also manually adjust the tension or break the tensioners causing issues.

15982
by dragonflyer 27 Oct 2013

Usually the if the top thread is funky, it's the bobbin part that causes the problem...sounds like you have tried all the tips listed below...have you tried to sew out another design with a satin stitch...like one that is programmed in the machine...use a new wound bobbin and recheck to make sure that there isn't a tiny piece of lint stuck in the bobbin thread slot...if it does this with another design...I would call the dealer.

318433
by zoefzoef 27 Oct 2013

Hi, If you tried all the tips the other cuties gave you and it stil doesn't help; here is one tip more. I have a bother Innovis 1500 and untill recently I always had problems with tension...untill I read the manual saying that there were 2 bobbins included. One to use with orginal thread of brother and one if you have other threads. Of course I was stiching whole time with teh original Brother bobbin and not using Brother thread. I use now the other bobbin . And so far everything is perfect ! Stupid of me not checking the manual before

148892
by awesome1 27 Oct 2013

Is the foot up as it should be when you thread to the needle? Are you putting the foot down to embroider? I read of someone having problems and turned out she was not dropping her foot to stitch. It is annoying--just hang in there and continue the search.

10173
by betty2246 27 Oct 2013

Sometimes there is a little bit of fluff or thread in the bobbin case where the bobbin thread thread through, it doesn,t take much to be a problem it happened to mine not long ago, cheers

948
by yvonnevanwerkhoven 27 Oct 2013

Try a piece of dental floss....pull it gently through your upper tension...this will remove any fluff or thread that could be stuck there

2 comments
my3chis by my3chis 29 Oct 2013

Be sure it's UNwaxed!

cfidl by cfidl 03 Nov 2013

I can not find unwaxed floss anywhere. If you ever see it, buy it I will pay you back! Please and Thank you

4758
by muffy 27 Oct 2013

Are you inserting the filled bobbin into the case correctly? Check your manual and see if the thread feeds over or under. Some machines can be fussy over the littlest things.
Muffy :)

5172
by stock 27 Oct 2013

if you unscrew the cover at the top and remove the one that you pass the thread though first you should be able to see if there is any thread caught in the threading race, between the disc where the spring is,....wendy

12506
by castor 27 Oct 2013

try to wind a new Bobbin.Take care to thread it corectly so it winds tight and evenly. I have my Machine about 10 Years and only realised recently that i got loosly wound Bobbins because i didnt follow the correct Directions.You are never finish learning with these Machines.I hope this is of Help to you.

3246
getEdited - SELECT
by pennifold edited 27 Oct 2013

Hi allawson,

Usually when your top stitching is looping it means your bobbin tension is incorrect. I'm attaching a post from May this year about a similar problem - have a read of the responses and something might help. Love and blessings Chris, Newcastle, Australia


P.S. Welcome to this wonderful site.

Also do you use a thread net over the thread you are sewing with?

1 comment
pennifold by pennifold 27 Oct 2013

Check the needle plate too (where the needle goes up and down) sometimes they get little nicks on them too.

234496
by luckycharm 26 Oct 2013

try adjusting the bobbin tension

1 comment
Allawson5 by Allawson5 27 Oct 2013

I don't really want to mess with the bobbin tension since you don't know what setting it's on... I was told by my shop not to touch it so now I'm nervous to even go that route.

499