My machine got like that at Christmas last year, at the most inopportune time. I called and the mechanic at the sewing machine shop, said bring it in. It needed to be cleaned and adjusted. If I understood him correctly, it is to be done on a yearly basis.

My machine did that (Brother) and it ended up dying on me. A tiny piece of the bobbin holder had been broken by the needle and caused all the problems. Examine it closely, it costs about $40.00 to replace, but better than your whole machine going out! Luckly my machine was still under warranty.

have you checked the tension of the top thread usually if you are see a lot of thread the tension could be off. also when ever that happens rethread the entire machine top thread and bobbin to ensure you are running threads through all the tensions. I know I have done it myself threading the machine so fast that I miss a tension it looks like it is there but I did not fit it properly. What machine are you using?

Last week I had some problems with rats nests in my bobbin holder. I rethreaded, changed bobbins, adjusted the tension and nothing worked. Finally I removed the bobbin case and the needle must've somehow put a cut on the case, I filed it down and it has been fine since.

Do you have enough thread on your bobbin?**

I had that problem the other day It was also skipping stitches . Re Ihreaded, changed bobbin, and checked tension No Good . Them I got out my can of air ,sprayed all thru the openings and all around the bobbin and under, Surprise ! ! ! It is sewing perfect. No trip to the dealer Yeah A flower for you

Sometime when you pull your thread out backwards it breakes a peice off and it catches other thread. Also if the tension in your bobbin holder is too loose the bobbin comes unthreaded. Best of luck.

How are you doing with this problem, AmericanGirl? Is it any better? I have the Janome 300E, and find it to be a real workhorse machine that isn't too fussy, but when you get the tiniest bit of thread or lint in that bobbin case, you're in for problems. Sometimes you need to take the whole case out of the machine, because there'll be a little snip of thread under it, just blowing won't work. And as someone else said, don't pull your thread backwards thru the tension disks. It upsets the machine. Also, try a new needle. If it's the tiniest bit off, that will make trouble too. Mine was new, didn't look bent, hadn't hit anything, but used a different one & worked fine. Go figure. Let us know how you make out. If you still have terrible problems, I have a Janome dealer here I can call for you on Monday. Marji