Vicky, fabric not feeding, new answer?

Ken,
Great answers from Vicky. I've had this problem when the fabric has been too thick or the there have been too many layers. If that isn't the case, then sometimes I have had to start sewing in from the edge. I also start the seam with the needle in first then lower the pressure foot. Next I have had problems when the threading isn't right - if the fabric is stationary you can quickly get a build up of thread underneath then nothing is moving. I have one machine that is a bit 'slow' that way so I start with a little pressure from the back pulling the threads/fabric. Hope this helps.
ddjx2001@yahoo.com
Canada

D. Jorgensen
August 2007

If your fabric is not feeding correctly there are a couple things you can look for. First check to make sure you or someone hasn't lowered the feed dogs. If so, there should be a switch some where to release them from the locked position. Many types of machines will have some kind of icon somewhere by the knob showing you a darning feature.

Second, if the feed dogs appear to be up, remove the throatplate and clean the lint from around the feed dogs. I have seen so much lint in some machines that it looks like felt. Once removed, oil metal-to-metal parts with a good sewing machine oil.

You should see the feed dogs move and the teeth come up higher than the openings on the throatplate. If none of these things work I would oil all oiling points to make sure the metal parts haven't seized up. Otherwise you may need to have a tech check for slippage on the gears.

One last thing.. make sure your stitch length is set to 2.5 or 3 and has not been left at 0 or 1. And, if it was me I would check the presser foot pressure as well.

hth

Lori H.
July 2007

Answered on previous

drivewithken@blueyonder.co.uk
July 2007