Sewing machine question

[Anonymous]

I received a new sewing machine for Christmas. It was a very thoughtful gift and one I was excited about (bigger, heavy duty, good for quilting). I didn't really use it when I first got it b/c I was kind of overwhelmed by it. Then I had a medical issue that put me out of commission. So, now I thought I would start some projects.

I was having a devil of a time with it but made it through a small sample item. I've now started something else and I just cannot get it to work. The threader doesn't work well (and that's a criticism of this model, per online reviews). Fine. Not a huge thing but it would be nice if it worked as I have a hard time seeing w/o glasses on.

The bigger issue is that I'm threading it and and bobbin. Loading these up, per the instructions. The thread keeps pulling out, breaking, bunching up. I've tried different spool types, different tensions . . . . it's just not working. I'm getting extremely frustrated and am just thinking the machine is too much for me. If I can't even get it THREADED then maybe it's just too complicated for me.

Unfortunately, it may be too late to send it back. My own fault. But, now what do I do? I'm no novice but I'm also not a professional seamstress. I've never NOT been able to work a stinking sewing machine. Is there any place I can go to bring the machine and get help learning it? I"m in NOVA.

[Anonymous]

Call G street fabrics and see if they can help!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Call G street fabrics and see if they can help!

Yes. You might be able to take it in there and someone there could sit down with you and walk you through its idiosyncrasies.

[Anonymous]

What brand is it? If it’s a brand that’s popular among quilters I would see if someone from your local quilt shop would be willing to look it over so you can see if there’s just a learning curve or if there’s really something wrong with the machine.

Even though you’ve had it since Christmas if it’s a warranty issue you should be covered.

[Anonymous]

I wonder if you are threading it wrong. You have used other sewing machines before, so you are not a novice at this. What is the brand and model number of the machine?
Maybe it needs a bit of oil in the gears. Find some youtube videos on the type of machine and watch how to thread it. Are you using the right type of bobbin for that machine?
Does the tension need adjusting?

[Anonymous]

Don't give up, OP! I totally agree about calling G Street Fabrics. They offer classes and I bet that someone can help you one-on-one, too, if you want that. It would be totally worth the time to call first and then to take your machine to them. It could be that you have a lemon of a machine but it also could be that the directions are really bad. What type of machine do you have?

[Anonymous]

You need to arrange for some lessons with your brand of machine. Can you find someone through a local quilt shop or G Street? Is it a common brand with quilters?

When I got a Bernina a few years ago, I had a horrible time at first because the bobbin is supposed to be mounted in the bobbin holder with the thread wound the opposite direction of my prior machine. I kept forgetting and putting it in backwards, and it would bunch up and jam. Once I retrained myself, it worked much better! Someone who knows your brand can point out these little idiosyncrasies and give you tips to make your machine run more smoothly.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like a tension problem. Has it ever worked even temporarily?

[Anonymous]

OP here:

Thanks all. The model is a Juki TL-2010Q. Not one I've heard of before and my DH picked it out. The instructions are not great, and that's a criticism in the reviews, but damn I thought I'd be able to figure it out. I'm clearly doing something wrong.

I absolutely thought (and think) it's a tension issue. But I don't know if it's because I'm threading it wrong (though I seem to be doing it acc to the directions).

I'll see if I can find a G Street Fabrics or something similar. Tonight, I think I'll need to just put it away before I chuck it to the curb.

[Anonymous]

Have you looked on YouTube. There should be plenty of tutorials.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have you looked on YouTube. There should be plenty of tutorials.

+1. Jukis are generally good machines, but the instructions are terrible. Find some YouTube tutorials to make sure you’re threading it correctly (especially the bobbin).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have you looked on YouTube. There should be plenty of tutorials.

+1. Jukis are generally good machines, but the instructions are terrible. Find some YouTube tutorials to make sure you’re threading it correctly (especially the bobbin).

Thanks. Yes, I'm finding some helpful videos. I do think the bobbin may actually be the problem. I have to figure that out.

[Anonymous]

There’s a sewing shop in Old Town Alexandria that might be closer than G Street.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have you looked on YouTube. There should be plenty of tutorials.

+1. Jukis are generally good machines, but the instructions are terrible. Find some YouTube tutorials to make sure you’re threading it correctly (especially the bobbin).

Thanks. Yes, I'm finding some helpful videos. I do think the bobbin may actually be the problem. I have to figure that out.

I agree that it might be a bobbin issue. When I get thread jams and breaks it usually is because either I'm using an "old" bobbin that is threaded incorrectly for my "new" machine OR that I've got the bobbin in incorrectly. For my "new" machine, the thread needs to come from the far side while on my other one the thread needed to spool out from the near side.

[Anonymous]

Sometimes bobbins cause a lot of inconvenience. Do you use metal or plastic bobbins?