Fixing common sewing machine problems

If your machine has drop feed, check that the feed has not been accidentally lowered. If it has, raise the feed to ensure the fabric will move forward.

If you have a mechanical machine, check that the foot is lowered before sewing. Computerised machines will remind you to do this.

Check the stitch length on your machine – if it is too low the machine might not feed through enough.

Check if the machine is in bobbin winding mode by sliding the bobbin winder shaft to the left. This will switch the machine back to sewing mode.

Check that the needle is not bent and if necessary, replace with a new needle. 
Re-thread the machine following the threading instructions in your machine’s instruction manual.

You will also find instructions for your machine online via the Brother Solutions Centre.

Note: We find that Butterfly and Singer Branded needles are often not compatible with Brother sewing machines and may cause issues with your machine not picking up lower thread.
We would recommend using either Organ or Schmetz branded needles.

Check and replace the needle as it may be bent. Re-thread the machine following the instructions in your manual and ensure that the foot is raised.

The thread should pull through the machine freely with no tension. If there is tension when pulling the thread, then the thread may be unsuitable for machine sewing and should be replaced with machine sewing thread from a reputable brand.

If you are using a stretch fabric, a ball point needle will give better results.

Never use a thread weight of lower than 20 as this may cause your machine to malfunction.

If the problem persists after replacing the needle and ensuring the correct needle and fabric combination. It’s possible there be a timing issue with your machine. Contact your Brother dealer to arrange a service or contact our customer service team.

Refer to your instruction manual for general set up of your machine.

Some common quick fixes:

• Check that the bobbin winder shaft is not pushed to the right; if it is, then push it to the left.
• Check the machine is threaded correctly ensuring the threading line on the hand wheel is at the top position (this puts the needle into the correct position for threading). Make sure the presser foot is lifted before threading the machine. Set your bobbin correctly into the machine. For top loading bobbins, the thread needs to be going around the bobbin in an anti-clockwise direction. Use the guides on your machine or refer to your instruction manual. If you have a mechanical machine, check that the foot is lowered before sewing. Computerised machines will remind you to do this.

Try re-threading the top thread, ensuring the threading line indicator on the hand wheel is positioned to the top (this puts the thread take-up lever at threading point 3, the correct position for threading).

Use a good quality thread – it's common for inexpensive low-quality threads or threads designed for hand sewing to be the cause of what appears to be tension problems when there is nothing wrong with the machine. Using thread that does not pull through smoothly can cause thread breakages, poor stitching or damage to your machine. For best results, you should use a good quality, branded thread.

To check if your thread is suitable for use on a sewing machine thread your machine with the foot raised. The thread should pull through the machine with no tightness.

Try:

• re-threading the top thread ensuring the threading line indicator on the hand wheel is positioned to the top (this puts the thread take-up lever at threading point 3, the correct position for threading)checking you haven’t missed the take-up lever (this will cause the thread to gather under the material)
• re-threading the top thread, with your presser foot raised (threading your machine with the foot down will result in no tension being applied to the top thread because the tension discs are closed)checking the position of your bobbin case and resetting as per instruction manual checking the tension settings – if the setting is too low, reset the tension to setting number 4

(Mechanical machines)
Check the button hole lever is not in the down position

(Electronic/computerised models)
Turn off then switch back on this will recalibrate the feed motor.