Why Does My Sewing Machine Keep Jamming?

A sewing machine can keep jamming due to poorly-fitting bobbins, thread tension issues, and clogged or dirty machine parts. Also, needle misalignment, and malfunctioning feed dogs or presser foot can cause this issue. Ensuring the correct bobbin fit, proper thread tension, and regular machine cleaning are essential to prevent jams. 

So, if you are interested to know further reasons why my sewing machine keeps jamming, go through this article. By knowing the root cause and the solution of this issue you can easily fix it on your own.

Key Takeaways

• Adjust your upper thread tension to prevent jamming.
• Avoid using low-quality threads, as they can contribute to the issue.
• Make sure the upper thread is correctly threaded to avoid jamming.
• Use the appropriate needle size for the material and stitch type to avoid difficulties.
• Check and replace the presser foot, throat plate, and feed dogs 

11 Reasons Why Your Sewing Machine Keeps Jamming?

There are a lot of reasons that can cause your sewing machine to keep jamming. Let’s have an overview of some reasons and their solutions.

Problems	Reasons	Solutions
Poorly-Fitting Bobbin	Incorrectly wound or inserted bobbin	Ensure bobbin is wound properly and inserted correctly
Thread Tension Issues	Incorrect or uneven thread tension	Adjust thread tension according to fabric and thread type
Your Machine Is Clogged	Accumulation of dust or lint in parts	Clean the machine thoroughly, removing dust and lint
Needle Alignments	Misaligned needle or bent needle	Check and adjust needle alignment or replace bent needle

The Needle is Stuck in the Fabric:

If your sewing machine is jamming, the needle has most likely been struck against the sewing machine, and its alignment has been affected. This can be caused by any number of factors, including:

The material you are using may not suit your chosen stitch type.

The design of your project might also play a role in whether or not this happens; for example, if you are sewing away at something with lots of curves and flaps, it is possible that one edge could get caught up in itself while another edge moves freely through space.

The Upper Thread is Not Threaded Properly:

If the needle threader is not working correctly, it will not be able to pull up the upper thread when you are sewing. This means that your machine will probably jam during this process and may also cause damage to your fabric or some other part of your sewing project.

When the upper thread is not threaded properly in a sewing machine, it means that the thread is not passing through the machine’s components correctly as intended by the manufacturer. 

This can cause various issues, with one of the most common being frequent jamming. Improper threading can result in tension problems, where the thread may be too loose or too tight, leading to stitching problems. 

Poorly-Fitting Bobbin: 

A poorly-fitting bobbin can cause a sewing machine to jam due to several reasons. Uneven tension may occur if the bobbin is loosely wound or the threads crisscross. It results in stitch irregularity and possible bobbin popping out. 

To address this problem, ensure the bobbin is wound properly and inserted correctly, and consider adjusting the tension if necessary following the machine’s manual instructions. Proper bobbin fit and tension are vital for smooth and trouble-free sewing.

Thread Tension Issues: 

Thread tension issues are a common cause of sewing machine jams. If the thread tension is too low, the thread can bunch up and jam the machine. Other reasons for jams include incorrect threading, poorly-fitting bobbin, uneven fabric feeding, and the needle hitting something inside the machine. 

To fix a jammed sewing machine, start by removing the fabric and gently snipping at the threads to free it. Then, remove all the jammed thread, which may involve taking out the bobbin, throat plate, and other parts. 

Build-Up of Lint or Dust: 

A sewing machine can jam due to a build-up of lint or dust over time. Stray threads, lint, dust, and even hair can accumulate in the machine’s parts if it is not regularly cleaned. 

To prevent this issue, it is essential to periodically clean the machine and remove any lint or dust that has built up. You can use a small brush or vacuum to clean the machine’s interior from debris. 

Your Machine Is Clogged at Some Point or Place:

If your machine is clogged, you should clear it immediately. If you do not, the jam will worsen and damage your machine. If your machine is clogged, you should clear it immediately. If you do not, the jam will worsen and damage your machine.

If the thread is too thick or thin, The thread should be the same thickness as the needle you are using. If it is not, it will not be able to pull up the upper thread when you are sewing. This means that your machine will probably jam during this process and may also cause damage to your fabric or some other part of your sewing project.

Needle Alignments: 

Incorrect needle alignments can cause sewing machines to jam due to several reasons. When the needle is not properly aligned, it may hit the bobbin case or hook, leading to needle bending or breakage. 

Moreover, incorrect alignment can result in the needle not penetrating the fabric properly or not forming stitches correctly, causing fabric bunching and jams. Proper needle alignment and regular checks for damage are essential to prevent sewing machine jams. 

The Feed Dogs Are Not Functioning Properly:

The most common cause of a sewing machine jam is a clogged feed dog, a set of small teeth on the front of your machine that grabs fabric as it passes through. To properly grab onto your material, the feed dogs must be clean, free of lint or thread, and undamaged.

If your feed dogs are damaged or clogged, they will not be able to grab onto your material and pull it through the machine properly. This will cause the material to get stuck in a bunch of places inside your sewing machine and ultimately jam it up completely.

Read more in detail!

The Needle May Not Suit Your Chosen Material and Stitch Type:

If you are sewing with a thread that is too thick, the needle will not penetrate through it easily. This can lead to lots of skipped stitches or even jamming altogether! 

If you are unsure whether the size of your machine’s needles matches the type of material being sewn on, it is best to ask someone who knows more about sewing than you do (like me).

The Presser’s Foot is Stuck in the Up/Down Position:

If your machine is jamming, one of the most likely culprits is the Presser Foot. Your needle bar and presser foot are two separate pieces that do not connect until they are placed in the sewing machine. The presser foot can be moved up or down manually by pressing down on it with your fingers while pulling out the lever that controls this action.

If you have checked all of these things and still have trouble getting your machine to work properly, it is time to replace this part if possible!

The Throat Plate is Loose:

You will need to tighten the screw if the throat plate is loose. You can use a wrench or pliers with success here.

Once you have tightened this screw, check for cracks or damage on your sewing machine’s throat plate by looking under there and seeing if anything looks like it needs replacing or if it just takes some more time than usual before jamming again!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

What to Do When Your Bobbin Keeps Jamming?

If you are experiencing jamming ensure that the upper thread or needle thread is correctly threaded through the machine. Next, check that the bobbin thread is evenly wound on the bobbin. If it is wound unevenly, make sure to pass it through the bobbin thread winding thread guide when starting to wind the bobbin.

Why Does My Sewing Machine Bottom Thread Keep Jamming?

The bottom thread of my sewing machine keeps jamming, causing the machine to lock up and sew improperly. This issue can be attributed to various factors, including tangled thread, uneven fabric feeding, or the accumulation of lint and dust inside the machine.

Why Does My Sewing Machine Keep Clumping Thread?

Your sewing machine may keep clumping thread if the bobbin is inserted backward or becomes dislodged while sewing. When the bobbin thread doesn’t feed correctly through the machine as it sews, it can lead to thread bunching and tangling.

Why Does My Sewing Machine Needle Keep Getting Stuck?

One possibility is that the needle could become bent or misshapen, causing it to get stuck in the fabric while sewing. Another reason could be an uneven distribution of thread tension, where too much thread is being pulled on one side of the needle.

Conclusion

Now it’s clear why does my sewing machine keep jamming.

A jammed sewing machine can be frustratingly repetitive and stressful. These are a few things you can do to keep it from happening in the first place, and if it does happen, do not panic! You can fix your machine without taking it to a store in.