First thing to do is start at the beginning. Remove the top thread, cut about 10 inches off and set aside.

Remove the bobbin from the case and take a good look at it. Did it wind correctly or do you see bumps and loops? Look into the machine, do you see dust bunnies, thread balls or bits of fabric? Clean it out.

Manually move your needle up and down using the flywheel. Does it move easily or do you feel resistance?

Cut a few inches off the bobbin thread and reinsert it, use your manual for a refresher. Make sure you have it facing the right way in the case. Make sure you have the thread pulled out enough (does it feed through a groove?)

Change your needle, put one in that's appropriate for the fabric you're using.

Rethread the machine, using your manual again.

Put your tension back to what the manual says is the basic setting, one mine it's #5.

Sewing machines, unless you have a fancy computerized one, are pretty basic. I find following the above steps usually fixes whatever temper tantrum my machine has chosen to pull on me.

If you have never used a sewing machine before, this could be a common problem.

First, are you pulling the bobbin thread up first and putting both the top and bobbin threads all the way back to the end of the machine, you need long thread tails. Secondly, when you start a seam, the needle should be at its highest position or it will do as you described, happily unthread itself.

Where you start the presser foot could be another problem. I usually start a seam where the U ends on the foot, do a few stitches, back stitch a few and sew to almost the end, stop short a few stitches, back stitch and sew to the end. Give yourself some long thread tails, trim thread from seam, put threads under presser foot all the way back to the machine, and you are ready for the next seam. Starting to sew at the beginning edge of a seam is courting disaster, snarls, you name it. You follow the above method, no snarls or headaches. This method works well for clothing. Chain piecing for quilting is another story to cover later.

Very good instructions from both Dian and Stitchntime!

I would say it's the tension. Mine does this all the time and it can be a real PITA. I just try to leave extra long tails and then cut them off. Also, to avoid getting snarls underneath I make sure my thread is pulled through the little catch thing in the bobbin casing. That seems to do the trick.

Could be bobbin or needle is in backwards.....

Definitely consult manual - but I'm wondering whether Dyan has 1...?

(Seems like if someone had a manual, they wouldn't need to ask.)

It could also be the way she has the thread on the spool.If it's a horizontal spool pin,put the groove in the thread spool to the right (or have it be the first end you put on the spool pin.) If it's a verticle (up & down) then put that groove on the thread spool on top.This way the thread doesn't get caught on the spool as it spins off causing it to break.

Again follow the advice from the other gals.Good luck.
Kathi

Could very well be something as simple as the needle in backwards. Happened to me many years ago.

Cindy

Is the thread through the wire by the tension dial correct? You have to pull the thread down to secure it after the upward/underneath pass through the tension. It then rides on top of that wire. Sometimes thread will jump off this & cause the birds nesting too.

Hope you have this solved by now! My first thought was that the needle was in backward. The long groove on the needle itself needs to face the direction your thread is coming.

It sounds as though the thread may be caught somewhere in the threading pattern.

Also, be sure you have the thread-take-up as high as it will go before you start. (not the needle) If the take-up is down, the first thing it does is go to the top, which does pull the thread out of the needle.

Blessings on people who write guides for these things! I can't write without waving my arms in the air. Good luck to you.