Most people immediately think it’s a sewing machine bobbin problem, but much of the time it has nothing to do with the bobbin and you don’t even need a repair person to fix the problem. If thread is smoothly and evenly wound on the bobbin, the bobbin is not the culprit. The looping bobbin thread is usually caused by the upper threading of the sewing machine. Here are the steps to take to troubleshoot the issue: Always thread the machine with the presser foot up. As long as the presser foot is up, the thread can seat properly. When the presser foot is down, the tension is engaged and it will not allow the thread to seat as it should. If the thread is not seated in the tension disks, it cannot engage any tension on the thread and stitch malfunctions are bound to happen. If the needle is correct, is it possible you have bent it? The needle is part of the upper threading and is a very inexpensive part to replace. Always remember to let the feed dogs do the work. If you are pulling the fabric to the back of the machine rather than letting the machine feed it through, you risk bending the sewing machine needle which can lead to all kinds of sewing problems. Another thing to check is whether the bobbin is inserted in the bobbin case correctly. Your sewing machine guide is the best resource to check how it should be inserted in the bobbin case. If you do not have the manual for your sewing machine, it is possible to find free sewing machine manuals or replacement manuals online. If your machine uses a case instead of the newer drop-in bobbins, a bobbin is placed into a removable bobbin case so the thread and the slot form an upside-down “V” shape. The thread is then passed under the metal and out the side of the bobbin case. It’s time to clean out the lint, oil the machine, and do anything else described in your manual as part of routine maintenance for your particular sewing machine model.
