I have exchanged this machine 3 times - now Target doesn't even carry it - the same problem all three times - the bobbin thread will not come up to the sewing area - have cleaned it and bought a new bobin case - so over the machine - when it worked I loved it -but spend too much time repairing and exchanging - what do I do to fix the bobin issue?

Hello,

Bottom thread issues are generally caused by either lack of lubrication, buildup of lint and shuttle timing.

Don't hesitate to oil the shuttle parts at the first sign of a bottom thread issue, especially with a new machine. Same with cleaning the machine- a new machine is likely to need attention more frequently than one which is well broken-in.

Check your shuttle timing. I don't know how to adjust the timing in your machine, but if you look sometimes it's obvious. If it's not then just take it to someone who knows and have him check the timing and adjust it if need be. Pick his brain, learn how to adjust the timing and you'll always be able to dial your machine in when you don't like how it's performing.

lp

Clean the bobbin case and the fixed metal hook race with a small brush to remove lint. If there is a significant amount of lint, use a vacuum and small brush to get the worst.

Then wipe all this area with a cloth or cotton bud (Q tip) moistened (not soaked) with methylated spirit, especially if there appears to be fine dirty deposits....oil and lint combine to conspire against you.

If it seems likely that you ......really ....do .....actually .....need .....to adjust the bobbin case, first check there is no lint trapped in the metal spring where the thread is tensioned.

TOP LOADER:
Drop-in Bobbin case will look similar to this image with the tension screw in the middle of the metalwork....
the other screw at one end is holding it all together, so beware....it is not a tragedy to undo the whole lot and clean it, but very gingerly and lay the bits out in sequence and orientation, or you risk tearing your hair out !

FRONT LOADER:
....this is a bobbin case from a front loading machine and works in a very similar fashion to the top loader with drop in bobbin, again, if you dismantle it, take care so you can put it all
back properly.


FINISHING UP
GETTING THE BALANCE RIGHT:
When you are certain there's no trapped lint in top tension or bobbin, set the top tension to 4 and the bobbin tension to a point where you just begin to feel resistance.

Try using good quality thread of contrasting colours so you can more easily spot the changes.

Set your zigzag to one width less than maximum (eg. 5 of 6 ...or... 4 of 5 etc) and sew a sample for a few inches and check the result.... adjust the bobbin tension screw very little at
a time, perhaps 1/16 of a turn.

You may find you are playing with this balance for some little while and if you are putting the needleplate on and off each time begin to think it cannot be correct to do this.....BUT....it is,
and eventually, you do get a "feel" for the correct tension and then it happens quite quickly.....as a user you won't be doing it very often unless there is lint built up.