Anytime you have stitch out problems, like thread nests or the bobbin thread suddenly showing on top, it is time to do a thorough cleaning of your embroidery machine. Often problems with stitch outs aren’t due to tension, as tension problems don’t normally appear in the middle of a project.
Instead, your machine likely needs cleaning, as tiny bits of thread or lint can interfere with the tension settings. Additionally, a thorough cleaning is usually the quickest solution for many sudden stitching problems.
Here is a checklist for doing a routine cleaning on your embroidery machine. Do these steps first, and then repeat again if the problem persists.
- Turn the power off on the embroidery machine.
- Raise the foot.
- Remove the needle.
- Remove the top thread.
- Remove the bobbin.
- Now clean the tension discs (you can run a pipe cleaner or fishing line or something similar between them – foot up so that the tension discs are open).
- Clean the bobbin case. (Including cleaning the bobbin case’s slot, as shown in the picture at the top of this page.) Link to Brother’s instructions for cleaning the bobbin can be found here.
- Run your finger over the bobbin case and over the throat plate to check for any rough spots or nicks. (If you find any rough spots, you will need to smooth them down. It is a good idea to buy a spare bobbin case and keep it on hand.)
- Rethread the top thread.
- Put in the bobbin.
- Check that the bobbin is in the correct way.
- Put in a new needle.
Now do a test stitch out.
If you still have problems, repeat everything again, as you might have missed the tiniest bit of thread or lint, especially in the bobbin case slot (as shown in the pic).