Kathall Posted February 20, 2011 Report Share Posted February 20, 2011 I recently purchased a used Millie and am having some difficulty. The issue now is that the needle is not picking up the bobbin thread. When I first start and use needle up and down to pull the bobbin thread through that works but then when I start quilting nothing happens, no stitches. I have tried to rethread, change needle, change tension but nothing is working thus far. Any suggestions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ffq-lar Posted February 20, 2011 Report Share Posted February 20, 2011 First, make sure the needle is in properly--scarf in the back and bulge in the front--and eye facing straight forward. Make sure the needle is all the way up in the needle bar. Loosen the needle bar screw completely (don't drop it!!) insert the needle and tighten the screw. Remove the bobbin case and turn the fly wheel until the needle bar is at the lowest position. Look straight-on at the bobbin area and see where the eye of the needle is. Most of the eye should show--check your manual for the correct view of the needle eye. If it isn't correct, raise or lower the needle bar. This requires a long screwdriver and the instructions in the manual. If that isn't the solution, you may need to time your machine. Don't assume timing is your problem until all needle issues are addressed. Good luck and keep posting intil your problem has been solved! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newmillie2010 Posted February 20, 2011 Report Share Posted February 20, 2011 be sure bobbin is inserted in bobbin case correctly - thread flowing off right side of bobbin, moving bobbin clockwise. and that bobbin case is firmly seated in bobbin housing. just a few thoughts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quiltmonkey Posted February 20, 2011 Report Share Posted February 20, 2011 Has your bobbin assembly been recently cleaned? Many times problems could be because there is a lot of lint build up; oil build up. If you haven't you should blow out the bobbin assembly, remove needle plate, blow out, spray bobbin assembly area with wd40 and then oil. There are instructions with the owner's manual. Set your bobbin tension so that the bobbin rolls down (drop test) freely, smoothly like a spider would on web. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kathall Posted February 20, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 20, 2011 Thank you all so much I am printing all the responses and heading to the machine. Will report back with the outcome. Thanks again! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LadyLake Posted February 21, 2011 Report Share Posted February 21, 2011 Is there a long enough strand of bobbin thread coming out of the bobbin, ie. long enough for your top thread to wind around and pull? If it is too short, it won't pick up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witha'K'quilting Posted February 21, 2011 Report Share Posted February 21, 2011 Pull the bobbin out of the bobbin case a few inches. Then try it and see if the top thread can grab it. If this works...then when you go to use the thread cutter...move a few inches away from the stop point and then back to the stop point before cutting the bottom thread. This will leave a longer tail to be able to grab on the next start. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kathall Posted February 21, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 21, 2011 Okay so I am making progress. I did what everyone said to do and am at least making stitches. Now the top stitch goes pretty well then has a long stitch like 1/2 inch or larger. The bottom doesn't quite look right either it looks kind of small and has a tiny like loop in it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SandraG Posted February 21, 2011 Report Share Posted February 21, 2011 Tighten the top about a half turn at a time and see what happens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kathall Posted February 21, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 21, 2011 I will try that Sandra. Thanks so much. You ladies are the best. I feel like I am on a 911 call and you are the best responders!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mestuart Posted February 21, 2011 Report Share Posted February 21, 2011 I know it's a long shot, but do you have the right sized needles for your machine? Good luck, It's a bumpy learning curve some days but you will get there. Hugs. M Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kathall Posted February 21, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 21, 2011 Yes I do have the right size needle. Do you think it could be that the hopping foot is too high? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witha'K'quilting Posted February 21, 2011 Report Share Posted February 21, 2011 try turning the needle a touch so that the eye is set at 6:35. This may help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kathall Posted February 21, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 21, 2011 Does it matter that I am using darker thread on bottom and lighter on top? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janette Posted February 21, 2011 Report Share Posted February 21, 2011 It should not affect your stitch length by using a different colour on top and bottom, only tension. If you are getting a big stitch every now and then, it could be that your stitch regulator wheel is not engaging correctly. Check that the small stitch regulator wheels are connecting with and rolling on your rails correctly. Am no expert, but it is worth a shot. I had the same and need a new SR cable as a tiny wire had snapped. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SandraG Posted February 21, 2011 Report Share Posted February 21, 2011 Yes if your hopping foot is too high you may get a slipped stitch. Go through and read Dawn's post about tension. That will help you a lot. Janette is right, also check the SR. Let us know how it goes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kathall Posted February 22, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 22, 2011 Thank you all so much. I lowered the presser foot, adjusted the needle a tad, and finally learned how to adjust the bobbin. This seemed to work. Can't thank you all enough. Hugs to you all! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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