I have a Bernina Activa 130. I tried to sew over some leather, started fine, then the needle got stuck and I stopped right away. Now, the bottom threads keeps bunching. I have re-threaded the machine, new needle, changed the thread, adjusted the thread tension, made sure the bobbin is evenly wound and inserted correctly, cleaned out all lint from the bobbin area. When I move the wheel by hand as the needle starts to come up, I hear a rubbing sound and the thread gets tight, usually stops moving forward. If I try to sew with the foot pedal, it will do a few stitches and it jams with nice birds nest on the underside of the fabric. Any advice? Checked the timing, it looks ok, but when I move the needle to the left it barely enters the fabric before it jams
Sewing Machines - Bernina - Activa 130
Answers & Comments
You need a fatter needle. The skinny needle will not open the leather enough for a smooth flow of thread and that's why the bobbin is bunching up when the top thread is sticking. Make it easier on your machine by using an appropriate size needle while sewing leather.
Thanks, but I was using a leather needle. After the initial jam, tried again, with a new leather needle, jams at the first stitch. I changed back to my regular needle, regular settings to try to sew just cotton and it jams as noted above.
You might check to see if thread is caught somewhere in the upper threading pathway. Sometimes thread will break off in the tension guides and prevent smooth passage of new thread.
Or maybe there is a bent thread guide that is snagging the thread out of alignment.
I've had both things happen to my machines.