Sewing Machine Help..! Help and advice on how to repair sewing machine problems

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  Questions we're asked about Pfaff products

Frequently Asked Questions

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Latest Questions

1. MY MACHINE MISSES STITCHES OR GIVES UNEVEN RESULTS!

   Here are the most common tips to resolve this problem:

   - It is a good idea to check the most simple things first to rule them out, Always rethread your top thread as it could be threaded the wrong way - Check your needle is fully installed as high as it can go, the flat shank normally faces away from the bobbin, check your manual if you are unsure

   - Change the needle as it could be bent slightly (not easy to see but can cause huge frustration) in fact if your needle is damaged or blunt even slightly you can have all types of problems, you should also make sure you are using the correct needle type and size for the thread/fabric you are working with, Thicker fabric/multiple layers are going to need thicker needles and you should check if you are using the correct needle type (Ballpoint needles for Knits and Sharp needles for Wovens)

   - Presser foot pressure can be a problem, if you are still having this problem you may need to adjust the pressure

   - Try to use good quality thread (branded) and try using the same thread in the top and bottom if you have had problems where the top and bottom thread are different, also experiment with the thread tension to get it right

   - When sewing it is important you let the machine feed the fabric for you, you only need to guide it

   - Lastly check that your feed dogs aren’t all clogged, lint can get in and stop them from making contact with your material to feed properly, a light brushing with an old toothbrush should clear this If the above tips do not resolve your issue it is strongly recommended you contact us to book an inspection/repair of your machine without delay.

   Click here to book your repair online.

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2. TENSION PROBLEMS ARE CAUSING MY STITCHES TO LOOP OR PUCKER

   Here are the most common tips to resolve this problem:
   - Rethread and check that you are threading as the Instruction Book for your machine shows
   - Check there is no lint or dirt in or around your tension unit (discs especially) if you find any then clean it out
   - Check you are using the correct needle and change for a fresh needle (may be bent)
   
   If looping occurs on the top of your fabric:
   - lower the top thread tension
   - If you have this feature on your machine you may want to try and increase your bobbin tension please consult your manual to see how to do this correctly (some are painted shut and not adjustable)
   - Make sure your bobbin is threaded correctly, rethreading this only takes seconds
   - Make sure your bobbin is housed correctly
   
   If looping occurs on either sides of your fabric:
   - Try using the same thread on the top and the bobbin if you are having problems where these are different
   - Adjust the length of your stitch as depending on which kind of fabric you are stitching it could be too short or too long
   - Check that you are using the correct presser foot for the kind of sewing you are doing (check your manual if you are unsure
   - Make sure that you are letting the machine feed the fabric itself and do not stretch the material while you are sewing, guide it only with your hand
   - Presser foot pressure can be a problem, if you are still having this problem you may need to adjust the pressure (see manual for help)
   - Check you are using the correct needle plate for your project, if you are sewing light fabrics then you may need a straight stitch needle plate to stop the fabric from being pushed through the zig zag hole while sewing (be careful when changing needle plates over to make sure you check the needle position is correct to drop down through the needle plate, if you do not check this you could damage your machine. Remember if you change to a straight stitch needle plate you will have to change back before doing any zig-zag or wide stitches
   - Also if you are sewing thin fabric you must consider using a backing (e.g. stabilizer) this will help to avoid puckering
   
   If these tips don’t resolve your issues then it may be more serious, you might need a new tension unit.

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3. I CANNOT FIND MY SENSORMATIC BUTTONHOLE FOOT THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO COME WITH MY PFAFF EXPRESSION?
   If you have just received a new Pfaff expression 2.0, expression 3.0 or Pfaff quilt expression 4.0..! This is a common query as you will know the other accessories are stored in the front accessory tray or are already attached to the machine, the sensormatic buttonhole foot can be found in another nifty little accessory tray at the back of your machine behind the needle plate.
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4. I HAVE INSTALLED MY EMBROIDERY UNIT AND IT DOESN’T SEEM TO WORK, AM I DOING SOMETHING WRONG?
   The most common reason for this is the red transit clip located on the underside of your embroidery unit must be removed completely before installing the unit to your machine. Please check your instruction book for details of this if you have the for my Pfaff Creative 2.0/ Creative Performance or Creative Sensation and many other Pfaff embroidery machines.
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5. I AM TRYING TO USE MY FREE MOTION/DARNING FOOT HOWEVER THE FOOT SITS TOO LOW ON THE MACHINE AGAINST THE FABRIC
   This one does catch people out quite a lot. Your presser foot lifter lever has a midpoint setting built in to allow for Free Motion sewing, you should be able to set it half way between up and down as you are lowering the foot lifter as you normally would before you sew. Your manual should include details of this setting under Free Motion Quilting. If you are stuck with this and other attachments, why not visit the video sewing tutorial page.
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6. I AM USING A TWIN NEEDLE AND CAN NOT SEEM TO GET THE CORRECT TENSIONS?
   When you are threading the machine for twin needle sewing, make sure one thread passes through the right-hand side tension disk and the other thread through the left hand-side tension disk.
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7. THE THREAD CUTTER IS NOT WORKING?
   Clean any lint from in and around the bobbin area, also if your machine has this function, make sure automatic thread cutter is enabled in settings menu (see manual if you are unsure).
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8. I AM STUCK TO FIND WHICH PRESSER FOOT I NEED FOR MY OLD PFAFF?

   Pfaff machines need to use the correct type of presser foot, not that it is complex or expensive, it just needs to be the correct type. For instance, most Pfaff machines use the regular Pfaff branded feet which can be found here. On the other hand, there are some older Pfaff machines like the 1221, 1222 that have a very high shank and need special feet which are no longer made, however we are in the process of trying to obtain a special shank which will allow fitting the regular Pfaff feet to this older range of machines.
   
   What about shank lengths?
   
   Most modern machines have a low short shank length - this is approximately 12mm (1/2inch) from the thumb screw down to the needle plate.
   
   Some older machines and/or selected new models have a long shank length - this is approximately 18mm (3/4inch) from the thumb screw down to the needle plate.
   
   We carry a huge range of Pfaff sewing machine presser feet, you can find the correct foot for your machine by using our Pfaff model number online search tool in our sewing machine parts section.
   
   Remember that substituting a specialist screw-on foot in place of a Pfaff clip-on one is often possible. For an overview of various Pfaff feet, please visit this sewing feet video page.

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