New Home Sewing Machine Troubleshooting (Fix & Repair Guide)
In a perfect world, sewing machines would last and last and never need repairing. It would be a good world if that was the case. Then one could save money and enjoy life a lot better.
There are problems that are common to all sewing machines. One common problem is getting the threading done correctly. This is an issue on any sewing machine you own including the New Home brand. Once you conquer the threading issue you can tackle another common problem -the tension.
To learn how to troubleshoot your new home sewing machine just continue to read our article. It goes into the problems that arise and helps you sort them out as well as solve them. This guide should save you some time and trouble as you will learn to fix your machine yourself.
Troubleshooting a New Home Machine 101
Common New Home Sewing Machine Problems
The New Home sewing machine is not a stranger to the common problems that affect all sewing machines. Here we will just list those common problems and then tell you how to fix them in the next section:
- Incorrect threading
- The needle is broken or dull
- Fabric not feeding
- Thread keeps breaking
- Skipped stitches
- Sewing machine stops working or jams up
- The sewing machine is dirty
- Needle comes unthreaded
- The machine makes strange noises
- The machine works but the needle won’t move
- Fabric puckers while stitching
How to Fix a New Home Sewing Machine
- Incorrect threading - Here you just have to rethread your machine making sure to hit all the key points on your way to the needle.
- The needle is broken or dull - Simply replace the needle with a new one that is made for your machine.
- Fabric not feeding - Make sure the presser foot is done and the drop feed is activated. Also, make sure the pressure is just right.
- Thread keeps breaking - Make sure you are using the right weight of thread and that the top and bottom threads are the same weight.
- Skipped stitches - This may be a result of a dull, bent, or broken needle. Simply replace it. Check your timing as well.
- Sewing machine stops working or jams up - The fabric may be too tough or too thick for the machine to handle. Remove the fabric before you damage your machine. Or clean your machine and lubricate it.
- The sewing machine is dirty - Give it a good cleaning and lubricate the right spots.
- The needle comes unthreaded - Make sure you threaded the needle when it was resting at its highest level.
- The machine makes strange noises - Your bobbin may be loose or you need to clean your machine.
- The machine works but the needle won’t move - The machine is in the bobbin winding mode and needs to be switched to the sewing mode.
- Fabric puckers while stitching - Check the thickness of your thread, replace it with the proper weight and thickness. Or check your tension and reset it.
New Home Sewing Machine Tension Troubleshooting
With your needle up, your presser foot up and your tension set at 4 rethread your machine. Once that is done, pull your top thread using a long steady motion. If it pulls smoothly without snagging lower your presser foot, do it again. If it pulls the same way it does with the presser foot up, then you have a tension dial problem and a repairman should take care of that.
You can do the same test on the bobbin and if the results are the same the thread probably escaped the bobbin tension spring and you need to reload the bobbin following the instructions in your manual.
What Should the Tension Be On a New Home Sewing Machine?
The tension on some New Home sewing machines is adjusted by turning the tension adjustment screw. You turn it to the right to tighten it and you turn it to the left to release some of the tension. The proper tension depends on the type of fabric you are working with.
Pull-on the thread and if it draws tight, then that is good for firm fabrics and if it draws loose, then that is the tension for soft thin fabrics. Finding the right tension is done by feel, not numbers.
New Home Sewing Machine Bobbin Problem
One problem that happens with the lower bobbin thread is that it may keep breaking on you. To solve this you have to pull the bobbin out and see if too much thread has been wound on to it. If so you will need to rethread the bobbin to solve this issue.
New Home Bobbin Size
This is not a difficult piece to find. Like Janome, the new Home bobbin size is set in class 15. All the models made under this brand use the same size bobbin so if you own more than one new Home machine you can take the bobbin out of the good one and replace it without delaying your sewing time.
That means if you own certain sewing machine models from Brother, Bernina, Necci, and Pfaff you can remove the bobbin from those machines and place it in your New Home. Certain models from those brands also use a class 15 bobbin.
Sewing Machine Jamming
This can be caused by several sources and one of the most common ones is that you have not cleaned your machine in along time. Even though old threads and lint are not very big or strong, they are just the right size and strength to stop your sewing machine cold.
Or the fabric you are using is too thick or hard for the machine to handle. It is possible as all sewing machines do not have the same power and cannot handle certain types of fabric. You should also check your needle to make sure it is the right one for the machine and has been installed correctly.
New Home Sewing Machine Not Stitching
The first place to look is your bobbin sewing mode switch. If the switch is in the bobbin winding mode then your sewing machine won’t move a muscle. Just move the switch to the sewing position to get it working again.
Another place to look is in your timing area. It is possible that the timing is off and the needle is not catching the bottom thread. Just adjust your timing to get it working again. Your manual will have other sources for this problem and one of them will be to double-check to see if the power switch is on, the foot pedal is plugged in right and the machine is plugged into the outlet.
New Home Needle Not Moving
The bad news is that you may have a broken internal part that will require the expertise of a qualified repairman. This situation may be costly if it is the source of your problem. Then your New Home model may come with a ‘kill’ sensor that detects when the upper thread has run out. When that happens the machine will stop till you put a new thread on the machine.
Or the problem may be as simple as no power. You forgot to plug your machine in and it will only take a second or two to plug it back in.
Sewing Machine Not Picking Up the Bobbin Thread
Usually, this is a timing problem and you will have to dismantle your machine to get to the place where you can adjust the timing. If you don't feel like you are up to the task, take it to a qualified repairman and let them handle the task.
New Home Sewing Machine Skipping Stitches
This can happen when your needle is bent or broken. Simply replace the needle and make sure it is the right one for your machine. Or you may have to rethread the top and bottom threads to make sure they are meeting where they are supposed to meet in order to create the stitch.
New Home Stuck in Reverse
One source for this problem will be found in your reverse button. It can be a lever or a button and both can break or get stuck. You may need to lubricate the button if stuck. Using a hairdryer and applying some heat may unstick it as well. Or simply replace the button or lever.
Some Final Words
It would be nice if this was a perfect world. Then you could enjoy your sewing time without having to worry about what will stop or break next. One thing is for sure, most sewing stoppages are due to common problems that are easily fixed by you.
Then to make sure you have the information you need for bobbin compatibility for all modern sewing machines, just click on this button. It lists them all for you so you can get the right bobbin for your sewing machine.
