Troubleshooting some common problems

This Section will review some common problems you may face while sewing and will hopefully help you fix them. Although all the videos are specific to the Sailrite sewing machine in SparQ, some information is transferable to any sewing machine you may have access to at home. If you have an issue which is not covered below, please reach out to the SparQ Director for assistance.


 * Problem 1: How to replace the Sewing Needle
 * It is very important to properly position the sewing needle when it is being replaced. This video reviews the different features of a needle and how to properly position it, if you need to replace it.
 * Problem 2: Fabric is Stuck in the Sewing Machine
 * Getting fabric stuck in the machine is frustrating but it can be easily fixed. Review this video to see how to get your fabric loose when you notice there are multiple strings of thread coming from underneath the needle. The main take away from this video is to simply rotate the balance wheel (Black wheel on the right hand side) towards you until the thread comes loose again.
 * Problem 3: Lack of Tension When Sewing Hem or Binding
 * This video shows how to adjust the tension while sewing a hem or binding. Common causes are because the hem is too thin and the foot cannot grab the fabric properly. Re-adjust the positioning of the fabric or move the position of the needle to fix this issue.
 * If you are having trouble with tension and it is not caused by the hem or binding, please review this video, which is found in the Sewing Basics section of the wiki. It goes through how to identify and what to do if your tension is too low or too high