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Your sewing machine's timing is essential to achieving even stitches in your fabric and ensuring that the machine's parts are working in sync. Although the general process for adjusting timing is the same for most sewing machines, the method of removing, modifying and installing parts is different for each machine, so consult the owner's manual of your machine as you go through the stages of checking and fine tuning the timing on your machine.
Steps
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Check for other potential problems. Check other factors that may masquerade as a timing problem first; there's no sense in taking your machine apart if you don't need to!- Be sure that your needle is not bent or broken and that it is inserted completely and screwed down tightly.
- Check that your bobbins are installed correctly. If they're upside-down or backward, your machine might not work correctly.
- Check that your needle, thread weight, and fabric are compatible. A heavier fabric requires a larger needle and thicker thread.
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Check for a timing issue by performing a timing test. By testing the alignment of the needle and the shuttle hook, you can determine whether your machine needs a timing adjustment.
- Leave the needle threaded, but remove the switchplate, base cover(s), and bobbin case.
- Turn the hand wheel slowly to ensure that the shuttle hook is smoothly catching the thread. If it does not, you may need to adjust the timing.
- Use a ruler to measure the timing settings. Use the hand wheel to put the needle in the lowest position, then raise it 3/32 of an inch. The shuttle hook should meet the needle just above the eye while it is in this position. If it does not, you may need to adjust the timing.
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Prepare the machine for work. If you have determined that you need to adjust the timing, be sure you are ready to work on your machine.
- You may need move the stitch position to a straight stitch, ensuring that the needle descends through the center of the switchplate hole, or you may need to move your needle to the widest zigzag position. Check with your manufacturer’s guidelines.
- If you haven’t already, remove the needlebar cover, the switchplate, the bobbin, and the cover from the base of the machine. [1] X Research source
- Gather any tools you may need, such as a small screwdriver, sewing machine oil, and a bright work light.
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Set the needlebar height. Most machines have marks on them that indicate the appropriate height for the needlebar. Consult your manual for specifics on how to access and loosen your needle bar.
- If timing marks are present, loosen the needlebar and slide it up or down to align the top timing mark just below the bottom of the timing bar bushing.
- If timing marks are not present, lower the needle completely with the hand wheel, then raise it 3/32 of an inch (2.4mm). Adjust the needle’s height so that the needle eye is 3/32 of an inch below the point of the hook.
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Set the hook timing. Adjusting the hook timing varies between manufacturers and models. The general approach, however, is to adjust the distance between the hook and the needle.
- Using the handwheel, lower the needlebar to its lowest position.
- Loosen the gears in the base of the machine.
- Make adjustments until the hook and needle are an appropriate distance apart, anywhere from 0.04mm to 0.1mm or 0.01-0.16, depending upon the machine.
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Re-Check for timing accuracy. By re-testing the alignment of the needle and the shuttle hook, you can determine whether your adjustments have improved the machine’s settings.
- If you removed the thread from the needle, re-thread it. Continue to work with the bobbin area exposed.
- Turn the hand wheel slowly to ensure that the shuttle hook is smoothly catching the thread. If the hook catches the thread every time, your timing has been fixed.
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Re-assemble your machine. Carefully tighten all screws securely, and be sure there are no “leftover” parts that have not been replaced.
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Clean and oil any exposed gears while your covers are still off.
- Remove any lint or debris from gears and feed dogs.
- Consult your manual to find the specific areas that require oiling.
- Only use sewing machine-specific oil on your sewing machine.
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Replace the covers and switchplate.
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Test your adjustments. Re-thread your machine and sew a test piece of material.
- The stitches should be even, with no skipped stitches or broken needles.
- If the problem has not been resolved, you may need to make further adjustments or consult a sewing machine repair person.
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Community Q&A
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QuestionHow do I adjust the speed of the foot control pedal?Community AnswerThe foot control pedal for a machine is nearly always matched to the performance of the machine. If the maximum speed is too slow for you, then you need to upgrade. Most machines have limits. High performance machines are dynamically balanced and will sew in excess of a foot per second. Domestic machines are not balanced and don't run anywhere near as fast as a professional Pfaff, for example. If it seems very slow, then something has gone wrong and you will need a specialist.
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QuestionCould thread jams be a sign of problems with the machines timing?Community AnswerA lot of thread jams can be fixed with a new needle. Make sure your machine is oiled properly as well. Refer to your user's manual for instructions in this.
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QuestionWhat do I do if the bobbin case thread does not catch the needle thread?Community AnswerIt can only be two things: either the thread isn't being taken low enough to catch the hook, or the timing is out and the bobbin hook is missing the thread due to being in the wrong position. First, try lowering the needle a fraction.
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Warnings
- Always unplug your machine before performing any maintenance or repair work.Thanks
- Be sure to check the warranty information and user manual for your specific sewing machine before making adjustments.Thanks
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Things You'll Need
- Sewing machine
- Instruction manual for your sewing machine
- Screwdriver
- Sewing thread
- Strip of cotton cloth
- Cleaning solvent
References
- ↑ https://www.singersewinginfo.co.uk/457timing
- Videos provided by Sewing Parts Online
About This Article
Article Summary
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To adjusting your sewing machine’s timing, start by loosening the needlebar and sliding it up or down to align the top timing mark just below the bottom of the timing bar bushing. If your needlebar doesn’t have timing marks, lower the needle completely using the hand wheel, then raise it 2.4 millimeters. Adjust the needle height so the needle eye is 2.4 millimeters below the point of the hook. Once you’ve set the needlebar height, adjust the hook timing by lowering the needlebar to the lowest position. Then, loosen the gears in the base of the machine. Finally, adjust the hook until it’s the right distance from the needle. A normal distance is anything from 0.04 to 0.1mm. For more tips, including how to test your sewing machine’s timing, read on!
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Reader Success Stories
- "The movements are so helpful. My heavy-duty machine is old. All of a sudden my shuttle began slipping, it seemed. It even turned around and my needle would have broken. I'll go in and re-check it and see if I can turn the head up and check again. I looked for a tiny screw, but since I did not find one, I was puzzled. Thanks for your help. " ..." more
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"The movements are so helpful. My heavy-duty machine is old. All of a sudden my shuttle began slipping, it seemed. It even turned around and my needle would have broken. I'll go in and re-check it and see if I can turn the head up and check again. I looked for a tiny screw, but since I did not find one, I was puzzled. Thanks for your help. "
..."
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"I am having problems with my Brother Riviera and the timing is one thing I was not aware I needed to check. I will check it and see if it is off; and, if so, adjust it and hope it solves my problem."
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"I have a vintage electric Singer, one you can barely even find a picture of online. This helped me make the decision not to bring it back to service again for the same reason. Thanks, wikiHow."
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"It helped by giving me pictures and videos to follow and text for understanding the problem that was occurring. The Q&A was helpful, too."
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"Having trouble with a new Singer. Watched lots of YouTube videos but this was more helpful!"
