Did you know sewing machines have two different hook types? And one stitches way faster! Seriously, I didn’t know for a long time that there is a difference between the hooks in different sewing machines. But there is, and it’s a very significant difference. A difference that determines the quality of your stitches and how fast you sew.
But I am quite knowledgeable about the importance of this hook assembly in sewing. Your sewing machine works when the hook mechanism, the part of the machine that catches the thread as it is forced out of the needle creates a stitch.
And sometimes it goes through small glitches. Here is how to deal with it.
Do you have a rotary hook machine or a oscillating hook machine?
Knowing the difference doesnot make any difference in how you deal with the stuck hook. But it is good to know.
The hook assembly grabs the top thread from the needle, pulls it under the fabric, and interlocks it with the bobbin thread to form a stitch. There are differences in the motion it makes in different machines.
Checkout the video to see the difference in oscillating hook and rotary hook:
The oscillating hook moves in a back-and-forth (oscillating) motion around the needle. A Rotary hook also grabs the top thread from the needle, but it does so in a continuous, rotating motion. The continuous circular motion results in smoother and faster stitching. The speedy stitching makes rotary hook sewing machines a better and a more popular choice than the oscillating hook machines, but they are pricier.
The rotary hook machines stitches easily through heavy materials, stitches very fast and makes higher quality stitches.
My industrial sewing machine has a rotary hook whereas my home sewing machine (singer) has an oscillating hook assembly.
What to do if the rotary hook (or oscillating hook) is not rotating
Watch the video tutorial for what to do with the hook assembly
Try moving the hook. Gently. You can do this by moving the hand wheel of your sewing machine towards you and look at the bobbin and hook area.
Is there any hitch? Is it not moving at all?
Step 1. First and foremost rule out that the bobbin winder is not engaged. When bobbin winder is activated, the hook is not supposed to work. Disengage the bobbin winder and try turning the handwheel.
Step 2. Remove and reinsert the bobbin case correctly, ensuring it clicks into place.
(I always take a photo of the original assembly before removing it for cleaning, so that I know how to put it back.)
Once you have ruled out these, then do some cleanup under the needle plate.
Step 3. Clean up trapped lint and thread bits around the hook assembly
Remove the screws of your needle plate, lift it up and clean up the whole hook assembly.If there is a thread piece restricting the hook assembly from moving you will know at this point. Remove it gently. I sometimes use my seam ripper for this and sometimes tweezer – whatever I can get hold of faster.
Use a brush or if you are paranoid a vacuum tool to clean lint and other debris. The vacuum tool I am talking about is a small handheld camera vacuum tool. Use the suction function in this to take up lint and dirt.
I mostly use a q tip to clean.
Add a small drop of oil on to the q-tip to lubricate and use this for cleaning as well.
This picks up all the dirt and lint.
If the hook assembly is still not working or the timing is completely off, Stop there and call a repair man.
Related posts : Simple sewing machine repairs you can do at home
