Trying to sew neoprene fabric-but bottom thread doesn't catch

[cadcoke5]

I am attempting to sew some neoprene fabric I purchased from Joann fabrics. This is the 3mm thick version, with polyester fabric on both sides. I've read recommendations to use a needle designed for denim, and a walking foot to help the feed. But neither of these are difficulties. I have no difficulty with the needle going through without breaking, nor with the fabric feeding through.

My problem is that the bottom bobbin thread is not looping around the top thread, except at the beginning and end, where I was back-stitching.

I do now know that back-stitching is not recommended. I imagine that multiple passes with the needle can sort of chew up the fabric. And that "chewing up" may be what is permitting the back-stitching to work. I've seen other posts elsewhere from people with the very same problem. They say they have tried all sorts of thread tension settings without success. I have not seen any other suggestions other than adjusting tensions, or giving up on a home machine, and using a commercial one. But, there are also many people who have absolutely no difficulty with the neoprene fabric at all. So, perhaps it is the sewing machine itself. I have an old Sears Kenmore, which is known for being a heavy-duty machine.

Any recommendations for getting my machine to work? Or perhaps other sewing machine models that are known to be good with this sort of fabric?

 

[montysaurus]

What type of seam are you using? Two layers of 3mm may be too thick. Use abutted seam with zigzag stitch. Use a high tension.

 

[MattMunson]

Tension setting is the key.

 

[smithjohnj]

Your description of the problem sounds like it is more than just skipped stitches, but a complete failure of not catching every stitch. Skipped stitches may have some simple fixes, missing every stitch is more likely a timing issue – where the needle movement is not in sync with the bobbin rotation. Timing issues may require professional servicing so you can address the simple fixes first. It sounds like you have addressed the needle selection and needle thread tension. So next look at the bobbin. You indicate you had some rubber tear out, so make sure the bobbin area is clean. Even lint can cause skipped stitches – chunks of rubber even more so. While cleaning the bobbin case also check to make sure the “hook” which catches the needle thread is not damaged. Next test the machine with regular fabric. Re-thread the machine and use a different bobbin with needle and bobbin thread weights suitable for the new fabric (do not forget to reset your tension). If you cannot achieve satisfactory results with more traditional fabric and thread this would indicate to me a timing problem. If you get good result here then lets address the bobbin. First, wind a new or at least a different bobbin,. Just switching bobbins might fix the issue, if the old one was scratched or defective in some way. When winding the new bobbin make sure it is being wound smoothly and evenly. Then it should unwind the same way. Set things up and try again. If you still have problems the last easy fix is to try to loosen the bobbin tension. Some machines allow for this, my machine has a screw adjustment on the bobbin case. Try to note the original position of the bobbin tension because if this does not fix the problem you will need to reset the tension so the normal sewing with the regular fabric and thread can still be achieved. If none of this helps I believe it is a timing issue which is very machine specific. There are some on-line videos for machines which might give you some ideas, but going with a specialist might be the best approach with an older machine which may not have had recent servicing.