My sewing machine has jammed - how do I fix it?

Your bobbin may be in backwards. Is it possible to put it in either way?

The noise is because the machine is trying to raise or lower a needle and can't move. Several things to check. Did the needle break and jam in the bottom thread? Is the needle bent or jam? Did the thread jam in the bobbin area? I had a 'knot' of thread build up on the bottom and it hooked itself into the metal clip on the bobbin so that the needle couldn't raise. If thread jams in the bottom carefully cut the threads until you can free the hoop and material. Then check to make sure all pieces of thread and fuzz has been removed in the bobbin case. If it happens again check to see if the bobbin case or the throat plate is scratched or bent. If you are stitching Free Standing Lace on this machine or a piece with over 20,000 stitches I recommend starting with a new full bobbin and a new needle. As you get toward the bottom of the bobbin, thread seems to have a high likelihood of tangling or looping.

Thanks to floraq803, we have our 11000 working again. The needle threader was stuck in the down position. We turned off the machine, and turned the wheel (which controls where the needle is) until the needle threader bar was straight (approximately 1/2 way between the needle being all the way down and all the way up). Turned on the machine and the threader came back up again. Now back to sewing.

have you tried changing the needle-
1.the needle may be bent or damaged--try rolling the needle on a flat surface to see if it's bent or not
Correct needle insertion
Correct needle insertion is mandatory for proper use of sewing machine.
Raise the needle bar to the highest point, then loosen the clamp screw to remove the old needle, place the new needle in the clamp with the flat side to the back of the machine or if using a round needle--the groove in the needle should face away from the shaft.
Push the needle all the way up to the stop or as far as it will go, then tighten the needle clamp screw
2.upper tension may be to tight--try 3 to 5
3.thread may be hanging up in bobbin case--check area for loose threads or lint
???
check the thread take up lever-if the thread come off the thread take up lever that will jam the machine up--I've had it happen to me

The needle either not moving or stopping is a sign that the machine is jamming. Here's the answer for the question "My machine is jammed" from the FAQs on Singer's web site at http://www.singerco.com/support/faqs.html

A jammed machine is caused by thread being caught in the hook. Remove the upper thread and the bobbin case, turn the hand wheel towards you (counterclockwise) by hand and remove any thread in the bobbin case area. *Always turn the hand wheel towards you. Turning the hand wheel away from you (clockwise) can cause the machines timing to become unaligned and jam your machine. Also, always make sure the presser foot is in the down position before you start sewing. Sewing with the presser foot in the up position will jam your machine in the bobbin case.

Your description of the needle hitting the plate or foot is an indication that the machine's timing has become unaligned which can be caused as indicated above by turning the hand wheel away from you - the correct way is to *Always turn the hand wheel towards you.

this very same thing happened to my flat machine turned out to be a piec of material jammed in the workings also wrong oil used or it might be thread jammed try and see

Our Bernette E90 timing was off due to a jam (design flaw I think)...Instructions on how we fixed it.

1. To correct timing, tip over machine and unscrew inspection plate.

2. Find the gear and unscrew the 2 grub screws so the gear is free from the shaft

3. Turn the main sewing machine handle to manually get the hook (pointed piece) of the housing (see arrow) to be directly behind the needle

4. Hold it the tightly, and turn the handle again, the needle should be able to go up and down while holding the hook in position.

5. When the needle is at it lowest and starting to move back up and the hook is directly behind tip the machine over and tighten the 2 grub screws on the gear underneath.

6. Replace inspection cover and you’re done

ROLL THE MANUAL LEVER BACK AND FORTH WITH CONTROLLED FORCE till the needle comes out! the jamming is caused by threads tangled inside the bobbin area. rolled it with a controlled force back and forth. when the needle comes out flip your machine to where you could open the bottom part and remove/clean the threads tangled on the bobbin!
place some OIL.

Try moving the stitch length dial to 4 or 5 - check the manual. You may have it in the position for very close together sewing. I had to do a lot of trying with my 4795 to get it to work right. I found that very thin thread, polyester kind, broke at the needle after a couple of stitches. I switched to coats & clarks thread and a Singer ball point needle and it works fine. Be sure your needle is inserted with the flat top toward the back of the machine. Good luck!