April 20, 2023

Sewing machine articles

By Lyle Weischwill

Learn how to get the best results from your sewing machine with these articles and videos from Sears PartsDirect. You’ll find helpful ideas for stopping thread from bunching up under fabric and learn the answers to common sewing machine questions. For tips on diagnosing problems, error code information and step-by-step repair instructions, check out our sewing machine repair help section.

Sewing Machines
Sewing Machine type
Electronic
Mechanical

Articles and videos common to all sewing machines

August 30, 2022

How to enjoy all the online benefits we offer on our Sears PartsDirect website

By Lyle Weischwill
Image for intoruduction section describing Sears PartsDirect website features.

Learn about all the convenient features on our Sears PartsDirect website that make your parts purchases easier.

Read more
June 29, 2022

Top questions about Sears and Sears PartsDirect

By Lyle Weischwill
Introduction image for Sears and Sears PartsDirect questions article.

Get answers to frequently asked questions about Sears and Sears PartsDirect.

Read more
January 18, 2016

How to use a multimeter to test electrical parts video

By Lyle Weischwill
How to use a multimeter to test electrical parts.

Learn how to use a multimeter to check for wiring problems in an appliance that's not working

Read more
April 1, 2015

Sewing machine common questions

By Lyle Weischwill
Sewing machine common questions

These answers to common questions can help you make the most of your sewing machine.

Read more

Articles and videos for electronic sewing machines

June 29, 2022

Top questions about Sears and Sears PartsDirect

By Lyle Weischwill
Introduction image for Sears and Sears PartsDirect questions article.

Get answers to frequently asked questions about Sears and Sears PartsDirect.

Read more

Articles and videos for mechanical sewing machines

June 29, 2022

Top questions about Sears and Sears PartsDirect

By Lyle Weischwill
Introduction image for Sears and Sears PartsDirect questions article.

Get answers to frequently asked questions about Sears and Sears PartsDirect.

Read more
water-filter
Water filters
Find the perfect fit for your refrigerator.
Try our water filter finder
Sewing machine returning an error code?
error-code
View all sewing machine codes

Symptoms common to all sewing machines

Choose a symptom to see related sewing machine repairs.

April 19, 2023

Why is my sewing machine running sluggishly?

By Lyle Weischwill
Main causes: lack of lubrication, lint buildup, worn drive belt, faulty drive motor
Read more
April 19, 2023

Why won't my sewing machine needle move?

By Lyle Weischwill
Main causes: disengaged clutch, broken drive belt, internal drive gear failure
Read more
April 19, 2023

Why doesn't my sewing machine motor run?

By Lyle Weischwill
Main causes: faulty foot pedal, locked drive gears, wiring failure, bad drive motor
Read more
April 19, 2023

Why won't my sewing machine turn on?

By Kim Hillegass
Main causes: power supply failure, bad power cord, faulty On/Off switch
Read more
April 19, 2023

Why does the bobbin thread break in my sewing machine?

By Lyle Weischwill
Main causes: dirty shuttle race, improper thread routing, incorrect thread tension
Read more
April 19, 2023

Why won't fabric move through my sewing machine?

By Lyle Weischwill
Main causes: problems with the feed dogs, setting stitch length to 0
Read more
April 19, 2023

Why does my sewing machine make a knocking sound?

By Lyle Weischwill
Main causes: machine needs lubrication, internal gear failure
Read more
April 19, 2023

Why does my sewing machine lock up?

By Kim Hillegass
Main causes: thread bunched up in the shuttle race, bad needle timing, internal drive gear failures
Read more
April 19, 2023

Why is my sewing machine skipping stitches?

By Lyle Weischwill
Main causes: dirty shuttle race, wrong thread tension, bad needle timing, damaged needle, using the wrong type of needle
Read more

Repair guides common to all sewing machines

These step-by-step repair guides will help you safely fix what’s broken on your sewing machine.

April 1, 2015

How to replace a sewing machine on/off switch

By Lyle Weischwill
How to replace a sewing machine on/off switch

If the sewing machine is completely dead, replace the On/Off switch using these 6 steps.

Repair difficulty
Time required
 30 minutes or less
April 1, 2015

How to replace a sewing machine drive belt

By Lyle Weischwill
How to replace a sewing machine drive belt

You can replace a broken sewing machine drive belt in about 15 minutes.

Repair difficulty
Time required
 15 minutes or less
April 1, 2015

How to replace a sewing machine drive motor

By Lyle Weischwill
How to replace a sewing machine drive motor

If the drive motor on your sewing machine runs roughly or doesn't run at all, you can replace it in about 30 minutes using these simple steps.

Repair difficulty
Time required
 15 minutes or less

Parts & More