How to Troubleshoot an Athena Sewing Machine
- 1). Check the Athena's power switch to ensure it is turned on, when the machine will not sew. The power switch is found on the right side of the machine near the bottom. See if the machine is plugged into a working power supply. If this does not solve the issue, make sure the bobbin winder is disengaged. The bobbin winder is found on the top of the machine on the right side. The winder should be pulled to the left when it is not being used to thread a bobbin.
- 2). See if the presser foot has been lowered, if your fabric will not move when trying to sew. The presser foot has three positions: low, middle and high. Use the highest position to place or remove thick fabric, the middle position to remove or insert normal fabric and the lower position when you are ready to sew fabrics.
- 3). Replace the needle if it is bent or blunt and is causing the machine to skip stitches. A damaged or old needle can also cause the machine to jam up. Raise the needle up by turning the hand wheel counter clockwise, turn the needle clamp screw counter clockwise and pull the needle down to remove it. Place a new needle in the clamp and insert it as far up as it can go. Turn the needle clamp screw clockwise without over-tightening it.
- 4). Thread your machine by raising your presser foot to the middle position and turning the hand wheel counter clockwise to put the needle at its highest position. Guide the thread through each thread guide and then down along the groove above the presser foot. Push the thread through the thread guide that is attached to the needle and through the eye of the needle from the front to the back. An improperly threaded machine can cause the thread to bunch, break or even pucker the fabric.
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