How to Fix / Repair the Hook Timing on a Sewing Machine 

I realize this video is 11 years old, but just wanted to say thank you for saving my wifes sanity, as well as making me look like a hero ;-) . She had been agonizing and tinkering for two days trying to figure out what was wrong with her sewing machine, and eventually was in tears. She finally called the repair place, and they said yes, they know what this issue is (hook timing) but that we would need to bring it in, they could not talk it through over the phone. Not only was that going to cost us a repair visit, but also we live a long ways away from the repair place, out in the country, and so would have taken us a lot of gas as well as a day or two of time. I was helping her by researching online, and finally stumbled on your video. Grabbed a screwdriver and an Allen key set, and flipped the machine. Ours of course looked different underneath, but the concept was the same. Loosened the two set screws, adjusted the hook timing, and then put it back together. Wife ran a test, and it is now working beautifully!! Thank you so much, you made me look like a hero!! ;-)

Thank you, I've been sewing and timing my machine for nearly 20 years and this is the easiest explanation of how to time a machine.

You are a person after my own heart - "I'm not paying $90 if I can figure it out myself" too! I have watched a LOT of "timing fix" videos and YOURS is THE BEST! However you had the camera aimed to the underside to show EXACTLY the position that SHOULD be for the needle AND the "hook" was SO CLEAR that in less than 2 minutes I was able to fix the timing on an old Montgomery Ward machine I just got. My Seamstress Hat is OFF to YOU! Thank you for this video and stopping me from pulling ALL MY HAIR OUT!

. .. ...one more Thank You!! Wife has a small sewing business and her machine had a bearing/bushing seize up. ... .fixed that and got a timing error... Grrrrrr! Your video put her back in business and me on the great husband list. .. .yesss!

Thanks for posting this video. My wife's "old" Singer machine's gear that drives the shuttle around wore and I have new gears coming in the mail that involve the shuttle. I was surprised I found the gears, but that's another story. Your understanding of the basic machine is the same or more than mine. BUT, your video showed me what I needed to know. It showed me the relationship between the needle and the bobbin shuttle as they go through their movements. THANKS AGAIN, I'm now not waiting in confusion for the parts to arrive.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. I have a near new Singer I bought at at a garage sale for $20. Reportedly, it had stopped stitching after the lady sewed over her finger. A sewing machine sales & repair shop told me it would "cost more to fix than it was worth". And, of course, they would be happy to sell me a new machine. I had nothing to lose by trying to fix it myself. Your video greatly helped me diagnose and fix the problem.

Thank you. Yes, we pay a fortune in South Africa for these repairs. Nice and clear explanation. Have a great day!

Man, 2020 and a near decade old video still is saving me a sewing machine!

You saved my $90 and it took less than 10 min! Thanks

Thanks. This saves me a trip to the creeps that sold me my machine, which goes out of timing when I sew several layers. They threatened to void the warranty if I tried to fix the machine myself. I spit on their graves! I gave the sewing machine to my daughter, as well as a link to this clip. Too good.

Nils...the video you put together on how to repair the hook timing was invaluable to me. I may not have needed to do any repairs on my machine but you showed me that it's pretty easy to take the bottom of my machine and when I did...oh brother! I found 30 years of fuzzy stuff in a humongous ball of fluff so I was able to save myself $100 on cleaning costs. Many thanks for enlightening me!

this is the clearest video on timing I've found--thanks!

Thank you for this video. It helped me with my timing issue,saved me roughly $60 bucks and a trip to the sewing repair shop.

I wanted to personally thank you for saving my sewing machines life!!! I spent hours {and I mean I was up until 5 am!!} freaking out because the thread would not catch! Lets just say I was already surfing ebay for a new one because there's no way I'm spending 100 bucks to fix a machine I bought for 100 bucks lol. Anyways..although my machine was a little different in its set up...I was able to adjust that lever deal and walla my thread is catching!! Thank you so much!! I seriously feel like hugging you right now!

Honestly, thank you SO MUCH. I was working on creating a gown of my own design when my mom's sewing machine stopped grabbing the thread. I am no mechanic but I watched your video, and that's what led me to the broken gear!! Now we can buy a replacement and not only did you save my family a ton of stress, but you also saved my parents a ton of money too. Thanks again!!

Very clear video showing how the hook mechanism functions. Understanding this theory would work on most any model, you did a great job explaining without taking forever to get to the point.

You sir, deserve a beer. Thank you. I going to be able to fix my 1918 singer myself.

Great job. You provided just what I needed: A clear understanding of the relationship between the needle position and the shuttle. I was able to fix my wife's Singer 347.

You're a life saver!!! Your video helped me figure out my problem. Now my students can have their Christmas headbands!! Blessings!

Absewlutely GLORIOUS timing to have found this faith-restoring video! Blessings and heartfelt "THANKS" to you for such a seamless presentation - WOOHOOooooo let the quilting resume!!

Thanks. I am in lock down due to corona virus and sewing is keeping me sane. My sewing machine suddenly would not work and I spent hours trying to fix it cos no repairers are open. Was despairing until I found your video. You helped me!

Thanks a billion for posting this video. Our nearest sewing machine repairman is a 100 mile drive round trip. Not only did you save us a repair bill but the trip and days of waiting before the repairman gets to work on our machine.

This was a really good insight! I'm sure your wife is very happy. Thank you for sharing.

Cheapskates unite! Your video just saved me $150. ( Repair shop inside JoAnn fabric wanted $150 just to look at it. ) Momma is happy and I get a steak dinner! Thanks man!

Thank you so much for posting this video! I was able to fix my machine very quickly with the help of the video, and you have saved me a fortune in repair fees! I also have a second machine with a similar problem which I was about to send off for repair - but I'm going to tackle it myself now!

Thank you so much for posting this! I bought a used machine off eBay for my daughter to use and told her that if she could fix it, it would be hers. The machine wouldn't pick up the bobbin thread at all. After looking at your video, she opened the machine, worked her magic, and got it working like new! Thank you!!! She thanks you too :)

Thank you so much! Our repair store is closed due to COVID-19. I am making scrub caps and masks for nurses, including my daughter. This worked! God Bless You for taking the time to help others.

I wish I would have found your video yesterday. I took my machine to the shop to have the timing adjusted for skipping stitches. I was too specific in my search for timing a sewing machine. (specific model) There are other areas of the needle rotation that need to be checked, so if this didn't work, I am confident you would have checked those also. Great video!

Great "How To"!!! Was just about to give up when I found this!!! Thanks for the closeups!

Thank you very much man. Watched this video and fixed Brother innov-is NV -180. My wife is happy and so is the home.

Thanks for helping me fix my mother-in-laws Elna 6000 sewing machine! Legend!

I watched your video as I was having a problem with the bobbin not catching the thread which lead to big gaps in my stitching. I followed your instructions and now my machine is working perfectly. This saved me money and the time it would have taken getting it repaired. So simple! Thankyou so much!

WOW - Thank you SO much. Have watched several videos...that tell you how to oil and clean then tell you that a pro needs to service it periodically! This timing issue is what I have...and you helped me SO much! Thank you!

This video actually showed me how to fix my machine. A totally different make and model.

Omg!!! Thank you so so much for this video. Had been struggling for the past few days to fix my sewing machine. We have the exact same machine with the exact same problem! Thank you!!!

Awesome. Can't wait to try it on the two sewing machines that I have had this problem with!!! Thanks so much for showing us it is simple.

Thank you so much! I've not sewn for a year because my machine needed maintenance, and I knew it was going to cost around $70. I love being able to fix my own machine. Thank you!

Thank you so much!! Wev'e ours in and in no time its not picking up again. My husband is very handy so your video will really really helped him, he will work on it tomorrow.

Thank you so much for posting this! I had to take apart my whole machine in order to get to that specific part, but it saved me $150 in the long run!

Outstanding! I use a Singer 9410, basically the same as this one but a few less stitches. I have no problems with it yet, but when the timing goes out, I'll now know what to do. And thanks for the great close-ups and explanations.

Thank you so much for your video! It helped my husband fix my sewing machine today and now I can finish my projects! Thank you for sharing:)

Awesome tutorial I've been everywhere looking for a new sewing machine no luck but you are the best. Every little detailed stepped you did solved my issue. Thanks a bunch.

Just what I needed! Simple and to the point where I could easily understand..thanks so much!!!

the joy i experienced seeing you with my exact same sewing machine… amazing

Hi from Ireland! I nearly gave up and was going to pay someone to fix it. Saw this video and rummaged the partner's toolbox and it's fixed thanks to you!!!

I recently paid $175.00 to have my Singer Touch and Sew machine timed. Much to my dismay, the first time I used it, I messed up the timing when I attempted to sew through some thick fabric, bending the needle. First I had to adjust the needle height (took me awhile) then I followed the steps in the video. Thank God!!! I totally fixed it myself!!! Sews perfectly!!! Thank You sooooo much!!!

A super video demonstrating the basics of setting timing on standard sewing machine. I have used the principle demonstrated on your video to adjust timing on my industrial Pfaff sewing machine to stitch leather. Your video has saved me time and money. Not only that but now I can adjust timing on my sewing machines in future. Thanks a lot for video demo. Cheers

Thank for this video. I was not sure if that's what I needed to adjust to put it back in time. Worked like a charm.

You are wonderful...just wonderful! The timing was "off" on my Singer Sewing Machine, and I was going to have to ship it off to my "nearest" Singer repair center. After watching your video, my machine is REPAIRED! You saved me time and money...thank you so much!

How can anyone give a thumbs down for this video? Oh, I know why 😄 because sewing machine repair shops don't want people learning how to fix their machines 😉. Brilliant tutorial, I hope you make other vids, you're really easy to listen to and you don't do all those irritating things other you tubers do. I bet your partner is so happy to have you around.

thank you i love that you were simple and the video was on point. you never rambled on conversation. the cheap in you that you mentioned is the expensive we save. my machine is up and running because of you...your the best....

I was freaking out because my sewing machine is my life and I cant afford to fix it right now. This was exactly what i was looking for thank you soooooo much!!!!

I was almost at the verge of losing hope to fix the Janome sewing machine. You just couldn't imagine how helpful your video is. Thank you, brother! Lots of love from the Philippines!

Thanks for submitting this video. I have been trying to find good you tube videos to help me reset the timing on my Singer machine to pick up the bobbin thread and until I found your video was out of luck. I followed your instructions and fixed my machine in minutes. THANK YOU.

That is amazing! I can't understand how the set screws would come loose to change the timing but it did for me also. Although they were sooo tight that I wasn't sure if that was the problem or if it would solve it. But after my needle kept getting a tiny hook bent on the end then it finally jammed up by hitting the bobbin cage hook. I couldn't go any further. Your detailed video of the needle and cage position was very helpful. I wouldn't have known where to set it without it. Many thanks!!!

I picked up a cheap old Pfaff that I decided to try to restore. It is more of an experiment than anything. In loosening screws, I loosened the screw that controls the timing. I thought I might have to scrap my project and sell it for parts but I think this video will help immensely.

Thanks so much for posting this - I just fixed my machine when I was ready to throw it out the window thanks to you - YAY! I reckon it runs even better than before now...

Great insight! I hadn't noticed those on mine so hopefully this info will save people some time. :)

Mr. Nils, YOU ARE A HERO!!!! What a good man you are and THANK YOU for this video!!!!!

I had to get my sewing machine to a shop repair and they charge me $100 for a loop and stitch problems. They did nothing other that bla.. bla.. to me, fortunately I found you video and I was able to fix the problem myself. THANKS A LOT MY FRIEND.!!! Hope all the people were nice and honest like you.

Thanks to the OP and to Nigel as well, I have 5 sewing machines I have been given as gifts, and a Singer, a Bernetta and a White all have timing issues. Thank you for the information, I was hoping I would not have to take them in.

Great video! a timing guideline: Time hook passes 1mm above the upwarding needle eye.

This actually got my machine fixed!! But bro, for the record, you already had me at "I am a cheapskate" ❤❤❤

I am the senior technician at a sears repair facility recently put in charge of sewing machine repairs and you know more about them then i do,,,,,,,,,,,,I specialize in kemore canister vaccums,,and microwaves,,,I am studing everything i can on these things, i am looking at fifteen for monday and ten for tuesday and so on,,,with a three day turnaround gurantee,,so I am in for it this week coming up,,Thanks a bunch for this video,,,,We have a 40 dollar looksie charge,,,,your guy has a ninety one

Thanks! I was able to fix my machine after watching this! I just wanted to add that I had to loosen the screws (there were 2 on my machine) on the bushing, adjust the hook to meet the needle at the right time, and then re-tighten the screws. Without re-tightening the screws connecting to the bushing the shuttle would get loose and no longer turn at all with the needle. Also, your drive shaft, bushing, and shuttle were MUCH easier to access than on my machine, but I managed to figure out how to get to the parts without TOTALLY dismantling my machine. Other than that, this was a great help. I have the Singer Fashion Mate 7256, for anyone else trying to fix a similar model.

Wow! This really looks like what has happened to the Singer Curvy sewing machine I have. After having threads jam up on the machine. The machine quit catching the thread. You my friend may have answered my problem with your video. Thanks

Excellent that you've shared this. I've had problems with my sewing machine and you've described the symptoms and solution perfectly. Many thanks you've saved me money too :))))

I've got an old brother that I will be attempting this on, and I thank you for this video because even wiki didn't have helpful pictures! The bobbin case/hook is literally almost backwards where the needle enters and snacks the side of the case 😱 it's been "fixed" twice before for $50 each time for a "dog feed timing" but even I knew that wasn't the issue. Wish me luck!

Good job, it worked the first time. Had a hard time trying to time hook on my own.

Thank you! I fixed the timing on my Kenmore last night.What a huge help!

Thanks! I wasn't going to pay 99 bucks AGAIN so was thinking of buying a new machine! Your awesome

Thank you for posting this. My 25 year old singer (looks to be a very similar model) broke in the middle of shortening my daughter's prom dress - Argh! - and of course prom is less than a week away. The timing had been a little suspicious for some time, but today something finally caught, dragging the slightly stretchy hem into the machine (ouch!) and wrenching it out, I heard something move. Sure enough, the upper thread wouldn't catch anymore and there wasn't really time to drag it to the shop so close to the event. I started taking it apart (being an engineer), but was in a hurry to just get it done rather than explore the inner workings of my machine. It took me longer to find where my husband hid the allen wrenches than it did to adjust the timing and get it back in working order after seeing about half the video. The prom dress is done. Yay! I couldn't have driven it to the shop that fast.

Thanks Bro... The timing gear screws worked loose on my Janome. Thanks to your video I was able to reset the timing and tighten up the screws. You're a rock star :D

Thank you so much! I am having the same problem with a Singer Stylist, and this video clearly explains what to check, and maybe even how to fix it.

Although I don't have the same year of this machine this was so helpful. Better than those other videos! Hopefully I'm as lucky as you!!

I haven't tried it yet, but sure you saved a life. Rt hanks for not making it complexed. I just suscribed

Wanted to tell you my wife's machine had the same problem so I was glad to find this video. Her machine is a bit different and had two allen screws but I was able to loosen them and adjust the gear just a bit. That's all it took and now she is sewing again. They wanted a $120.00 just to look at it so we saved some money. Thank you!

Thank you! People need to be more into DIY, home appliances usually quit working due to maintenance issues! Too many people blame the machine for being a POS and will throw it away before looking into the problem. I find this all the time with old washer and dryers. With dryers people get frustrated when they don't dry fast enough. They will try another used dryer and have the same problem. What they don't know is the dryer works great and that the vent is clogged with lint! Now I am into new technology and electronics, but I have to say old appliances wear made to be repaired! New appliances seem to be made to be replaced when they break! Thank you for your help!!!

Thank you, this video helped solve my problem and save money too. To all the critics, he clearly said he is not an expert. Stop bashing.

Thanks for the help! Great video on how the everything works below the machine, very clear. Used your instruction to fix two sewing machines!!

OMG, I watched this video and was able to fix my problem. You saved me at least $75- the cost for a repairman to just look at it. I was dreading taking my machine in- THANKS!!!

This video was very informative and helped me correct the issue. Thank you for doing it. I did not even know before how it really all worked in tandem. I never did have to change the set screw adjustment. Just cleaning and oiling....but thanks for the heads up that themachine could really only need just that, that the set screw might never need to be adjusted Keep up the good work and I will keep with yearly and monthly tune ups. I am a cheapskate too. The repair place wanted $70

Ohmigosh! Thank you so much. I've been searching around the Internet for about an hour and you have saved me a lot of money!

Thank you! I will try & fix my timing, it looks just like my issue! I’m so happy I luck out like you. God bless you!

Thanks so much for the video! I have a Singer Confidence 7363 and there were 2 set screws that needed to be loosened in order to adjust the timing.

Thank you most videos show this without the thread.

This was so easy thank you!!! My machine is a whole lot different than yours but I was still able to figure it out and have it fixed within a few minutes of getting the outer casing off. Thank you!!!!

thank you so much for this video.my handy husband is gonna be so happy that he gets to save $100 on repairs for each of my old singers.i have 3 with the same trouble.just sewing along one day then a fabric mash up happens when i clear the fabric out the machines are all out of whack! Thanks again and thank you wife for loaning out her guy for this video!

Superb mate. Had the mrs machine retimed in 10 mins. We had a broken gear wheel but I followed your timing instructions.

Thanks so much for your video. I, like you, do not like to pay to fix stuff that I can do myself. Your research and video helped me fix my machine in about 10 minutes.

Dude. See, you truly are a movie star and a fine mechanic at that. You have empowered me!

After working on one of my machine got a little over 10 hours I figured it was the timing and I went through videos until I came across a video from Sew City and I followed it to a T in about 2 minutes and it works like a charm thank God for that man 👨 I hope I’ll never have to do my computerized machine but there will be a video for that also lol happy 😃 sewing 🧵

I'm not sure I understood what you're asking but in my case, turning the shaft turns the gears as well. The set screw(s) determines where the gear connects to the shaft on the rotation. Once the set screw is tightened, turning the shaft should turn the gears. Good luck with the fix!

Well unbelievable it worked and if I hadn't seen your video this was going to the curb , thank you !

Hey Joan, Great question. In the video, I happened to luck out with the positioning but one of the commenters, Nigel Chapman, suggested there might be some lines that could be used to line things up. Please see the description and hopefully it will be of some help. Good luck!

Hi Nils I pay special attention to the sequence showing the hooking because it also shows the timing of the feed mechanism. My need is to rebuild both timings. One hook gear broke in parts and the jam-blocking damaged the teeth belt. Now I'm done replacing the gear, about to replace the belt and adjust it all. Your 2:57 3:40 sequence is exactly what I need to do this. Moreover, nice video definition! Thanks!

awesome. i just fixed my wife's spare machine thanks to your tutorial. she has a kenmore and it had a little more under the hood, so to speak, and the gear had two set screws. i loosened both and rotated slightly and it works perfectly now. i first made sure i knew the direction i had to adjust the gear and after i moved it a little i relaized i didn't really know how much. i was lucky but i suggest for anyone else to maybe use a sharpie to mark the current alignment, in case you need to reset.

Thank you ever so much! I have a singer fashion mate 7256 and I had the same issue and they wanted me to pay 100.00 bucks I researched for you and your information now mt machine is working thanks so.. much!!

Thanks for the video. My mother's machine was skipping stitches. With your video and some trial and error, I fixed it...and I didn't know how to use a sewing machine.

Thank you...I knew nothing about sewing machines and watched this video and I fixed it!