Oh my! Sewing machine won't stitch and my dress is needed for Friday! Please help!

angelpye

Justamum wrote: »

You should use a new needle for every sewing project anyway, and they're cheap enough.

Oh, didn't realise that. Probably makes sense now I think about it but still feels such a waste - its not so much the cost but doesn't really fit with the three R's.
Thanks I will keep that in mind - to be honest I can't remember the last time I changed this needle! Gosh I feel silly - isnt it always the simple things that get you?!

lukiesgirl

So glad its sorted. I would definately get the machine serviced though. I dont think it costs very much and think of all that money you will save making your own clothes!

angelpye

lukiesgirl wrote: »

So glad its sorted. I would definately get the machine serviced though. I dont think it costs very much and think of all that money you will save making your own clothes!

I know! Have a pattern for making a pencil skirt next - very exciting! People say its not cheaper to make your own but I think once you look at the quality and the human cost of third world workers ( yes i know a bit political!) then its worth it. Plus the added bonus of having something original!

mmmm..servicing, where to go? I have been ripped off so many times by services - think I was even ripped off when I bought the machine!

wendy52

When I was looking for someone to service my machine after the place where I had taken it for years closed down I googled for a sewing machine repairer/mechanic in the area where I live.

I found someone who came to the house to carry out the service...I had a friend round for coffee at the same time....who turned out to be the person who had sold the machine to my mum 30 years before!

He did a great job.

I hope that helps,

Wendy

MrsFraggle

angelpye wrote: »

Oh, didn't realise that. Probably makes sense now I think about it but still feels such a waste - its not so much the cost but doesn't really fit with the three R's.
Thanks I will keep that in mind - to be honest I can't remember the last time I changed this needle! Gosh I feel silly - isnt it always the simple things that get you?!

I personally don't agree that a needle needs changing for *every* project, however, if things do start going wrong then yes, its one of the first things to change.

I used to sew a lot of stuff (must get back into it!)- if I changed a needle for every thing I'd have been going through hundreds!

But like I said, I'm not an expert - I like sewing, never said I was good at it , lol

Check out https://www.ottobredesign.com Lovely magazine, very good value for money - there's one for kids and a separate one for women

angelpye

Wendy 52 - thanks, I am just really wary but I suppose I could ring around to get a few quotes and maybe have a friend round - I had an awful experience with a guy who came to give me a quote for my washing machine once!

Mrs Fraggle, I am going to change the needle tonight to see if that helps but yes think I agree with you that I won't be changing every project but probably from now on will be a bit more regular than I have been. I have been so pleased with myself about making this dress that I have remembered why I used to make curtains etc. Its actually very satisfying but I am also not the best at it either! Oh and will look up that magazine - thanks for the tip!

Justamum

MrsFraggle wrote: »

I personally don't agree that a needle needs changing for *every* project, however, if things do start going wrong then yes, its one of the first things to change.

I recently did a sewing course, and the tutor used to be a professional seamstress. She said she can tell just by listening to a sewing machine whether or not it has an old needle in it! As she said, when you think how many times the needle goes in and out when you are making a garment it's a heck of a lot, and it does get blunt. She said that your machine can get damaged if you don't change them regularly.

buxtonrabbitgreen

My dd had been using my old sewing machine and said it wouldn't work. I tried to thread it to sort it out whilst she was at school. I had my most powerful glasses on, and all the lights on and I still coudn't do it. I asked the oh to look and he found there was glue in the eye of the needle which was why I couldn't thread it.
Now I know that is not the problem with yours, but it took me a while to realise why.
She is a bit of a wundaweb fiend and never sews if she can stick. I think she must have sewn through some gluey bit of material.
So always good to change the needle. Especially for me.lol

Mrs_Flittersnoop

angelpye, if your machine is still skipping stitches, do you have the correct size/type of needle for your fabric? There are lots of different types out there now, suited to different thicknesses/types of woven fabrics, and some for stretch fabrics. If you use a stretch needle on cotton for example, or a universal needle on lycra, your machine will skip stitches. Just a thought.

HTH
Mrs Fx

MrsFraggle

Justamum wrote: »

I recently did a sewing course, and the tutor used to be a professional seamstress. She said she can tell just by listening to a sewing machine whether or not it has an old needle in it! As she said, when you think how many times the needle goes in and out when you are making a garment it's a heck of a lot, and it does get blunt. She said that your machine can get damaged if you don't change them regularly.

I only said it was my personal opinion, I agree about changing them regularly when needed, I just wouldn't do it for every garment
Hoping to agree to disagree on this one!