sewing machine troubleshooting

Penelope_Penguin

As this has fallen from the front page of OS, I'll add it to the existing sewing machine troubleshooting thread.

Penny. x

misskool

We bought an old-fashioned singer sewing machine (with a hand crank). Was told by the shop (charity) that it was in working condition.

So I dust it off today to make a simple carrier bag holder and it's not working right.

The thread from the needle bit isn't catching the bobbin thread and creating a big messy pile of thread. It seems like the stitch is too long and I've increased the tension and reduced the stitch length.

What else can it be??

Help please

wogglemaker

Have a look around the bobbin, Thinking back to the one I had ages ago there is a tensioner for the bobbin as well as the thread on the top

Hope that helps

woggle

Penelope_Penguin

misskool wrote: »

What else can it be??

Help please

Sounds like a tension problem to me, too.

I Googles "sewing machine troubleshooting" and got lots of hits does this help

Penny. x

luxor4t

Does it have the right size needle? i was sold the wrong kind (many years ago) & the stitching was like shag-pile carpet!

valk_scot

Time for a new needle? In my experience with sewing machines (40+ years) at least half the problems can be solved with a nice new sharp unbent needle.

Half of the rest can be solved with a good clean, to get lumps of fluff off, and some oil. Any fluff in the bobbin case or bobbin case race will cause it to skip stitches.

Then, more specific to your problem....check the spool thread is correctly in place, through the case slot (if it's a round bobbin) or laid correctly along the bobbin case if it has a boat race shuttle (for long bobbins.) Are you lifting the long tail of the lower thread up on your first stitch and bringing it to above your feed plate? Leaving it under the feed plate will cause thread to bunch up. If the bottom thread feels as if it's not running freely when you pull it with your fingers there is a lower thread tensioner on the side of the bobbin case. Try turning it a quarter turn (which way is dependant on your specific machine) to see if the thread pulls more freely.
If it's still not right, set your stitch length to medium and play with the top tension only. Trying to fiddle with two adjustments at once gets too confusing.

Other possibles...you're trying to stitch through too many layers of fabric: your feed dogs are down: your upper thread is not threaded correctly/through the tensioning device: you are stitching through pins: you are holding the fabric and not allowing it to feed through.

If it's none of the above, get back to me! What brand and model is it, do you know? Old hand cranked Singers will have a serial number under the metal base. There are lists of these serial numbers on the singer website and you can trace your machine via the list, which can be fun.

Butterfly_Brain

I have one of these and I think it is a bobbin problem too try this site and you can download some of the old manuals
http://www.singerco.com/accessories/manuals.html#

misskool

Thank you! I've got the thread stopping clumping by adjusting the pressure and actually threading it correctly (I didn't thread it through a pressure screw).

Except now the bobbin thread isn't being picked up by the needle thread.

And how do I know what is the right sort of needle to buy? I thought this was going to be a quick easy saturday afternoon project :rotfl:

valk_scot

misskool wrote: »

And how do I know what is the right sort of needle to buy? I thought this was going to be a quick easy saturday afternoon project :rotfl:

Sewing machine needles are pretty standard fitting. Take the old one out and take it with you to the supplier and they should confirm the type. As to the exact needle you should get one to suit the fabric you're sewing (light, med, heavy), use a ballpoint needle for knitted jersey or strtchy fabrics and if sewing a specialist fabric like denim or leather you should use a specialist needle. Best practice is to use a new needle per project, then you'll be sure your needle is appropriate for the fabric.

misskool

well, in the process of moving the machine I dropped it and broke the hand crank

Might handsew the first project while deciding what to do