Help with my sewing machine

tryingtobethrifty

Hi,

I hope this is the right place to post, and apologise if it isn't.

You have inspired me to make my Christmas presents this year, so I got my sewing machine out. However, it seems to have a problem when I sew slowly it works okay, but when I speed up the thread comes out of the needle or snaps. And other times it doesn't seem to pick up the bottom thread. Sometimes if I pull the thread it comes through smoothly but other times it seems to feel tight. Sorry I haven't explained it well.
Does anyone have any idea what this is?

Please help, I have a gorgeous sewing book with lots of lovely patterns crying out to be used.

Thanks for your help x

tanith

Sounds like you need to adjust your tensions or its not threaded properly but a bit difficult to tell you what to do without seeing it.. have you not got a manual for the machine? You could try googling the machine and see if there is an online manual

tryingtobethrifty

Thanks Tanith, I can't find the manual online - it's just a wee E&R classic. I've taken to a friend who checked the tension and it stitches better now but still pulls the tread out when it's sewing fast. It feels like it sometimes gets stuck when half way through the threading but I've no idea how to fix that.

Do you think it would be worthwhile taking it to someone and/or maybe getting it serviced? I just want to learn to sew and feel very sad seeing it sitting in the corner...

Finefoot

Are you sure you have the correct size bobbin?

MrsCrafty

On a couple of machines I use the tension is usually around the 5 mark (if it's one to ten) if you are sewing bog standard cotton.

tryingtobethrifty

I'm using the metal one that came with it, but I'll try the other (plastic) one in the morning. I didn't know they were different sizes - I'm that much of a novice. Thank you Finefoot. And I'll put the tension to 5, thanks Mrs Crafty. I'm quite excited now and hope it works but DH will not be happy if I wake him up sewing at this time of night

rufusdog52

If your thread breaks while sewing make sure you have the foot raised when you rethread the machine as if the foot is down it can upset the tension.

tanith

It sounds more likely that you are threading it wrong it then gets caught sometimes and breaks the thread, is it the bottom (bobbin) thread that breaks or the top (reel) thread?

tryingtobethrifty

It's the top reel thread that breaks. I'm going now to try all the suggestions (thanks everyone). I'll let you know how I get on.

Limara

tryingtobethrifty wrote: »

It's the top reel thread that breaks. I'm going now to try all the suggestions (thanks everyone). I'll let you know how I get on.

are you using a decent thread a lot of machine really dislike cheap threads and it doesnt matter what you do the machine will never stitch it!, if its breaking on a faster stitch its either the quality of the thread or
have you had a needle break? if so it could be you have a tiny burr in your bobbin raceway.

tryingtobethrifty

Hi Limara, I did have a needle break and the machine was working before that. What is a burr in the bobbin raceway? Thanks