Sewing Machine Help!

BunnieJ

Hi Everyone,

Last September I bought a Hobbycraft Multi Stitch sewing machine as it was on offer (half price £22) and I thought it was a bargain! I'm a novice sewer - the last time I did any sewing was at school - and this looked like a good beginner's sewing machine.

The machine came set up and ready to go (no need to thread needles!), so I started to make a tablecloth by hemming around the four sides of a large offcut of material I bought in the bargain bin of my local haberdashery. I got to the last side and the needle was making holes in the fabric but not putting any thread through. :huh:

After trawling the internet with my OH, watching countless YouTube videos and tutorials and asking my sewing friends, I decided the bobbin thread was not being picked up by the needle and needed to be re-threaded.

The instructions that come with the machine are awful and pretty much useless! The Hobbycraft website isn't any help either! Nobody online seems to know much about this model of machine, so I've been working off of guides for other basic sewing machines.

I need to work out if the item is genuinely faulty and needs to be returned (not sure if I have the reciept...) or if I'm just doing something wrong!

Pic of the sewing machine:





Could anyone here be of help?

It would be much appricated! :hello:

Thanks

suzeesu2000

When you have the needle threaded (as if you're ready to sew), and the bobbin has thread on too and you have the little dangly bit as in your pic......turn the wheel (should be at opposite end to needle and you may have to twist the outer case one way while holding the smaller inner wheel still). This should allow the needle to go down onto the bobbin and make a loop bringing the bobbin thread back up.

If this is not happening, make sure your threads are the same: polyester only or other only. It could also be that your tension needs adjusting.

Hate to be a killjoy but there is usually a reason why something so complex as a sewing machine is £22....

Good luck.

good_advice

Hello from the photo it looks like the thread from the bobbin is not picked up.
Turn the hand wheel on your right for the needle to go down and pick up the bobbin thread. use scissors to pull it to the front so you have x2 threads together. Put the threads behind the needle.
Test for working ok on a scrap on fabric.
Best wishes

suzeesu2000

......have just looked at their website.....

Is it the little one which is now priced at £25?

I have had two similar to this before I could afford anything else, both went back and they were faulty. Sorry to add a further downer

Auntie_Sceb

BunnieJ I hadn't done any sewing since school either - and that wasn't much! I recently bought a John Lewis mini sewing machine for £49 (not sale). It is basic but it is easy to use.

I've managed to sew: Two dog draft excluders (Avatar). Two large envelope cushion covers. An elasticated fishing rod bag and a baby dress. I'm loving it! For now the machine is coping fine though I haven't stressed it too much - I wanted to see how I got on before spending more.

I hope your machine is fine once you work our howget your bobbin thread.

My instructions say turn handle one complete turn counter-clockwise, then pull needle thread to bring up bobbin thread.

BunnieJ

Thanks!

It was originally £45 and is a smallish (not mini) sewing machine. It's called the Hobbycraft Multi Stitch sewing machine.

I didn't want to spend a lot of money as I wanted to practice and get used to sewing before investing in a decent machine. If I gave up after a few attempts (quite like me to start a hobby and give up) then I wouldn't be wasting too much money. I had to travel to two different shops to find it as it was pretty much sold out everywhere due to the bargain price.

As said above, I've followed all the instructions on bringing the thread up, but it's just not working at all! :-(

I haven't changed anything from the way it was set up when I got it (no different types of thread/needle/tension etc) and only used it maybe three or four times before it stopped working.

It almost looks as if there is a bit missing inside (if that makes sense?) When you drop the bobbin into the holder there is nothing to attach the thread to like I have seen on other machines...

theoretica

You are holding onto the end of the needle thread when you rotate the hand wheel?

BunnieJ

Yes I am. I've been trying every tutorial online! ��

BunnieJ

I've managed to find the receipt, which says I bought the sewing machine on 28th August, so 7 months ago. I'm going to try returning it as faulty tomorrow. Hopefully I can return it! :-/

Update:

I returned the sewing machine to my local store (not the original store I purchased from as I have moved house). The store manager took the machine apart and it turns out the part inside the machine that should spin the bobbin around to pick up the thread was damaged. So, nothing I was doing wrong. However, due to it being a different store and being after the 28 day return period they only offered me store credit! :-(

I spent ages watching her trying to fix the machine, but by this point I couldn't be bothered to argue and just took the credit as I often shop in Hobbycraft. I'm sure they could and should have offered me a full refund as the item was faulty, but she insinuated that was my fault!

Unfortunately I couldn't even exchange for a new machine as they only sell that model online now. I'll try and use the credit to by a different machine in store, but their customer service really put me off buying from them again!

Auntie_Sceb

O dear. I think credit is normal after the length of time but I'm not sure what the law is.

Reassuring however to know it wasn't you doing something wrong. I hope you can get another machine. I couldn't find the model you said on line so maybe that is why they can't get it. I'm wondering if they can't replace with same model whether they have to offer you the next model they do have available.

BunnieJ

This is the machine she was trying to sell me:

http://www.hobbycraft.co.uk/brother-sewing-machine-ls14/561344-1000

It does look good, so I may put my store credit towards buying it. However, when you search for '"sewing machine" on their website it comes up as £69.00 instead of £79.00 with a big red £10 off sticker, but click to view the item and it doesn't show any discount! :-(