Singer Model 15 - Stitching Help?

[artinhappiness]

Ok, so I figured out the threading, and I've quadruple checked it to three sets of diagrams. I'm almost positive it's threaded right - but....

Now I can't sew with it. It's not actually forming stitches. I'm using two colors of thread so I can identify which side is going haywire, and all I can say is it's both. The top thread breaks within a few passes of the needle - I've played with the tension discs to no change. The bobbin thread is lucky to pass through the fabric once halfway and then the needle loses it.

I've double checked the installation of the needle (in fact I replaced it thinking the old rusty needle was part of the original cause), and it's correct according to the manual.

Any suggestions as to what it could be from here? I'm a total sewing newbie, and this machine is at least 10% smarter than I feel at the moment.

[orangefoot]

When you put the bobbin in and start to sew, have you put the needle down in to the bobbin to pull the bobbin thread up first? Pull a good length of thread through the needle and hold on to it then turn the handwheel towards you so that the needle goes down and comes back up again. On the up it should pull the bobbin thread with it which you can catch and lay to the back of the needle ready to sew.

The machine won't make stitches if the bobbin thread has not first been pulled up onto the machine top.

Usually if the needle thread breaks it is because it is too tight. Have you cleaned between the tension discs? Loosen off the spring then pull the discs apart a bit to see if there is any gunk in there or old thread.

Is your bobbin in the right way round? It should be in the bobbin holder so that the bobbin turns clockwise when you pull the thread.

[artinhappiness]

I have pulled the bobbin thread up with the needle, and it seems to be ok. I'll try to clean between the discs - I've noticed the machine in general has a good bit of grime in it. Would oiling it help? I have some machine oil, but I don't know where o how much to apply.

Originally Posted by orangefoot

When you put the bobbin in and start to sew, have you put the needle down in to the bobbin to pull the bobbin thread up first? Pull a good length of thread through the needle and hold on to it then turn the handwheel towards you so that the needle goes down and comes back up again. On the up it should pull the bobbin thread with it which you can catch and lay to the back of the needle ready to sew.

The machine won't make stitches if the bobbin thread has not first been pulled up onto the machine top.

Usually if the needle thread breaks it is because it is too tight. Have you cleaned between the tension discs? Loosen off the spring then pull the discs apart a bit to see if there is any gunk in there or old thread.

Is your bobbin in the right way round? It should be in the bobbin holder so that the bobbin turns clockwise when you pull the thread.

[artinhappiness]

I fixed it! :

I'm not entirely sure what I did, but it seems to be a combination of loosening the bobbin tension a touch, loosening the top tension a ton (it's only set on 2 right now, and before that seemed far too loose), and the fact that I guess either I have the wrong manual for my machine, or the 15 and 15-91 had one major difference - which direction the needle is threaded from. I swapped that on a whim and discovered the stitch regulating thumb screw, and now she's stitching well.

Thanks for the all the help orangefoot!

[orangefoot]

Good news: As for the advice, you're most welcome. Sometimes just talking about it keeps you motivated to keep trying even if the advice doesn't really help!