Sewing machine ques

[Summertime Mommy]

I am hoping someone can help me fix my sewing machine. DS was messing w/ it this morning and I don't know what he did, but now every time I try to sew the thread gets caught in the bottom part(dont know the name) and the fabric sticks there. So I end up w/ a big knot. I have rethreaded the entire machine and it still isn't working. What the heck is wrong with it? Please help! It is a cheapy singer machine, but I dot know the model.

[Kari_mom]

Did you rethread the bobbin? Also check for any loose threads while you are in there. Darn kids! Come back if you need more ideas.

[AinNJ]

jeez it could be a few things...

you already un- and re-threaded it, right? are you POSITIVE it's threaded correctly? most of the time, jamming of the thread is from improper threading (at least for me ).

i'd also pull the bobbin out and make sure nothing is lurking in there. if it's in backwards (or upside down LOL) you'll have problems.

if your needle is loose, you can get jammed up too. make sure that your needle is in there all the way.

um... that's all i can think of. maybe tension?

[Summertime Mommy]

Okay, I rethreaded it again and now I think I may have done something to it. Now when I move the needle up and down the feed hits the needle plate and the needle in turn stops moving. There is a Singer store in my area, do you think I should just take it there? Do you guys have any other advice?

[AinNJ]

is the needle hitting the plate? maybe it's bent? i'd try a new needle...

[SEEPAE]

what kind of machine do you have(date and model)?

[Kari_mom]

Eeeeks! No help but sympathy....

[jmreinke]

kari mom: That is the funniest sig I've seen in a long time!! :LOL


To the OP: no help here. When that happened (on my very old and yucky machine) I just bought a new one. I'm sure you won't have to do that.

Is there a vacuum and sewing repair shop near you. They are usually good at fixing stuff like that.

[Kari_mom]

[QUOTE=jmreinke]kari mom: That is the funniest sig I've seen in a long time!! :LOL [QUOTE]

Why thank you ma'am, I appreciate that. I figured if I couldn't be profound, I would be whimsical. Glad you enjoyed it.

Summertime mommy, any updates?

[Summertime Mommy]

no updates, I got the stupid thing working to the point that it was before I started messing with it, but it still doesn't work. The website says to rethread the machine and it will start working again, but it isn't working :S So, I think I am just going to take it in to the Singer store and see what they can do, or wait till Saturday when dh is home and see if he can figure it out. This is so frustrating. I finally get motivated to start sewing and the stupid thing stops working. I'm sure it is something silly too, but I just can't figure it out.

[Kari_mom]

One more thought. Did you check the tension? That is the dial that my kids go for when I'm not looking.

Otherwise, s again. It is so frustrating. What were you trying to make?

[rubelin]

If it isn't the tension (my kid also messes with that first!), you put a new needle in and it's still hitting the plate, he night have either thrown it out of timing or bent the needle shaft. Either way, it looks like you might have to take it in for service.

And a word to those considering getting a cheapy Singer, please don't! You will save a little money and give yourself so many headaches. Look for a vintage Singer on Ebay or a sewing machine store instead.

[ladywolf]

It sounds like a tension issue. It can be the tension on the front of the machine, which controls the tension of the top thread OR there is a screw in the bobbin assembly which controls the tension of the bottom thread. It actually sounds like it is the tension on the bottom thread. First, get an old toothbrush and make sure that the bobbin assembly is cleaned out really well, no loose threads or dust. You did not mention what brand it was, but if it is an older machine, you may wish to add ONE drop of oil to the moving parts. There a screw on the top of the bobbin assembly. Make sure that it is not too loose. It does not need to be tightened down so tight that you cannot move it but it cannot be so loose that it is coming out of the bobbin assembly. The next thing is to make sure that the bobbin is threaded through properly. Now give it a try. Also, if you do not feel up to this, the sewing machine shop down the street should be able to fix it. The can do it with a cleaning of your machine.

[cinnamonamon]

I was having problems similar to this & finally took it in to be serviced -- upon return it started running soooo nicely -- and quieter too! Another thought, I discovered that the coats & clark thread I've been using is crap -- I knew it wasn't top of the line, but I was really surprised to see a big gob on the thread that was too big to fit through the eye of the needle; no wonder the thread kept breaking!

If you get a new machine, make sure the interior has all metal parts. The White (heavy duty) 1418 is a good beginner machine (that's what I have). It is a little over $100. The only problem I have, is that it doesn't have a 3-step zig-zag. If you buy your machine from a sewing shop they usually include lessons... Good luck!

[oohlalabags]

i had the same problem awhile back .. i went through all the steps mentioned and i threw out the whole spool of thread and started with a new and it was like magic ... my MIL says sometimes you just get a bad spool of thread ... give that a shot

[LdyBluNH@aol]

good lord dont use coats & clark thread!!!! its short stapled so it fuzzes more than other threads

[Mollie]

my bets are on that your child messed w/ the tension knob. and, you know you can adjust the bobbin tension too, but there is a little more to that. good luck!

I'll second the motion to get the machine serviced, too! I had an old kenmore for years, and sears would service it for $25, and it was unreal how much better it worked!!

[Hey Mama!]

Originally Posted by LdyBluNH@aol

good lord dont use coats & clark thread!!!! its short stapled so it fuzzes more than other threads

Yeah, I noticed that as well! Fuzz all over my machine.

To the op, I had a problem with a brand new cheapy Singer and I had to take it back and exchange it. My local sewing shop was going to charge $119 to fix it, and it only cost a little more than that to buy! I got a Brother and it works much better. I had the same problem you did-did you totally clean out the bobbin case? I had to take mine completely apart and reassemble it. That worked for a while but the machine later jammed all the way up, I couldn't get the needle to move at all.

Good luck!!