Question from a newbie re: machine stiching incorrectly

[Earth Angel]

Hi There

I'm a sorta newbie sewer returning to sewing after a few yrs off. I have a treadle machine from the 1800s...that I LOVE!! But...it isn't sewing correctly...even though it used to sew fine.
It is sewing correctly on the top of the fabric, but on the bottom, the thread is all looped and bunched up. It is also not really using the bobbin (I used 2 different colors of thread to see whats up). There is no thread from the bobbin coming out, it is all from the needle.
I don't know if anyone can help from this description of the problem. I don't know enough to know if I am doing something wrong, or in the machine is not working correctly...KWIM???

Anyway....TIA for any help anyone can give

[shalena]

I'd love an old machine like that!

First off, have you tried rethreading your machine? Sometimes the needle thread will slip out of the take-up bar and cause the loopy mess you are talking about. You can also double check and make sure your throat plate is seated properly.

I don't know if I'll be much help. Good luck with your machine.

[Earth Angel]

Hi shalena!! Thanks for the reply

I do love this machine...its so beautiful and used to work so well...then this started happening.

Please help me a bit more and define what the "take up bar" is and the "throat plate"...see I'm really a newbie

[shalena]

The throat plate covers the area that holds the bobbin. The take up bar is the little bar that moves your thread up and down with each stitch, sometimes it will have a little hole in the end, or a hook.

You can also make sure your needle is at the highest point before strating to stitch. I have a new machine and have the loopy problem often because of this.

[fek&fuzz]

Things I try when my machine does that:

Adjust the tension on top, see what happens. Adjust tension on bobbin (there is a little screw on the bobbin holder) and see what happens. Usually adjusting the top one works.

Rethreading, and make sure the same kind of thread is in bobbin and thread (I get lazy sometimes and use 2 different kinds of thread and that effects the stiches.)

You could also try oiling the machine.

[Earth Angel]

thanks guys ...I'll try these things and see if they work. I have adjusted the top tension and that is what helped the top stich....it wasn't really working at all till I did this.

It sounds like though that this is a common problem and that it is most likely not my machine??? Hope so......I really don't want a regular machine....I LOVE the treadle

[Hera]

No help, but I just inherited a treadle machine from the 1880's! Household Sewing Machine is the name, I think. I thought I'd hijack your thread to ask you if you know how to get replacement belts for them?

Do you have the bobbin in backwards? Sometimes that happens...

[Earth Angel]

You know what...I have been thinking that, but it only fits in the way I have it....so who knows. I have been trying to find a manual for my sewing machine but haven't had any luck...any ideas???

You can get replacement belts from your local sewing machine shop (ours is a sewing machine and vacum shop and they guy knows all about these machines....I just don't want to transport mine to have him take a look at it...unless I REALLY have to)

They are also on line. When I was looking around for my treadle I found a discussion group specifically for treadles. I haven't yet had time to look for it again...but we both might find some help from that . They shouldn't be too hard to find though....pretty sure I remember seeing replacement belts on ebay too