Wanna help me buy a sewing machine?

[annettemarie]

I've had it with my old machine. I bought it about ten years ago, used. It's a Riccar, and it's never really worked. The top thread breaks (but sometimes it doesn't), the bobbin thread gets knotted with the top thread, and something keeps tearing my fabric. I've had it serviced, and they say it's a great machine. But it isn't a great machine. It sucks.

Anyway, I have about $100 or so to spend, and was wondering if any of these machines on Overstock.com would be good for me. I don't need a workhorse. I'm not running a business or doing industrial sewing. I just want to make pants for my boys and jumpers for my daughter and skirts for me.

Any other suggestions would be cheerfully accepted as well.

[AprilDaisy]

Oh, thank you for the link! A sewing machine has been in DDs and I's list for awhile now. I don't have any suggestions as to me, a sewing machine that does it's job is the one for me, lol. I'll keep an eye on this thread though.

[Dahlea]

The mini ones are all a waste of money. Don't bother with those. I've not heard of Rex or Yamata brands. I have a Brother, I don't particularly care for it, BUT it was cheap (under $100) and has lasted me for 3 years now. I'd suggest one of the Brothers on the page-probably a new one rather than refurbished.

[WC_hapamama]

Are you threading the Riccar properly? The problems you're describing are those that would be encountered when you have the machine threaded incorrectly and the bobbin case isn't threaded correctly... or it could be as simple as your bobbin not being wound evenly.

I've heard of Rex and Yamata... until fairly recently, most of their sewing machines sold in the US were industrial ones.

If you're absolutely fed up with your machine, your best bet to take your Riccar back to a sewing machine shop and use it as a trade-in towards a new/used machine. If you don't want to do that, you can probably get a good, vintage Singer. Popular vintage Singers are the 200 - 500 series machines. Other good used machines are Necchis, Vikings, Pfaff's and Berninas.

I wouldn't waste my time with a cheapo Brother, Singer or Euro Pro. Even for just the occasional seamstress, they're more frustration than the savings money wise is worth.

[annettemarie]

I'm 99% sure I'm threading it properly. Do you think if I took it in, they would show me and not laugh me out of the store?

And is it a decent machine? I've never really seen them anywhere, whereas Singer and Brother's are names I hear all the time.

I'd like to keep this one if I can. I certainly have other places I could drop a hundred bucks. Thanks for your help!

[MamaGlow]

I would think they would be happy to show you-- and not laugh! (call first and see when a 'non-busy' time is when someone could spare a few minutes for you)
think of it-- if they can get you sewing again, you just may consider them for fabric, notions, etc...

you may want to call ahead and check though; they may not offer that service if you didn't buy it there... never hurts to call and ask!

good luck!

[WC_hapamama]

Do you have a manual for the machine? Every sewing machine manual I've seen has the threading diagrams and bobbin loading instructions in it.

Riccar is the top Japanese sewing machine brand, with a reputation for good machines. Definitely better than the cheapo Brothers and Singers. If I recall correctly, they make the Bernette line of sewing machines for Bernina, as well as some of the entry level Necchis.

Which model machine is it?

If it tells you anything, many sewing machine repair people won't even service the cheapo Brothers and Singers from places like Target or Walmart.

[annettemarie]

I have the manual, and I'm pretty sure I'm doing it right. I also did costuming in college, so I'm remembering how to thread a machine from there. Granted, it was 15 years ago. And maybe there's a trick to it that I'm missing. I'm not great with diagrams.

The model is a 650.

If it's a good machine, I'll stick with it. I had it serviced in the spring, and this was the first time I've tried to use it. I'm just so frustrated that the same thing keeps happening.

[retro.mama]

I'd do a little sleuthing before I took it into the repair shop. When's the last time you cleaned and oiled the machine or changed the needle? Is your thread a little on the old side or not the right weight for your fabric? It is so easy to not think of these things when all you can think about is launching your machine in a catapult (been there a few too many times).

Thread breaks are usually an easy to fix problem. Start with taking the thread and bobbin out, clean out the lint, and oil the right spots (should say in manual). Make sure you really get into those tension discs (or if you are adventurous, take the tension knob apart and clean each piece). Next, put in a new needle (I suggest Schmetz, the no name brands can have slightly bent needles). Rethread with high quality thread. Many people have no problems with cheap thread, but since this is one of the issues, I'd spend the $3 and get a good name. Wind a fresh bobbin with the same thread and rethread your machine according to the manual. Make sure you tension is set correctly and give it a quick sewing test with scrap material that is appropriate to your thread and needle.

I hope this helps.

[annettemarie]

I just had the whole thing serviced a few months ago, and this is the first time I've tried to use it. The thread is from Joanne's (it was all different colors with matching bobbins in a case).

I'll try your suggestions. Wish me luck!

[retro.mama]

Hmmm....If you just had it serviced, and they didn't report any non-repairable problems, then it sounds more like a thread issue somewhere. And luckily you don't need to spend the time cleaning and oiling.

Good luck! If it doesn't work, let us know. There's always something to try.

[retro.mama]

Wait!!!! I think I might have figured it out!!! Are you using the bobbins that came in that thread case? Bobbins are not interchangeable. Your machine needs a special bobbin; it looks like this. Does that look like what you are using?

[annettemarie]

Originally Posted by retro.mama

Wait!!!! I think I might have figured it out!!! Are you using the bobbins that came in that thread case? Bobbins are not interchangeable. Your machine needs a special bobbin; it looks like this. Does that look like what you are using?

Nope. I was using the little plastic ones that came with the Joanne stuff. You may just be my new hero. :

[retro.mama]

Originally Posted by annettemarie

Nope. I was using the little plastic ones that came with the Joanne stuff. You may just be my new hero. :

You just made my day.

[NoliMum]

Aw, this thread has such a happy ending.