I hope this is the right place to post a question about my sewing machine... okay, I realize it might not be a fixable problem, as this is a very old second-hand piece o' junk machine (Singer Fashion Mate from 1973) that would cost less to replace it than it would to have it serviced, but wondering if anyone has any ideas. When I sew a zigzag stitch, the bottom/bobbin thread on the underside of the fabric sometimes looks like the letter Y instead of a zigzag. It seems I have problems with bobbin tension, and my thread tensioner is also freaky and doesn't work quite right. But is there something else I'm missing? I fixed one problem that took care of most of the craziness of this machine. There was an invisible crack in the plastic where the thread would get snagged and that was messing things up. Didn't notice until I was sewing with black thread, the thread broke, but left fuzz in that crack and that's how I found it. But I still have this thing with the zigzag not always looking right. It's got to be bobbin tension related, right? and if so, should I tighten or loosen the bobbin thread tension? FWIW, the top zigzag looks perfect, so I never know until after I'm done and turn it over whether the botton looks right or not. Help!
What your describing sounds like a bobbin tension problem to me. I have a Singer creative touch from about 79-80 and never had a bobbin problem. I have had to adjust the top thread tension a good bit. About a year ago this machine stopped sewing anything but a straight stitch and was replaced within a week with another Singer.
Many sewing machine places will do a tune-up for very little money. That may be all it needs. Maybe call someplace and describe the problem and see what the they suggest? I love to sew but I'm a bonehead about sewing machine repair. Side note mamaboogie - do you make diapers? PM me if you do.
I found the user manual... really. amazing, considering the state of clutter in my home. Anyway, it does show me how to adjust bobbin tension, but do I tighten it or loosen it? Or just trial and error and see what happens? I'm not afraid to take the machine apart and put it all back together again. Done that before, because it won't sew straight. Got the presser foot back on straight, and it was perfect until I started sewing, and it went right back to sewing on a diagonal instead. LOL The only place I know of locally that does sewing machine service and repair is way way way too expensive. They want over $100 just to look at it. Forget it, the machine isn't worth that much in the first place! No, I don't make diapers. You really don't want to see my attempts at it. I do have some lovely hemp terry fabric that I have made into doublers and mama pads, but I don't have a serger and just zig-zagged satin stitch the edges. Functional, but not pretty.
It's a frontloader, correct? Pull the bobbin casing out of the machine, and hold it up by the thread. It should hang w/o just unravelling all the way to the floor. A flick of the wrist should let it go for 5-10 inches, but then it should "catch" again. When I'm using a frontloader, this is how I check to see if the bobbin tension is set correctly. If it keeps going without catching, tighten it. If it doesn't want to let go then loosen it. It is kindof a trial-error thing, kind of an experience thing. Just like most sewing techniques, in my experience Too bad there isn't a Jo-Anns in Chatanooga... If you happen up this way anytime soon, bring your machine and we might be able to help! In any case, assume it can be fixed until you've tried everything! I'm personally of the belief that 70's model sewing machines are wonderful! Just because it's old doesn't mean it's bad. Back then they were built to last. Hell, the greatest sewing machine I ever had was a 50's model White with a straight-stitch and a zig-zag. Fastest, smoothest, nicest thing while it lasted. We used that thing until long after other people would have given up on it... And smiling mama, I can make diapers. PM me to give me more info on specifically what you want (style, size, etc) and I'll see what I can do. Good luck!
the bobbin just drops down in a hole from the top (like every other sewing machine I've ever used?). has a screw on the side of it to adjust tension, but the user manual says that usually isn't necessary, and just shows how to do it but nothing more than that. The top thread tensioner also sometimes grabs the thread instead of letting it slide through like it's supposed to, and I can't tell any difference when I attempt to adjust it at all! I learned to sew on a 60's model Kenmore, that was a wonderful machine, and really easy to service yourself, but this one is just a cheap piece of plastic crap, really. Very few metal parts, IYKWIM. Not built to last, probably not even built to be used much at all. Just one of those things all proper housewives like MIL had to have one, even if they couldn't and didn't ever use them.
Hmmm, now that I think about it, your problem sounds like one I encountered last year with one of the newer Brother toploaders. My problem then turned out to be that the bobbin wasn't threading properly into the machine. I wish I could help more, but it's hard to fix a machine that's not in front of me! Keep the cover off the bobbin area while you thread it and engage the lower thread. Then take a good close look to see if what you have matches with whatever illustration is provided in the manual. If it DOES match up, all I can think of is to keep messing with the tension (upper and lower) a little at a time, and see if anything makes a difference!
I was trying to not hijack this thread, I just wanted advice about where to buy wool (the kind you can sew, not knit) ~Emily
I would turn the little screw on the bobbin case. I had a 72 singer that I sewed on for about 8 years and the bobbin case had to be adjusted from time to time. You need a small srewdriver, just turn to the right .Put the bobbin in and see if you can pull the thread through the hook smoothly. If that doesn't fix it, there may be rust or something in there that is catching the thread. I have had that happen too.
I know that wool has a lot of support in the diapering community, i even made some. But I discovered that merino sheep are tortured for their wool. I have been looking for a reliable source of organic wool jersey, but the only place I can find is nearseanaturals.com and their prices are ridiculous. I am still recycling used wool sewaters from the thrift store and making them into pull on diaper covers. it saves money and time. If you want a good organic sherpa. organiccottonplus.com has the best sherpa. You can get it wholesale, but even per yard it is only 10.40 which is a steal considering nearseanaturals sherpa ( the same fabric) is 25.00 a yard!
thanks! I'll try it. But... last night it wasn't having that particular problem, but the top thread kept getting stuck in the tension knob instead (I know better than to use cheap thread in this machine, really, I just didn't have any other handy in that color I needed) :& It seems to be worse (the bobbin tension? issue) the heavier the fabric is, if that makes any sense at all!
it worked! I needed to loosen the bobbin tension by turning the screw to the left. Had to ask my husband to make me a tee-tiny screwdriver to do it with. Now my top tension control even works, too! It's a completely different machine. And once I figured out that my little one had been playing with the knobs and controls, and got the presser foot pressure adjusted right, that fixed the problem with it wanting to go on a diagonal instead of sewing straight. Problem is, now I don't have the leverage to talk myself into buying a new machine! LOL
lol - Well it sounds like you don't need a new straight-stitch now - Better get yourself a serger instead! Glad to hear that it's working better. I'd love to see some pictures of the skirts and stuff you're making on you and your girls! Linnea
I'm definitely posting pics of this one I'm almost finished with. Gonna prewash it first before I finish the waistband, in case the fabric shrinks more, because I'm kinda particular about length...so it will be done later this afternoon. Paul's G-ma gave me a bag full of vintage fabrics and notions, and I used some awesome vintage red bandana print fabric with some muslin I tie-dyed red and blue and then was afraid to use in a babysling in case it might bleed, and it's the coolest thing I've made so far! I don't care if a skirt bleeds a little, but a babysling that bleeds could ruin whatever shirt you have on! I'm extra proud of myself for taking the time to sew all my seams flat with a decorative zigzag... I usually just blow through a project at warp speed.
