Sewing Machine problems

[Dixiecat]

I think the real solution is practice

Well, yes and no. Practice will definitely help, but the foot itself will never give power in an even way. Part of the problem is that when you're trying to drive the machine at a slow speed, you're not getting full power to the motor. An 'electronic' foot always delivers full power to the motor even at low speeds. You may find that you'll have to help the the machine along with your hand on the fly wheel to get the needle to penetrate the fabric when stitching at slower speeds.

You tell it you want a buttonhole, then place the button up against the screen and the machine calculates the buttonhole dimensions automatically. . . scary.

I've taught at a lot of sewing shows and I've seen some fantastic things that home sewing machines can do, but when I saw that feature come out I knew that someday, I'd have one of those.....that was 3yrs ago. Unfortunately, when a new machine costs more than my 3yr old Mazda.....Seriously, some machines will run over $6000!

[Moski]

[QUOTE=sydnie7;665741]And bare foot on the control pedal. No sandals, slippers, socks, nothing between you and the POWER.

I thought I was the onlt one that does that. I sometimes look remind myself of Dr Lizardo from Buckaroo Banzai.

[Bart_In_A_Kilt]

I just got done installing a new ( NOS off ebay) Needle Rod into my Singer 301a, getting it back online after years of sitting in the basement.

After getting in back on line I too had bad birdsnesting, and spent the better part of the evening adjusting bobbin. thread/needle and foot pressure untill I finally had a good stitch. I am also sewing with a heavy thread, ( upholstery thread ) so that is also a determining factor. All you can do is play with settings untill it falls into place.

[Red_Raven]

I got my $900.00 Phaff for $400.00 they traded it in for a newer model. My old singer had trouble with multiple layers of heavy fabric. the new one can sew through 14 layers of denim or a lead washer and leather (demo at the store) Though I'm talented and have managed to break mine a few times we have made some adjustments and its working well now.

[flagracer]

I had a similar issue on 2 machines. When i got the second machine I did the guy thing, try it first, THEN watch the CD that came with it. Sure enough it shows the bird's nest and says it's bobbin tension is the solution. It is also related to the thread in that different types of thread will slide more or less easily through the bobbin so you should check it each time to replace the bobbin.

[Dixiecat]

Sure enough it shows the bird's nest and says it's bobbin tension is the solution..

You'd be surprised at how little the bobbin tension is the culprit with birds nesting issues. In fact, bobbin tension is the LAST thing you should ever play with. I'm very surprised that your CD even mentions this as 'the solution.' At the factory, the screw in the bobbin is set using standard home sewing machine thread.

For 90% of home sewing machines once the bobbin tension is set, you don't have to change it unless you stray from the norm of sewing thread. Which is your every day Gutermann or Coats brand or similar threads. If you're using 3 for a $1 type threads or serger threads in your machine, then you are doing your sewing machine a grave injustice and you may end up having to screw around with the bobbin tension which then changes how your top thread tension reacts.

If you decide to use thread that's thicker or thinner than the norm in the bobbin, then yes, you will need to adjust the bobbin tension screw. Thicker thread will need it loosened, thinner will need it tighter (lefty loosey, etc.). Turn the screw only 1/8" at a time and I'd advise that you mark the original position before you start.

I myself have two bobbin cases. One to use with everyday thread, the other for use with specialty threads such as lingerie thread, or nylon embroidery bobbin threads. This way I don't have to mess with my 'good' bobbin and screw things up. You see, playing around with the bobbin tension messes with the way the top thread tension works too and you end up adjusting the heck out of things.

In home sewing machines, the top thread tension is engaged when the presser foot is lowered and disengaged when the presser foot is lifted. This tension can usually be adjusted by some sort of control. When you pile up a great thickness of fabric under the presser foot, you are in fact lifting the foot and may be lifting it enough to slightly disengage the top tension which will end up birds nesting down below. Basically, it's the same effect you would get if you loosened the top thread tension too much. You can counter this piling effect slightly by tightening the pressure at which the presser foot presses down on the fabric. Usually this is a screw slot at the top of the presser foot arm. Some machines have a dial with a + or - instead.

Sorry to be so long-winded. I could teach a whole course on tensions...

[flagracer]

I'm not quite sure how to respond to that. You start by saying how little the bobbin tension is the issue then go on to explain how inter-related bobbin tension and thread are which is exactly what my point was. Perhaps I didn't explain myself well enough. But If you are still saying bobbin tension as it relates to the thread is not the cause of the birds nest, then what is? My only experience with nesting that I can relate is once I got the tension right for the thread I haven't had an issue again.

[Dixiecat]

Sure enough it shows the bird's nest and says it's bobbin tension is the solution

As I said, this is the LAST thing you should even consider when confronted by birds nesting. While bobbin tension is important and interrelated to the top tension, it's used as the 'baseline' that the top tension works from. You should change the tension on the bobbin case only when changing thread thickness from the norm of the factory setting. Considering the bobbin tension as a solution to a problem is different than using it as a control for changing threads as I was explaining above.

Here's my checklist for birds nesting (when using normal sewing machine thread):

1) top tension:
-check the control: is it correct for the stitch I'm using? is it correct for the thread I'm using?
-check the thread path: is there lint caught in the discs? do I have the thread path threaded correctly?
-is the presser foot down? is the fabric under the foot too thick?

2) needle: am I using the right needle for the project? do I have the needle threaded correctly? is there a burr or broken tip on the needle? did a Singer needle slip through my security perimeter?

3) bobbin: did I put the bobbin in the correct way? is the thread caught in the tension spring properly? is the bobbin case inserted properly? is there lint caught in the tension spring?

I might glance at the bobbin tension screw to make sure I hadn't somehow turned it and forgotten about it, but you can see, it's not in my checklist at all. Keep in mind that this is the checklist for normal everyday sewing with good quality regular sewing thread, top and bottom.

So, basically, when confronted with a birds nest, I will unthread both top and bottom, rethread paying particular attention to what I'm doing this time instead of trying to watch SG Atlantis or BSG while I'm doing it, and mentally checking out the needle and tension control, fabric, etc. Once I had to do this operation (no word of a lie!) 10-15 times and on the last time, a tiny thread fell out of the top tension disc and bingo, no birds nesting. And lint control got added to my list.

Anyway, if you keep getting a birds nests when you do everything on my list, then you can consider the bobbin tension. You should get resistance when you pull the thread. If you have a removable bobbin you should bounce it from a thread and on the down stroke get a bit of thread coming out. If you get a lot or none at all then you'll need to play with that. Non-removable bobbins may need servicing to be set properly. In fact, if you haven't taken your machine in for servicing for 2yrs, get ye hence to a service depot and have one done. Don't forget to ask that they set the bobbin tension for you! That will give you a baseline to work from if you ever have to change it.

[The Wizard of BC]

The post above by DixieCat is an almost perfect troubleshooting guide for sewing problems.

I would add only my personal list. Here is what I do and tell each of the ladies who work for me.

Troubleshooting steps

If the machine has been working properly and something goes wrong.....

1) Ask yourself - What did you change? What is different now from when it was working?
Correction - Put it back the way it was and try again.

2) Completly re-thread the machine. Remove the upper thread and carefully re-thread. Remove the bobbin and re-seat it into the hook.
Try sewing again.

3) Clean the machine. Fold a paper towel, put a drop of oil on it, and slide it between the disks of the tension adjustment. Do the same under the bobbin tension spring. Look under the sole plate of the machine for lint.
Lightly oil the machine.
Try sewing again.

4) Remove the needle and look closely at it. Look at the point, is it dull or flat. Insure the needle is straight by rolling it on the table top.
Re-insert the needle.

9 times out of 10 the problem will be fixed in one of these four steps.
Try sewing again.

[sydnie7]

For another look at the topic, check some of the guides written by this eBay seller.