Att : those with sewing machines

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wendy
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Att : those with sewing machines

Post by wendy »

OK I am hopeless with these things. Never used one really. But I have borrowed a modern singer, about 5 years old.
The girl who owns it has never used it, it does all but cook dinner !
I am trying to hem my Swedish weaving. }hairout{ }hairout{
I have sorted out the bobbin and threading the machine. But the thread to the needle keeps breaking.
I have threaded and rethreaded according to the instructions. So anyone got any clues, please ?
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perchy
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Re: Att : those with sewing machines

Post by perchy »

Sounds like the tension Wendy, see what setting it is on now, and try to adjust it either up or down one or two )t'
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Re: Att : those with sewing machines

Post by wendy »

Ta. {hug&kiss}
Off to have a go.
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p.penn
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Re: Att : those with sewing machines

Post by p.penn »

I haven't used my hand singer machine for so long that I would have to read the instructions to even thread it >dum<

As for thread tension - that was always a complete mystery to me. }hairout{ Same with bike gears. }hairout{

Hope you are up and running now Wendy
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Re: Att : those with sewing machines

Post by Mercedes »

Definitely sounds like the tension is too tight Wendy. I have a really old electric sewing machine, I think it's a New Home one, they don't even make them anymore. I don't use it very often but when I do I usually start off on an offcut so that I can get the tension right. You should be able to tell if it's the needle or bobbin tension that is wrong by how the stitching looks, but mostly I think it's the needle tension that is out when it does that.
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wendy
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Re: Att : those with sewing machines

Post by wendy »

}hairout{ }hairout{ }hairout{
I thought that as the needle thread broke it would be too tight. So I loosened it.... quite. a few times and the wretched thread still broke.
I gave up last night, as the hole in the needle is soooo small. I did manage it without my glasses, but it was trying my patience by then.
Maybe I will try tightening it today >dum<
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Totally Scrambled
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Re: Att : those with sewing machines

Post by Totally Scrambled »

Only other things to look at are the thread Is it a good quality one or a cheapo and is the same thread in both the bobbin and the top?
Or the needle. Is it blunt and or the wrong one for the material you are sewing?
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Re: Att : those with sewing machines

Post by albertajune »

Are you using the correct size needle and cotton. I don't know what cloth you are hemming, but if it is heavy, try a larger needle and a longer stitch. It may not be the answer but give it a try. If you don't have an assortment of needles then try the longer stitch any way.
It is so frustrating when trying to sort out a fault, so I hope you get there soon )t'
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Re: Att : those with sewing machines

Post by Mercedes »

I know my machine is really difficult to get right. If I put the cotton reel on with the thread running one way then it doesn't sew as well as if it's the running from the other way. I always find threading the bobbin a pain too as on my machine it has to be going clockwise and I always forget and have to get the book out. Another thing that affects how it sews is the actual pressure of the needle on the fabric. Now when I need some sewing done I take it to someone, in fact there is a lovely lady I know who lives just around the corner from you in Eastfield Avenue and she may be able to help as she does sewing as a business from home. She has a lovely little cockerpoo puppy too )t'
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wendy
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Re: Att : those with sewing machines

Post by wendy »

Thanks Guys.
I haven't yet got around to having another go.
The thread is the same. At the moment, I am just trying on a bit of linen material.
Maybe I will try a longer stitch. Gawd knows how I go about that, but out will come the instructions again lol
Well Lyn, it is only 4 hems I want, seems a bit much to take it to someone else to finish :? Still if I do I may get another cockerpoo {rofwl}
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Re: Att : those with sewing machines

Post by p.penn »

Just a thought - once you have threaded the machine but before you thread the needle, can you pull the cotton freely? :?
Helen xx

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wendy
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Re: Att : those with sewing machines

Post by wendy »

Yes, Helen.
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p.penn
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Re: Att : those with sewing machines

Post by p.penn »

Ah, in which case I would suggest wonderweb )grin2(
Helen xx

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Re: Att : those with sewing machines

Post by wendy »

It is starting to look good. But unfortunately the hemming anchors the wool at the sides and stops it unravelling >dum<
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Re: Att : those with sewing machines

Post by wendy »

'Tis done
Thank you June, once I had a longer stitch it was fine )b( )b( )b(
Well I say fine. I could do with getting a straighter line, but will come with practise I assume.
I have it over the back of my sofa. I will get a photo later.
Thank you everyone for your help and advice. {hug&kiss} {hug&kiss}
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If you can't be a good example........
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