I currently have a few sewing projects on my list, including:
-New curtains to replace the sixties monstrosities that the landlords have up.
-Decorative pillows for my friend, who cannot find goth decorating anywhere
-A skirt and purse my roommate asked me to make for a wedding she has this weekend (Wal-mart pattern was shit, so I just custom-fitted her one).
-A purse on the queue for MsRobyn.
Floor pillows and random fix-up-the house items.
I get my fabric. I cut and pin. Then I try dear sewing machine and lo and behold- the top thread gets tangled inside the bobbin and both snap. Within a few stitches. Leaving a horrible tangled mess. Every fucking time.
Why, oh WHY did you have to break now? I’m currently sewing away my shift at work, hoping to finish the roomie’s skirt tonight. If you hadn’t broken, I could have it finished.
Those curtains will take forever by hand, and I can’t afford to fix the machine just yet.
Gah. Sewing on a machine. I hate those things. They’re pure evil, eviler than the black rock at the end of Time Bandits.
That said, have you checked the tension settings?
Checked the tension. The feed from the bobbin seems FUBAR’ed, sadly. It’s moving differently than it should, and makes the threads catch each other. I can’t really fix it myself.
Can you open up the bobbin case and take out anything that’s take-outable? There might be a lot of lint and thread and other junk in there, that can cause your problem. Use your vacuum cleaner to suck out as much as you can. Consult your manual and try a drop or two of lubricating oil where indicated. Running a machine low on oil can cause it to seize up and break threads. Sometimes, as the thread is unreeling off the spool it’ll get caught in the spool’s notch, causing breakage. You can file it down, or use the spool in the vertical position. I know how frustrating it can get when your machine won’t run smoothly. Resist the urge to make it airborne. Can you borrow a machine from a friend? Maybe the repairman would consider staggered payments? Post again if you are still having trouble.
I got my old machine professionally cleaned and lubricated for $35. If you can swing it, that’s the way to go, after trying quiltguy154’s suggestions. Nine times out of ten, I CAN make a misbehaving machine work, just by giving it a good cleaning myself. If you do this, though, put all the little screws and odd parts in a bowl, and don’t knock over the bowl.
Grr. Evil machines. They make us dependant on them, then go tits-up when we need them the most. At least you aren’t making The Wedding Dress.
Call a repair shop and ask for an estimate on a dusting and cleaning. It might be less expensive than you think.
I feel your pain. I was halfway through sewing some harem pants when my tension dial decided it was hungry and started eating my thread. I’m hoping a thorough cleaning and oiling will appease it but I’m not holding my breath.
Tell you what. If you come set up the new sewing machine that mr avabeth gave me last Christmas and teach me how to get it ready to sew, you can use it to finish all of your projects.
I hand-quilt because I haven’t figured out how to set up the machine - I’ve used my mother’s, but it was set up already.
Psst: as long as you’re talking/ranting about sewing machines, any recommendations on a machine for a beginner? I’ve used a sewing machine in the past with success, and I’m wanting one of my own that is NOT a huge pain in the ass to thread (if that exists) and I really like the ones that do embroidery.
So I pull out the sewing machine and sewing box yesterday, ready to make some pillow-covers for the couch that I’d put off for more than a month.
I measure and cut, then open my box to retreive some pins…
NO straight pins. Not one. Only 4 needles. No spare machine needles. No empty bobbins, just the 4 filled ones. No measuring tape. No cloth scisors. No thread scisors…
Looks like when my sister borrowed it, she forgot to, oh, I don’t know… give me back my stuff!
Grrr.
Luckily I am skilled in the ninja art of Ghetto Sewing (“PINS? We don’t need no stinking PINS!”) and I made one pillow cover, two sets of curtains and a throw pillow. Now to do the other three pillow covers and I’m all set. Oh, and to get my pins back.
What, pray tell, could possibly qualify as “goth decorating”? Studded throw pillows made of leather wrapped stones? Curtains of tattered fabric with cactus spikes attached?
You might look into the Brother machines. They’re incredibly simple to thread, load the bobbin, etc., and they’re relatively inexpensive. I seem to recall them having one that’s programmable for embroidery. To be honest, though, if you’re just getting started and aren’t sure you’re going to stick with it, a programmable machine might be more money than you want to spend right off the bat.
Another option is to buy an old Singer Touch and Sew off e-bay. We have two we bought that way (well, one was e-bay, the other was bought at a store) and they are just the best ever. They tend to be relatively inexpensive, certainly cheaper than the current new models, and they sew better, too.
I’m quite sure I’ll stick with it- I’m interested in several different aspects of sewing and have done it before, but never had my own machine. I’m especially interested in the embroidery for my felted knits.
I’ve been looking at the Brother machines, so I guess I’m on the right track after all. Thanks a bunch!
The last time my sewing machine began eating thread I tried many of the suggestions above and my bobbin area still looked like a backlashed fishing reel.
I remembered I had replaced the needle before starting my project and decided to dble check that it was seated okay, firmly tightened in, etc. After much angst I discovered I had actually put the needle in backwards. There is a rounded side and a flat side and I had the wrong side facing me. Straightened that out and she was a purring machine again :smack:
Um. At the risk of suggesting something that you’ve already checked (and I only ask because I’ve done this myself!): Did you put the bobbin in backwards or upside down?
Zette, if you’re looking for a fits-your-needs machine, go to reputable sewing stores or dealers and play with some machines. Walk out of places that won’t let you work the machine yourself, ignore suggestions that you buy a machine that you can “grow into”, and (based on horror stories from folks who’ve had the experience) avoid the “school overstock” sales.
My first bought-it-myself machine (as opposed to an inherited machine) was a basic Kenmore, and lasted for fully 30 years. My current workhorse is a Husqvarna that I’ve had for about two years, and I’m still figuring out some of the quirks!
Also, be very, very suspicious of any machines that are specifically marketed towards beginners - even from reputable companies. I had a Bernette, which is Bernina’s “entry level” line, and hated it. It was underpowered for what I wanted to do, and just felt so cheaply made all over.
I now have a second-hand Pfaff (named Pfredd), and the Bernette has been donated to flodjunior’s school. They’re only using it for arts-and-crafts type sewing, and they are very happy with it. I’m sewing clothes on Pfredd, and I’m happy.
Sewing machine stores get trade-ins just like car dealers do. A reconditioned machine, traded in by someone who wanted a newer or more advanced model, can be a real bargain.
Whatever else you do, insist on trying out the machine before buying. Take bits of material similar to what you intend to use, and sew a few seams. A salesperson may steer you to the type of fabric a particular machine can handle best if you don’t insist on using your samples. Some machines make beautiful curtains, for instance, but wouldn’t be good for someone who does costuming work with lots of velvets and brocades.
Personally, I like a mechanical machine as opposed to an electronic one. I like the sense that it’s me doing (and controlling) the work, and I am concerned that all the electronics are just one more thing to break down (and quite expensive to repair if it does).
No, they’re quite tasteful- velvet and silk in burgendy, black, and red. Anything you’d find in a store is either too ruffly, too light, or too expensive.
None of the suggestions seem to work- I’m trying to find a place to get it cleaned. At least I’m almost finished with roommate’s skirt, it being needed on Sunday.