What is wrong with my Kenmore, older vintage (70s?) sewing machine?
Symptoms: bought used, and worked great. This week, sewed a little, and it was perfect. Then, started missing the first inch of stitching. Now, doesn’t even stitch, and the thread breaks. I’ve adjusted the tension down, and seems pretty loose. The bobbin thread does alright, and doesn’t seem inordinately tight.
So, what is wrong with my machine?
Thanks,
handsomeharry
Sewing machines need to be cleaned and tuned up every now and then. If you sew often, you’re supposed to take the machine in to the shop every year or so to get it serviced.
I would also recommend a servicing. I have a similar vintage machine that I inherited. It was in pristine condition but just hadn’t been used in a million years. When I tried to use it I could not get a good stitch line. I played with the tension a thousand ways to Sunday and no go. I finally took it to a real, old-timey sewing-machine-and-vacuum-repair shop where a semi-retired guy got it spruced up and running like new.
It sounds like your timing is off. A sewing machine should be oiled every 10 hours of sewing. If it isn’t oiled the timing will go off.
I had Pfaff for about 25 years or more, it ran almost constantly I used it to sew for my family,taught sewing and my daughter also made all her clothes on it. I also put in zippers for a dressmaker.
I set my own timing. First oil and clean all the bobbin and face plate area. Then watch to see if the eye of the needle picks up the thread. Do this by turning the hand wheel. If it isn’t picking up the thread then Move the hand wheel until it does. Also look to see if your needle is bent. After many years my Pfaff part was so worn it couldn’t be replaced because of age. If you look on line there may be a site that will tell you how to set the timing on an old sewing machine. There may even be pictures of how to do it. To test your tension run a row of stitches on the bias of a cloth and pull, If the thread breaks the tension is off. There are sewing books as well that tell how to do this. The bobbin tension rarely needs adjusting.
This is some great info! I think you guys have given me a lot of good info. Thank you, and thanks again.
Next Question: How to find a good (cheap and honest) serviceperson for sewing machine? Once I get out of this jam, I’ll learn to service it myself, per **monavis’ **suggestion.
Thanks,
hh
I took my ancient Kenmore for cleaning and oiling to an old guy who worked out of his garage and it didn’t cost too terribly much - I found his name in the Pennysaver. There are, rather surprisingly, many listings in the telephone yellow pages under ‘sewing machines/sewing machines repair’ for different brands. If all else fails, you might ask at a local fabric store if they can recommend someone.
All older(pre-computerized )machines are run basically the same. I have repaired many and taught people to fix their own. It is really simple. You may also check to see if you have it threaded right. One lady I fixed one for just had hers threaded wrong.