General Chat

The tension dial 1--5 at the front where you thread it....... is usually about 3/4 depending what length stitch setting you have it on......just alter it a notch at a time,,,,,,,,is the stich programe set on the right setting it will be marked

- - - - normal ,,,,you can alter the stitch lenght with another dial _ _ _ _.

wont take long to get used to it.

check the needle is threaed right,,,,,,,the needle will have a groove if threaded from the front the groove will be at the back and if threaded left to right the groove will be to the right.

An Argos one Kay. Its got good reviews, was £60 so not expensive but I find it ok for what I want to do. Ive got the tension on number 1 so yes prob too loose!! I had it on 3 but the bottom thread was tangling up round the bobbin. Ive been sewing with the presser up as well :-0

RS,

Your top tension is too loose.by the sounds of it,,,,,,,

what machine have you got....

Oh dolls clothes, what a good idea. We have two dolls houses plus countless normal sized dollies and reborn dolls. Im just finding that when I stitch on fabric, I turn it over at the end and its a mess of cotton - not neat stitches! Certainly couldnt sell anything like that. 60 yrs WOW!! I'd make cushions and throws to sell if I was that good.

Romany
Easy done :-D :-D

You could draw some lines with chalk then stitch along them.
The chalk brushes off.

Some threads can be a nightmare so just try and few and then stick to ones you like best.

I worked out the other day that I had been using a sewing machine for 60 years. Eek what a thought. :-0 :-0 :-0 :-0 :-0
I used to use my Mum's old Singer to make my dolls clothes. :-) :-)
Take care
Von

Hi Jude. Not too bad thankyou! I cant stitch in a straight line and my threads sometimes snap but am getting there! Its not as easy as it looks on tv :-D
PS Von, you're right, I was calling the presser the feeddogs!!

Hows it going RS??

jude :-)

Hi
I think there seems to be some confusion about the feed dogs here.

Feed dogs are the little bits of metal with "teeth" on them that help the machine to guide the fabric through the machine.
The presser foot works completely independent of the feed dogs and is always down when you sew regardless of whether the feed dogs are up or down.
Free machining is used usually for machine embroidery. That is when not using built in embroidery stitches.

However if you were moving switches or pressing knobs it would be easy to lower to lower the feed dogs which would result in tangled cottons etc and the fabric not moving properly through the machine.
I do hope I've explained this sufficiently - Clear as mud to me ;-) ;-) ;-)
Really pleased you managed to get the machine to sew and now it's onwards and upwards.
Good luck with the next project
Take care
Von

Thankyou!!! Ive made a dolls blanket today - cant believe its actually worked! Ok I used the wrong colour thread and the stitches are far from even (it looks like a childs done it!!) but its a start, I cant believe it. Thankyou so much for all your help ladies Im hoping everythign will be ok now. I put the tension on 1 and held the threads as you said Annina. :-D

Hi Romany,as your problem starts soon after starting to sew,it could be as easy as not holding your threads when you set off.

That is,the two loose threads from the top and bottom bobbins,just firmly hold them between index finger and thumb until a few stitches have been made.

As already stated,do not fiddle with the tensions until you know what you are doing.

I wish that I could come round and show you,much better than trying to describe in words. Don't lose heart,I didn't kinow how to use a computer until well into my sixties,but pure pig-headedness pulled me through.

Just a thought,but have you a patchwork shop within travelling distance,the ladies who work in them are only too willing to help with any sewing problems,trouble is,once you set foot in their shops you are likely to become a fabriholic like me.

All the best luck with your new hobby. :-) :-)

Well I would always have the feed guides down, otherwise the fabric wouldn't stay straight but mine is an old hand worked Singer which is years old and had the old long bobbin.

Lizx

Jude, have fun at your classes

Thankyou, just reading these lovely posts now!! Ive always had the feeddogs down! I thought you were supposed to? What is free machining? Using same thread top n bottom, and plastic bobbin that came with machine. My 11 yr old daughter keeps tellign me to go to a class but with 3 children and on a budget Im not too keen. I might look into it, I'd rather figure it out but yes its a good idea to be honest! I imagine you learn so much at classes and get the chance to ask all the questions. Im confusded tho, if the feeddogs are up how can the presser foot be down? I thought the presser foot makes the feeddogs go down? (Not sat at machine at the min).
I do appreciate this ladies, thankyou. x :-)

If you lived nearer l'd call round and help,it must be frustrating for you. As Liz (Purple) says...'you will have such fun once you have mastered it'. Are there any sewing classes in your area?? l'm going to one next month for beginners to advanced. Its fabric crafts...usually you get such a lot of help and encouragement from these classes:))

Good luck:)

jude x

just a thought, once you put the fabric in, have you checked that the presser foot is down? (usually a lever on the back of the machine)

RomanyStar

Dont worry about that all it means is that you didn;t put the bobbin in properly. I do it and I have been sewing for years.

Jane

Has the bobbin wound evenly? My old Singer used to do the same thing if I hadn't wound the bobbin properly.

Good luck, I know you will have fun once you have sorted it out

Lizx

Sorry you are having trouble with your sewing machine and getting bunched thread,cannot give any further advice other than what's here already.

But If machine was threaded,using the correct type of needle, and bobbin inserted correctly + the shuttle is 'fluff free'......I think you might have to check lower tension.Your manual should tell you how to adjust bobbin case.
Sometimes though it's just trial and error to get over problem, if you follow your user guide and practise you'll get it right.

If it's a new machine perhaps you could pop in to have a word with the dealer?
Good luck
Mau x

Romany
Just thought the feeddogs should be up for normal sewing.If they weren't up then the thread would all get caught up.

You put them down if you want to do free machining.

Also check that you have the correct bobbins for the machine.

Are you using the same thread for the top and bottom.
Sometimes threads of different thicknesses can cause problems.
Good Luck
Von

Oh eck...l'll keep out of this now....good luck RS...yes it is hot today. We just comeback from the Monmouth Festival....blinky great:)

jude :-) x

Drop on spool, vertical ways. Its placed on the right of the machine and pulls to the left. Bobbin goes in its little hole at the lower half of the machine, left side and the cotton pulls clockwise. I hope I can sort this mess out soon, Ive googled and there are hoardes of people having the same problem. None seem to come back and mention if they sorted it! Not sure how to set foot pressure, or whether I should be sewing with the metal things down or up. Tried both. Thanks Kay. x