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From: DorothyL
Date: 03-06-2005, 05:38 PM (1 of 18)
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I hit a bump with my serger and now it seems to be out of whack. The right needle thread keeps breaking just before the needle. Does anyone have an idea why. I haven't tried changing the needle yet -- I'll do that tomorrow when the stress level goes down a little. Any other ideas? Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: Mom of Six
Date: 03-06-2005, 08:46 PM (2 of 18)
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I had to take mine in. They said the timing was off & the pin I hit chewed up the lower looper. It is going to cost about $120 to fix. I probably will trade it in on a better one as soon as my Dad's house closes & taxes are paid. They have garenteed me the cost of repairs as a trade in. I bought a cheap machine from JoAnn's as a starter & at the repair shop they said the timing goes out regularly. The ones at the shop seemed much stronger for only $100 - $150 more. I hope to get mine back soon & then the new one before summer.
Barb
Happiness is having time to sew!! |
User: Mom of Six
Member since: 11-03-2001 Total posts: 1115 
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From: DorothyL
Date: 03-07-2005, 07:18 AM (3 of 18)
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I hope I don't have to take mine in. The benefits of a serger are beginning to not seem worth the hassle. Of course I got the one on sale at Hancocks. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: MaryW
Date: 03-07-2005, 07:19 AM (4 of 18)
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My old manual says one of these may be the problem: Incorrect threading Bent or damaged needle Thread tension too tight Thread tangled Needle inserted incorrectly MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: DorothyL
Date: 03-07-2005, 07:21 AM (5 of 18)
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I like all of those because I won't have to take it to the shop. I'm going to try to figure it out today after I finish work. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 03-09-2005, 11:59 AM (6 of 18)
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It is my considered opinion that there is a fundamental design flaw in any machine it takes tweezers to thread. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: Hogmami
Date: 03-09-2005, 12:10 PM (7 of 18)
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I agree. I found a threader for serges at JoAnns. Works ok.
Carolyn
Michigan |
User: Hogmami
Member since: 09-30-2004 Total posts: 800 
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From: MaryW
Date: 03-09-2005, 12:55 PM (8 of 18)
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Mine is difficult to thread as well, I need tweezers too. I thought the new ones would probably be more user friendly. Mine is 15+ yrs. old.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
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From: Mother in Law
Date: 03-09-2005, 01:59 PM (9 of 18)
| If all those things that were mentioned in the upper post doesn't work, try rethreading the whole machine from scratch. They told me this one time and it worked after almost throwing mine in the trash with the same problem. Seems the tensions get messed up when a thread breaks. I'd also get a new needle in place before retreading. Just my 2½ cents worth. |
User: Mother in Law
Member since: Total posts: |
From: DorothyL
Date: 03-09-2005, 04:44 PM (10 of 18)
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Susie -- I did it all -- changed the needle, re-threaded from scratch, in order and still a problem. The presser foot isn't right either. I called customer service and they were no help other than tell me where to get it repaired. I called the repair place and am waiting for a return call. I packed it in for now, bound around my pockets and did a French seam down the sides of my pants. I got by for 54 years without a serger. I guess I can get by for another 54. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: MaryW
Date: 03-10-2005, 07:33 AM (11 of 18)
Dorothy, what kind of a machine did you buy? You are not a newbie at sewing. I betcha there is a problem with the machine if you have gone thru all the motions. Maybe a screw loose somewhere. (No, not with you.  )
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
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From: DorothyL
Date: 03-10-2005, 07:48 AM (12 of 18)
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Mary, I think the screw loose is with me for buying a machine I knew nothing about with no support. The foot keeps coming loose too. The repair place didn't return my call so I will keep calling. It's a White. It was a $400 machine on sale for $200. Not a pricey model but I'd hoped it would last a little longer than this. I was so frustrated with it yesterday I had to sew to calm myself down. I may end up like Mom of Six and trade the darn thing in on a better and stronger model. I guess that workhorse of a Pfaff sewing machine I have spoiled me. I expect my machines to do what I ask of them, no questions asked. But you'd think even a $200 machine (on sale) could handle denim. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: paroper
Date: 03-10-2005, 08:35 AM (13 of 18)
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It sounds like a slight adjustment needs to be made to the machine. My new 1300 was (sometimes is) doing the same thing on coverstitches only I took it into the shop just knowing that it was me, but it wasn't. They made an adjustment to the machine but it is still doing it some but only on one needle and only on fleece. They just needed to move an arm a little closer to the needle. I hope that is all that is wrong with yours.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: mamadus
Date: 03-13-2005, 03:38 AM (14 of 18)
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Mary.. if you want a serger that's a piece of cake to thread.. and you definitely don't need tweezers... look at the Babylock sergers with jet-air threading!! AWESOME!!! super easy to thread!! MO life is too short, not to explore
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User: mamadus
Member since: 12-31-2004 Total posts: 492 
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From: sewingrandma
Date: 03-13-2005, 08:36 AM (15 of 18)
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Dorothy, I agree with Mary and Paroper, it sounds like a machine problem and not the user. I have a White Speedylock, not an expensive machine, and I have never had a minutes' problem with it, (that wasn't caused by me). The manual I got with it is very clear and even has a page to go to for problems and tells you how to correct them. Did you get a video with yours? I know when I first got mine I watched it many times because of the threading problems I had. Now I can do it in my sleep. DD had never used a serger and has very little experience sewing and she sat down one day with it and made a ballerina costume for her DD without any problems or assistance from me. I'd either take it back to where you bought it for a new one or have it checked by a certified repair person.
Brockie
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User: sewingrandma
Member since: 03-06-2003 Total posts: 432 |
From: smith972
Date: 03-13-2005, 09:21 AM (16 of 18)
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mamadus, I am actully looking at the babylocks the one i want is 1400 so it will be about 3 months before i can get it...but i am surely going to get it this simplicity that i have is driving me crazy with having to test the tension everytime i sew....my understanding is that the babylocks adjust tension for you every time..... Jada |
User: smith972
Member since: 09-10-2004 Total posts: 241 
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From: DorothyL
Date: 03-13-2005, 10:01 AM (17 of 18)
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Well here's what I've decided -- forget the White and save money for a Pfaff serger. I called Whites customer service and she told me to rethread it. I did -- AGAIN -- problem continues. I call the nearest authorized repair place. Three days later she called back and said "They pick them up on Tuesday and it's a $79 minimum charge." OK, I'll get it in there next week, I think. Yesterday, for the first time in years, my Pfaff sewing machine had a problem. Again it was those denim pants. I called the little shop where I got the machine (wonderful little quilt supply shop owned by about 7 women. Two specialize in machine repairs) and she talked me through the problem. If I'd had to take it in I could have done it that afternoon and been there with her when she looked at it. Those two experiences taught me I would never buy another White (and I'm going to write and tell them that), although they may be a good machine and have good service in some places I'm disgusted. I will also always look for a place with the kind of service I get at that little quilt shop before I buy. After I get myself a Pfaff serger I'll think about repairing the White and give it to my daughter. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: smith972
Date: 03-13-2005, 10:23 AM (18 of 18)
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Customer service is one of the most important things i consider now when buy a machine.....i love the customer service i recived from Sew and Vac when i brought my embroidery machine and that is why i am going to by my serger from them as well....they sent me a hand written note thanking me for my purchase of my machine and reminding me about the free monthly embroidery club meetings....i also got two free elec. sewing classes and two embroidery classes and two free months of video club.... Jada |
User: smith972
Member since: 09-10-2004 Total posts: 241
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