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The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
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From: Brig
Date: 05-08-2005, 10:22 AM (1 of 16)
 That is how I feel about my brand new Euro-Pro 373 Stitch Art sewing machine. I have read the manual from front to cover, and can find nothing on why it will not do pattern stitches. No matter what pattern I set it on, it comes out as a straight stitch! The tension of the bobbin is correct, the threading is correct, everything is how it is supposed to be according to the manual. When it straight stitches it is perfect! I have called customer service to no avail, she could not get the manual on the screen and said she would call back, but of course never did : ( There is no stitch length or stitch width dial on the machine either. Or of there is the manual isn't showing it and it is hidden very well. My Mother got this for me as a birthday present and I am very new to sewing, but very interested. I envision little cute dresses for my daughter and nice curtains and pillows for my house and I am getting very discouraged here. I have looked on the web and cannot find anything besides sales pitches and where to buy...I can't find any help sites : ( If anyone has this machine and could help me I would be so greatful and so happy I would probably cry : ) Or even any sites that could help me would be appreciated also...anything!! lol I really don't want to give up before I even start, plus there is no reason I should have to go get a new or used sewing machine when I have a brand new one. Thank you : ) Happy Mother's Day! |
User: Brig
Member since: 05-08-2005 Total posts: 4 |
From: wghmch
Date: 05-08-2005, 11:32 AM (2 of 16)
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Brig, I feel bad when this happens to people, but have no good answers for you. My only advice would be to get your money back if you possibly can. Regardless of whether it eventually turns out to be a serious problem or not, you now know what you will have to go through with these people whenever you need help. Life's too short for this! Bill Holman |
User: wghmch
Member since: 03-04-2003 Total posts: 249 |
From: Brig
Date: 05-08-2005, 11:56 AM (3 of 16)
| Thank you for your kind words. I am determined to figure this out. My Mom would be so upset if I didn't use this machine. I have been asking for a sewing machine for three years now and she was kind enough to get me one and I would feel so bad if I couldn't use it. It is probably something totally stupid, but I don't see what it could be. |
User: Brig
Member since: 05-08-2005 Total posts: 4 |
From: Raevenflyte
Date: 05-08-2005, 11:47 PM (4 of 16)
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( There is no stitch length or stitch width dial on the machine either. Or of there is the manual isn't showing it and it is hidden very well. I had to return my machine to the store where my husband bought it and exchange it for a new one because, as the person at the sewing machine shop put it, it jumped timing within two weeks' use. Something about the timing belt was wrong with it. Don't know if this is the case with yours, but it might be worth taking back. BTW, since I exchanged machines--this was about January or so--the replacement's been behaving fine. I've done a search on what people think about the Euro-pro since then, and it seems that you either have problems with its functioning or not, and it's a fair machine. I'm still sort of afraid of it, because this machine was cheap and I'm not up to paying many $$$ to replace it if it does fail. When I do get a new machine, though, I'll get something else other than a Euro-Pro. Who needs the anxiety? There is no stitch length/width dial as you find on other machines. What determines l/w is the setting you put it at--for instance, on a straight stitch, you have three different settings. Right? One's small, the middle setting's sort of what you need for normal sewing, and the third setting's for basting stitches. The only numbered dial, near where the thread passes, is meant for setting tension. Try not to touch it unless you're really familiar with how to deal with tension. The manual pretty much sucks and I don't think there's much in the way of support with this machine. It's trial and error, but this is a pretty basic sewing machine, very handy regardless of its faults, and I've made some really great stuff with it. And I pretty much sew every day. I'm new to sewing myself, and I'm totally hooked! Write if you have other questions...HTH. R |
User: Raevenflyte
Member since: 03-16-2005 Total posts: 32 
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From: MyGirlFriday
Date: 05-09-2005, 01:01 AM (5 of 16)
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Brig~ I was able to locate a web site that might be able to assist a little, 373 (http://www.euro-pro.com/europro/faqdetail.aspx?modelno=373) I'm not sure if any of that will assist you...the only other thing that I would recommend is maybe finding out where your Mom purchased it and exchanging it for a new one. Mom would want you to have a working machine!  Main thing is not to get discouraged! Good luck~ mgf~
Blessings & Smiles
Frogs have it easy....they just eat what's buggin' them. |
User: MyGirlFriday
Member since: 12-05-2004 Total posts: 288 
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From: Brig
Date: 05-10-2005, 07:26 AM (6 of 16)
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Hi, I wanted to say thank you for the helpful suggestions. I finally got a hold of a person who could help me and who's computer worked at the company. She told me something must be wrong with it and to take it back because this model, the only thing you are supposed to do is turn it on the pattern you want and sew away...no other adjustment is needed. My Mom is going to be sad : ( Plus my Mom lives down near Philly where she got the machine and I live 2 hours from that...so I can't even take it back, she has to. Ahhhhh All these years waiting for a sewing machine and I finally get one and it doesn't work 
|
User: Brig
Member since: 05-08-2005 Total posts: 4 |
From: MyGirlFriday
Date: 05-10-2005, 10:12 PM (7 of 16)
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Do you know where she bought it from?? Don't they sell this one at Target?? Couldn't you go and do an even exchange there?? Just a thought~ mgf~
Blessings & Smiles
Frogs have it easy....they just eat what's buggin' them. |
User: MyGirlFriday
Member since: 12-05-2004 Total posts: 288
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From: Brig
Date: 05-15-2005, 09:39 PM (8 of 16)
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Hi, Thank you. I took it back to Kohls here in town. They were very nice about it eventhough I didn't have a reciept. No questions asked. I exchanged it for a different one, same kind...this one works!!! So I am happy. I started my daughter's shirt tonight. Not the greatest but not bad for the very 1st time ever doing anything with a sewing machine. The only thing I didn't do was use bias tape (?). Once I get that I will finish the shirt. |
User: Brig
Member since: 05-08-2005 Total posts: 4 |
From: Raevenflyte
Date: 05-19-2005, 03:18 PM (9 of 16)
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Hi, Thank you. I took it back to Kohls here in town. They were very nice about it eventhough I didn't have a reciept. No questions asked. I exchanged it for a different one, same kind...this one works!!! So I am happy. I started my daughter's shirt tonight. Not the greatest but not bad for the very 1st time ever doing anything with a sewing machine. The only thing I didn't do was use bias tape (?). Once I get that I will finish the shirt. And what a coincidence--my husband bought my machine (same as yours) at Kohl's, and I had to take it back there when the machine's timing went out in January. So far, so good...still sewing away here. R |
User: Raevenflyte
Member since: 03-16-2005 Total posts: 32
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From: DragonLady
Date: 05-19-2005, 03:59 PM (10 of 16)
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I have a Euro-Pro, and so far I've had absolutely no trouble with it. It's done everything I've ever asked it to do with no problems...well, other than the rare thread jam or user-error type problems. But apparently it's a real luck-of-the-draw. I bought mine right off the shelf at Target and it worked immediately right out of the box. The first few days I had it I tried almost every button and knob, and it all worked smoothly and correctly. But when I started looking around the 'net for what other people had to say, I read a lot of comments from people that had problems with one or two, and had to keep replacing them until they got one that worked. Apparently the factory makes a lot of lemons. But when they work, they work well -nice, even stitches. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another Euro-Pro. But I would be sure when I bought it I could return it easily for at least a month, and test every function a couple of times before getting attached! "No more twist! No more twist!"
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User: DragonLady
Member since: 11-10-2004 Total posts: 152 
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From: Raevenflyte
Date: 08-05-2005, 12:04 AM (11 of 16)
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Okay, so it's a cheap machine, less than $200. But I guess I'm naive enough to think that a product advertised as being "all metal construction" should hold up a little longer than a few months. Silly me. This time, it's a spring that controls the feed dogs' movement from front to back, so the machine still works and sews and everything, it just doesn't move the fabric. And this spring is evidently linked to the switch that makes the fabric move backwards (makes sense, doesn't it?) when you press on it. I imagine that has a name, but I'm too tired to look it up. So my husband, who bought the thing the first time around at Kohl's, is going to try to take the thing back and get ouR money back, and then...? I get to figure out what in the heck kind of machine we can afford. Because I'm seriously hooked on this sewing thing, folks...I'm in serious withdrawal. R |
User: Raevenflyte
Member since: 03-16-2005 Total posts: 32
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From: LauraM62
Date: 08-05-2005, 11:10 AM (12 of 16)
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So my husband, who bought the thing the first time around at Kohl's, is going to try to take the thing back and get out money back, and then...? I get to figure out what in the heck kind of machine we can afford. Because I'm seriously hooked on this sewing thing, folks...I'm in serious withdrawal. Not enough to start hand-sewing, but still... R Although I haven't ever used a Euro machine, I always suggest a Kenmore for a solid cheaper machine. I have 2 Kenmore sewing machines, one over 30 years old, one about 2 years old, and followed it up with a Kenmore serger. Kenmore machines are made by Janome, as both of my newer machines still had Janome Factory labels on the boxes. I have them serviced when needed at any shop that repairs Janome. So far even the 30 year old machine has never needed a little cleaning & timing adjustments. I know there maybe better machines but they generally run more money, and these have been work horses for my uses. LauraM
SW Indiana If everyone cared and nobody cried; If everyone loved and nobody lied; If everyone shared and swallowed their pride; Then we'd see the day when nobody died --'If Everyone Cared' by Nickelback |
User: LauraM62
Member since: 08-10-2003 Total posts: 246 
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From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 08-05-2005, 11:57 AM (13 of 16)
The best thing about the Kenmore by Janome is the price.. And you have already been sewing so you probably don't need advice a beginner would go to a dealer for.. (you won't get that at Sears, of course) But, The janome made kenmore at Sears is the best buy you will find anywhere, I believe.. I have a Janome Memory craft 4000.. I looked the other day at Sears and they have a kenmore that is practically Identical for about $300. bucks.. I paid $800. for mine on sale at 30 % discount about 12 or 13 years ago.. The only thing my machine will not do is all the fancy embroidery stuff in a hoop.. But , go to Sears and try out the one with all the different stitches, also has a small alphabet.. I have really enjoyed that feature on mine.. I never could devise a small gift (remembrance) for a man, but after I got this machine, I could buy plain handkerchiefs by the dozen, and put Initials in the corner and have a nice little gift for a man.. (pack of 3).. I made them for all the men at work when I first got my machine, and boy was I popular that day.. 
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
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From: esrun3
Date: 08-05-2005, 07:46 PM (14 of 16)
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I've never bought a Europro altho did look at them at one time, part of my search was on QVC or HSN-can't remember which but there are no good reviews written about it on those sights so that made me stop looking real fast. I tend to stick with my Singers altho when I'm ready for an embroidery machine I may break out and head elsewhere but not quite ready to buy one yet.
Lyn
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User: esrun3
Member since: 12-02-2004 Total posts: 2345 |
From: Raevenflyte
Date: 08-18-2005, 04:28 PM (15 of 16)
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So far, so good. I replaced my poor little Euro-Pro with a Singer 401a, as seen in my icon. I love it! Found it in a thrift store for $24. It came with the original manual, lots of feet, all the cams for the extra stitches, and it was actually in good shape. I took it in to our local store, got it cleaned up and lubed, and it's been sewing happily ever since (today being June 27, 2007). It's a beauty! |
User: Raevenflyte
Member since: 03-16-2005 Total posts: 32
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From: June Harlow
Date: 08-18-2005, 10:07 PM (16 of 16)
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That's so great ! Those early 1960's Singers are so smooth running, and they give wonderful straight stitches too ! That's such a great find ! This will make you feel pretty good about your thrift store find vintage machines (http://sewingmachine221sale.bizland.com/store/page1.html) June ~
"If only I could find that missing pattern piece!" June sews on a Pfaff 1209 and a Babylock 5180 serger |
User: June Harlow
Member since: 05-30-2005 Total posts: 100 
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