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From: e50e
Date: 07-28-2005, 03:30 AM (1 of 26)
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Ok, I tend to find my machines second hand at garage sales and/or thrift stores and while for the most part I've been lucky, I have a few questions. My experience is very limited and my actual knowledge of proper machine usage is even more limited because these machines of mine have not come with manuals! 1. I have had a tension problem that seems to be actually within the discs themselves. When I begin stitching the thread will move freely, however then it tightens up and I can't get the thread to move through the discs regardless of what setting I have it on. I read in my "big sewing book" that something could be worn out (the discs) if the tension fluctuates like this. Also, the tension in my garmet visibly fluctuates also, mostly on the underside. This confirms that is a problem with the upper tension and most likely with these discs, right? As I said, the machine is an older on and while I've gotten great use out of it over the past few months should I just take it in to be serviced? Is there a nice diagram that would show how to grease up and clean the parts of the machine myself, or would it just be easier for someone with very little knowledge of machines to take it in to someone else to be serviced? Again, sorry for asking so many questions but it is very tough when I don't know anyone else that sews and do not have the manuals! 2. On my machine when I reverse stitch 80% of the time my needle will break. I know that at one time when working with a very small area I accidentally pulled the fabric when I shouldn't have and the needle hit the presser foot and the needle snapped an left an indentation on the foot. Since then even when being MOST careful during the reverse stitch the needle seems to break. Do I need to replace the foot or have I done some other sort of damage to cause this? Thank you, I've looked this up and not found any information pertaining to this problem so any experience with this would be helpful! 3. What is the best type of needle to use to sew canvas? I've used several and every one has broke on me too! I don't think I have purchased an adequate one yet, but I have relied on the packaging only to indicate which ones would be the proper ones. What are some suggestions? Thank you so much for taking the time to help! I really wish I had someone nearby to help me become familiar with a machine, but even when I've taken it to fabric/sewing shops they rarely seem interested in helping with my questions ;[ |
User: e50e
Member since: 08-28-2004 Total posts: 21 |
From: wallflowergirl
Date: 07-28-2005, 11:12 AM (2 of 26)
| I would suggest two things. One: check to be sure you have the machine threaded correctly. If you do, experiment with the upper tension adjustment until it gets better. I would never mess with the bottom tension. You should be able to get it right with just the top tension. Good luck. |
User: wallflowergirl
Member since: 05-14-2004 Total posts: 3 
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From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 07-28-2005, 12:07 PM (3 of 26)
A denim needle should work fine on the canvas.. try a 16 or larger.. 
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
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From: sewmuchfun
Date: 07-28-2005, 12:43 PM (4 of 26)
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One other tip is that you should not be able to put the thread thru the tension disks with the pressure foot down.. I know it's a simple thing but, did you have the foot in the upright position when trying to move it between the disks??
Marilyn
Sewforme Stashaway |
User: sewmuchfun
Member since: 07-22-2005 Total posts: 67 |
From: weezie
Date: 07-28-2005, 01:16 PM (5 of 26)
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It sounds as if you might well have thrown the timing off on your machine when the needle popped hard enough to mar your presser foot.Most often this type of repair needs a machine specialist to fix this sort of problem if it can be done.I also think we would need to know what brand and model your machine is to be of any help to you.Many of the newer machines have many plastic parts yet alot of the older machines had mostly metal parts.If you are planning to sew heavy canvas the older all medal machines using either a size 16 or 18 sharp needle would be more apt to work out for this type of sewing. Some of the sewing machine companies have web sites that might be able to help you obtain the manuals on used machines but we need more info to help you much beyond the facts we have to go with now.Later,Weezie weezie
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User: weezie
Member since: 01-01-2002 Total posts: 34 |
From: ChoctawCharli
Date: 07-28-2005, 09:19 PM (6 of 26)
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Leaving your pressure foot up, run a crisp dollar bill between your tension disks a few times. It sounds like you may have a tiny little piece of lint in there. Often the ragfiber of the dollar bill will pick it out. As for the needle breaking on backstitch, either the timing has been thrown off, or the inside setting (where the needle is screwed in) has been knocked off kilter. Either case will require a trip to "the doctor", sorry. I may get fussed at by several people, but if you are working with outdoor weight canvas, I use and would suggest using a leather needle. If a 16 or 18 break - try a leather. It has a wedge shaped point that does a better job of going through the heavy canvases. Good Luck and God Bless  CharliAnn |
User: ChoctawCharli
Member since: 03-10-2005 Total posts: 22 
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From: wghmch
Date: 07-28-2005, 10:13 PM (7 of 26)
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"..but if you are working with outdoor weight canvas, I use and would suggest using a leather needle." Sorry, bad idea! There are numerous types of leather needles, but they all have a blade for a point, that is designed to cut thru material that has no natural openings. A leather needle will also work on a vinyl fabric for the same reason, but for a fabric that is woven and has openings between and within the fibers, you need a point that will slip thru without doing any damage. A "jeans" needle is usually a good choice. Bill Holman |
User: wghmch
Member since: 03-04-2003 Total posts: 249 |
From: e50e
Date: 07-28-2005, 10:29 PM (8 of 26)
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Ok, thanks. I think that the thread was not going through the tension discs properly because of all the trouble I was having with the needles breaking---it distracted my attention away from the simple task of seeing if it was threaded correctly. I am using a Kenmore 10 Stitch that looks late seventies. Everything is metal--it's got some weight to it. I didn't find any info yet online after searching, but the model number is #1249380. I am not currently sewing canvas, however that was a question I had had previously. I've gone through three needles since last night (breaking on the reverse) and I have to just give it a rest. I hope it won't cost too much to fix. Has anyone ever had this trouble before? |
User: e50e
Member since: 08-28-2004 Total posts: 21 |
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 07-29-2005, 12:28 PM (9 of 26)
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Why not stop doing the reversing.. Just leave your threads long, pull top one to back of fabric, and tie them off.. Saves money.. (needles are not cheap) and frayed nerves.. and you accomplish more sewing in the long run..
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022
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From: e50e
Date: 07-29-2005, 05:04 PM (10 of 26)
| !!! But I thought I had to reverse stitch so that it wouldn't come undone--but I can just tie the ends up? Everyone has always told me to reverse so that my stitches won't come apart at the end. Thank you very much for the (obvious) tip (that I overlooked--ha)! |
User: e50e
Member since: 08-28-2004 Total posts: 21 |
From: sewmuchfun
Date: 07-29-2005, 06:02 PM (11 of 26)
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here's a little tip from a girl that sewed leather handbags on a straight stitch industrial that only went forward.. Sew to the end lift the pressure foot and needle and go back about 1/2" and sew to the end again. you can repeat if you want to... it works great and locks the stitch away from the edge.. Hope this helps MM PS: I wouldn't use a leather needle on canvas either for the same reason stated it will damage the fibers and not all leather needles are winged. Some are just the same as a regular needle usually an 18 is for leather.. I sewed on it for 6 years back in the 80's Hope this helps Marilyn
Sewforme Stashaway |
User: sewmuchfun
Member since: 07-22-2005 Total posts: 67 |
From: mommydionne
Date: 08-03-2005, 08:34 PM (12 of 26)
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try a "drilling" needle, good for multiple layers of heavy material and goes between fibres not like a cutting needle (ie leather)
Jeanette
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User: mommydionne
Member since: 01-08-2004 Total posts: 838 
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From: LauraM62
Date: 08-05-2005, 11:22 AM (13 of 26)
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Note as an owner of several Kenmore machines (one over 30 years old) if you are using a Singer needle in the machine it can cause you some of these problems. The Singer needle doesn't have the right length & size to catch properly in the Kenmore (ask me how I know!). Once I switched to the Schmetz needles allot of my problems dissappeared. Just a thought, then is to try a different brand of needle. Ok, thanks. I think that the thread was not going through the tension discs properly because of all the trouble I was having with the needles breaking---it distracted my attention away from the simple task of seeing if it was threaded correctly. I am using a Kenmore 10 Stitch that looks late seventies. Everything is metal--it's got some weight to it. I didn't find any info yet online after searching, but the model number is #1249380. I am not currently sewing canvas, however that was a question I had had previously. I've gone through three needles since last night (breaking on the reverse) and I have to just give it a rest. I hope it won't cost too much to fix. Has anyone ever had this trouble before? 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, 12:06 PM (14 of 26)
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I have had Kenmore made by Janome (currently living with DIL) its over 30 years old also, and my current machine is a Janome and both manuals always told me NOT to use a Singer needle .. They will break in the machine.. I think a lot of people overlook this in reading their manuals, but a friend of mine pointed it out to me when I first bought my Kenmore, right after I broke a needle. LOL.. I started then and there using Schmetz and loving them..
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022
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From: DorothyL
Date: 08-06-2005, 08:03 AM (15 of 26)
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The Singer needles won't work in my Pfaff either. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: e50e
Date: 08-07-2005, 12:45 AM (16 of 26)
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Thanks for that advice. I'm sure I'll hear exactly what was wrong when I get my machine back from being serviced! I finally took it in because I picked up another $5 Brother machine I got a garage sale from being cleaned and looked over and it works so wonderfully now that I decided I could really benefit from having the Kenmore professionally cleaned, repaired and checked up on too. Thanks for telling me about the needle choice because I never really thought about it before. Thanks for all of the replies. It's nice to know that I can find lots of great help and suggestions here! |
User: e50e
Member since: 08-28-2004 Total posts: 21 |
From: LauraM62
Date: 08-08-2005, 09:33 AM (17 of 26)
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Just beware that the service/repair person doesn't always tell you about the needle issue I just had to explain to a Wally world employee that Singer needles do not fit in every machine as she was trying to tell another lady trying to decide on needles for her machine Thanks for that advice. I'm sure I'll hear exactly what was wrong when I get my machine back from being serviced! I finally took it in because I picked up another $5 Brother machine I got a garage sale from being cleaned and looked over and it works so wonderfully now that I decided I could really benefit from having the Kenmore professionally cleaned, repaired and checked up on too. Thanks for telling me about the needle choice because I never really thought about it before. Thanks for all of the replies. It's nice to know that I can find lots of great help and suggestions here! 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: plrlegal
Date: 08-08-2005, 01:01 PM (18 of 26)
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I own 4 Singer machines. A Quantum 3400, a 70+ year old treadle, a Singer Serger (5 thread) and a Singer Futura Embroidery/Sewing Machine. I have never been able to use anything but the Singer needles in any of them. I asked the owner of the Singer store where I purchased all of my Singer machines except the treadle, of course, and she told me that the Singer needles are just a fraction of an inch shorter than the Schmetz, Organ, etc. needles to allow for the clearance in the bobbin cases. Apparently, Schmentz, Organ, due to the fact that they are just slightly longer, hit the bottom of the Singer top loading bobbin cases, therefore creating huge problems and damaging the machines. I have heard others say they use the Schmetz needles in the Singer machines with no problems, but I'm a chicken and rather face an expensive repair bill, I stick to using the recommended needles and bobbins in my Singer machines. Patsy Patsy
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User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
From: wghmch
Date: 08-09-2005, 12:40 AM (19 of 26)
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Sorry, but all the BS about the problems between needle brands because of a difference in length is just something that has been dreamed up and repeated over and over until many people believe it. Even if there was a tiny difference in the overall length, the only thing that matters is the length from the top of the shank to the eye. This is frequently referred to as the "timing length" and if this were different, the machine would be out of time. There was a very old series of Singer models that needed a special needle because the standard 15X1 was too long and would hit the bobbin case, but this needle (206X13) had virtually the same timing length but a very short point below the eye. In the case of the Schmetz/Singer debate, the Schmetz is a higher quality, better precision needle, and as a result, is likely to work better than the Singer, but not because of a length difference. Both brands make a version of the needle with an offset blade to compensate for poor needle to hook clearance, (yellow band Singer & 705H-S Schmetz) and if these are used in a properly adjusted machine, the hook or guard will touch the needle, deflecting it slightly. Bill Holman |
User: wghmch
Member since: 03-04-2003 Total posts: 249 |
From: plrlegal
Date: 08-09-2005, 01:18 AM (20 of 26)
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All I know Bill is that the Schmetz needles will not work in my Singers. I use the Schmetz needles for my Pfaff Quilt Expression - quilting, embroidery, microtex sharps, double needles, wing needle, etc. but I have never had any luck getting any of my three Singer machines to work properly with a Schmetz needle in them. Patsy Patsy
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User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
From: mommydionne
Date: 08-09-2005, 07:16 AM (21 of 26)
I dunno either, my bernina (160) and brother (embroidery only) hate singer needles but my older mechanical janome (  just gave it to my old babysitter, she is studying design as college and really needed a machine) worked just great with them. I prefer schmetz I have to say.
Jeanette
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User: mommydionne
Member since: 01-08-2004 Total posts: 838
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From: DorothyL
Date: 08-09-2005, 07:38 AM (22 of 26)
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I'm going to believe Bill, because he has shown and shared a lot of knowledge about machines on these boards. But I'm not going to stick to Schmetz needles because my machine is happier that way and when I keep it happy it keeps me happy. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: LauraM62
Date: 08-09-2005, 10:29 AM (23 of 26)
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I'm not up to disagreeing with Bill. But I know I've heard many times about troubles using Singer needles, and a difference in length. Personally my own machines (Kenmores) hate the Singer needles, it sounds as if the timing is off, the bobbin thread will bunch up, just overall bad stitches. As soon as I switched to a better needle the machines hummed. I even tested it on my new Kenmore when I got it - same thing with it. So I don't know if they truly are or not, but they are not the quality of Schmetz or Organ. IMHO I'm going to believe Bill, because he has shown and shared a lot of knowledge about machines on these boards. But I'm not going to stick to Schmetz needles because my machine is happier that way and when I keep it happy it keeps me happy. Dorothy 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: MaryW
Date: 08-09-2005, 11:47 AM (24 of 26)
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I can attest to Schmetz as well. They have never let me down, others have.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: westbrook
Date: 08-25-2005, 02:45 AM (25 of 26)
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having 19 Singer sewing machines dated from 1913 to 1968, when I break needle I use what ever I have on hand, organ or schmetz. I have vintage Singer needles that I save and only bring out when I am doing displays of vintage machines and accessories. I don't think my machines have seen a Singer needle for decades. "Other" needles fit a Singer just fine. Now a serger is a whole 'nuther discussion and I can't speak for embroidery machines.. only Singer sewing machines. Brook |
User: westbrook
Member since: 12-13-2004 Total posts: 35 |
From: beachgirl
Date: 08-25-2005, 03:07 PM (26 of 26)
| Singer needles are not the quality needles they were years ago. I have 3 older singers ( seldom used anymore ) but when I did I bought the singer needles from the dealer that was in business here at that time. Most always took them & the machine back into him. He showed me that the Singer needles were not always good.Most are made inferior, just a slight off & will either break or mess up the sewing. I have some that are years old that were my mom's & they are good ones. I will not buy a singer needle for those machines. I use organ,schmetz or Janome only. Just what I know from my problems. |
User: beachgirl
Member since: 08-31-2004 Total posts: 615 
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