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From: InABind
Date: 02-03-2006, 11:41 AM (1 of 6)
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I received a sewing machine for my bday (a Singer 7444). My husband bought it for me and didn't want to spend too much $ in case I didn't like it --- and right now I HATE IT! Since the machine was purchased at Target, I have no one there to ask about questions. Here is my problem: I have threaded and added bobbin - the problem when I try to sew anything is that the material doesn't move. The only way I can make the material move, is if I slighly raise the foot and sorta guide the material through - this is a two hand process which seems bizarre, but that's the only way I can sew a stitch, otherwise the material won't budge - it's like it's almost pinched in place from the footer. The manual says you should be "gently guiding" the material through - which makes me beleive it should be moving and what I should be doing is "guiding", sorta making sure I am sewing a straight line or something. I don't know if there is something wrong with this machine or me! The sewing was supposed to be a "relaxing" hobby I was going to try - so far it's been so frustrating that all I want to do is throw it out the window!  I tried calling Singer support but am never able to get through and when I call other local sewing places they don't want to help since I didn't purchase the machine from them:( Someone please help! |
User: InABind
Member since: 02-02-2006 Total posts: 12 |
From: Sparky
Date: 02-03-2006, 12:00 PM (2 of 6)
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Do you have an instruction book for your machine? Look through it and see if it tells you how to raise and lower the feed dogs. Not all machines have this capability, but it sounds like maybe yours does and your "dogs" are in the down position. Another thought - I don't know how your machine threads the bobbin, but on mine I have to put the bobbin on a little post on the front and push that post to the left. When it's in place the machine won't sew at all. The needle won't go up and down, the feed dogs (these are the little teeth under the fabric that move it) don't move, nothing. Fine for filling the bobbin, but if the thing gets bumped and I don't realize it, I'll be all confused. Could your machine think it's in bobbin-filling mode? Just a couple of off the top of the head ideas. Sparky
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User: Sparky
Member since: 03-13-2005 Total posts: 94 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 02-03-2006, 12:03 PM (3 of 6)
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Are your feed dogs engaged? They are the little gear looking things under the presser foot. They should move, carrying the fabric with them. There should be a lever somewhere to raise and lower them. For regular sewing they should be up. Wait, I just reread your message. Perhaps you turned the small knob in the wheel while you filled your bobbin and need to turn it back. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: woodywoodpecker
Date: 02-03-2006, 12:10 PM (4 of 6)
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so sorry to hear of your problem, it's such a turn off when it won't work. Let's see if we can help you. 1) are your feed dogs up or down? 2) Is the machine set to sew in place? in other words what is your stitch length set on? 3) What is your pressure foot set on? I'm kind of leaning towards item #2 , but you never know. Hopefully this board can get you going. If worse comes to worse can you get your money back and go buy one from a dealer? I would think your local sewing places would want to help you in order to pick-up your business in the future, as you would never forget some one helping you out when yu needed it and will never forget someone not helping you either! |
User: woodywoodpecker
Member since: 11-07-2003 Total posts: 242 |
From: InABind
Date: 02-03-2006, 12:43 PM (5 of 6)
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Thank you all! It was the "Feed Dog" that needed to be raised! lol Was ready to throw the sewing machine AND hubby out the door! I bought the "Sewing For Dummies" book - let's see if it will actually help THIS dummy! Thanks again to all |
User: InABind
Member since: 02-02-2006 Total posts: 12 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 02-03-2006, 01:41 PM (6 of 6)
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The reason I thought of that is I lower them to clean the lint out of that corner and always forget to put them up again. And I've been doing that for a whole lot of years now. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
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