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The Sew What’s New Archive
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From: Nefla
Date: 03-27-2007, 08:13 PM (1 of 10)
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Hello, I am new to this forum as well to serging. In fact I just got my serger a few days ago and cannot get it to work T_T. I have read the manual that came with the machine, and threaded it the way the manual said. I couldn't watch the instructional video because it came broken. Anyway, my problem is that my machine either doesn't sew at all, or it sews a stitch that looks like this: ===== on top and loose/tangled/I don't even know on the back. This is a new machine, so I don't know what's wrong. Can anyone help me, or should I return this machine? Any help would be sooooo appreciated! Thank you for your time. n_n -Nefla Oh yeah, and the machine is a white speedylock 1600 |
User: Nefla
Member since: 03-26-2007 Total posts: 6 |
From: GreenDragonLady
Date: 03-27-2007, 08:16 PM (2 of 10)
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What are the tensions set at? is the thread seated properly in the tension disks? Is it threaded in the correct order? The only other thing I can think of is that the presser foot isn't all the way down. I did that once and made a mess! Oh, and welcome to the forum! photos.yahoo.com/greendragondesigns
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User: GreenDragonLady
Member since: 07-29-2004 Total posts: 495 
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From: Nefla
Date: 03-27-2007, 08:33 PM (3 of 10)
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Thank you for your kind welcome ^_^ I have tried the tension at several different combinations, none of them worked sadly. The presser foot was down, and I even tried adjusting the pressure, but that didn't work either. The thread is correctly in the tension discs, and the machine has been threaded in the proper order. (I even rethreaded it several times to be sure I wasn't missing a step) I dunno what to do. |
User: Nefla
Member since: 03-26-2007 Total posts: 6 |
From: GreenDragonLady
Date: 03-27-2007, 08:35 PM (4 of 10)
I don't know either.  I hope you get a suggestion that works! My sergers are put away right now. I'm emptying my sewing room so I can put my floor down. It's taking me waaaay too long though. I just can't get motivated. photos.yahoo.com/greendragondesigns
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User: GreenDragonLady
Member since: 07-29-2004 Total posts: 495
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From: weezyrider
Date: 03-28-2007, 08:49 AM (5 of 10)
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Try pulling on the looper threads below the tension discs before they go thru the loopers with the foot down. Plenty of times I've thought I had my serger threaded correctly and the thread wasn't in the tension disc right so the tension grabbed it. If the thread just pulls freely with the foot down, then the tension isn't grabbing it. Weezy |
User: weezyrider
Member since: 08-19-2003 Total posts: 218 
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From: Tom Land
Date: 03-28-2007, 09:06 AM (6 of 10)
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Nefla, it sounds like it must be threaded improperly. There should have been a sew-in card on the machine with the sample tensions written on it. Return the tensions to those numbers. Then rethread starting with your loopers and then the neeedles. As Weezy said, you need to make sure the thread gets down in between the tension discs. If the problem persists don't assume it is you. Take it back and make the seller show you that its you and not the machine. Some of the "mass market" stores are getting harder to deal with on returns and exchanges. I wouldn't wait too long. Have fun or don't do it, Tom
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User: Tom Land
Member since: 09-21-2005 Total posts: 514 |
From: Nefla
Date: 03-28-2007, 02:55 PM (7 of 10)
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Thanks for your replies guys ^_^ I just double checked the tension discs (I put them on 9 just to be sure) and the thread is in there correctly. I also followed the threading instructions exactly, consulting both the book and the instructions printed on the machine. Nothing helps T_T I think it must be the machine, and I will have to return it today. Thank you everyone for your help! |
User: Nefla
Member since: 03-26-2007 Total posts: 6 |
From: Kylnne2
Date: 03-29-2007, 08:09 PM (8 of 10)
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When you thread the tension discs, you might thread them at a 0 tension then tighten them to the desired tension. Then give a light tug on the thread to make sure the thread is well seated in the disc. As Tom said, thread your needles "last" especially if you have threaded a looper should the looper thread break, you need to unthread the needles and rethread them making sure the threads are free an clear to the back of the foot and not down in the race of the serger before stitching. You might also want to check that your thread antenna is raised all the way up. I suggest to check your pressure, length and width settings too. |
User: Kylnne2
Member since: 07-10-2004 Total posts: 629 |
From: Judi
Date: 03-29-2007, 11:17 PM (9 of 10)
And pay attention to which looper is to be threaded first. and where the second looper thread goes. It often wants to go under the first looper, rather than over it. I had to use a magnifying glass to be sure I was doing it right - I used the glass on the instructions - not on the machine.  They do make those pictures small. and be sure you have the presser foot up when you thread the machine. Then, lower the presser foot, and turn the wheel towards you as you watch to see the stitches are being made correctly. Then stitch slowly, without any fabric for a few stitches - again to insure it is making a 'chain'. Then put fabric under the presser foot and take a few stitches. I really hope this works for you. Sergers can be scary until you figure them out. Don't give up though. They are such fun after that.
Judi
Sewing is almost better than Chocolate. |
User: Judi
Member since: 06-22-2000 Total posts: 85 |
From: Nefla
Date: 03-30-2007, 11:05 PM (10 of 10)
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Thanks for your suggestions ^_^ I had tried all of that, and nothing worked T_T I took the machine back to the store yesterday and exchanged it for an identical machine. The new one works great! <3 It looks like the old one was just defective. I think it may have been dropped in transit because the tape that came with it was badly broken and cracked. I dunno though. Thank you to everyone who helped me! |
User: Nefla
Member since: 03-26-2007 Total posts: 6 |
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