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From: HiSissa
Date: 06-07-2007, 04:23 PM (1 of 14)
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I'm a newbie and took a class to learn to use it and also took two sewing classes (one for quilting) and one for making a top and skirt. Since then, I've made a dress for my toddler, another top and am working on a second top. BUT, every step along the way, I run into trouble with my machine. Lots of skipped stitches. The settings are all correct and I made sure to get the right needle and thread for the fabric but I still get this problem. It only seems to work after I pull everything apart and clean it, oil it and put in brand new full thread spool and brand new needle ... but am I supposed to be replacing those only after a single (small) garment?? Any tips from those more experienced with sewing and sewing machines would be greatly appreciated. |
User: HiSissa
Member since: 06-07-2007 Total posts: 5 |
From: rosemaryschalck
Date: 06-07-2007, 04:36 PM (2 of 14)
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I find that if I am having difficulty that sometimes GENTLY holding the fabric in the front and back gives an even stitch. I use my serger daily. Often I will serge delicate washables into a bag that I serged from a dishtowel or scraps. It is so much easier than hand washing all that really delicate stuff. Cut the bag open when done and reuse later. Line dry your stuff and it will last forever! Good Luck being a MOM! It is the best time and it always goes by sooooooo fast. Heaven Bless, Rosemary |
User: rosemaryschalck
Member since: 09-15-2006 Total posts: 5 |
From: paroper
Date: 06-07-2007, 07:44 PM (3 of 14)
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Welcome to the forum! I'm sorry that you are having problems with your machine. There are several things that come to mind. Number one, be sure that the needle you are using is in all the way and it is a brand and size that was recommended for your machine. There are needle brands that are longer than others or have eye heights that are different and if you have the wrong brand, it could certainly cause these problems. Is your fabric knit? If so, it may be that you need a different type of needle..skipped stitches in knits can be a special problem (not you). There is a problem in the hook assembly. Thankfully, there are only a few things that can cause these problems. In general, things are not getting to the place they need to be at the right time. Are you using a bobbin you filled yourself with the proper thread? Is the bobbin one that came with your machine? If it is, try a different bobbin that came with your machine. Most are pretty durable but if it was dropped or something, sometimes they bend. When you thread the bobbin, are you putting the bobbin in the correct direction and is it under the tension spring on the case? Many machines have a case that comes out and the thread is fed under a little flat piece of metal that acutually applies pressure to the thread as it is fed into the hook system. If the thread is not in the proper place in this case, you can get these kinds of problems. If your machine does not have this type of case, there should be a place where you put the end of your thread before/as you close the door to the machine. Did your dealer sew on the machine before it left the shop? If not, it might just need a simple adjustment. Many times, just the rough treatment during shipment can make the machines a little out of adjustment, this is true of machines that run $69 up to machines that cost $10,000. No, as far as should you have to change the needle each time...that's probably my worst habit...to use a needle for months until it starts making flapping sounds when I sew. You should not have to clean and replace the needle with each project (although you can never clean the machine too much, you can oil a machine often enough that it "leaks" on your fabric. When you thread your machine, you should be doing it with the presser foot up. It is possible that the machine is sewing better each time because in the process you raise the presser foot to clean. When you raise the presser foot, the internal thread disks that pinch the thread and keep it feeding evenly during sewing open. When the foot is down, pressure is applied to the thread. Opening the disks allows the thread to be fed into the correct "ready" position when you sew. So, inadvertantly you may be fixing your problem when you clean the machine. I hope that one of these solutions helps. If we can't come up with something, be sure and run it by your dealer. Thread the machine with them watching you and take a sample of your fabric. Often when they watch they can see the problem immediately. These boards are great, but nothing beats seeing the problem in person. 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: HiSissa
Date: 06-07-2007, 08:04 PM (4 of 14)
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Wow, thank you so much for your thorough replies. That helps a lot. I will give a try holding the fabric gently. It is a knit material so that might be part of my problem. I'm using a bobbin that came with the machine but I did thread it myself. I might also change the case where the bobbin sits or have it looked at to make sure it's doing it's job of controlling the tension. The part that struck me the most was: "When you thread your machine, you should be doing it with the presser foot up." I don't think I'm doing that  so definitely will need to go back and test out what happens when I do this correctly.The dealer didn't sew on the actual machine that I bought ... jsut a model. But they are very nice and helpful there, so if nothing else works, I think I will take a drive there and have them show me things again. First, I will go through your suggestions. THANK YOU so much. PS - Rosemary, I'm definitely enjoy my little ones - I have a 1 year old and an almost 3 year old and they are at an incredibly cute age. Everyone tells me how fast it goes, so I'm trying to heed their advice to just soak it all in everyday (when I'm not putting out sibling rivalry fires, that is  ). Thank you.
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User: HiSissa
Member since: 06-07-2007 Total posts: 5 |
From: paroper
Date: 06-07-2007, 08:43 PM (5 of 14)
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Enjoy your 3 year old, by 4 they are independant and at 5 they know more than anyone! I LOVE 3 yr olds, they are so sweet!!! Serging is much different than sewing. When sewing you should guide the fabric straight with your right hand, I usually just it slip lightly through my fingers is it is slipping. With the left, you should just make sure that the garment "keeps up" with the fabric as the machine feeds it through. To get the best stitch from your machine, you should let the feed dogs pull the fabric through the machine. Since most knits only stretch across the fabric, when you pull the fabric of knits it actually narrows the lines of knit (you know how in a sweater you have a knit purl) so that the stitches get closer together on the lengthwise grain (not a very pretty seam) and on the cross grain it stretches the fabric out, sometimes, if stretched enough, making a wavy seam. If you need to put more thread into the stitch, put either a slight zig zag on the stitch (I usually use just about a 1 or less) or use a stretch stitch (which I use on very stretchy fabric)..that gives a stitch not unlike some sort of a lock stitch...two forward, one back two forward. This allows the seam to slip just a little and puts more thread into the seams so they don't break as easily. I was a bit fearful that you were using a knit fabric. First, have your tech look at the machine and make sure that it is all in order. If it is slightly out of time, and it very well may be, this should take care of any "extra" problems you may have. THEN talk to the tech. On most knits a ball point needle is used. The ball point needle is made on the principal that as it penetrates the fabric, it pushes aside the fibers of the knit so that they are not broken. In theory, when you use a sharp needle, it penetrates and weakens the fabric. HOWEVER, on some machine, a skip may occur when sewing knit fabrics. On these machines, a ball point needle does not satisfy all the needs of your machine. On some machines there is enough space that the fabric, as it is penetrated is stretched and sometimes goes into the area of the hook, interferring with the formation of a stitch. When this happens, believe me (I spent two years in college courses fighting this back when no one knew what to do about it), it is more than frusterating. There is a special needle that is made to close the gap so that the fabric does not go into this area. You do not want to use this on a machine that does not need it, but if you need it is a wonderful invention. The needle is called a stretch needle and will be available at most places where machine needles are sold for a similar price. Before you purchase this needle though, talk to your tech to make sure that is isn't just out of adjustment and to make sure that the needle will not damage your machine. If your machine needs this needle to properly sew knits, your problems should be solved immediately! Now, that is not to say this is your problem, exactly, but it very well might be if some of the other things do not work for you. If you have an old piece of cotton, you should not have the same type of problem sewing it as you have sewing the knit, so you should be able to tell if it is a problem related to the knit or a general problem, or if you have more than one problem. One thing that will drive you crazy about the needle problem is that it will be hit and miss...I could sew some and it would be fine...then I would sew and I couldn't sew anything. It was terrible. Knits were new and no one knew what to do at the time. At least now there are solutions! 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: temom
Date: 06-08-2007, 08:05 AM (6 of 14)
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I had similar trouble - it seems that I kept forgetting to put the presser foot down. I know - that is a pretty basic thing, but I spent hours trying to get it right. I was about to throw the whole thing away...
Theresa
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User: temom
Member since: 01-19-2007 Total posts: 410 
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From: Tom Land
Date: 06-08-2007, 10:22 AM (7 of 14)
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You might try sewing with your needle in left needle position. This will move the needle closer to the hook and give the fabric support on 3 sides rather than 2 as it does in center needle position. If my memory serves me (which it rarely does), the 215 is a top drop-in bobbin machine made by Janome. The hook has a tendancy to rock on the current and recent Janomes. This messes up the clearance between the hook and needle which can cause skipping especially on knits. Most people never realize it because they don't sew on real stretchy knits much anymore. If this does help either the hook is set too far from the needle, the hook is slightly out of time, or the needlebar height is incorrect. If your machine is properly adjusted you should not use Singer ballpoint needles. If its not, the Singer needles may help. Have fun or don't do it, Tom
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User: Tom Land
Member since: 09-21-2005 Total posts: 514 |
From: paroper
Date: 06-08-2007, 10:48 AM (8 of 14)
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Wow, Tom, that is the first time I've heard someone say not to use the ball point needles, although I've heard not to use the stretch needles in most machines...that adds an interesting twist. Please explain...I would like your expertise and input.
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: HiSissa
Date: 06-08-2007, 06:40 PM (9 of 14)
| Funny, you mention the needle issue because I was unsure about this and had asked the lady at the store where I bought the machine (it's owned by a couple) about which needle to use ... I had brought her a sample of the fabric and she recommended a stretch needle. I got through the first half of the garment just fine using that needle, which is why I'm so confused why the same needle and thread I'd been using suddenly weren't working on the same exact fabric. |
User: HiSissa
Member since: 06-07-2007 Total posts: 5 |
From: paroper
Date: 06-08-2007, 06:48 PM (10 of 14)
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Try rethreading the machine then and raise the presser foot when you do. Take the bobbin out and put it back into the machine. It is probably some sort of threading issue.
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: paroper
Date: 06-08-2007, 09:51 PM (11 of 14)
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I bet your needle is no long in facing the correct direction. Check that. You said that you have been cleaning the machine and changing needles. I bet that either the needle isn't corectly seated or it is in facing the wrong direction.
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: Tom Land
Date: 06-09-2007, 09:45 AM (12 of 14)
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Pam back in the "olden days" when only Singer had the top drop-in bobbin they would skip stitches on knits because the hook was too far from the needle. The "Yellowband" needle was designed to move the needle back closer to the hook. If used on a machine that the hook is already close enough to it the hook can deflect the needle. Which can also cause skipping.
Have fun or don't do it, Tom
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User: Tom Land
Member since: 09-21-2005 Total posts: 514 |
From: paroper
Date: 06-09-2007, 10:14 AM (13 of 14)
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I knew that and I knew the stretch needles were bent toward the needle but are all ball point needles directed toward the needle? It was my understanding that the "normal" ball point needles were straight. Schmentz sells both. I thought that was the difference? If not, a lot of women are buying ball point needles that should not be. Yeah, I "learned" a few not so nice words while learning to sew on the early knits on a Touch and Sew Machine in college. We were not allowed to take our garments out of the classroom so sewing time was precious. It wasn't such a big deal for most projects because I was a power sewer and would turn out 3-4 garments to someone else's one...however, when it came to flat patten and design, it almost ate my lunch. By the time we got our dress forms grain perfect and well fitted, had submitted all the parts and gotten an ok to sew we only had about 6 hours of sewing time left to create the garment...which would have been plenty BUT my T&S wouldn't sew the fabric! I was NOT a happy camper. My teacher, on the last day, gave me a one day extension and allowed me to take the pieces from the classroom to complete. Luckily for me, my portable (cheap) Singer in the dorm would sew the fabric and I got it in on time! It was almost enough to make a Jr. home ec major change her major to somthing "less challenging"...like brain surgery! Later, when I had my 175 Kenmore with the same problem, the Q foot and needles were released. After that I never had a problem. 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: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 06-09-2007, 11:28 AM (14 of 14)
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Pam, I just re-read Toms instr. above and he was talking about Janome Builts ONLY..for the ball point needle no-no.. It underlines my own experience with my Janome MC4000.. That was the only complaint I ever had with my machine, til I stopped trying.. I can sew some knits quite well, but if the knit has a ribbing stitch in it , forget it.. I use my serger and my coverstitch and I no longer have problems..
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
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