Aubrey Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 :mad::mad::mad::mad: I don't have my glasses on, but this guy doesn't look angry enough to me. My machine MAKES ME MAD. MAAAAAAAAAAAADDD. I don't use the fancy stitches--I don't expect those to work. Or to be able to use them. I just. want. a. straight. line. Hear me??? And I'm SICK of the scribble-scrabble tangled backs. I know they don't show. But I CARE. You're supposed to care. I've adjusted the tension according to my manual. I've rethreaded my machine. Which makes no sense because it's so easy to thread: It's really not possible for a psychotic monkey to do wrong. It's that easy. But it magically fixed my tension once, so I dutifully try rethreading my machine when nec. No luck today. At the tightest setting, the loops on the back got smaller, but that's it. And it knots up every 6" or so. I know it's the material I'm using, but I wish I knew how to coax it into accepting new material. I forget what I worked on time before last, but I just added pockets to a dress for dd5 night before last--basic cotton--& the machine freaked out a little. Now I'm making a quilt out of denim, & it's freaking out a lot. I mean, w/ loops as big as it's making, you can hardly call this sewing. It's holding together, but I'm not. What I want to know (& you thought this was just a RANT) is: am I just an idiot & I should sell my machine on CL & be done w/ it???? Or is my machine a piece of garbage & I should sell it on CL & buy something... else? I really love my machine when it works. It does absolutely NOTHING fancy, but it works EASILY. I remember my mom's machine as being a beast. It was finicky & tricky & such. My dad gave me this one for my 16th bday, & it made me feel like I actually knew how to sew. It's the only one I've ever owned, & it's a student model, & I'd like to believe that it's just old & simple, & I've grown beyond it, but I'm pretty sure that's not the case. I've just gotten braver on what I'll try, & my audience (dh & dc) is less educated now (as opposed to my mom). Thank you for listening. If you call me an idiot, I'll just warn you: I'm VERY pg. I WILL bite. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GSMP Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 Aubrey...is there no one around you that can help with this....? Did I miss it? Did you say what type of sewing machine you have? The tension is always a tricky thing....I threaten to kill any one who touched my tension dial...... When your pregnant things tend to be amplified......(I'm ducking in case you are swinging.....:D) Sorry you are having a difficult time.....wish I could just pop down the street and help you out, but by the time I got there, you would be having your baby.....:001_smile: :grouphug::grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pam "SFSOM" in TN Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 Thank you for listening. If you call me an idiot, I'll just warn you: I'm VERY pg. I WILL bite. ;)[/left] :standing back, speaking softly: Have you adjusted the tension on your bobbin? Is it the kind of bobbin that you can adjust with a little screwdriver? That's the only thing that works for me in situations like this. :leaving: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MomofSeven Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 No advice just lots of sympathy. I have been on a sewing hiatus due to all the battles I've had with my machine(s). Yes, I actually have two that don't work consistently so I get double the pleasure of ranting and raving about them. Just yesterday I stopped by our local sewing store to have them take a look at my newer model. I've no doubt it'll be $50 min. just for the maintenance. But I do want to sew again and I agree with you...it should not be this difficult. :glare: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nakitty Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 If you love it....and you really want to keep it....I would take it in to a sewing repair shop. It sounds like it could be something mechanical going on. Otherwise, if you are not that attatched to it....sell/give it away and get something new. If it was just happening on the denim....I would say it is just not made to sew denim....but since it is also happening on regular cotton fabric....mechanical, I'd bet on it. :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aubrey Posted July 21, 2008 Author Share Posted July 21, 2008 :standing back, speaking softly: Have you adjusted the tension on your bobbin? Is it the kind of bobbin that you can adjust with a little screwdriver? That's the only thing that works for me in situations like this. :leaving: First, I'd like to say that I'm having a perfectly civil conversation over on the curric board. (At least, *I* think so, LOL. :001_huh:) Anyway, there *are* a couple of little screws under the plate thingy near the bobbin case, but I just re-checked my manual. There's *nothing* about bobbin tension, so...I suspect those screws aren't supposed to be messed w/. And if they are? Then the MANUAL was written for psychotic monkeys. (And see, that's actually me being polite. I considered decapitated monkeys, but I was afraid that might be to macabre.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aubrey Posted July 21, 2008 Author Share Posted July 21, 2008 If you love it....and you really want to keep it....I would take it in to a sewing repair shop. It sounds like it could be something mechanical going on. Otherwise, if you are not that attatched to it....sell/give it away and get something new. If it was just happening on the denim....I would say it is just not made to sew denim....but since it is also happening on regular cotton fabric....mechanical, I'd bet on it. :001_smile: Ok, I know machines need maintenance from time to time, but mine never has. So I don't know when it does. And I think the manual should tell you when you need help. And where to go. And a price range for what it would cost. Like my laptop. The screen's been acting funky for a couple of yrs & it's too old to use any of the wifi connections around, but I *know* it's not worth fixing. Kwim? So I take it fwiw & am relatively compassionate about its limitations. I use a jump drive, save often, & try to avoid doing anything very important on it. My sewing machine, though? Boy, I have no clue. If I kick it, do you think that will help? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aubrey Posted July 21, 2008 Author Share Posted July 21, 2008 BTW, it's for a really cool dinosaur quilt that I want to finish for ds7 before baby comes. It's made out of different shades of denim, & it will have a multi-colored psychadelic dinosaur appliqued on the front. It's some of that fabric that looks hand-dyed. He's very excited. I took so long finishing dd5's baby quilt that I had to add extra fabric to make it fit a twin bed. Ds's is baby-sized, & he feels jipped. Poor guy. If I were smart, I would have just made them all twin-sized from the get-go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cin Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 I understand your frustration completely. I have been there. I had a Singer sewing machine. It s*cked. I 'traded' it in on a Janome/New Home. (I got a piddley, shameful amount for it). I LOVE the new machine. I'm fortunate, I live fairly close to a sewing machine shop, which is where I bought the New Home. If I have problems, they will fix it. But I've not had any problems with it. I finally got to sewing enough that I bought a serger, from the same store! Now, I just have to get those 7 skirts marked so I can hem them! :w00t: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pam "SFSOM" in TN Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 First, I'd like to say that I'm having a perfectly civil conversation over on the curric board. (At least, *I* think so, LOL. :001_huh:) Anyway, there *are* a couple of little screws under the plate thingy near the bobbin case, but I just re-checked my manual. There's *nothing* about bobbin tension, so...I suspect those screws aren't supposed to be messed w/. And if they are? Then the MANUAL was written for psychotic monkeys. (And see, that's actually me being polite. I considered decapitated monkeys, but I was afraid that might be to macabre.) Ok, can you pull out your bobbin? Is it that kind of bobbin? Do you load it, for example, OUTSIDE of the machine? What I'm talking about is a tiny tiny screw on the outside of the bobbin itself. If so, tighten it about a quarter turn, adjusting it til it actually stops giving you loose threads on the bottom. (I forget which way it goes for threads that are loose and crazy, but I'm pretty sure you tighten it -- turn in clockwise just a tad. Righty tighty, lefty loose-y.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aubrey Posted July 21, 2008 Author Share Posted July 21, 2008 Ok, can you pull out your bobbin? Is it that kind of bobbin? Do you load it, for example, OUTSIDE of the machine? What I'm talking about is a tiny tiny screw on the outside of the bobbin itself. If so, tighten it about a quarter turn, adjusting it til it actually stops giving you loose threads on the bottom. (I forget which way it goes for threads that are loose and crazy, but I'm pretty sure you tighten it -- turn in clockwise just a tad. Righty tighty, lefty loose-y.) I haven't used my mom's machine in over 10 yrs, but that sounds like what hers does. I'd forgotten that you could load a bobbin IN the machine. Mine has to come out, the machine has to be unthreaded, etc. There's nothing on the bobbin itself. :glare: I liked that answer, though. It's better than, "Just rethread it, & the magic machine fairies will fix it, if they deem you worthy"-- a rough translation of my grmother's advice last time this happened. (Although, it worked that time.) My machine just seems to really, REALLY hate switching fabrics. If I had some scrap denim, I could put the tension on auto, rethread it (again), & sew ad infinitum, & it would eventually "get it" & things would be fine. But I don't have any scrap denim, & I don't know why or HOW the machine can tell the difference between scrap & the real thing. Seems like I should be able to sew the heeby-jeebies out of it just as well on my quilt as on scraps. Doncha think? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pam "SFSOM" in TN Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 Seems like I should be able to sew the heeby-jeebies out of it just as well on my quilt as on scraps. Doncha think? Yep. But it knows you're pg, and it is doing this just to torment you. Stupid machine. :glare: Sorry, chickie. I wish I was more help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TravelingChris Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 I'll admit to my sewing battles. I have a Bernina machine that cost about 500 14 years ago. It is supposed to be good. I do sew on it when I have to but I would really like a less troublesome machine. My soon to be 15 yo daughter is having her birthday next month and she and her younger sister are attending a sewing camp. I am thinking about getting a machine for them ( and then I can use it too). The really awful thing is that my dh built me a great sewing cabinent for it with two position for the machine to work on, all done with some kind of machine that helps the machine up and down or even higher if I am working on sleeves. I would love to work more. I know my machine needs servicing but that means disassembling the cabinet that he just finished this past winter. I have adjusted tension, adjusted the bobbin, etc, etc. but I think it just needs specialized cleaning and adjusting. I know the electrical part is messed up too since I can't adjust the speed of the machine with my slide like I am supposed to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lawana Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 Machines can be sew frustrating. Here are several things to do which might work. -Clean out the bobbin area, making sure there are no bits of thread left in there. -Put in a new needle. Make sure the flat side of the top part of the needle is facing the rear of the machine. -Wind a new bobbin from a different spool of thread. Reread your manual to make absolutely sure which direction the thread should be unwinding from the bobbin and install. -If you can identify the tension discs and they are accessible, use a folded, well worn dollar bill (it will have a very small amount of oil on it) and slide it between the discs. -Put the tension back to the standard or usual setting. -Rethread the top thread with different thread. If you do all the above and it is still messing up, there may be something wrong with your machine. Good luck! Let us know how it turns out. Lawana Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jami Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 BTW, it's for a really cool dinosaur quilt that I want to finish for ds7 before baby comes. It's made out of different shades of denim, & it will have a multi-colored psychadelic dinosaur appliqued on the front. It's some of that fabric that looks hand-dyed. He's very excited. I took so long finishing dd5's baby quilt that I had to add extra fabric to make it fit a twin bed. Ds's is baby-sized, & he feels jipped. Poor guy. If I were smart, I would have just made them all twin-sized from the get-go. Totally off-topic, I know nothing about sewing machines, I just thought I'd share my mom's quilting schedule. She makes each grandbaby a quilt. Which worked fine with my sister's first. Then there were no new babies for 4.5 years. Then sis and I had two three months apart. Then I had another 14 months later, and sis had another 6 months after that. Then *I* had one 23 months later and sis had one 9 months later. Then I stopped for awhile. And sis had another 2 years after her 4th. Mom's still working on that baby's (she's 18 months now). But...she'd better hurry...cause my SIL is having her first in September. Then sis and I are BOTH having babies late Dec/early Jan. Poor, poor Mom, she'll never catch up. At this rate my oldest nephew had better forget getting a graduation quilt in 6 years when he graduates, she'll still be catching up on baby quilts. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GSMP Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 :standing back, speaking softly: Have you adjusted the tension on your bobbin? Is it the kind of bobbin that you can adjust with a little screwdriver? That's the only thing that works for me in situations like this. :leaving: Good point...I forgot about the bobbin tension. Isn't the bobbin tension the one the produces the loops on the back of the material that is bugging poor Aubrey? It's been over a year since I had my machine out. It is sitting on the piano bench right now. I have to make my daughter some new culottes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pam "SFSOM" in TN Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 Good point...I forgot about the bobbin tension. Isn't the bobbin tension the one the produces the loops on the back of the material that is bugging poor Aubrey? It's been over a year since I had my machine out. It is sitting on the piano bench right now. I have to make my daughter some new culottes. Yeah, it's too loose. Sadly, it doesn't seem that she can manually adjust it. There's nothing worse than screwy bobbin tension. :glare: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GSMP Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 Another way to check the tension on the bobbin is to take it out. Hold the thread in your fingers allowing the bobbin to hang just a little. You should be able to give the thread a little tug like a yo-yo and the bobbin won't move. If the bobbin drops then that is a good sign the bobbin tension is messed up.....That was the way my Momma told me to check mine. Pam is write...the little screw is on the bobbin itself...... I hope you can get it figured out.....I know in our area to get your machine cleaned and repaired is about $68. They will usually check your tension and all that for you...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aubrey Posted July 21, 2008 Author Share Posted July 21, 2008 I know in our area to get your machine cleaned and repaired is about $68. They will usually check your tension and all that for you...... Ack! I'm sure my machine couldn't have been worth much more than that brand new! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GailV Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 -Put in a new needle. Make sure the flat side of the top part of the needle is facing the rear of the machine. I once put the needle in backwards. Wow, that can really mess things up. So can using cheap thread that will pill and leave a trail of little blobs all over the place. I will never, ever use Coats and Clark, for example, until they make a quality product again. Life's too short for the heartache of cheap thread. Anyway, that's why Lawana's suggesting that you clean out the bobbin area and between the tension discs. Lawana is my new hero, by the way, since she apparently knows these things. I find them out through bitter experience. I've done pretty much everything wrong that she's listed, I think. Repeatedly. Lawana, please come to my house and hold my hand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lawana Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 Ahhhhh. Thanks. I've found out most of my stuff through trial and error, reading, and bits of advice over the years. And my MIL calls me down to fix her machine whenever it gets messed up, and so far, it's always been one of the things I mentioned. Lawana Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom2legomaniacs Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 Snort:lol: This was me trying to make a quilt for my firstborn. I was determined to make my baby a quilt. After cussing like a sailor, I decided (well, my mom did after the umpteenth phone call) that I needed to stop. I was to send it to her to finish to save us all. Especially my poor unborn baby from the raving lunatic mother. His poor ears were burning!:grouphug::grouphug::grouphug: My dear, I totally get this! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FO4UR Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 I am completely sympathizing with you! Some stupid things I have done.....:blushing: Put the bobbin on backwards Used a non-Singer bobbin for my Singer machine (how it knows is a mystery...they are the same size??????) Used a needle for knits on woven and visa versa (on demin, I recommend buying a needle specifically for denim or heavy weights) Forget to thread right:001_huh: I never take my machine in for maintanence, but I do take it apart and clean out the fuzz with those cans of air sold for cleaning computers. If you are getting huge loops of thread on the bottom, I bet it's something with your bobbin....I wish I coudl be of more help. btw - what kind of machine do you have? I hear some of the new machines are made very cheaply. I considered selling my old Singer and getting a new machine, but after reading reviews I decided against it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aubrey Posted July 21, 2008 Author Share Posted July 21, 2008 So can using cheap thread that will pill and leave a trail of little blobs all over the place. I will never, ever use Coats and Clark, for example, until they make a quality product again. Life's too short for the heartache of cheap thread. You know...I've had this nagging feeling about my thread. Most of it is from the 70s, but what's not is the cheapest thing WM sells, & even that stuff I haven't bought in a few yrs. Luckily, though, my needles won't go in backwards, & I did just change it to a denim needle. Yay, me! And, yes, Lawana is a super-hero for that list. I told her so! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aubrey Posted July 21, 2008 Author Share Posted July 21, 2008 I am completely sympathizing with you! Some stupid things I have done.....:blushing: Put the bobbin on backwards Used a non-Singer bobbin for my Singer machine (how it knows is a mystery...they are the same size??????) Used a needle for knits on woven and visa versa (on demin, I recommend buying a needle specifically for denim or heavy weights) Forget to thread right:001_huh: I never take my machine in for maintanence, but I do take it apart and clean out the fuzz with those cans of air sold for cleaning computers. If you are getting huge loops of thread on the bottom, I bet it's something with your bobbin....I wish I coudl be of more help. btw - what kind of machine do you have? I hear some of the new machines are made very cheaply. I considered selling my old Singer and getting a new machine, but after reading reviews I decided against it. Yep. I broke 2 needles the first time I tried to sew on denim because I had a new baby at the time & I was too stubborn to wait & too freshly post-partum to get to the store. So I am at least using the right needle. I clean out my bobbin area like a crazy person. Because it's fun. And once you've got the little brush thingy out, there's never quite enough to clean, so I always look for more. I'd be quite apalled if that were the problem. (Are there 2 p's in appalled? Hmm..) My bobbins are the ones that came w/ the machine, but I'm glad to know the same size won't work if it's not Singer. I've been considering buying some back-ups so I don't have to stop to refill my bobbins so often. Hmmm...upside down? I can't tell that there's a difference. And really, my machine is so basic, I'd be willing to bet there's not, but still...I'll give it a try before I kick it. Mine's a Singer 9410. I think it's a student model. It's nearly 15 yrs old, but in the world of sewing machines, I'm not sure that's really all that old. Fwiw, I've barely used it since dh & I have been married. We've been too busy finishing school & having babies. Mostly I'd piece quilt squares & such. But recently--somehow in this teeny apt, my sewing machine ended up *more* accessible than it has been in the past, & I'm sewing more. I made dd a couple of dresses--I've never sewn *actual* clothes, lol--& kept going. So it's getting more use. I cleaned out my mending yesterday. COMPLETELY. (I do that once every...6 yrs or so? LOL) Anyway, if I can fix it, dh has agreed to sit in there w/ me & tie my knots. (My hands are too swollen.) So I think I'm going to go flip the bobbin or kick the machine or something. Close my eyes & just not look at the back? I mean, it's going to be INSIDE the quilt anyway, right? LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lawana Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 About the bobbin: I looked at the bobbin diagram for the Singer 9410- the bobbin should be turning counterclockwise as you pull the bobbin thread with the bobbin in place. That's what I meant when I taked about bobbin direction. I thought of something else that might help. Holding the tails of both top and bobbin threads as you start to sew might keep the rat's nests from starting in the first place. You might be doing that already. Lawana Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aubrey Posted July 21, 2008 Author Share Posted July 21, 2008 About the bobbin: I looked at the bobbin diagram for the Singer 9410- the bobbin should be turning counterclockwise as you pull the bobbin thread with the bobbin in place. That's what I meant when I taked about bobbin direction. I thought of something else that might help. Holding the tails of both top and bobbin threads as you start to sew might keep the rat's nests from starting in the first place. You might be doing that already. Lawana Wow. You looked up my sewing machine for me? You are amazing!!! I'll go look at the bobbin now! (I keep saying that, but I feel less psychotic here w/ you guys than I do in there w/ the Machine.) I do hold on to the top & bottom threads when I start. I thought that was just so the initial motion of the machine didn't suck them out & make me rethread the needle. So far, I think the most likely culprit is the thread. I'm not sure how that would effect the tension, but...I was looking through what I've got the other night, starting to feel a little guilty for being cheap. I mean, some of my thread belonged to my gr-grandmother. Maybe that would be ok if I had my own to add to the collection, but like I said, I've hardly bought any. It just seems ridiculous that thread should cost as much as it does. Esp if you're used to looking at spools that say 15c really big. :blush: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WTMindy Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 OK, time for deep breaths!!!!! ;) I hate it when my machine doesn't work, so I solve that problem by NOT SEWING any more! I'm sorry that your machine is being difficult!!:grouphug::grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
percytruffle Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 OK, time for deep breaths!!!!! ;) I hate it when my machine doesn't work, so I solve that problem by NOT SEWING any more! I'm sorry that your machine is being difficult!!:grouphug::grouphug: Yeah, that's petty much my technique for fixing my sewing issues too! lol I also have a Singer and have had my share of tension troubles. Sometimes if I readjust the tension and then sew on a heavier weight fabric (scrap) for a few rows it will straighten itself out and I can go back to my project. It usually happens to me on lightweight fabrics. Good luck, Aubrey. I feel your pain! Sewing machines and I have a love/hate relationship. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aubrey Posted July 21, 2008 Author Share Posted July 21, 2008 Lawana--from the sewing thread last night. She posted a great list of suggestions for my tension problem. That was nice. But *then* she LOOKED UP MY SEWING MACHINE # & posted that my bobbin should turn counter-clockwise. Now, that seems really above & beyond. I didn't figure it would actually help much, because I was sure that the bobbin doesn't acutally spin, but the part that holds it, kwim? Still, though, I was really...impressed. So I *did* go back & check my bobbin. Sure enough, there's a silver cylinder that turns counter-clockwise; my bobbin actually remains stationary. I would have closed the case at that point, but my Hero who came to Tie Knots for me in the quilt squares I was hoping to sew said, "Wait." Apparently, when you pull the bobbin thread, it *does* turn. And mine was going clockwise. It turns out, whichever way you load the bobbin, you have to put it into the machine opposite of that. I don't know if that makes sense, but the result was a perfect stitch. Every time. And now that I know the secret, I no longer have to rely on the gods of the machine to smile graciously on me. (I am pretty miffed that the manual doesn't offer this very important info, but that's another story.) Imagine Scarlett O'Hara, standing on the hill, declaring that she will "never be hungry again." Only it's me, & I will "never have tension problems again!" Ok, maybe not never, but this is a BIG deal. I told dh--w/out whom I *still* couldn't have figured it out--that this was better than a diamond ring. That 15 yrs from now, there will still be moments when I jump into his arms & thank him for fixing the tension on my sewing machine. But here's the thing: he couldn't have done it w/out Lawana. I want to send her CHOCOLATE. Or something. Forget virtual chocolate. This lady deserves something she can sink her teeth into. I'd jump into *her* arms & thank her, but, um, I'm pretty sure at this point I'd knock any other woman to the ground w/ my girth. Do you have any idea how hard it is to make a woman this pregnant THIS happy? THANK YOU!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharon H in IL Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 I'd be jumping for joy, too. What a great person Lawana is. Three cheers for your heroine! Hip, hip, hooray! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remudamom Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 Oh dear, I wish I'd run into her before I gave my machine away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lawana Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 Ah shucks, it was nothin'. I'm so sew glad it worked for you. You really made my day! And chocolate gladly accepted! Lawana Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle in MO Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 on the control on the machine itself doesn't work, and if adjusting the bobbin tension doesn't work, you may have to bring your sewing machine in for a tune-up. I don't think a tune-up is normally too expensive, but call first for prices. Do you have a dealer in town who will work on sewing machines? Aubrey, I have to hand it to you for sewing while your pg! I used to sew, long ago in the days before homeschooling, but tension problems! Yuck! Good luck! Note: Reading other comments, it sounds like someone was already able to help you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FO4UR Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 :hurray: for the happy ending to this preggo-momma sewing drama....and thanks for the :lol::lol::lol:! You are FUNNY when you are angry!:tongue_smilie: btw - I think we need pics of this infamous quilt:001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pam "SFSOM" in TN Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 Lawana--from the sewing thread last night. She posted a great list of suggestions for my tension problem. That was nice. But *then* she LOOKED UP MY SEWING MACHINE # & posted that my bobbin should turn counter-clockwise. Yay!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom2legomaniacs Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 Lawana--from the sewing thread last night. She posted a great list of suggestions for my tension problem. That was nice. But *then* she LOOKED UP MY SEWING MACHINE # & posted that my bobbin should turn counter-clockwise. Now, that seems really above & beyond. I didn't figure it would actually help much, because I was sure that the bobbin doesn't acutally spin, but the part that holds it, kwim? Still, though, I was really...impressed. So I *did* go back & check my bobbin. Sure enough, there's a silver cylinder that turns counter-clockwise; my bobbin actually remains stationary. I would have closed the case at that point, but my Hero who came to Tie Knots for me in the quilt squares I was hoping to sew said, "Wait." Apparently, when you pull the bobbin thread, it *does* turn. And mine was going clockwise. It turns out, whichever way you load the bobbin, you have to put it into the machine opposite of that. I don't know if that makes sense, but the result was a perfect stitch. Every time. And now that I know the secret, I no longer have to rely on the gods of the machine to smile graciously on me. (I am pretty miffed that the manual doesn't offer this very important info, but that's another story.) Imagine Scarlett O'Hara, standing on the hill, declaring that she will "never be hungry again." Only it's me, & I will "never have tension problems again!" Ok, maybe not never, but this is a BIG deal. I told dh--w/out whom I *still* couldn't have figured it out--that this was better than a diamond ring. That 15 yrs from now, there will still be moments when I jump into his arms & thank him for fixing the tension on my sewing machine. But here's the thing: he couldn't have done it w/out Lawana. I want to send her CHOCOLATE. Or something. Forget virtual chocolate. This lady deserves something she can sink her teeth into. I'd jump into *her* arms & thank her, but, um, I'm pretty sure at this point I'd knock any other woman to the ground w/ my girth. Do you have any idea how hard it is to make a woman this pregnant THIS happy? THANK YOU!!! Okay, I know where she is now! Just kidding!!! I am not a great stalker. Aubrey, you have your full name and location on your profile page, you are easy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosie_0801 Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 This was me last week! Major tantrum because I could sew a button hole on the scrap fabric, but not on the actual garment! Even when not pregnant, I can't sew after 8pm. Even that time I was on a roll, I was nearly done, and completely mucked it up at exactly 3 past 8. *Cry of pain and frustration!!* Sewing machine rage is as real as road rage, but fortunately not fatal. :) Rosie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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