#Sewing machine help

[20dollarlolita]

If yyour cheap computerized Brother sewing machine stops advancing the fabric, or only going backwards, here's what to do.

First of all, do not put oil in there. In the last year, I've seen 5 machines where this would have worked, except that someone decided to drown the circuit board in oil. Basically zero parts of an entry level computerized brother can be fixed with oil. Put the oil away.

See how there's nothing stopping the oil you put on your feed teeth from going to your main circuit board? Don't do it.

See that combo of that little black gear and the white rack? That controls your feed. Sometimes, your machine gets stuck in reverse because the rack overshoot the gear, and then there's no connection to get it back down.

You can see this rack by taking off your stitch plate, and usually access it by poking at it with tweezers. Push it down a little bit, if it's going in reverse. Push it up a little bit if it's stuck at almost 0. Make sure you have theachinevturned off and unplugged before you dick around with this stepper motor, or the machine can get confused, try to fight you, and break itself more than it already is.

Stick it back together, and see if it's feeding now. If it is feeding semi-properly, try adjusting your stitch length.

Best case, this actually fixes your problem, and now your machine works again. If it doesn't, and the machine only sews at one length, wiggle the rack up and down until you get a good general-purpose stitch length, and you can just sew exclusively at that length until you've saved up enough to get a new machine. It ain't fixed, but it's better than broken.

[hellodragonkit]

My "New" Sewing Machine!!!!

Ok I am making this post to kinda half brag, half ask for help.

I thought she came with a old manual to help with figuring out how to care or fix her up.

BUT! Though it did. the manual is, let's just say, not usable. To delicate to falling apart.

I have tried to look online for one, I have. but I keep coming up on the new Singer sewing machines manuals. I figured heck with it. TO the Hive mind! What I know: She is a Singer 127-3, she was made or at least registered August 6, 1914. And my child has named her Lavender. No she is not purple, nor dose she smell of them but ok were going with it. I know this as I was able to look at the first page of her manual, plus searched up her serial number. I know she needs some oil, and a bit of TLC to clean her up. Along with a new belt, and bobbin ring. What I Dont Know: What to use to clean her so I don't damage her old decals. The are already a little warn. And is it possible to add a clear coat to her once she is clean so I can help protect the remaining of the Sphinx decal or should I just leave it? Lastly, when I spin the wheel, it kinda sticks part way, I'm sure this is a oiling issue, as it dose still turn, but suggestions on best machine oils to use with this old lady would be nice, at the moment I only have wd-40, and I don't know if that is to abrasive for her. Help on the matter is appreciative. edit!: Things I now know! - I now have the pdf, to the manual of my lovely machine. - Apparently you just use machine oil to wipe it down, or! Lamp oil. oddly enough I didn't have machine oil, but did have lamp oil. this is so the water, or alcohol, dose not damage or rust the machine, or ruin decals. -Wd-40 is fine for getting it loose, and for the initial work. But machine Oil is needed for running it. -Under the plate near the needle is a little hole where some felt was intended to be. Mine was missing, but this felt is intended to slow release oil so the bobbin gears stay oiled up while working. Most of everything is still made for this machine. As far as belts, and rubber bobbin wheels, or even the shuttle bobbins. It seems there are many who enjoy finding restoring and collecting these and they were quite willing to help me learn what I needed. Thank you all!!

[thevalicemultiverse]

"Hey guys! Look at my new sewing machine!"

....

"Guys help, I'm stuck in the sewing machine-"

"Wait, what? How the hell did you manage that?" Marty asks, going to take a look. "I mean, yeah, I know it's a TOUCHED sewing machine, but -- okay, how. How did you get your head through there. Doc, come over here, maybe you can figure this out -- and Victor, go get some grease, okay? Sheesh..."

[20dollarlolita]

EDIT I just reread everything I wrote and I'm so sorry that this is so long. I'm just going to write a summary here: Most beginning sew-ers are going to be looking at three kinds of machines: used, mechanical, and entry-computerized. The difficult part of buying a used machine is finding one that is going to do what you want, and not break on you. If you're looking at a new mechanical machine, you want it to be fully adjustable. Entry computer machines are easier to use and last longer than entry mechanical machines. No matter what, buy a machine with a metal internal frame. Buying a brand new modern Singer machine is a fast way to guarantee that you're getting the worst value for your money.

I got tagged onto this post twice, so I'm chiming in. (Did I come into work half an hour early to take pictures? The world will never know). Number one rule: The best machine is a machine that allows you to sew the things that you want without getting frustrated. This can mean machine mechanics, but it can also include the frustration of not being able to sew while you save up for a fancy one, or the frustration of feeling like you spent too much on a machine when you don't use all of the parts of it. Keep that in mind.

Okay a very long post is under the cut.

First of all, when I'm sewing at home, I usually do use older machines for most of my sewing. While my personal sewing machine collection has over 30 machines, my main machines that I regularly sew on are a 80's Singer (2424, I think?), a Pfaff Tipmatic 6122, and a Bernina 1031. I sew on these more than I sew on my expensive embroidery/sewing combo machine. When I picked these as my used machines to keep on hand, it was because they were in very good condition and had a lot of their accessories. I see a lot of old machines that get sent to the trash, and most of them are not worth rescuing. I don't bother with machines that feel gunky, are in any way frozen, that I know were stored in hot environments, that are too dirty (if it's dirty outside then it's dirty inside), that are missing critical components (power cord, foot control, presser foot and ankle, bobbin case/hook/retaining collar), that have any tires/belts that I can sink my fingernail into, or that just don't feel really good to use. At my store, when there's a machine that's surrendered by a customer, employees are allowed to buy the surrendered machine for $20, so those are my requirements for a machine that will cost me $20. If I'm spending more than $50, in addition to all of that, I want the machine to run incredibly well, to have all its parts, and to have a design that's notably good. If we're spending more than that, I also want it to be additionally desirable in some way. I'll spend $100 on Sewing Pretty with Hello Kitty without a question, and probably spend $1000 on a Bernina 1008 with all its bits, but I'm not going to spend any money on an all-metal Kenmore that turns sluggish and has no accessories. Also, some machines age just fine and some age like milk. A Singer Featherweight that hasn't gone through some horrible trauma is pretty much infinitely fixable. A Singer Touch'n'Sew is likely to transform itself into a Singer Touchy and Doesn't Actually Sew. Nearly every Touch and Sew brought into my store is considered unable to be repaired. Those Vikings with the red front and all the rainbow colors are blacklisted by our service department because they're ALL messed up and there's no fixing them. Summary: f you're buying a used machine, get proof that it sews well, and doesn't need anything to fix it up. Don't spend too much money on it. There are really good deals out there on quality machines, and you just need to keep looking. If you're new to sewing and you're not sure what "feels really good" should feel like, just think about the phrase "like a well-oiled machine." Things should all move freely without you struggling. If it "just needs a good service," budget that costing like $200. You might find it for less than that, but it's a good price to budget for.

New Machines

Price: The cheapest machine in my store is $170. The most expensive machine in my store is $24,284. You can spend as much money as you want on a new sewing machine.

The things that I instantly avoid: Anything that says Singer and is from post-1995. ALL of it. Singer went through Some Shit in the 90's and then went bellyup in the mid 00's. Another company bought the name and uses it on their budget machines. I used to directly work for the company that owns the Singer name and I saw so many overpriced machines with strange problems that I've never seen in any other brand. We had models that we were required to stock and that we'd still refuse to sell, because the complaints we got with those models were not worth the income of selling them. Sorry to anyone who has a modern Singer machine. You're allowed to love it and sew with it, but if you're buying it new you're absolutely getting the lowest quality for your money. The store I now work in does not sell Singer at all, because we haven't found any Singer machines that we can stand behind the quality of for 6 years.

And the other thing I avoid is budget entry machines that have no internal metal frame. This picture above looks like the insides of most sewing machines that I sell. While they are plastic on the outside, they are actually still metal on the inside. You can take the outsides off and the insides are a separate piece bolted onto an internal frame. The outer shell is plastic, and that actually protects the inside from damage and shock. When there's force applied to the inside parts, like when the machine jams really hard, it applies that force to the metal frame in the machine.

This Brother machine is in my store specifically to explain to people how to not make a machine. This is a $99 computerized Brother machine, and this specific one broke because it jammed really hard. As you might notice, there is no separate frame inside this. There are components and circuit boards that are bolted into a plastic housing. When a big force is applied to the machine, the plastic can flex, and parts can come out of align. Once they're out of alignment, they often aren't going back in.

You can usually tell if a machine is frameless inside by how much it weighs. Expect a entry-level machine to weigh at least 12-14lbs. Lighter than that, and there's nothing but plastic holding it together.

You can also check the warranty on the machines. All the machines that my store sells have partial warranties on some components for 5-6 years. 1 year on parts, 5 on motors and electronics, is a pretty common warranty. If the vendor will only offer a 3-month to 1-year warranty, and then that's it, expect that machine to last you 3 months to one year. If they won't warranty any part of it for a year, there's a REASON for that.

If at all possible, I recommend shopping at a place with a showroom that will let you test the machines out. I don't just say this because this sales model allows me to stay employed. When you sit down at a machine and get to sew on it, you'll be better able to tell what does and doesn't feel good for you. In addition, if you don't like your machine, or can't use it properly, your salesperson has to deal with your problems for you. In addition to you having resources for help with your problems, salespeople will work to sell you machines that won't cause you problems. If there's no in-person shop around, try buying off a small business' website. Being able to email or call and easily talk to a real human requires the sellers to be more accountable to your problems and needs. (If you need help picking which small business' website you should buy from, DM me, because I do have a personal favorite small sewing machine business)

Category 1) Mechanical machines. The technology of mechanical machines really hasn't changed very much since like 1960. For these, you have separate knobs or dials for stitch length, stitch width, and stitch pattern selection. There's no electronics in there.

A couple of things to note: 1) not every mechanical machine out there is going to have independent control of length and width. Some will have preset stitches without adjustments. I really recommend buying a mechanical machine with minimum 3 dials (pattern, length, width). 2) a LOT of mechanical machines are mechanical because that allows them to be less expensive. There's a difference between mechanical machines that are mechanical to be cheap, and mechanical machines that are mechanical because some brand recognizes that no matter how good computerized machines are, Meemaw is not going to sew on a machine with a robot in it. Currently (2024) it's about $350 for my favorite budget mechanical machine (Baby Lock Zeal/Baby Lock Molly--same machine) and more like $500-$600 for a mechanical machine designed for Meemaws who don't want a robot.

Category 2) Entry/Basic computerized machines. You're looking for an all-metal frame, an LCD, 30-80 stitches, and about the same size as your average entry mechanical. You're probably looking at $350-$700 for a lot of these, though there are outliers. There's two main advantages of computerized over mechanical. The first is the number of default automated elements. A computerized machine is going to be able to bring your needle to the top after your stitches (which will stop it from unthreading your needle on your first stitch) and when you select a stitch pattern the machine will automatically set length and width. You usually also get a speed limiting switch. The other advantage is that a basic computerized machine has fewer parts inside to break. (People don't like when I say this but it's truth). Each stitch in a mechanical machine is going to have a plastic cam in the internal parts, and that cam controls the stitch pattern and the feed movement. In addition, all of the cams are stuck together, so if a cam in the middle of the stack develops a crack, the whole stack has to be replaced. The cams are read by a finger that the cams push against, and that's another internal part that can get stuck. A basic computerized machine is controlled by two step motors, and those stepper motors control all the stitches. I've seen cam stack failures as often as I've seen main board failures (both of which were all on 10+ year old machines and all those machines had been poorly stored). However, on a new machine, the board is often warrantied for 5-6 times as long as the cam stack is. If your cam stack fails in your second year of owning it, you're buying a new stack or a new machine. If your board fails in the second year of ownership, the manufacturer buys you a new board.

For what it's worth, Bernina's machine that is at this level of features is $1200. Evey other brand is solidly under $800. Bernina is expensive.

If you are starting to feel overwhelmed, just stop here. There's SO many good mechanical and basic computerized machines that will last you a long time. My first computerized machine was bought in 2009 and still runs like new. 99% of people sewing successfully online are using basic machines, and never feel like they're missing anything. Most sewing patterns need a straight stitch and a zigzag stitch. You don't need to go bigger or fancier.

But since I'm at work and killing time, let's go into the more expensive machines.

We're now going up to mid-tier. This is where machines start getting larger (8-10" to the right of the needle) and a bit more specialized. You're starting to see features like auto presser foot lift, side motion feeds, computer controlled tensions. You're going to get full screens that show you stitches (often in full size). You get the absolutely fantastic feature that is auto thread cut. We love a good auto thread cut here. Generally this is where each brand also starts focusing on different things. Viking machines will have their Sewing Advisor, Berninas get their specialty foot system, Janomes start being shaped more like commercial machines. Bigger machine is easier to work on bulky projects. Most powerful motors, with electronic elements that detect and bust through rough spots, will make things easier, too. At this level, you're mostly trading money for convenience. Things get easier the more money you throw at them.

It's also worth noting that a lot of machines come with more features at this price point. If you want a 1/4" foot, a walking foot, and an extension table, sometimes it will come out cheaper to get a higher-level machine that comes with those stock, instead of buying them separate.

Entry embroidery combo. Think a low-to-mid sewing machine that you can stick a hoop on and do embroidery. Take how much the non-embroidery version of the machine costs and double it.

If you want to do embroidery then go for it. If you're not interested, I recommend against getting one "just to have the option". In my experience most people who aren't already interested in embroidery don't end up using the option.

My favorite entry embroidery machine is the Bernette b79 and my least favorite are all the entry Pfaff and Viking ones. If I had money, I would send the Pfaff Creative 1.5, the Ambition 640, and the Viking Jade 35 to my enemies.

Top-tier sewing: $4000-$8000ish. These things have enough height and width to stick a small cow in the throat space and they do literally everything you could imagine a sewing machine to do.

If you want the embroidery combo variant on any of these, multiply the price by 1.75.

Top line: these usually don't come without an embroidery option. They can text you when they're sewing and have problems. They can talk to the cloud. They have cameras in them. They're $10,000 to $25,000. You can buy one of these, or you can just get two quality used cars.

Most people who buy one of these come in later and get a smaller machine because they're tired of their only machine weighing over 60bls.

If you're buying one of these, if you start using the phrase "I like this, but I wish it came with____" will get you free stuff. Like I'll give you literally anything if you want to buy one of these. I once gave someone a free second sewing machine because she was buying a top-of-line machine.

I would literally never take one of these home to be in my house. My sewing machine does not need a camera. It does not need to text me. That sounds less like a sewing machine and more like a 4-year-old who stole their mom's phone. My job is to think that these aren't stupid and I'm very bad at that part of my job.

At this price point, it's usually cheaper to just buy two different machines that combined have a similar feature set.

Bonus category: Specialty machines. These aren't intended to be your main sewing machine. We're talking sergers, the Baby Lock Jazz (do not buy this machine), high-speed straight stitch only machines, and weirdos like the Baby Lock Sashiko that makes stitches that look hand-sewn. Ask your salesperson, "do you know anyone who has this as their only machine?" If they don't know anyone who does, you shouldn't make it your only machine.

Do you have opinions on sewing machines? I ask because my family is trying to get into making our own clothes and I'm at a loss on how to even start researching and thought you might have opinions.

I'm partial to the old cast iron Singers. I grew up using a 15-91, and when I moved out I got a 99k. Both are electric and have the ability to backstitch, and they only do a straight stitch but have a bunch of feet and attachments, including a buttonholer.

It depends on what you want though, if you think you'll be needing zig zag stitch then a newer machine would be better, but you can still get solid metal ones that are decades old and have some different stitch options. I think most of the fancy stitches on those machines never get used though, you can probably get along fine with just straight stitch.

I have practically no experience with modern domestic machines, and I know a lot of them can do fancy stuff, but I don't like how plastic-y they are. I'm sure there are some that are good, I just don't know which ones they are, and I'm sure someone who does use modern machines will have suggestions! I just personally don't like the vibes of working on a plastic machine. It doesn't do the satisfying thunking and clunking of a nice old metal one, you know?

There are lots and lots of secondhand ones that can be found pretty cheap, though they might need some servicing. I bought mine off kijiji from a guy who refurbishes them, but have seen a lot of machines at thrift stores, estate sales, etc.

[inkskinned]

there are days that it is hard, and unfair, and some horrible part of me wishes i could have been born in a different world. i love being queer, i hate how others react to it. when i first came out at 15, my mom whispered: please don't say that. your life would be so much harder.

it is harder.

it is also a tuesday, walking my dog. we are both skiving off of work, and yes both of us have dyed hair and pronouns. mine is patchy - it was my first time trying bleach; i didn't have enough. theirs is a resilient toadstool green. a little girl comes up to us and asks um, excuse me? is your hair real? 'cause jason says you're a fairy.

it is sunday brunch, all of us talking over each other, overfull on love. she is trying out a new name today, and we made her a cake with today's name scrawled in shaky purple letters. she laughs so much she cries and then gets frosting in her hair. someone young at a different table keeps giving us these large, wide eyes: the same look we have all been on the other side of. the kind that says, breathless: wait, is that possible?

it is a half-fight in a supermarket because he loves "dance moms" and says abby's tiktok is funny and meanwhile i think the children in that show should be allowed to sue abby lee miller for child abuse. i tell him that it led to the casual acceptance of child harassment for mainly adult views; and then i am standing, suddenly, in someone else's thrown soda. there's a white lady standing there, furious, saying something about hell-on-earth. i had forgotten i was wearing stuff with pride colors. and then it is this: he had just been casually arguing with me - and within an instant, he squares his shoulders and goes after her like i am his sister

on saturday i sat in a circle while beca played with my hair and we were all over 30 and we laughed about how much happier we are being this old, how much more we appreciate our community. 25 minutes from now, we will be on stage to dance in baggy beige clothing, but for now we look on with envy to the dancers in loud-and-bright buttondowns. where are they getting these shirts! i cry, distraught. everyone laughs. one of our friends has a mushroom witch hat. this would have been cringey in high school, probably. instead we are all delighted with each other; happy just to be here and alive and moving

it's that last week my new friends cried with joy for me when they heard i'm getting top surgery. every so often i have the honor of being the first person someone feels comfortable enough to tell. i'm trying to make long fluttery butterfly wings to wear to pride; but i don't know anything about fabric or dye, so my friends have been sending me their personal advice.

i think in a different poem i would talk about how sometimes you walk into a room and put the mask back on. but i'm sleepy and my whole brain is fuzzy so i think in this one, it's a monday, and my dog and i took a nap on a couch, and i had missed texts from friends. i used to wake up lonely. i think this poem is about walking into a room and seeing someone and just knowing, the way you just-know-sometimes, and then giving them that little smile, and seeing them light up with joy and relief. it is how we always seem to be able to find each other in a crowded room. how we always seem to make friends with each other before even we know-it-to-be-true. it is saying: we're very different people; but i belong to you.

it is harder, yes. but it comes with a built-in family.

[daikonghost143]

Never let me get bored again.

[sovonight]

;

[heartorbit]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NENE 🐠💚

[tidepoolalgae]

Finally working on this one again!

[stellaluna33]

So, I had the opportunity recently (thanks to some birthday money and a really good deal) to buy some British wool tweed, like the Real Stuff, and... GUYS. 😭 Ok, so the interesting thing is that right now I can directly compare it to another wool tweed that was given to me from someone else's fabric stash, one that was probably woven very cheaply somewhere else.

The "real" stuff is so dense, tightly-woven, and sturdy... It's just gorgeous... The weave is so firm that the cut edge isn't unraveling AT ALL! It's hardy, and it just feels exactly like the kind of thing you'd want to be wearing while tramping across the moors and avoiding getting tangled in some gorse bushes or something... 😆 (I've never met a gorse bush, but I've READ about them)

And the other stuff... It's wool! I'll give it that! But it's just loosely woven and flimsy and floppy and just kind of disappointing? 😆 The person I got it from SERGED the cut edge just to stop it from unraveling on the shelf! Any wind would just cut right through it, and if it met a gorse bush, then WELL... I think the gorse bush would win, is all I'm saying...

The difference is just night and day, and like, have you ever come across something that's just a perfect embodiment of the Thing it's SUPPOSED to be? The British Tweed actually from Britain really is that Thing.

[kyannnite]

For the drawing prompt: does Erik do his own mending?

to me he does…. i think he would be quite adept at sewing in general. steady hands and precise work…

[20dollarlolita]

Hi there

If your machine has this:

And you don't know what it is,

And you do not know how it will look when properly adjusted,

Do not, I repeat, do not,

Just turn it to see what happens.

[hollypies]

New Goddess of Light

Bby Radi all grown up... sniff.. they grow so fast 🥲

[6ad6ro]

[mossy-leo]

POV LESS THEN 7 HOURS FROM COSTUKE PARTY AND YOU DONT KNOW HOW TO SEW AND THE ONLY SEWING MACHINE YOU HAVE IS ONE FROM 1920 AND THE MANEUAL DOESNT MAKE SENSE AND YOU CANT THREAD IT AND IT EVADES YOU ONLINE AND THERES NO VIDEO ON IT AND NOW YOU SIT IN YOUR GARAGE AND CRY BEVAUSE TIME IS TICKING AND YOU DONT UDNERATAND AND IT NEEDS TO BE DONE BEFORE THE PARTY SO ITS ACCURATE BUT YOU JUST!! DONT!! INDERSTAND!!!!!

[hajima-7]

finished making a jojo tote bag for my friend's bday!!