Thursday, July 2, 2009

*$#&^%()(#&%^@&*#@(!

Seriously. I'm about to throw my sewing machine out the window. It behaves... most of the time. But now and then, something causes a problem and I end up with an amazing snarl of thread UNDER the fabric. I'll go a few stitches, and when I hear/feel the "clunk" I stop and turn it over and... the entire back is a mass of thread. Where did it COME from in such a short time? I don't get it!

It's only on starts. But I notice the regular stitches aren't that even, either, so something is going on.

I found this discussion thread and I find that tinkering with the tension makes no difference. I'm not about to twiddle with a screw near the bobbin.

*sigh*

Looks like I'll take it into the repair shop for a tune up, maybe they can fix it. In the meantime I've got to finish some pillows and curtains!

I love this machine. It's a simple Kenmore 12 Stitch from the early 90's; my Dad bought it for me unexpectedly after the ancient blue beast I used to sit on the floor and use totally bit the dust.

None of my friends sew, so I'm out here in solo sewing land without someone to help. Drat!

5 comments:

  1. I'm surprised messing with the tension didn't help. :>. How long has it been since you lubricated? I'm terrible at that, but my mom swears you must give it a few drops of oil every so many miles. This can't be fun when we're already overheated!

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  2. I have too had the same problem with my Kenmore! Just like you I had issues when I was trying to get some quilting done for Christmas. I too tried the tension thing and it did not help out at all either. I ended up taking it in to a sewing machine repair shop for a tune up. Not sure about where you live but in my city there seems to be fewer and fewer of these shops.
    Good luck and hpaay sewing!

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  3. I am SO lucky, because there is a great sewing machine shop w/ repair staff in town -- and very near to my home. Whew! =-)

    One day I'll break down and buy a newer machine; I checked Craig's List. I also keep pestering my mother to hand-me-down one of her Pfaff machines; she has a number of machines. How many can you use at once!? =-)

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  4. What sort of bobbin holder do you have? Is a drop in or cassette? If its cassette, you could have it going the wrong direction, clockwise instead of counter , or vice-versa. I guess that could also apply to drop in, but I've had that problem most with my mom's avocado- green- tank-cassette Kenmore from 1971. I've also had that problem when a machine isn't threaded correctly, something has slipped off or I just don't know what I'm doing.

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  5. Drop in. I'm going to start with a tune up. I have some good examples I'll take in to show them the probme.

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