New to sewing

Savageseadog has got it nailed. There are so many factors that have to be right!
When I sewed my lazy jack mast extension, it took a few days and some swearing to get the machine set up right. There are many things that can affect the stitches. I have found with every sewing machine that I have used it is set up for a certain fabric thickness and will work no matter what happens.

The Jones I was using had not been used or serviced in a long time. Once I serviced it, this helped greatly and I was able to make the cover.

I also have a Elna which cost a fair amount about 20 years ago and I was so disappointed that it wasn't up to the job. This was the reason I had bought it.

I am not sure about the Singer Promise but for canopy and thicker material work, you might find it hasn't got the oomph to do it. I would be worried if it can't stitch t-shirt fabric.

However, without knowing your skill level, I would recommend using it to learn the basic tasks to get used to the sewing machine. A good first project would be making napkins or hemming trousers. You will get to know the machine.
 
You are not alone, Oldpete. I’ve battled with a couple of sewing machines and have in each case had to call in an experienced friend of my wife’s who had them tripping along within minutes. All the advice above seems really sound, but it is sometimes harder to put into practice than it seems for someone as inexperienced as me. Ask an expert, and don’t lose heart!
 
If the sewing machine has zig zag function user that. Just a simple test sew line will show how the thread tensions of upper and lower balance. If lower is tight (or upper loose) you get a straight line of thread on the bottom with the upper thread deviating to reach the straight thread. Opposite for tension too tight on top.
If you get a jumble of thread on the bottom as said it is bad threading of the circuit through the top tensioner. Also as said you can estimate the tension of the bottom by dangling the bobbin on the thread. It should hold the weight of the bobbin but only just.
To estimate the top thread tension put the foot down (to engage the tension discs) then pull the thread before it goes through the needle point. Looking for a friction similar to bottom thread. Persevere . ol'will
 
PlankWalker said:
Good advice from Sandro
The Singer 20U is good,
Cast iron body, does zig zag and wont break the bank.
Takes up a lot of space though.
Click to expand...
The 20U is on the lighter side of duty, but it's normally a good machine and there's lots of clones and yes they're cheap. Heavier duty machines and three step zig zag machines are much more expensive ubless you keep looking for a bargain.

It is possible to break an industrial setup down into bench, motor, table top and machine in about 15mins, the setup takes very little room to store in pieces.
 
My sewing machine is much older: it's a 201K. it is not an industrial machine but one of the most tough family machines. It has reverse, it misses zig-zag. It is hand crank powered.
I was inspired about the model by a PBO article by a reader.

Sandro
 
Oldpete said:
Hi all,
I am blown away by the reply’s that I have received,
I have only just joined this forum, and compared to other forums that I have been on, this one is the best that I’ve ever used.
I will see if there’s any shops nearby to see if they can service my machine, my problem is that I am disabled and don’t get out very often, that’s why I thought it would be easier to buy another machine, but I will check out. Once again thank you to all of you for your messages.

I will let you know how I get on.

Pete.
Click to expand...
I slept on it last night and this morning I decided to buy another machine, the one I was having problems with was a “Singer promise 1409 “which I bought a couple of years ago, so today I bought a “Singer 3342 fashion mate”. My wife picked it up from Argos and I couldn’t wait to see the difference between the machines. I set it up with the same cotton/thread that I was having problems with, and then I ran a row of stitches next to the ones from the old machine, and blow me down, I have got the same problem, the stitches were identical. I have never felt so depressed, I just felt like throwing the #^*#^%*thing through the window. I have read the instructions book and it says that the bobbin tension is factory set,so I’m leaving that alone. The last result is to buy some Singer needles as the ones that I bought from eBay were giving me the same problem, I had sizes from 12 to 18, but they were crap.
Anyway that’s were I am at the moment.

Peter.
 
Oldpete said:
I slept on it last night and this morning I decided to buy another machine, the one I was having problems with was a “Singer promise 1409 “which I bought a couple of years ago, so today I bought a “Singer 3342 fashion mate”. My wife picked it up from Argos and I couldn’t wait to see the difference between the machines. I set it up with the same cotton/thread that I was having problems with, and then I ran a row of stitches next to the ones from the old machine, and blow me down, I have got the same problem, the stitches were identical. I have never felt so depressed, I just felt like throwing the #^*#^%*thing through the window. I have read the instructions book and it says that the bobbin tension is factory set,so I’m leaving that alone. The last result is to buy some Singer needles as the ones that I bought from eBay were giving me the same problem, I had sizes from 12 to 18, but they were crap.
Anyway that’s were I am at the moment.

Peter.
Click to expand...
Yes sewing machines can do that to you. Just hang in there take a break and return to it later. good luck ol;'will
 
I don't recall you saying what fabric you were trying. Did you try folding it so you have a double or triple thickness to sew through? It's more forgiving of tension inaccuracy than a thin single layer.
Your profile doesn't say where you are. Someone here might be nearby and a five minute look at the machine is so much easier.
 
All the problems and advice above is so familiar, and correct. My old New Home machine is very basic, but every so often it gets huffy. I then have to rethread top and bottom. Check the bobbin is full. Fit a new needle, I use denim needles. Lubricate thread with silicon or ptfe spray for some “sticky” fabrics. V69 can clog up my thread run for some reason. Only alter one setting at a time, but tension is usually the issue for me. Clean and lubricate regularly.
 
Abestea said:
Savageseadog has got it nailed. There are so many factors that have to be right!
When I sewed my lazy jack mast extension, it took a few days and some swearing to get the machine set up right. There are many things that can affect the stitches. I have found with every sewing machine that I have used it is set up for a certain fabric thickness and will work no matter what happens.

The Jones I was using had not been used or serviced in a long time. Once I serviced it, this helped greatly and I was able to make the cover.

I also have a Elna which cost a fair amount about 20 years ago and I was so disappointed that it wasn't up to the job. This was the reason I had bought it.

I am not sure about the Singer Promise but for canopy and thicker material work, you might find it hasn't got the oomph to do it. I would be worried if it can't stitch t-shirt fabric.

However, without knowing your skill level, I would recommend using it to learn the basic tasks to get used to the sewing machine. A good first project would be making napkins or hemming trousers. You will get to know the machine.
Click to expand...
Thank you for your message, I have been using the machine on the odd occasions, I have since put that machine on eBay for spares and I have now bought another Singer this ones a 3342, but to tell you the truth I can’t see any difference. I am trying to sew some waterproof canvas, I have bought some more needles, a pack of 5 for leather, jeans, heavy duty, sharp and general,all ranging from 60/80/100, and I’ve tried them all and I still get the same results. I have now resulted to sewing it in normal cotton and then I will hand sew it with the thread.

Peter.
 
Martin_J said:
I don't recall you saying what fabric you were trying. Did you try folding it so you have a double or triple thickness to sew through? It's more forgiving of tension inaccuracy than a thin single layer.
Your profile doesn't say where you are. Someone here might be nearby and a five minute look at the machine is so much easier.
Click to expand...
Thank you for your message, I have only just seen it, the material I am trying to sew is waterproof canvas, I have bought another machine another Singer but this one is a 3342, to be honest I can’t see any difference between them, I have bought new needles (for leather,jeans,canvas,heavy duty,sharp and general,all ranging from 60/80/100), but I am still getting the same results. I am now going to sew it with ordinary cotton (which is working fine), then I will hand sew over it with the thread.

Peter
 
Oldpete said:
f
Click to expand...

wallacebob said:
All the problems and advice above is so familiar, and correct. My old New Home machine is very basic, but every so often it gets huffy. I then have to rethread top and bottom. Check the bobbin is full. Fit a new needle, I use denim needles. Lubricate thread with silicon or ptfe spray for some “sticky” fabrics. V69 can clog up my thread run for some reason. Only alter one setting at a time, but tension is usually the issue for me. Clean and lubricate regularly.
Click to expand...
Thank you for your message, I have only just seen it, the material I am trying to sew is waterproof canvas, I have bought another machine another Singer but this one is a 3342, to be honest I can’t see any difference between them, I have bought new needles (for leather,jeans,canvas,heavy duty,sharp and general,all ranging from 60/80/100), but I am still getting the same results.
I will try what you you suggest about Lubricanting the thread and if that doesn’t work then I will sew it with ordinary cotton (which is working fine), then I will hand sew over it with the thread.

Peter
 
doug748 said:
If you are having problems with heavy sailmaking threads like V69 you might try this Gutermann product:

Gutermann Extra Strong Thread 100m Reel - Sewing & Upholstery - All 45 Colours | eBay

.
Click to expand...
Hi, I am using Gutermann cotton thread, and that’s the one I’m having problems with, I can sew the material with cotton and it’s fine, I have bought a couple of dozen needles ranging from 60/80/100, including leather, denim,jeans, heavy duty, sharp. But it is getting worse. I am now sewing it with ordinary cotton (which works fine), then I will hand sew it with the thread.

Peter
 
Martin_J said:
It would be nice to see a photo of the stitch problem... As to needle size, the thread just needs to sit nicely in the groove.
Click to expand...

this is the underside of the stitch this is using the 100 leather needle which I bought from Dunelms,
I am getting the same results with all the new needles that I bought today ( 60/80/100, leather,denim jeans,heavy duty, sharp and general).

Peter
005FA93B-0C92-4125-BBA1-2388D601B09F.jpeg
 
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