Sewing Machine Frustration

Ok, I need your help, HF gang. I tried to start in on my first true DIY project, but am having sewing machine issues (actually, the whole freakin' subscription). I'm trying to sew polyester straps on my sewing machine I got for Christmas (early). Every time I start sewing, I jam up after just a few stitches. The thread knots on the bottom and I'm stuck. What am I doing wrong? I've tried changing to a heavier needle, adjusting the top tension, adjusting stitch length and even changing thread. I'm at my absolute wit's end and don't have the foggiest as to what to do. Do any of the DIY crew have any ideas, tips, tricks or advice? Anything would be greatly appreciated. Thanx a mil in advance! :D

Thick straps take a little more TLC. Start with a couple of pieces of thin fabric and get the hang of it. Rarely, if ever, do you need to adjust the tension.

Fear not, because you aren't the only one with bottom snagging. I've done a few projects and it happened to me (again) last week. Sometimes you just need to help the feed dog, by pulling the fabric with a VERY slight pressure from the sewed side. Let the feed dog do its work, but gently help it.

For straps, you will need to go slow, real slow, very very s-l-o-w, and probably help the motor by turning the wheel (always from the top towards you) with your hand.

If it is an older well used machine, a puff of air to clean out the bobbin area and a drop of oil may cure the problem. The lady at Hancock's told me they recommend oil every 8 hours. I did not find that out till after ten times that. She showed me how to put a tiny drop on a pin head and where to put it. That's all it takes.

One last thought: My machine allows you to vary the # of stitches per inch. Set it on the widest stitch, fewest stitches per inch. And, forget bar tacks until you have very many hours under your belt!!!

i've had that same problem... trying to remember just what i did.
i'm thinking that someone here suggested that i needed to adjust the bottom tension.
to do that, you take out the bobbin & there is a small screw on it.
the screw is really small so you may need a eye glasses screw driver.
it doesn't need much of a turn to make a difference.
i believe you lift the bobbin up out of your hand & it should just slowly descend. if it drops to fast, it's to loose. if it doesn't let any thread out, it's to tight.
maybe some others that know more about that stuff can say if that's right.
i'll see if i can find the page i had read on adjusting the tension. it may have been on thruhiker.

happened to me too, I went through 4 needles and don't remember if I fixed the problem or if I just ended up hand sewing them with button thread as I can recall doing that for something.

Thanks for the info guys, I appreciate it. I'm going to start sewing on the ripstop, instead of the strapping. It will give me a better feel for things like Tight-Wad said. I don't think the machine needs oiling since it was new out of the box. I've practiced with some 1.9 I got out of the Buck Bin at Wally-World, so maybe I should abandon the strapping for now. I already had the stitch number on the fewest stitches/inch, so I don't think that's the problem. I'll try some of the other ides you guys gave me and go from there. Thanks again! :D

Who are we going to nominate eh uh um everyone take a step back and leave someone in the front, to go and post on a sewing message board to find the answer for our uhm er gear making power tool?

speaking of machine probs, i was having similar problems w/ mine yesterday.
i ran out of thread & switched to some nylon thread that i had bought a while back not realizing that it was way thicker & heaver than i needed.
it got jammed up so that i was barley able to force the needle up to get the material out.
then i took the racer? out (the ring & other thing that the bobbin sits inside of) & now i can't seem to get the thing back together right???
i gotta find my manual... or look it up on line:o

I too often have this problem. What I do to clear it is to pull the thread all the way out and re-thread the machine from scratch. Most times that fixes it because I see in doing this that the thread slipped out of the arm that takes it up and down, ie, the center loop that you have to go through to thread the machine.
If that doesn't work I do it again but now also take the bobbin out and reinsall it. Finally, one other reason it happens to me is that the fabric UNDER the webbing is so light that the needle pushes it down into the hole on the plate that holds up the fabric so the needle can pierce it easily.
When I take apart the whole shuttle assembly that holds the bobbin I usually cuss a lot before I get it back together. One thing you need to do is turn the machine by hand to a place where the shuttle would be 90 degrees from where you are trying to assemble it, then do it another 90 degrees off until you figure it out. The circular shuttle within the bottom assemble must be timed with the needle to let it go back together and I cannot seem to remember which way it WILL go back.
Be scientific about it and record what you do that does not work and you will finally have an Eureka moment. I hope. LOL Mule

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Originally Posted by slowhike

then i took the racer? out (the ring & other thing that the bobbin sits inside of) & now i can't seem to get the thing back together right???
i gotta find my manual... or look it up on line:o

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You may have to turn the wheel to get the inside part in exactly the correct spot on the left side.

The lady at Hancock's was an angel sent to me during my darkest hours;)

Hooch - gently pull on it from the sewed side as the machine is doing its work.

this page has a couple articles on bobbins & tension...
http://www.thru-hiker.com/workshop.asp

Hooch,

If this is one of your first things sewn, make sure you are holding onto the top thread for the first couple of stiches. Most machines pull on that thread. It can gum things up on the first couple of stiches. Also make sure that the bottom thread is pulled out enough and in correctly. Things can get a little sketchy when you start changing the tensions, especially the bobbin tension.

On straps I usually end up using a higher tension than ripstop. If it helps I use a different color on it than the straps. That way I can visually check everything. I am starting to do that on everything load bearing after I noticed threads popping on my tarp.

OK I'll chime in here and make an idiot out of myself. I had a similar problem that I fought with for about a day. Only after almost swearing off sewing, I found I had the needle in the machine backwards. The problems that I was experienced were very similar to what you describe. If you haven't solved the problem yet, try the needle.

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Originally Posted by Hooch

Ok, I need your help, HF gang. I tried to start in on my first true DIY project, but am having sewing machine issues (actually, the whole freakin' subscription). I'm trying to sew polyester straps on my sewing machine I got for Christmas (early). Every time I start sewing, I jam up after just a few stitches. The thread knots on the bottom and I'm stuck. What am I doing wrong? I've tried changing to a heavier needle, adjusting the top tension, adjusting stitch length and even changing thread. I'm at my absolute wit's end and don't have the foggiest as to what to do. Do any of the DIY crew have any ideas, tips, tricks or advice? Anything would be greatly appreciated. Thanx a mil in advance! :D

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Hooch,

There are a lot of things you could be doing wrong and if you are like I was when I first started you will hit all of them at one time or another. What brand of beer are you drinking, I found a higher quality beer helped with my sewing.:D

What make and model sewing machine did you get? I found a yahoo group for my brand of sewing machine and they are a good source of info. They don't know much about the materials we use but they know their sewing machines.

You could have issues with the needle type (they have sharp, universal, and ball point). You could have issues with thread size versus needle size. You could be trying to sew too fast for that thick of material. You could be back stitching first with small stitch length and zig-zag that creates a blob that the feed dogs can't pull past when you try to sew forward. You might not have got the top thread firmly in the top tension plates. You might be pulling on the material too much and be bending the needle. You have a lot of things and like someone else mentioned, webbing can be tough to sew in general.

Can you sew a good basic stitch with other fabric?

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Originally Posted by Hooch

Thanks for the info guys, I appreciate it. I'm going to start sewing on the ripstop, instead of the strapping. It will give me a better feel for things like Tight-Wad said. I don't think the machine needs oiling since it was new out of the box. I've practiced with some 1.9 I got out of the Buck Bin at Wally-World, so maybe I should abandon the strapping for now. I already had the stitch number on the fewest stitches/inch, so I don't think that's the problem. I'll try some of the other ides you guys gave me and go from there. Thanks again! :D

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It might help if you told what needle size and type (universal, sharp, or ball point) you are using. Same with thread type as best you can as well as stitch width and stitch length. How much control do you have over the sewing speed with your machine, can you sew as slow and as fast as you like or is it all out or nothing?

Again, thanks for all the expert advice. I finally abandoned the straps for now, concentrating on my hammock body. Maybe I should have started there first, as I'm pretty sure it would have saved me a lot of fustration and bad language. I have, after quite a bit of practice on scrap material and having to go real slow, the end seams of a hammock sewn. Finally. Whew! I did find that after I sew one seam on a side, going back over it to double stitch is not a problem at all and goes much quicker. So for now, I'm out of Sam Adams Cherry Wheat, so will get more tomorrow and start on the sides. Funny, the more I drank, the straighter my hems or seam or whatever you call them got. I think it's a rolled hem, but not positive. Then all I have to do it whip it (Whip it real good) and I'm done. I'm hoping it won't take me 4 hours to do 2 seams this time. :D I do have to admit, my confidence with the machine is goign up with every seam I sew, so I'm sure I may actually be able to make something that I can actually use in the next decade or so. :D

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Originally Posted by Hooch

So for now, I'm out of Sam Adams Cherry Wheat, so will get more tomorrow and start on the sides. Funny, the more I drank, the straighter my hems or seam or whatever you call them got. :D

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yeah, just wait till you see them tomorrow morning:rolleyes:
reminds me of that song... the girls all get prettier at quitin time:D :p :D

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Originally Posted by slowhike

yeah, just wait till you see them tomorrow morning:rolleyes:
reminds me of that song... the girls all get prettier at quitin time:D :p :D

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Ok, it's 0600 and I'm up. Even with out the beer, the hems are pretty straight. Not bad. Maybe feelin' a little encouraged on this one now. :D

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Originally Posted by hammock engineer

Things can get a little sketchy when you start changing the tensions, especially the bobbin tension.

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I won't mess with bottom tension at all, under any circumstance. Not onyl do I not know how to adjust it correctly, I don't know where to adjust it. :D

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Originally Posted by Hooch

I won't mess with bottom tension at all, under any circumstance. Not onyl do I not know how to adjust it correctly, I don't know where to adjust it. :D

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Hi Hooch, I believe we are using the same brother machine. I had the same issue when I started using mine also. I read that manual inside and out. It says if you are getting loops or knots on the bottom to adjust your tension up half a notch and work from there. You may have to go up a little each time but I did finally get it worked out. Another problem was that the needles they sent with the machine made the thread get tangled up for some reason.. i went and bought a new pack. Helped a ton. Also, if you are using 100% polyester thread, make sure it isnt that really thick outdoor thread walmart has... it still has never worked in my machine. You can get a thinner heavy duty 100% polyester there. Once I got the right thread and played with the tension, I can sew jeans, and I made a tarp with grosgrain tie outs. No problems. Sewing is one of the hardest things I have tried to learn and still am not great at it. Most of my projects are functional but not pretty.

When in doubt find the old lady in the craft section or craft store they usually know all! If not the old lady working there the one that's buying the fabric! Had the same problem with my singer and like you I have no clue about adjusting tension or touching anything iside my machine.....er uh uhm, I mean power tool..... besides changing the bobbin.

Hooch, I got to thinking about how you don't know how to sew yet. It has kept me up the past two nights. Maybe your not really a gear guy at all. maybe you are an imposter hammocker. Then I did some checking into your background. I had some of my friends down at the FBI run your profile.
You have an uncanny likeness to D.B. Cooper, the infamous hijacker From the 70’s that parachuted over Washington State. Turn yourself in before we do or at least split the money. $200,000 could buy alot of rip-stop.




http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery.../0/9/Hooch.jpg

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Originally Posted by Dutch

Hooch, I got to thinking about how you don't know how to sew yet. It has kept me up the past two nights. Maybe your not really a gear guy at all. maybe you are an imposter hammocker. Then I did some checking into your background. I had some of my friends down at the FBI run your profile.
You have an uncanny likeness to D.B. Cooper, the infamous hijacker From the 70’s that parachuted over Washington State. Turn yourself in before we do or at least split the money. $200,000 could buy alot of rip-stop.




http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery.../0/9/Hooch.jpg

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Although I'll admit having a strange fascination with the D.B. Cooper skyjacking since my early teens, I think I can be ruled out as a suspect with a reasonable measure of certainty. I was 3 when he made is infamous leap from NW Orient flight 305. I'll also admit to having a fair amount of training from the U.S. Military in both static line and freefall parachute techniques, however those came some 16 years later.

Maybe that $200k will help me buy someone to help me un-$%#@ my sewing machine!

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Originally Posted by Hooch

un-$%#@

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Is that some technical term? :D

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Originally Posted by Hooch

Ok, I need your help, HF gang. I tried to start in on my first true DIY project, but am having sewing machine issues (actually, the whole freakin' subscription). I'm trying to sew polyester straps on my sewing machine I got for Christmas (early). Every time I start sewing, I jam up after just a few stitches. The thread knots on the bottom and I'm stuck. What am I doing wrong? I've tried changing to a heavier needle, adjusting the top tension, adjusting stitch length and even changing thread. I'm at my absolute wit's end and don't have the foggiest as to what to do. Do any of the DIY crew have any ideas, tips, tricks or advice? Anything would be greatly appreciated. Thanx a mil in advance! :D

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Hooch

If you're referring to DB Cooper in your avator , I'd have to say....legend.;)

Miguel

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Originally Posted by NCPatrick

Is that some technical term? :D

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Not very. I'd send it out in phoenetic alphabet, but I'd be just as culpable for using bad language on here as I would just comight forthright and saying it. You understand my frustration, I'm sure. Everyone here who does the DIY thing has been frustrated with their sewing machine at one time or another I'm sure. :D

I learned, the hard way, that sewing isn't something I can do when I am fustrated. Taking a break or calling it a night is the best way out. Otherwise things go downhill fast. Usually resulting in whole projects flring through the air in an unnatural way.

I usually get frustrated with my machine (arghhh!) when I first start out on a new project, and then after I figure out what the machine needs for the particular fabric/task (tension, bobbin, me to slow down or stop being heavy handed - usually) then we get along fine. It's a process...

good luck!

Hooch if that is your real name. What helps me from getting those early in the stitch tangles is give the strings coming out of the back a little pull until the first few stitches. I saw that article about DB Cooper and and though I know that guy from somewhere.

Try pulling the top and bottom thread out behind about 6 inches, then hold them both while you slowly take your first few stitches.

Sewing machines all seem to have their own distinct personalities. :rolleyes:

Good luck !
Perkolady

I'll second the above comment. I'll also add that on my machine it helps to then hold those threads when starting to ensure they don't pull back in and make a mess.

Congratulations on the #1.

Practice my man, practice.... but look at the bright side...

Practice makes more gear!


(Envy from those without will overshadow hems with no straight line)

Maybe it was covered in the posting here and I missed it. But if my first stitch does not hit the fabric I have problems with knots in the bobbin area of the machine. So make sure that the first needle down hits the fabric.

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Originally Posted by Walking Bear

Maybe it was covered in the posting here and I missed it. But if my first stitch does not hit the fabric I have problems with knots in the bobbin area of the machine. So make sure that the first needle down hits the fabric.

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Hi
To avoid that I normally start my first stitch in about 1/2 in from the edge then go into reverse over those first few stitches, then go forwards again until the end. Then a little more reverse to lock in the last few stitches.

Gunn

There's nothing like a night of hammock making using a sewing machine to rob you of your sleep.

You can take a perfectly good sewing machine and have endless hours of frustration. It can be anything, from the wrong kind of thread, to the wrong bobbin, a needle not quite right, tension not right, fabric too thin, etc.

Sometimes, I get snags from below where it comes out looking like a big fat clump. Sometimes, the zig zag pattern comes out like a bunch of Y's. Sometimes, the thread in the needle breaks.

For an experienced operator, it would be easy to spot the problems and fix them. What we need is a pictoral resource of errors and their explanation/ resolution.

Some Troubleshooting Guides:

http://sewandserge.com/tshoot.asp
http://sewing.about.com/od/sewingmac...roubleshot.htm
http://www.delawaresewing.com/dsc/tr...achprobweb.htm

Maintenance Tips:
http://www.taunton.com/threads/pages/t00022.asp

Having many of the same issues:confused: , I set off to the basement to put all of these suggestions to good use- I started by consuming several of my most prized home brews-A holiday ale high in flavor and alcohol:o . Once the liquid courage kicked in, I removed the contraption that holds the bobbin in the bottom of the machine. I held one end of the thread inbetween two fingers to test the tension:D . The bobbin rolled away-hit the floor, and rolled under the makeshift sewing table.......guess I needed to adjust the tension-So..I climbed under the table into that dimly lit area reaching for the bobbin- once I found it(way in the back under the radiator) I excitedly jumped up to solve the problem-Striking my head on the bootm of the table-I shirked off the pain and worked through the headache-that is until the blood ran down my forehead from the gash in the top of my head- Not to be stopped from my goal- I wrapped my head and started working on the bobbin tension- and apparently a little turn goes a long way on that tension screw- I had a mess three times worse than before- So I took that "stuff" out from the bobbin area- and all the pieces of the machine as well since they were now all wrapped in thread- but one piece insisted on remaining in its stuck position- I leaned foward to apply a little of the liquid muscle I ingested earlier- and in doing so- my chair hit the foot pedal of the sewing machine-(and because of my masculinity- I didnt even think of turning it off first) and now I can wear an earing in my thumb- And I need to buy a new needle because it snapped- Soon I will replace the needle and try again- I found out exactly what was wrong- I should have seen it from the beginning.............I needed to drink more before starting!!!!:)

ouch!!!!!!:eek: hope you feel better now.......

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Originally Posted by landcruzr

Having many of the same issues:confused: , I set off to the basement to put all of these suggestions to good use- I started by consuming several of my most prized home brews-A holiday ale high in flavor and alcohol:o . Once the liquid courage kicked in, I removed the contraption that holds the bobbin in the bottom of the machine. I held one end of the thread inbetween two fingers to test the tension:D . The bobbin rolled away-hit the floor, and rolled under the makeshift sewing table.......guess I needed to adjust the tension-So..I climbed under the table into that dimly lit area reaching for the bobbin- once I found it(way in the back under the radiator) I excitedly jumped up to solve the problem-Striking my head on the bootm of the table-I shirked off the pain and worked through the headache-that is until the blood ran down my forehead from the gash in the top of my head- Not to be stopped from my goal- I wrapped my head and started working on the bobbin tension- and apparently a little turn goes a long way on that tension screw- I had a mess three times worse than before- So I took that "stuff" out from the bobbin area- and all the pieces of the machine as well since they were now all wrapped in thread- but one piece insisted on remaining in its stuck position- I leaned foward to apply a little of the liquid muscle I ingested earlier- and in doing so- my chair hit the foot pedal of the sewing machine-(and because of my masculinity- I didnt even think of turning it off first) and now I can wear an earing in my thumb- And I need to buy a new needle because it snapped- Soon I will replace the needle and try again- I found out exactly what was wrong- I should have seen it from the beginning.............I needed to drink more before starting!!!!:)

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Holy crud! That there is funny! You've got me laughin out loud at the office. What a first go and I thought mine was bad. I agree completely with your conclusion; you just need more home-brew. :D

I gotta go wipe the tears from my eyes now, thanks for sharing that. :cool:

I second the comment by Hammock Engineer that a light hand is required. It is almost like dancing. (How you say?) You want to lead, but if you are too rough, there is No dancing, just a struggle for supremacy, and we all know who wins that one !

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Originally Posted by landcruzr

Having many of the same issues:confused: , I set off to the basement to put all of these suggestions to good use- I started by consuming several of my most prized home brews-A holiday ale high in flavor and alcohol:o . Once the liquid courage kicked in, I removed the contraption that holds the bobbin in the bottom of the machine. I held one end of the thread inbetween two fingers to test the tension:D . The bobbin rolled away-hit the floor, and rolled under the makeshift sewing table.......guess I needed to adjust the tension-So..I climbed under the table into that dimly lit area reaching for the bobbin- once I found it(way in the back under the radiator) I excitedly jumped up to solve the problem-Striking my head on the bootm of the table-I shirked off the pain and worked through the headache-that is until the blood ran down my forehead from the gash in the top of my head- Not to be stopped from my goal- I wrapped my head and started working on the bobbin tension- and apparently a little turn goes a long way on that tension screw- I had a mess three times worse than before- So I took that "stuff" out from the bobbin area- and all the pieces of the machine as well since they were now all wrapped in thread- but one piece insisted on remaining in its stuck position- I leaned foward to apply a little of the liquid muscle I ingested earlier- and in doing so- my chair hit the foot pedal of the sewing machine-(and because of my masculinity- I didnt even think of turning it off first) and now I can wear an earing in my thumb- And I need to buy a new needle because it snapped- Soon I will replace the needle and try again- I found out exactly what was wrong- I should have seen it from the beginning.............I needed to drink more before starting!!!!:)

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In my shop there is beer in the frig. However, I don't drink any untill I'm finished with tools that can cut off fingers.:eek: May need to add the sewing machine to that list of tools.:rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by landcruzr

Having many of the same issues:confused: , I set off to the basement to put all of these suggestions to good use- I started by consuming several of my most prized home brews-A holiday ale high in flavor and alcohol:o .....

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a most excellent story.

This is what happens to me if I'm sewing after midnight, even bereft of buzz.

I'm happy to report that my roller cutter maimed finger is healing nicely without infection. :) It won't be long before I'm back typing with all 10 fingers again.


Grizz

Grizzly, that is, um, gristly. Next project: kevlar finger cozies!

When I start a sewing project, I make sure the thickness of the needle is suited to the fabric I'm sewing (there may be a chart inside the sewing machine manual, but basically, the lighter or stretchier the fabric, the lower the needle number). I also hold the thread ends behind the presser foot when starting the seam, and turn the flywheel forward by hand so that the needle is in the fabric before giving it power. I practice on a doubled scrap of the same fabric before I start on the actual project. Depending on the thickness of the seam, I may need to lighten up on the presser foot tension or adjust the upper thread tension so that the loops of thread are not too loose. Despite all of this, I get the birdnest under the seam sometimes.

I have one of the exclusive :rolleyes: Nelco machines, sold only at Sears during the 1980s, so your machine may vary.

Ok Ok - I have to admit that the story is slightly ficticious:p - however after having all the problems with my vertically oriented gear driven thread injector(real men dont use sewing machines;) )I just decided to take it to the shop and give it a tune up- its an older machine and probably hasnt been looked at in some time!!! The ladies there were very helpful with tips and tricks!! and also gave lots of advise on settings and adjustments!!

I have two machines; one circa 2004 and one circa 1945. I use the 1945 machine the most, I just like it better. However, on both machines I use the same method for my bobbin tension.

I wind the bobbin and then I hold the thread, if the bobbin falls on it's own it is too loose, when I give it a little bounce and it drops a few inches (6 or so) it is just right. Clumping, knots or a mass of thread on the bottom is usually too little tension, but it could also be the speed the fabric is going through the dogs.

If you don't have a walker foot then you need to 'slightly' pull the fabric throught the dogs to keep it from bunching.

However, needle size, thread size and speed are easy to deal with once you have the bobbin tension set properly, that is the main thing.

Unless the timing is off, I think this will help your situation the most.