New Singer suggested tension ???

[Bradley]

. . . The function of the take up arm is to pull the loop up from under the fabric tightening the lock stitch formed by the hook.

That is how I have understood it to be for the last xx number of years.

I have a brand-new Singer, cheepo model
but hey it'll sew . . .

Hear is how they are saying it should be (from the DVD)
". . . the tension is set correctly if a small amount of the upper thread appears on the bottom side of the fabric"

Huh ! ! ! ? ? ?

[PuckerFactor]

That's probably for the occasional sewer. Less likely that the bottom (and side less often seen) thread will show on top. You're correct in thinking the crossing should occur within the fabric.

Acer

[Bradley]

You're correct in thinking the crossing should occur within the fabric.

Acer

Others may chime in . . . but baring me being phased into an opposing universe . . .

yes

But I can't seam (tee hee) to get the loop inside
even if I try either of these two

Tighten the upper or loosen the lower
or both . . . ? ? ?



It seams to be a tight enough stitch, strong ???

Like it would hold ???

[Ramblinrev]

That is a decorative stitch. Yes admittedly it is a simple zigzag but used in that way it is decorative. You get a "better looking" zigzag as decoration if you have that slight pull through. The wife, seamstress extraordinaire, says for decorative stitches that is appropriate. For non-decorative stitches you want the lock in the middle of the layers.

OTOH.. the wife says with a bit of disdain "That's probably what Singer would say." They might be giving the casual stitcher a visible guideline they can understand. (She is a sewing machine snob but as a professional seamstress, rightfully so.)

In all likelihood it is a fine and strong stitch. The stitch needs to be solid, not sloppy. To fine tweak... increase the upper thread tension if you think it is worth the hassle. However.... on a single layer of fabric, you can't bury the lock in-between because there is no in-between.

[Bradley]

on a single layer of fabric, you can't bury the lock in-between because there is no in-between.

Thank you for adding all of your post
but
I got the same result as singer
with an edge rolled twice to hide the fray on nylon
with a straight stitch.

Just used that screen shot as it was the only one showing the; what I meant.

I am thinking if I can't get the loop to bury
I will build my daughters hammock and then upgrade the machine ???

[Ramblinrev]

Re: upgrading the machine... That's a judgment call in my book. While I would never discourage getting a better machine, in reality it depends on how much you are planning to use it and what your level of OCD is. While a stitch that looks like that is not the old school textbook proper form, it's not an accident waiting to happen either. My concern would be one of abrasion on the little bumpy thread lumps. But frankly, I suspect it would not be significantly different than abrasion on an old school textbook proper tension. So if you can live with it and the machine is sufficient for what you expect to do... then hey... live with it and learn on it and practice on it so that when you out grow the machine.. which you will probably do down the line... you have a better idea of what you are looking for.

[nacra533]

Rev hit it, but on zig zag, usually your tensions are a lot lower and you can end up with the knot on one side or the other, usually the bottom. A zig zag stitch is used to allow a little stretch in the seam. That's why it doesn't matter if the knot is on the bottom, functionally.

If I were making a sail and my stitches looked like your picture, I would try to adjust a little but not fret if that is how they turned out. 2 reasons, it takes A LOT of tension to pull a knot into the middle of dacron without using a needle too large AND it's still a functional stitch that is designed to stretch a little.

[Bradley]

Funny thing; although I haven't sewn in 20+ years

I fabricated many things, but out of more natural materials, denim, leather, etc.
I only ever used a Singer Hand Crank, that I purchased new.

I made 3 Texas Long Coats, like a western duster,
that near-in-on dragged on the ground,
out of double scraped Elk Hide.
2 Motorcycle jackets w/full lining,
numerous denim western shirts of my own design.

Always had the loop in the middle of the material.

I thank you all for your help, and will make my daughters hammock and see how it goes,
and will report back with photos, Just so we know it happened

A couple of old photos of the TLC

[gargoyle]

B-Rad,
Can you make me one in sil?
Nice work.

[Bradley]

Update on the whole issue . . .

as it turns out, the thread was to large,
and maybe the key here is;
IF it is real hard to thread the needle,
maybe the needle is to small, or conversely, the thread is to large.

I got much thinner thread and set the tensions correctly and VIOLA

all is fine

The old machine works just fine
and my wife cashed in the newly purchased machine as we didn't need it.

And sewing has become a wonderful pass-time again.
IE; hammock in the other thread,
ridge line pockets, turned out OK for a trial project,
but don't work in the NX150, with out a little more tweaking anyways.

Thanks all . . .