social

Singer 301 Won't Free Motion Quilt Stitch?

I have a very clean Singer 301. I am using 50 wt. cotton thread top and bobbin. I have a new needle, inserted correctly. The bobbin is in correctly. It sews a fine straight stitch, but when the regular presser foot is removed it won't pick up the bobbin thread. It looks like the timing is good. I am remembering to put the presser foot down. The feed dogs are down. The stitch length is set to zero. The tension seems fine on straight stitching. Nothing looks broken. It just won't free motion quilt.

Advertisement

By Alyce L.

Add your voice! Click below to answer. ThriftyFun is powered by your wisdom!

 

Silver Feedback Medal for All Time! 282 Feedbacks
September 8, 20140 found this helpful

Three questions - have you lowered the feed dogs (or covered them with the handy snap-down plate), are you using a specialty foot for free motion quilting (sewing machines recognise the foot and behave accordingly - without the specialty foot you may not be able to do this kind of stitching), and have you tried setting your stitch width and length one notch up from zero?

I know you want to thread paint (quicker than saying free-motion quilting) using a straight stitch but with my Singers (Talent 3321, treadle 66 and handcrank 99) I have to nudge the stitch width and length a hair up from zero. Yours might be the same.

Advertisement

Also, what does your owner manual say about free-motion darning? Are you following the set-up directions for that function (essential for thread painting).

If those two questions are either a yes or don't help, I'm flummoxed! You should be able to do this kind of stitching on your 301, you might want to check with a repair tech or sewing instructor face-to-face who can 'fiddle' with it to see what the problem is.

When you find out, will you please update this? You can't be the only sewer-quilter who's had to figure this one out so your update will help a fellow sewer!

 
December 13, 20170 found this helpful

Hi! I just finally got my 301 set correctly in order to free motion quilt. I was having issues with tension as well as with skipped stitches.

Advertisement


Lower the feeds dogs, set stitch length to 0 which is just above the highest # stitches, make sure you have a darning foot that fits the machine. Then increase the presser bar tension. The darning foot will press down hard while making the stitch and then release so you can move the fabric between stitches. The fabric needs to be held in place during the stitch making otherwise it won't catch the bobbin thread.
the 301 manual shows using the darning foot with the fabric in an embroidery hoop, but if you use a darning foot with the presser bar set to really hold the fabric taut during stitch making then you should be fine.
Let me know if you need more help. I went from bonkers frustrated to being able to do this and I know you can, too.

 
February 11, 20180 found this helpful

I have the same problem with the bobbin thread not coming up. I do NOT have a darning foot... which could be the problem. Do they still sell feet for 301 slant shank?

 
March 2, 20180 found this helpful

I have a Singer 338 which straight stitches absolutely fine. Followed all the manual instructions to free motion but it just won't stitch the fabric. It pulls the thread up to the top but once I start to stitch the fabric it stops creating the loop to stitch.

Advertisement

The manual doesn't mention needing a darning foot at all.

 
Anonymous
May 22, 20200 found this helpful

My one year old singer fashion mate is not picking up the bobbin thread

 
May 22, 20200 found this helpful

My one year old singer fashion mate is not picking up the bobbin thread

 

Add your voice! Click below to answer. ThriftyFun is powered by your wisdom!

 
In This Page
Categories
Home and Garden Repair Machines Sewing MachinesSeptember 1, 2014
Pages
More
🍀
St. Patrick's Ideas!
🎂
Birthday Ideas!
Facebook
Pinterest
YouTube
Instagram
Categories
Better LivingBudget & FinanceBusiness and LegalComputersConsumer AdviceCoronavirusCraftsEducationEntertainmentFood and RecipesHealth & BeautyHolidays and PartiesHome and GardenMake Your OwnOrganizingParentingPetsPhotosTravel and RecreationWeddings
Published by ThriftyFun.
Desktop Page | View Mobile
Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Contact Us
Generated 2024-02-16 11:20:49 in 3 secs. ⛅️️
© 1997-2024 by Cumuli, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
https://www.thriftyfun.com/Singer-301-Wont-Free-Motion-Quilt-Stitch.html