Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
My Singer sewing machine was sewing just fine, when out of the blue, it seized or froze and it won't sew a bit now. What happened? I've done all the "checks" for needles, proper threading, cleaning, etc. Now what?
By Monica from Cortez, CO
The same thing happened to my Singer. I took it in to the repair shop and they told me the clutch had slipped. It was a pretty quick fix and was reasonably priced.
When that happened on your Singer, did you hear a noise that sounded like something came loose and fell?
That is what happened with mine. I checked and couldn't see anything wrong, but I really didn't know what I was looking for! I'm hoping to have it repaired soon.
@aloham58-Yes it has been oiled. Thanks for the good reminder! I know it is very important.
@deebomb-I do think something may have broken on the inside. Since I know next to nothing about this issue; I have to trust someone who does to get it in working order again.
Purchased this Singer 774 used. The pressure foot was not lowering far enough. Fabric was swimming around under the foot. Found a tutorial on making an adjustment but I have loosened a screw in this dial and cannot figure out how to get it tightened back up.
Any help in finding a good illustration would be much appreciated. Thank you in advance.
I have a Frister Rossmann Euro 10 SP sewing machine. It is 30 years old. Sometimes when I start sewing it takes a while to get going as if labouring. Yesterday I had power to the motor, but no drive to the needle mechanism. Is this the belt - although it seems to turn the pulley - if it is where can I get one?
Please could you advise.
Many thanks.
How do I remove the knob on the front of the machine that controls the stitch length so I can take the front cover off?
With the bobbin case out, my machine runs. With the bobbin case in, something hits it and knocks it out and knocks the timing out.
By Donald D
I had a machine that only used plastic bobbins; metal ones would throw off the timing. Maybe this is your problem.
Have you checked online to see if there are any helpful hints or Q&A sections on the brand's webpage? That might be helpful. Check in your owners manual and see if you have the bobbin wound properly. I agree with the previous poster, that perhaps the type of bobbin you are using will not work in this machine.
You can't fix this at home. I do vintage (and some modern) sewing machine repair for my sewing students and this is not a job I would take on because I'm not a factory trained repair tech.
Re-timing a sewing machine is not an easy job and requires a rather expensive service manual (I paid close to $300USD for my Singer manual, used, and it only covered machines up to the early 70s; I bought it 15 years ago, and have since moved to the UK) plus some specialty tools that only a professional will have (not a self taught like I am - I have some tools but not the ones for the timing since moving to the UK).
As another poster has mentioned, using the wrong type (and size class) of bobbin is a sure fire way to throw the timing out on a machine. For example, some 'modern' machines use a magnetic timing system - use a metal bobbin in those and the timing goes.
But there are so many other ways to throw the timing on a sewing machine that only a professional will be able to tell you how it happened so that it never happens again.
Please, take your machine to a pro. You'll be glad you did. And while it's there, have it serviced - be sure to ask the cost of the repair AND the servicing, not all repair techs will do a servicing at the same time they do a repair.
Sometimes it is just something simple. Once, when cleaning out the bobbin area, I put it back together just a little bit wrong. When I took it back apart and reassembled it, the bobbin stayed in.
I have a Kenmore sewing machine and the foot pedal lost it's variable speed. It only has one speed now - slow. Can that be repaired, or could there be something else wrong? The sewing machine lights come on and there is power.
I have a Brother CS6000I sewing machine. It has a squealing noise. Sometimes it seems to stitch in same place. Thoughts on if there is anything I can do to fix that?
Thank you.
The bobbin does not spin on my Euro-pro Dressmaker sewing machine. Any guesses why?
My sewing machine bulb broke and now the machine won't work now. My machine has had no problems in the past so it came as a shock. I didn't mind the bulb breaking because they're easily replaceable, but when the machine wouldn't work, I got worried.
I don't want to send it in for repair right away until the bulb comes, but I'm worried. Does anyone have any ideas as to what is wrong with it?I have a Brother Project Runway sewing machine. The zigzag stitch is only picking up the bobbin thread on the left side, not the right side, resulting in a straight line. Any suggestions? So far I have changed the needle, used a different bobbin, rethreaded top and bottom multiple times, changed thread, and changed the fabric. Help!
Have you checked that you have the stitch width and length set properly to use with a zig-zag stitch? You'd be amazed to hear how many of us forget that part:)
If that isn't your problem, go through your user manual to be sure everything else is properly set and adjusted.
Here's a link to the Brother support pages - scroll through to find your specific model and then grab a free download of your manual:
www.brother-usa.com/
Thank you. Yes, i have the setting for the zig zag. I have a manual and have done everything it says. By switching to a size 14 needle I got the zigzag working finally, but the decorative stitches still don't work. Kind of aggregating really. I also have a 38 yr old Montgomery ward machine that has never had to go to a repair shop. But it's a cabinet model and I can't take it anywhere.
When sewing on my Singer Touch n Sew, I hear a clicking sound every time the needle sews. What is causing this?
By Carol B.
Are you positive you are using the correct size-class bobbin? One of my sewing buddies has your machine and had the same clicking noise going on - turned out she was using a metal class 66 - OOPS!
If you are sure you are using the correct bobbin, the timing may be off on your machine - this is a job for a qualified repair tech.
The bobbin casing may not be lined up. Flip the two black clips that hold it in place to the outside. lift up the metal ring and reinstall.
My Empisal 550 sewing machines pattern dial selector is not working. I can turn it and it will stay on straight stitch, how do I repair this?
Thank you.
I have a nice Bernini 830 Electronic Record sewing machine that I use in my alteration business and lately when I do the overlock stitch no. 5 I get a lot of skipped stitches and have to go over the sewing again to fill the stitches in.
I've cleaned it, but still have the problem. I am just wondering if there is something wrong with the cam. I know I'll probably have to take the machine in.
I feel as though I've looked everywhere for a solution to this problem with no luck. I'm hoping someone here might have an idea. When I set my sewing machine to zigzag stitches, it works like a charm. When I try to sew a regular straight stitch though, the machine will stitch fine for a while then kick a single stitch out like it's part of a zigzag. The odd stitch comes along regularly, not randomly. I've fiddled with settings and I'm sure I have it threaded properly.
Anyone have any idea what might be going on?
Thanks in advance!
I have a Pfaff QE 4.0. I have noticed that the needle does not seem to be in the center anymore. I have to move the needle position over to the right to line it up in the center.
This works to get a perfect 1/4 inch. The problem is when using the cutter the needle swings back to the left hits the foot and breaks. Could my needle bar be bent?The needle bar may need an adjustment. You need to take it in for a repair.
I have a Bernina 910 sewing machine. I'm not able to manually use my hand wheel, it just spins and nothing is happening. My machine works with the foot pedal, but I can't manually adjust my needle. Help please.
After winding my bobbin, I shifted the bobbin winder shaft back to the left, in original position, and took off the bobbin full of thread. Then, I tightened the clutch knob, or at least I thought I did. Now, only the hand wheel turns when I press the foot control.
I can manually turn the clutch knob, and it will turn the bobbin/move the needle, but the hand wheel remains still. It's almost like the clutch knob isn't tightening when I turn it the appropriate direction. Any ideas will be much appreciated!
Thanks!
Is this a 'vintage' machine? Older than 10-15 years from the factory is now considered 'vintage', and it makes a difference in what the problem could be. I teach Sewing 101 in the UK (after 50+years in the US) and do a bit of repair-refurb for my students, mostly Singers and always vintage. A newer machine may still be under warranty - some machine parts are usually warrantied for up to ten years.
That all said, bottom line is it sounds as though one of the gears has failed. It could be age, or simply that the original part was not milled to the highest standards (might be counterfeit and it's happening more and more often these days on new machines when parts manufacture is outsourced by the machine maker!).
The best solution is to take the machine to a qualified repair tech.
I'm sorry, I wish I could say 'Oh, this is your issue - follow my bullet points repair guide to resolve it' but without knowing the maker, age, and actually seeing the machine, I can't do that.
I have a Designer 1 embroidery sewing machine. I replaced the belt on the motor and now when the sewing machine starts to get warm then a little while later it shuts off. Can anybody give me any ideas?
It sounds like a frayed or broken wire, might be in the connection point area where the foot pedal and power cord join the sewing machine but it also might be along the main power shaft - it usually runs lengthwise from the belt and hand-wheel area.
If you can change the belt you've demonstrated you have a basic knowledge of sewing machines. So...
First roll the machine over and see if the underneath is 'exposed' (no cover to remove); some sewing machines carry the electrical wiring along the underside of the machine. If yours does, look for obvious problems, and decide if you have the skills and tools to do the repair yourself.
If the wiring isn't visible from the underside of the machine, try the following - after taking extreme care to discharge any static electricity, take the head cover off. ***Be sure to take photos, and to put ALL the screws, etc, into a muffin tin - you can follow the photos to put your machine back together and all the bits will be right there in the muffin tin.***
Using a mini-torch with an LED bulb (sharpest viewing with one of those), see if you can locate the machine wiring then trace along the wiring with the torch and look for a fray, bent, burnt, or outright break in any of the electrical wires. If you find something, decide if your skills and tools up to the repair.
If you can't find an obvious problem, or if the problem looks hard to reach, take your machine to a professional. I'm not familiar with your machine so I can't give you a 'ballpark' figure for the repair.
I do vintage domestic sewing machine repairs for my sewing students here in Scotland where I now live after 50 years in the US, but am not at all experienced with embroidery machines, so have no idea what the cost would be for a re-wire/repair.
I have a Montgomery Ward Signature 285 sewing machine, from the 1970s maybe. The stitch regulator works fine in reverse, but going forward I can't get any variety in stitch length at all, and it is too small for most of what I want to do.
I can't see how to get in and fix anything on that part of the machine. Ideas?The problem with your MW machine (your very vintage MW machine!) is that one or more of the silicone bits (aka gear teeth) have worn, crumbled, and fallen off the mount - this is NOT a repair job for the home handyperson, you really need to take this machine to a trained professional repair tech.
Look for someone adverting they have experience with White, NewHome, Brother, Jones, or Janome machines. The MW machines were usually one of the five rebranded to MW and anyone who can work on one of those can fix your machine. He/she will also have the right tools, and access to the vintage parts needed to get your machine back to sewing.
I do vintage repairs and refurbs for my sewing students here in Scotland. Tbh, I usually try to steer them to a comparable new modern machine - one with a warranty, owner guide, all the intended attachments, and oh hey BONUS - no previous owner's dodgy sewing hours on the machine.
I'm usually willing to go the extra mile (I use a lot of salvage parts but those don't come with any real reliability so be sure to be wary of the tech using those on your machine) but only if the machine has extreme sentimental value and/or repair parts are being new-milled (because those DO come with a bit of a guarantee), or if the student is skint (on a really tight budget) or isn't sure he/she even really likes sewing.
If you can possibly afford it, buy a new machine - one with new parts, and a warranty - polish up your MW vintage and display it in the sewing room but try not to fall into the money pit a dying vintage machine becomes. Once you start replacing parts (especially if the replacements have to be salvage parts) on a vintage the age of yours, it becomes a very real money pit. Please believe me.
I have a Husqvarna Rose 600. The needle is in line with the stitch plate, but the presser foot is off by 1/32 to 1/16 of an inch. I believe I have a shaft problem. I possibly moved it by accidentally hitting a pin. When the needle comes down, it is not in line with center of the foot. Is there something I can do myself to fix this problem? My dealer is an hour away and would probably charge me $100 or so, and have the machine for a week or two.
It is almost as if I need the needle to click over to right 1/32 from left position to right. I even bought a new ankle thinking the old one was worn out, but to no avail. I would like to fix it myself if possible and wondered if it is not fixed soon, is it OK to go ahead and sew with it?By rnoble19617
I am wanting to fill a bobbin, but the clutch release wheel on my old Singer sewing machine will not turn. What can I do?
By Helen
The best thing to do is take this vintage Singer to a repair tech - he/she will have the tools, knowledge, and access to replacement parts needed to make the repair (could be a number of things from a worn belt to a worn silicone gear, none that can be done at home without proper training and tools).
Please don't try to look inside - but if you do (I know very well how tempting it is:) be sure to take step-by-step photos as you take the machine cover off so that at least you'll have a guide putting it back together.
I have Singer 413; the needle is hitting the plate. What do I do? How can I stop the needle hitting the plate?
By Tish
try a new needle, also make sure the needle bar is in the correct position, if this doesn't help then having the machine check for a adjustment may be needed.
You must special order the needles, which are a tiny bit shorter. The 319W uses a 206x13 needle, not what we think of as "standard" sized needles. If the site allows you to email me, I can send you the needles and bobbins from my mom's old 319W.
I have a Viking, Emerald 116. The sewing needle broke. I replaced it, since then it won't stitch even the lightest garments. I have the bobbin correct for machine and spool both the same thread, twitted the tension over and over again, yet it will not give me a stitch. It does not need fixing. I cannot find my booklet for the machine. Help!
By Jane
The company has a website with customer service email and phone # for assistance.
Yes, actually, your machine DOES need repair. Something has caused the needle to break and that needs to be seen to, and too, a tiny piece of the needle may have sheared off to become lodged in the area of the machine you can't reach safely with home tools.
Any sewing centre adverting repairs for Viking machines will be able to sort your problem, and that's where you need to take your machine - this is not something you can deal with at home. I'm sorry to be so blunt but I've had to rebuild soooo many of my sewing students vintage machines after they tried to fix a problem like yours - their home fixes have knocked out timing, destroyed bobbin casings, and one girl killed her machine using a magnet to try and fish out needle bits.
The needle broke on several of the machines because gears had worn, and the machine wouldn't stitch on others because minute pieces of needle bits or lint and fluff were jamming gears - both types of problems require specialty knowledge and tools to resolve.
I have a Janome Memory Craft 4000. When winding a bobbin the bobbin spindle is moved to the right to disengage the clutch, but the flywheel/spindle is still turning.
By MHK99
I have a Singer sewing machine, model 3116. When the setting has been changed to wind the bobbin, the machine stays in sewing mode and will barely move the bobbin winder. Is there a fix?
By LJ
Here's a link to a free download of your models user manual from the Singer (US) website:
www.singerco.com/
Have a look at pages 17-19 to ensure you are following the directions carefully. Most important, is the presser foot completely raised, are the feed dogs fully up, and is the pin snapped completely to the right?
Have you used a light to check all of the external thread path areas for bits of lint and thread? Is there any thread caught or wound on the winding pin (not on the bobbin but rather on the pin/spool)?
If this doesn't help (and I honestly think it won't because it does sound as though you've followed the directions correctly) you need to take your machine to a Singer repair tech - I think there is thread and lint caught in several internal gears+possibly a broken gear/part.
I do some modern machine repair work (self-taught, lol, don't bring me a machine under warranty because whilst good, my work would void the warranty) and that is usually the problem. Depending on your location the work should cost you under $60USD/£40GBP.
I'm a very new sewer and I was experimenting with my brand new sewing machine. Well my long needle got caught in the bobbin area and I cannot get it out. I've tried turning the bobbin wheel, turning the machine upside down, nothing works. Help!
By Tahirah
Uh oh, that doesn't sound good or fun!
What kind of machine is it - brand, model, and is it 'mechanical' or computerised? (If it is computerised DO NOT try to use a magnet to remove the needle if you get that far in following the helps below!)
What kind of bobbin system do you have - do you load the bobbin from the top (called a top-drop in system) or is the bobbin case loaded from below the sewing surface (either a front load as you face the machine, or a side load)?
Did the needle fall completely out of the upper needle insert slot and into the bobbin case area or is it still attached at the upper insert area?
**If the needle fell completely out of the insert, next time you insert a needle be sure to A-fully open the insert area by turning the screw more than you think you need to, B-push that needle all the way up and use the flat edge of the screwdriver or tightening tool supplied with the machine to be sure the needle is 'fully seated', and C-tighten that screw back all the way so that your needle stays seated! Don't feel bad if this is what happened - I've been sewing (and I teach, too) for over 50 years, it happens to all of us:)
Can you see the needle?
Can you remove the bobbin (and case if a front or side load system)?
Let's try to solve your current situation:
Step One: Turn off the machine and disconnect from the power point. Trust me. It's important - this protects you from accidental injury from either a power surge/static electricity or sudden motion on the machine.
Step Two: Raise the presser foot. This action disengages the tension system on both upper and lower tensions, and may solve your problem right there - give a very slight tug on the needle if it is still attached at the upper insert area and it may come right up. (MAY. Key word.)
Right, so let's assume the needle is still in there:
If you have the top-drop in system and the entire needle is lost in there somewhere: remove the bobbin and shine a light down into the bobbin case. If you can see the needle, use a pair of tweezers to carefully remove the needle from the case. This should solve your problem, but be sure to follow the starred tip above to avoid a repeat.
If you have the front or side load bobbin system and the needle is lost in there somewhere: remove the bobbin and case, shine a light as above...
If the needle is still attached at the upper insert area and releasing the tension didn't get it out of the bobbin area, OR if completely lost in there and the above didn't help: you need to carefully pack it and go back to the store where you bought it (unless you got it at a big-box like WalMart or Target) and throw yourself on their mercy. Because it's a brand new machine the store will help you, usually free of charge, and will also help you figure out how it all happened so that it doesn't happen again.
But if you got it at a big-box, you're going to need to take it to a real sewing centre. Their on-site techs will charge you a small amount to retrieve your needle and figure out how it happened. They'll also try to sign you up for one of their classes - if you can afford it, do sign up, those classes are wonderful, you get so much more from your sewing machine if you take the classes offered, you really do.
Er, btw, if you did buy your machine at a big-box and then have to take it to a sewing centre, be prepared for them to sneer at your 'cheap' machine, and try to push you into one of their more expensive machines.
Their machines are great but I sewed for over ten years on a 'cheap' WalMart Singer (built and bought in early '94), and nearly all the things I sewed on that machine are still in my wardrobe or in my home! My daughter-in-law is now sewing on that 'cheap' WalMart Singer and wouldn't trade it for the world.
I needed to take my 'cheap' Singer to a centre a few months after I started using it (um, I ran it way too fast and broke the needle off into the bobbin casing.) The tech dissed my little darling but I held my ground lol! The same man praises that machine to the heavens when my DIL takes it to him now for an annual service, lololololol!
Great information in this answer. I can't improve on it. I just have a suggestion..... when I change my needle I place an index card or a piece of fabric over the area covering my feed dogs. That keeps it from slipping into the nether parts of the machine.
I have an American Home machine and need to work on it. I would like to have a manual so I can order a belt for the bobbin winder, and a full size belt. Also I'm not sure, but part of my tension assembly is missing, so I need to figure out how to fix that. It was handed down to me by my aunt Loma and I want it to work again.
By Dolly from Butte, MT
I found a few websites for what you might be looking for. Manuals for your sewing machine. Good Luck! pages.sewing-machine-manuals.com/
Found this manual for sale on Ebay. www.ebay.com/
That Manual sounds like what you are looking for and its under $10.00. Hope it helps. Myra
I have a Singer Futura CE-200 and it jammed and since then it has been sewing in the wrong direction (fabric feeds towards me not away from me) if that makes sense. Any ideas how to fix this or where to go for help? I appreciate any help with this. Thanks in advance :)
By tterrim
Have you done the safe reboot recommended in the manual? If yes and that didn't solve the problem, you need to take your machine to a Singer dealer and have the brand certified tech fix it. The reboot is the ONLY user approved 'fix attempt', anything else will kill your installed software AND void your warranty.
I am not able to give you an answer but If your sewing machine is feeding fabric in the wrong direction, isn't it the same problem as a machine stuck in reverse ? And in this case, there is a Thriftyfun guide about this problem. I hope it will help you.
Catherine
The foot pedal on the machine works, but causes the machine to make a humming sound. I tried a different one and it doesn't do that. What's causing it?
Because of thread jammed around the hand wheel after I took off the clutch knob and cleared it out I'm unable to put in back together. There is an "o-ring" thing that won't stay in place while I screw it back together.
