Home sewers -- sewing machine problem

Witchy Woman · ‎03-15-2010

My very basic machine has begun skipping/dropping stitiches.

I changed the needle, checked the bobbin, tension and all the obvious things. I work mostly on fleece, but the machine is made for heavier fabrics, so I know it's not that.

Here is the issue. When I do zig zag, it looks like this:

^^^__^^^^^__^^__

It reverts to a few straight stitches no matter what my stitch selection. I just started doing this, so I'm inclined to think something has gone wrong.

Might be time for a new machine

SilleeMee · ‎05-22-2016

It sounds like you have covered what could be wrong. The only thing I might suggest is to oil your machine and if that doesn't help then take it to a professional to get a tune-up/cleaning. Good luck.

I was a professional seamstress for a thousand years. When a machine gets old there are parts that get loose and worn...like we do. But unlike us, machine parts can be replaced. One part called a 'cam' is most likely to wear out with age. This can be replaced then re-aligned...a tune-up.

RedTop · ‎09-01-2010

Do you oil and clean the sewing machine, and change needles regularly? If my Kenmore machine gets the least bit of dust collected in the bobbin area, or I don’t adjust the needle for my fabric weight, the stitching is off. It may be time for a professional adjustment on your machine.

Big Joanie · ‎01-02-2015

I agree .. if my machine has the least little bit of dust in the bobbin case

it skips .. also the oiling ....good luck ... i know how frustrating it can

be when you want to get a project done .. you just want to sit down

and sew and have the machine work ....

CelticCrafter · ‎03-09-2010

Fleece makes a lot of fuzz. When was the last time it was serviced and cleaned?

Diva on The Q · ‎03-28-2016

@Witchy Woman wrote:
My very basic machine has begun skipping/dropping stitiches.

I changed the needle, checked the bobbin, tension and all the obvious things. I work mostly on fleece, but the machine is made for heavier fabrics, so I know it's not that.

Here is the issue. When I do zig zag, it looks like this:

^^^__^^^^^__^^__

It reverts to a few straight stitches no matter what my stitch selection. I just started doing this, so I'm inclined to think something has gone wrong.

Might be time for a new machine

Check to make sure the machine is threaded correctly. I have had the same thing happen to me before and it turned out I hadn't threaded the machine properly.

Big Joanie · ‎01-02-2015

Also I have had times when my machine did not like the way the

bobbin was wound ....did it over ....

NorthernLights · ‎07-01-2016

When I first read this I really got the wrong idea. But look at it this way...

It's always better to have a sewing problem than a sewer problem.

Witchy Woman · ‎03-15-2010

Thanks all -- the one thing I have not done recently is defuzz it, so I will do that.

I did notice that the mechanism that changes the needle position (L M R) isn't working properly and I really had not noticed since it hasn't affected my sewing.

Was just checking out new machines since this one is probably 30 years old.

Don't want anything fancy. I see Singer is still around, but made in China -- but I guess most are.

By the time I pay for servicing, I can probably get a new machine.

I'll post back if I fix it!