| Author | |
guitarnan
Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 07 2005
Location: Maryland
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 10883
|
| Posted: July 18 2009 at 1:42pm | IP Logged
|
 |
|
Mine is 20+ years old and has been overhauled twice.
I don't sew much but part of that is due to frustration with this machine. I used to make lots of clothes, curtains, etc. (Of course this was before kids, homeschooling and so on!)
Right now I am making a cape (small) out of glitter dot fabric for my daughter's Irish dance dress. Glitter dot is tough to use (thin and sticky). Still, it seems weird that I can't get my seams straight and that every few stitches my machine "skips" a stitch and makes one twice as long as the rest. This has happened several times over the last year - costumes, mending, etc. are frustrating.
Could I have just become too old and nearsighted, or is my machine needing help?
I am supposed to be teaching my daughter to sew this summer (she wants to make purses) but, honestly, it's so painful to try to sew one long straight seam...
I don't want to blame the machine, though, if it's really my fault. Maybe I just haven't kept my skills up over the years.
All advice appreciated.
__________________
Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Corry O
Forum Rookie
Joined: June 06 2007
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 73
|
| Posted: July 18 2009 at 3:15pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Perhaps you are using the wrong foot for this fabric?
I don't have any suggestions for which one to use, given that I haven't worked with that kind of fabric, but sometimes the most frustrating issues with sewing come down to which foot you choose for a certain fabric or function.
Also, I know this is obvious, but don't forget to put in a new needle for a new project. That can also make a tremendous difference in stitch quality.
Good luck!
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Tami
Forum All-Star
Joined: Dec 27 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1066
|
| Posted: July 18 2009 at 3:25pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Hmmm, how about the tension on the machine? Sometimes that affects my stitch quality, esp. on delicate fabrics.
__________________
God bless,
Tami
When we are crushed like grapes, we cannot think of the wine we will become. (Nouwen)
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
MicheleQ
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 23 2005
Location: Pennsylvania
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2193
|
| Posted: July 18 2009 at 6:40pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Skipped stitches usually means the needle needs changed so try that. Do you have a walking foot? If so I would definitely use it for this project. I think a walking foot is a must for stretchy fabrics --it makes sewing them SO much easier. Of course in the end it may just be the way your machine handles this type of fabric. 
I just got a new machine for my birthday at my husband's prompting. I resisted because my old machine still works but it has little issues here and there that can make sewing difficult but I live with it. Well now that I have the new machine I am SO glad I let him get it for me! Wow it sews like a dream and I have been sewing a lot more because it's not so difficult. It's a sewing/embroidery combo but I haven't had the time to set it up to embroider yet.
If you plan to teach your daughter to sew then I would say definitely go for a new machine. There's nothing more frustrating or discouraging to a beginning seamstress than a finicky machine. 
__________________
Michele Quigley
wife to my prince charming and mom of 10 in Lancaster County, PA USA
http://michelequigley.com
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
monica
Forum Pro
Joined: Feb 09 2007
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 208
|
| Posted: March 02 2010 at 9:34pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I AM SO FRUSTRATED!!!! less than a year ago i got my grandmothers sewing machine (a 1980's white brand) fixed and now it is totally acting up. i was so excited to sew some new patterns i have found in books and now it is just not working. i adjusted the thread tension, the stitch size, but it is all messed up.
i am wondering if i should take it back to the same place that fixed it before, or go to a different place or get a new (to me) machine. this one is fine, but i have sewn with berninas that were so smooth to use it made this one feel like an old pickup truck.
how many times should i get it fixed before deciding it isnt worth it anymore? waaaah! i was so excited to sew!
monica (excuse the overly dramatic flair)
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
stefoodie
Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 17 2005
Location: Ohio
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 8457
|
| Posted: March 02 2010 at 9:41pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
monica, is the repair under warranty? maybe they can fix it up again for you since it hasn't been a year...
for things that i've had to have repaired once or twice, i calculate, if i had to have it repaired again for x amount of $/year, how many times would i have to take it in to equal the $ spent on a new one? is it worth it, my time/aggravation/money, or would it be better to donate/sell/trash now and get a working machine?
__________________
stef
mom to five
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
wifemommy
Forum All-Star
Joined: July 10 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 732
|
| Posted: March 03 2010 at 3:04pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
When sewing really shear or light weight material you can place tissue paper on the bottom and just sew thru 3 layers it helps the shear to lay flat. Long term I would go for a new machine it is so much better to learn without the frustration and just to sew in general. Annie
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
crusermom
Forum All-Star
Joined: Aug 09 2007
Location: New Jersey
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 878
|
| Posted: March 03 2010 at 5:22pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
What kind of machine? Some just were not built to last. If you have a good sewing machine repair shop, they might be able to let you know if it needs work and if it is worth repairing. It can be pretty pricey to repair them.
Michele's idea about the walking foot is a good one.
I found some good second hand machines on craigslist for my daughters (and their friends) to learn on. Just make sure it has been used and serviced recently. Not one that has been sitting up in an attic. I also picked up a used one at the sewing machine repair shop. That way you know it has been serviced and if you have a problem, they are more than happy to help you.
Wonky sewing machines are so frustrating!
__________________
Mary
Army wife and Crusermom to 8 wonderful children!
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
4 lads mom
Forum All-Star
Joined: Sept 26 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1944
|
| Posted: March 03 2010 at 6:45pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I have found Janome to be a nice in between sewing machine. They are built well, but not as crazy expensive as the Vikings or Bernina’s. They have a very interesting new machine that is a sewing machine and serger in one!!! There is a removable cutting blade in this, so you can sew finished edges, like a serger....without all of the serger threading nightmares.
I have both a few Janome’s and a really nice Viking. I wish I would have stuck with the Janome....and just upgraded it to one of the Memory Craft. The Viking is really nice....but I could have gotten something just as nice with the Janome and the accessories are a LOT less expensive on Janome.
Any thoughts on other sewing machines?
__________________
Mom of four brave lads and one sweet lassie
Scenes From This and That
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
JodieLyn
Forum Moderator
Joined: Sept 06 2006
Location: Oregon
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 12234
|
| Posted: March 03 2010 at 6:50pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Get one you can have repaired locally. 
__________________
Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
monica
Forum Pro
Joined: Feb 09 2007
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 208
|
| Posted: March 03 2010 at 8:09pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
i have a white brand sewing machine from the 80's that was my grandmothers. my mother has an older white model that is in storage, but it is soooo heavy, one of the all metal ones, i would be afraid to put it on my folding sewing table. i think whites are OK machines, but not great and i looked at a few forums that complained of the same problem i have had with the thread tension, so it makes me wonder if this is a design flaw and i will be getting it repaired regularly if i keep it. but the sentimental part of me loves sewing with my grandmothers machine. 
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
SaraP
Forum All-Star
Joined: Dec 15 2005
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 531
|
| Posted: March 03 2010 at 8:38pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
It's a bit of a trek for you, but Bel Air Sew & Vac worked a near miracle, for something like $50 or $75, on an older-than-I-am Kenmore machine I inherited from the mother of a friend. It was doing exactly what you describe (stitching crooked and skipping) and whatever they did completely fixed the problem.
__________________
Mama to six on earth, two in heaven and two waiting in Russia. Foxberry Farm Almanac
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
4Real Forums : Our Lady's Loom, Larder, and Laundry
Topic: When should I replace my sewing machine?
