Aaaarrrrrrggggghhhhhh!

[stellar_muddle]

The sewing machine and I are no longer on speaking terms. Tensioning issues.
Specifically that it can't keep a constant tension if I get up, do some pinning and go back to it. Either it is gremlins, Bob is sabotaging things or I'm fucking up somewhere. I have managed 3 tents, a pair of trousers and last night's set of drawers on this machine with relatively few issues previously so not certain what the issue tonight is. Maybe it doesn't like the fact that tonight hasn't needed airconditioning.
Stopped before I did something a little too final with the machine (after unpicking the seam). Will either go back to hand sewing or curl up with book tonight. Maybe try again tomorrow...

Computers and sewing machines - the two things most likely to start me swearing at loud volumes. Flatmates/officemates tend to back away slowly at that point...

Comments

[theuns.livejournal.com]

http://www.allbrands.com/products/abp08546-0108.html

8P

[stellar-muddle.livejournal.com]

I think I might be slightly disturbed by a sewing machine that requires you to remove certain security patches on your computer... :)
Have to admit that forwards and reverse and very very occasionaly zigzag are all the stitches I use with a sewing machine.

[etfb.livejournal.com]

Ah yes, tensioning issues. Basically you need to unlatch the flange gasket from the torsioning arm, recentre the gravitational sloinge reticulator and then carefully feed in the perinoidal splice clip into the cardioid assembly until you hear a distinct click. Then pick up the entire unit, drop it in the toilet and buy a new one.

Let me know if this helps.

[anthraxia.livejournal.com]

Hmm, when my sewing machine does the random tension nightmare, it usually means it's time to take it apart, clean and oil it.

We have a 'tame' sewing machine mechanic in Innilgard who does very good private rates. Let me know if you need an introduction.

[stellar-muddle.livejournal.com]

She was serviced a year ago, but has since done two tents...
I specifically defluffed before sewing this time, but I suspect oiling ould be a good idea. Now if I could just remember where we put the oil... I knew where it was in the last place...

[alpha-angel.livejournal.com]

Er... you're supposed oil it every 5? hours sewing time? I suspect 2 tents is rather more than that...

[anthraxia.livejournal.com]

I'd say clean every 5 hours, oil less frequently. Depending on the make and model.

[alpha-angel.livejournal.com]

Maybe it was every ten hours, I can't remember. All I know it's a hell of a lot more often than most people remember to. =o)

[mr-bassman.livejournal.com]

Caveat... You know all this stuff, but sometimes just saying it again can lead to re-enlightenment.
(And you may have forgotten something in the meantime).

DIY Maintenence:

Remove all thread,

Open up everything that opens,

Take apart all the "home" removable bits,

Remove needle, footplate and foot,

With a small paint brush, remove all lint,

With a fine tool like your smallest screwdriver, scrape the oil encrusted lint from the feed dogs, and all the places you can see fluff especially around the rotating bits of the bobbin area,

Oil with "Singer" machine oil only (or your machine own brand of oil).

Now, reassemble paying attention to the following points:

Use a new needle,
Use brand new thread (old thread becomes weak!)
Same thread top and bottom.
Ensure you have the correct type of twist in your thread i.e. 'S' or 'Z', For modern machines this probably doesn't matter!

Tensioning the lower thread:
Loading the lower thread:
Wind bobbin in the normal way, remove any thread dag poking out the side of the bobbin. Insert bobbin in bobbin case and load the thread into the bobbin case. OK?

Check tension the lower thread:
Pull three inches of thread out of loaded bobbin case,
Hold the thread and let go of the bobbin case. It should be hanging like a plumb-bob. OK?

Gently jerking on the thread, the bobbin case (and bobbin) should drop an inch or so. If it doesn't, adjust screw on bobbin case to an appropriate amount.

Having reassembled the machine, thread the machine.

Now sew a test swatch. Adjust the upper tension to your desired amount.