Help! Stupid Machine Question

[Kiss-me-Kate]

I am sewing boning channels onto canvasy/duck cloth type of fabric.
I am using a semi-heavy weight needle.
My problem:
The top portion of the stitching is beautiful, and looks perfect.
The bottom portion (the bobbin part) "skips" stitches and they are looser than the top portion.
I keep having to rip out the stitches and starting over.
I have played with the tension, the stitch length, reloaded the bobbin, changed needles, changed speeds on how fast I sew the "row" and I am stumped.  I have sewed the row four times now, and can't get it right.  This happened on a totally different project and that is now chucked in a ball on the floor where it landed.
I spend more time being frustrated and diddle farting around, so nothing gets accomplished except a lot of blue words and my temper flaring up.

Any ideas on what the problem is?
My machine is a basic Singer model.  It probably has five to ten hours of real use on it.
I shouldn't have to cry EVERY time I TRY to sew something.
I am hoping one of you would have some kind of inkling on what I am doing wrong.
And yes, I realize it is probably something so dumb and simple I will kick myself for not thinking of it all along.

[Kate XXXXXX]

My advice:

Use a size 90 JEANS needle, and ordinary cotton thread.  Gutterman should be OK, though I prefer other makes.  YLI plain coloured quilting thread like this is excellent: http://www.redrockthreads.com/yli-thread/yli-machine-quilting-thread.asp  I also like quilting thread for this, which is a bit thicker.  Don't be tempted to use top-stitching thread or upholstery thread.

Take a very careful look at the two sides of the stitching:  if you have loops on the bottom, this is a TOP tension problem, fixed by tightening the main tension dial on the machine.  If you have loops on the TOP, this is a BOTTOM tension problem sorted by altering the BOBBIN tension.  For that you will probably need a small jewelers screwdriver.  You MAY need to take the bobbin out.

If this is a light weight basic Singer, it may not have enough punch to sew these layers of thick fabric.  Which model do you have?

[sealion]

I don't have any advice. I just wanted to say that I feel your pain Kiss-Me-Kate. Sewing machines and I have never gotten along.

[Lady Anne Clare]

I have a singer 9805.  I consider that just a very basic machine and I had that problem as well while sewing my stays which is duck cotton canvas.  I unthreaded the entire machine and rethreaded it.  It turned out that my thread slipped somewhere along the way and wasn't sitting on the tension regulator properly.  I used Gutterman thread and a 90/14 regular needle and everything turned out great after that, I didn't even break a needle which I usually do at least once a project 

If you have a scrap piece of canvas, use that to test the stitching.  So you don't have to worry about ripping out anything and it allows you to play with your stitch length, tension, different threads and needles without worry or frustration 

[DragonWing]

I was thinking tension also.  I just found out mine doesn't have the power to sew leather. Dag napit. 

[gypsylakat]

I feel your pain, we just got a new singer sewing machine and it's loud as heck and the thread slipped out of the needle and out of the tension 8 times on ONE 24 inch straight seam!

[Lady Anne Clare]

I know I'll never buy another singer machine again.  Mine dances across the table if I sew with the pedal pressed half way.  When I bought it, I was told it could sew through 4 layers of denim.  I haven't put it to that test yet but I know it protested sewing through 4 layers of linen.  And don't get me started on the 4-step buttonholes that always break my needles 

[LadyStitch]

When I did my bodice last summer I found that even though I used upolsty thread in both top and bottom I still had tention issues.  however when I changed to regular thread it worked fine.

I have an 25 year old singer that though it can't do fancy stitches it is a real tooper when it comes to the hard to sew things.  Yes my fancy smancy Viking can sew light weight pig leather, and such, but for shear punch through it power my little metal singer does just fine. 

Also I 2nd the idea to use scraps and make a test piece.  make sure it has all the same layers as the real project.

[Lady Anne Clare]

I think the older machines were built sturdier than the ones today.  I've heard a lot of people have problems with the modern singer machines whereas the older ones seem to last a lifetime without issue.

What's the difference between quilting thread, regular thread, and upholstery thread?

[Baroness Doune]

About thread.
http://www.quiltbus.com/threadtheory.htm

My mother damaged her Singer Futura by using upholstery thread it in.  $300 fix which still has not been done yet.  Until the machine is fixed, it was suggested to use a thinner thread.  The suggested thread?  Regular Maxi-Lock serger thread.

Some people say their machine works better with a certain brand of thread.

For general machine sewing, I used to buy mostly Coats and Clarks.  Now I prefer Gutermann.  There was a reason why I switched but I can't remember what the reason was.

[gem]

About thread.
http://www.quiltbus.com/threadtheory.htm

My mother damaged her Singer Futura by using upholstery thread it in.  $300 fix which still has not been done yet.  Until the machine is fixed, it was suggested to use a thinner thread.  The suggested thread?  Regular Maxi-Lock serger thread.

Some people say their machine works better with a certain brand of thread.

For general machine sewing, I used to buy mostly Coats and Clarks.  Now I prefer Gutermann.  There was a reason why I switched but I can't remember what the reason was.

My machine throws a *fit* if I try to use anything other than Coats & Clark Dual Duty all-purpose thread (and it must have the *same* thread for the needle and bobbin).  A couple of seasons ago, I bought all Gutermann to match that season's fabric (that's like $50 worth of thread), and ended up making a very nice Christmas present of it to a friend of mine.

[Kiss-me-Kate]

Thanks Ladies.

I had been using a test piece after I tried the first row on the actual bodice and it didn't come out right.
I will try the new needle and thread.

Baroness-this happened at the bodice workshop, remember?   I had fiddle around with it, once I got home, and my head stopped pounding.  But then again that was muslin we were working with too.

I am not sure what the model number is, but it wasn't a lot of money, so if I only use it for the lighter weight stuff, no real loss.

I have an ancient Singer (with metal parts, not plastic) that I might dust off too.  Perhaps if I get that one going, I can whip those channels out in a hurry.

stupid machines.  *sigh*

I don't need the garb until mid August, so I have some time to fiddle with things.

Until then, I will wear my old garb.  It doesn't fit or look the best, but I really don't give a rat's arse.

[Pipere]

Have you tried hitting it?

[LadyStitch]

I sear sewing machines have personalities.  Our costume ladies named each of them.  If you worked on Boris you to tell him why you were in a hurry other wise  he WILL mess up on you. If you worked at Larry he liked general sewing but if you gave him something intricate to sew he would run away like a race horse.  If it wasn't a simple seam he wouldn't' do it.  We had Gladys that only the Tutor and I could use right.  She was old, and fussy but if you talked nice to her she could to the nicest work out there.  Her seams never broke, as long as you treated her right. Give her a straight seam she didn't care for it but if you give her a Fancy embroidery and zig zag that you had to do.  She would do it perfectly, provided you treated her right.  You yell at her and you will get more snarls in your thread than you can imagine.

Maybe your machine just doesn't like the project 

[gem]

I swear sewing machines have personalities.

You are so not kidding with this! 

I like to say my machine (an $85 after-Christmas sale Brother) and I have learned to sew together.  We used to have so many more disagreements, but I've learned what he (? I guess I never thought of it before!  But he is my brother, so... ) he likes, what he's good at, and what he *doesn't* care for or do so well.  I've been known to kiss him, I *certainly* talk sweetly to him and stroke him, giving him pep talks for complicated or rough jobs, etc.  And now that we both know where we stand, we get along great!  And I *always* thank him for doing a good job for me.

I guess it's probably time to tell him he'll be getting a new sister this summer....