Sewing Machine Troubles

[mieljolie]

Okay, can anyone help us?  Our sewing machine is acting up.  It keeps skipping occasional stitches and breaking the top thread randomly.  It seems to happen quite a few times in a row and then stop for a while before doing it again later. 

We took it to a repair place to get looked at.  They cleaned and adjusted it, and told us it was fine.  That the bobbin had just become misaligned.  However, we got it back and it is still doin it.  It is a Singer Fashion Mate 257 from probably the late 60's or early 70's.  I know it is just plain old and you'll probably just tell us to get a new one, but we are attached to it and it still seems to sew most of the time.

Does anyone know what's going on with it?  I plan to take it back to the repair place, but it seems they don't even know what it is.

[DonaCatalina]

I had one exactly like this that I finally had to retire. One thing some repair people don't know about older machines had to do with the part that the bobbin sits in. Sometimes when your needle gets out of alignment it will make small gouges in the metal. These are usually almost microscopic but they can catch, snag and tear the thread on the top and the bobbin thread.
If you can get to this without dismantling your machine, run your finger around in there lightly to check for rough spots. Usually a little judicious filing with a hobby metal file will take off the jagged spots.
I can't guarantee that this is your problem, but it is one I have had in the past.

[Kate XXXXXX]

I am hunting about for some information for you.  The trouble is that machines from that era are not 'good' Singers, on the whole, and contain plastic gears down inside, which can fail.  I'll see what I can turn up for you.  Meanwhile, you might get some help over at the Yahoo group, Wefixit.

[Lady Kathleen of Olmsted]

When machines do that, it has more to do with tensions than anything else. Tensions are fickle monsters that can cause the slightest erors with stitches.

Most machines have both Thread and Bobbin Tension settings. Do you still have the Owners Manula that comes with the machine???  Though you are attached to your machine, looking for another one may be the answer and have that one as a backup.

Singer stiopped making good machines by the early 70's. I still have a Golden Touch and sew from 1972 that was a wedding present from my husband. I have long graduated to Pfaffs and Janomes as my sewing grew more complex.

[mieljolie]

First of all, thank you kindly for all for the fast responses.  You guys are great.

DonaCatalina, are you talking about the plate where the needle goes into or something further down in there?  There are some gouges in that plate that the repair person said he would file.  I just looked, and he didn't do it.  Probably forgot.  I will give that a try.

Thank you, Kate XXXXXX, for the group!  I just joined.  Maybe, they will have some other possibilities.

Lady Kathleen of Olmsted, the tension looks fine going by the stitches.  And, yes, I do have the manual, which I've really only looked at when I oil it now and then.

Although there are plastic gears here and there, they all seem to be in good working condition.  Funny thing is the repair guy was surprised at how good the machine looks after all these years, but my mom hardly ever sewed back then.  Since I've had it, it is getting a mucher harder workout!    I'm not ready at this time to invest in a new machine even if we must suffer the occasional thread breakage (which seem to be becoming more frequent).  However, it would improve the appearance of my seams.    If I come across something at a yard sale or thrift store, though, who knows.

BTW, just thought I'd mention we do have a back up for our Fashion Mate.  It is a straight shootin' portable Singer 221-1 Featherweight with button holer attachment and what looks like a card table stand.  It was my grandmothers.  A beauty, too.  Hardly used.  Don't have the heart to.  Mom wants to part with it.  Probably should considering our lack of space here.  Anyway, just thought I'd share that. 

[DonaCatalina]

First of all, thank you kindly for all for the fast responses.  You guys are great.

DonaCatalina, are you talking about the plate where the needle goes into or something further down in there?  There are some gouges in that plate that the repair person said he would file.  I just looked, and he didn't do it.  Probably forgot.  I will give that a try.

yes that is part of it. I'm terrible with technical names but the spinny part that pulls the thread from the bobbin needs to be checked also. 
http://www.sil.si.edu/DigitalCollections/Trade-Literature/Sewing-Machines/CF/single-recordonpiece.cfm?CompanyName=Singer

[Kate XXXXXX]

BTW, just thought I'd mention we do have a back up for our Fashion Mate.  It is a straight shootin' portable Singer 221-1 Featherweight with button holer attachment and what looks like a card table stand.  It was my grandmothers.  A beauty, too.  Hardly used.  Don't have the heart to.  Mom wants to part with it.  Probably should considering our lack of space here.  Anyway, just thought I'd share that. 

NONONONONO!  Do NOT let that go, not ever!  Those things are worth REAL money, ESPECIALLY in an original card table!  Join Featherweight Fanatics, learn all about it, and use it!  I adore mine. 

[Lorraine]

If you are ever considering buying a new machine you might want to check out craigslist. There are lots of women that buy a nice machine, use it once or twice, and then decide to get rid of it. I just bought my new machine off there, still in the box, for less than half of the retail price. I also see many of the more expensive machines, hardly used, for a third of the retail price.

[Pascal]

It is a straight shootin' portable Singer 221-1 Featherweight with button holer attachment and what looks like a card table stand.  It was my grandmothers.  A beauty, too.  Hardly used.  Don't have the heart to.  Mom wants to part with it.  Probably should considering our lack of space here.  Anyway, just thought I'd share that. 

Oh no, never never never let that one go!

[mieljolie]

I've got some more suggestions from the "Wefixit" group.  Hope we find an answer.  I will definitely try craigslist for a new one if we can't solve it.  Thank you.

As for the featherweight, we may have to part with it regardless.  We really just don't have room for it.  We are downsizing from 2 separate houses into one.  And, neither of us wants to use it.  It is far too nice for us to feel comfortable using/abusing.

Thanks, again, everyone for the help.

[gypsylakat]

Did you pay for the repairmans service? if he said he would do something and he didn't you should go and get him to do his job properly...

[Kate XXXXXX]

I've got some more suggestions from the "Wefixit" group.  Hope we find an answer.  I will definitely try craigslist for a new one if we can't solve it.  Thank you.

As for the featherweight, we may have to part with it regardless.  We really just don't have room for it.  We are downsizing from 2 separate houses into one.  And, neither of us wants to use it.  It is far too nice for us to feel comfortable using/abusing.

Thanks, again, everyone for the help.

Well, that's just silly!   

I take mine into school, and the kids LOVE it.  It's almost impossible to abuse it.  They are tough little devils.  Go on - try it.  You'll fall in love, I know it. 

As for no room...  We have a 3 bedroom mid-terrace house built in 1928 in rural Kent...  Big long thin garden, but not a lot of house!  My son's bedroom is not a lot bigger than Harry Potter's broom cupboard!  And I have 20 machines here.  There is ALWAYS room for a spare sewing machine for when the main one is in for servicing.

However, if you DO have to re-home it, give me a call and I'll put you in touch with someone who can give you some honest advice about where to sell it and what sort of price it should go for.  Much of that will depend on the condition, and I'll try to find you someone who can grade it for you.

[mieljolie]

Did you pay for the repairmans service? if he said he would do something and he didn't you should go and get him to do his job properly...

He basicly said he would clean/tune it and have a look at what MIGHT be causing it.  He didn't charge for repairs.  I honestly don't think he knows much about these older machines.  We live in the sticks and its hard finding someone nearby who specializes. 

As for no room...  We have a 3 bedroom mid-terrace house built in 1928 in rural Kent...  Big long thin garden, but not a lot of house!  My son's bedroom is not a lot bigger than Harry Potter's broom cupboard!  And I have 20 machines here.  There is ALWAYS room for a spare sewing machine for when the main one is in for servicing.

However, if you DO have to re-home it, give me a call and I'll put you in touch with someone who can give you some honest advice about where to sell it and what sort of price it should go for.  Much of that will depend on the condition, and I'll try to find you someone who can grade it for you.

LOL  20 machines!  My goodness! 

It is very kind of you to offer to find someone to price ours.  I did a quick ebay search a month ago, but the ones I saw were not in terribly good condition. Ours has machine, box, table, books, and attachments all in very good condition (Though I'm not sure about how the grading works.)  There are some very light surface scratches on the machine, which are not wear but look like from handling, and the table has a couple small minor scratches on the top that are recently made by my family trying to eat/play games on it!  I'm not sure it will survive another move.  I'd rather have a disposable machine I don't have to worry about destroying.

If it could do zig zag stitch, I'd be more apt to use it.  I use a lot of stretchy fabric.  I like to make clothing and dolls mostly.  Although, we seem to be sewing more and more these days.  Curse you, ren faires!!  Hehe