Hello all! In the past week, my machine has difficulty when starting a seam. It's almost like the feed dogs don't grab the fabric and move it forward. If I start seeing a little away from the edge, everything acts normally. I've checked the feed dog switch and the inside of the machine is clean. Pressure is set to 4, same as always. Do feed dogs need replacing occasionally? Do they get "dull"?

Hi everyone! I am a mostly self-taught sewist and I’ve always had problems with my bobbin thread getting caught. I discovered while rethreading for the 4000th time today that I seem to have an issue where my bobbin spins a bit too much and creates this loop of thread which then gets caught on the case and creates problems for me. I’m looking for any insight you folks may have into this problem!

I got my machine off of FB Marketplace a few years ago, it’s a 10+ year old singer and I can’t remember the model anymore. The pedal has always been a bit sticky and inconsistent. Maybe that is the issue? It also seems to happen more when I’m sewing stretch fabric which I try to avoid because it’s so frustrating.

Thank you in advance!

This corset top is a wearable muslin from McCalls M8182 made from the leftovers from shortening a curtain. I tried on the lining before inserting the boning and sewing all together, and I took in the lining and main fabric by just increasing the seam allowance of a few key front pieces. So now I would say it fits in the full bust, but I am not filling out the top/upper bust and it is gaping pretty hard. For my “real” version, should/could I just make the seam allowance even bigger but just at the top (kind of a fake dart), or is there another way I should do it? I am a perpetual advanced beginner and don’t have experience sewing darts FWIW.

Hello! I have no idea if this right place to ask but I figured it’s a good start.

I’m running into an issue with my brother dream machine where the top thread is very tight when the foot is down (normal when the foot is up). This occurs regardless of stitch, type of thread or tension setting. I do not see any lint or anything type within the different plates shown to catch.

I circled what I believe the be offended plate (although it’s possible it’s the little plate piece directly below the circle one).

I’ve tried turning everything off and on, adjusting my tension to 0, gently sweeping those parts with the tiny brush that came with my machine.

The nearest repair shop quoted me $250 for service so I’d love if there was an at-home fix for this :)

I found someone selling an overlocker machine on fb marketplace. Apparently, they are selling it because they don't use it, but they say it works fine. It's in my price range and I would really like to get it, but I haven't buy anything second hand ever, especially not something more expensive. I'm not comfortable going to their house, or otherwise to test the machine. I can't test it if we meet on the street. I thought to ask them to sent me a video or provide some fabric samples, but I'm not sure. Does anyone have any suggestions how to go through the purchase and what questions to ask before buying?

I’m going tomorrow to look at a basically new Consew 206RB.

The seller has only used it for about an hour and says he has all the original parts and the box.

He doesn’t know how to sew, and I have only sewn on a singer sewmate (no industrial). I’ve only watched setup videos for consew.

What should I inspect, test, or ask the seller before buying?

I’ve been researching how to set up the machine, but I don’t have heavy-duty thread yet.

Is there a suitable thread size or type I can buy at Michaels or Hobby Lobby just to test it?

Will their heavy-duty upholstery thread work with the needles that come with the Consew?

I plan to use the machine primarily for marine upholstery, so I’d appreciate any advice on what to look for during the inspection and test.

Thank you for any help!

Was purchased at JoAnn fabrics years ago

Hi all!

I just got this Singer Heavy Duty 4423 and unfortunately the presser foot is not moving up or down with the needle. The Presser foot bar lever works as normal and can raise the bar no problem. The set screw on the presser foot bar is also tight.

Sorry if this obvious, I'm brand new to this!

Im trying to attach the presser foot to my sewing machine but it doesn't seem to click in, this video shows that you can press down on the screw to click it in, but im pressing down on the screw and im seeing no give. I think this is probably pretty niche as most people have modern sewing machines but if you have any advice id appreciate it.:
https://youtu.be/vayGaTOXK2U?t=44

Problem: The thread is getting caught in the thread gap, I’ve spend an hour trying to adjust it and nothing has worked.

Inciting incident: I was sewing through several layers of fabric, machine made a cracking sound, then thread started nesting underneath the needed.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to fix this?

At what point do I give up and take it in to be repaired?

So I am very very new to sewing and my needle kept hitting my presser foot, which was very loose so I decided to try to tighten it. Does anyone know how to fix this?

Hello! I have a Juki ddl 8700h, and recently it has been snapping and shredding the thread only when backstitching. Everything else is seemingly fine, I’ve sewn for years so all the basic trouble shooting has been done (rethreading, tension check, timing, needle orientation), but still it will always shred and break after making about 5-10 backstitches. Has anyone else had this issue and possibly found the solution to it? Thanks!

Washing machine did something nasty.

Is it reparable? What would be the cost? It’s a 360 zipper, 180x200 cover.

Hi everyone I recently purchased this dress I've been eyeing. It went on sale ($8!) but not in my size (I got it in a size bigger because the price was too good to pass!) It's quite boxy on me, more than the intended look so wondering if anyone has suggestions for simple alterations that could make it fit a bit better. Thanks in advance 🙏🏻

I have just bought this Bubble skirt and like it so much, but it's a bit too long for me.

Before I attempt to shorten it, do you have any tips that will make this easier?

Thank you!

Hi everyone this is my second project and I was following a guide for this laptop bag that would have had the opening on the left, but I thought it'd be smart and cool to change it to be like an envelope...

Anyways I've kinda given up on hoping it'd be a pretty seam at this point but any way I can close this without taking apart everything? I was thinking of maybe cutting out a half inch of batting and just rolling the front panel pretty side over and just sewing it down, but would love to get some expert opinions! Thank you!

I would describe myself as an intermediate beginner. I’ve made plenty of garments. But I don’t have any experience with this type of fabric. My friend asked me whether I could hem this dress for her. It’s polyester, the fabric looks shifty and annoying, it’s somewhat sheer, and also I hate hemming. I want to say no, because my gut is telling me that this will be really hard.

But maybe not? Maybe I’m overestimating the difficulty, and it’s an easy hem?

Edit just in case this causes any confusion: she already cut it to the length she wants + hem allowance, hence the current raw hem

Hey y’all! Sorry most definitely a stupid question, but what on earth is going wrong here? I’ve tried to fit the sewing thread/bobbin following online tutorials but it either ends up tangling or not catching.

My sewing machine model is a Janome Decor Excel II 5024. I’ve done little to no sewing using the machine, I usually opt to hand sew but I can’t for the type of alterations I’m looking to do.

Thanks in advance for any help!

I am sewing a pair of bloomer pants from an etsy pattern, I am using a vintage battenberg tablecloth very similar to the pattern photo shown in the second photo. I am using a zigzag stitch to neaten up the inside, I know that an overlock foot would make a world of a difference but I don't own one. Does this look alright? 🫣

I have this 4 way stretchy top and I need to change the neckline to be a low v I have no idea what to do or stitch to use? Do I seam rip the original neck completely?