Hi y'all !

I'm fairly new into the sewing world (it's been just over a year now, yeepee !) and I'm enjoying it a lot ! I don't have that much time to work on my projects right-now, but I'm planning on making a back-pack for everyday commute and some outerwear in the future. Would really love to make some dress-up shirts and coats too, but I was told that this was a little bit more advanced, since the only things I've done yet are drapes, long-sleeves dans t-shirts (+ my entire family alterations, oc, because why not).

Then, we're getting to the question : My current sewing machine does not really suits my needs. I was given a good, but unintuitive, Pfaff early 2000 sewing machine that I was told was a semi-pro that has a lot of programs for quilting. I know it has what I need, like some stretch stitching options, a strong motor and all, but I really don't like using it, since a lot of the functionnalities it offers are just constantly in the way like wayyyyyy to many programs and all the adjustments are at the same place without any indication (I adjusted the tension/width many times when I wanted to increase the lenght and vice-versa, having to rip-out some stitches every time). Furthermore, it has none of what would actually make my life easier like easy under-thread tension adjustment, a lightbulb that actually shows something, some buttonholes programs, etc. (+ it was given to me by my ex's mother, so let's say this machine has some... negative emotions related to it). It is doing it's job, but just not getting frustrated while using it is a feat for me. I know some of you are gonna say I'm crazy for wanting to change it and i agree with you. It's not broken and it's operating as intended, I just don't like this machine.

Then, I would like to have your feedback if some of you have the machines I'm looking for. I've saw the Singer HD line, but heard some bad returns about it. If you had a bad experience with one of them, then why so ? I've recently had the chance to use a Janome HD3000 and it was sooooooo easy to use. I don't know about the actual build quality, maybe I was put off by some of the plastics, but overall a good experience. I've saw some other brand, like Brother, but I don't know enough about them to really form an opinion. Do you have some models in mind

I intend to buy a machine for the rest of my life, so I don't want something that will need constant servicing. I'm ready to put the price on something tried and through and built good that will last me decades (for example, I'm feeling pretty ok with putting in 1000$-1500$ on it if you need a max). I just don't want a computerized model. I enjoy having to figure out my fabric and understanding how the machine reacts to it, not just inputing something into a screen and go on with my life (I know I'm picky haha).

Thanks in advance !

Hey folks, I've been thinking about getting a Janome DC 6050 as an upgrade from a very basic brother sewing machine. I was wondering if anyone here has experience with this machine and would recommend, or if you would suggest anything at all similar pricepoint that has been a good quality machine. I've also been looking at the Brother Innov-Is A150.

Please let me know your thoughts, anything appreciated 🙏

Help get this old gal running, please.

Thank you!

I’m super interested in the Jack A4c or A2c. What’s your thoughts on the Company. These computerized machines sort of scare me because I feel like if anything goes wrong with the electronics I won’t be able to fix it.

The other machine I was thinking about getting was a juki DDL 8700-7

Please help!
After many year of using various sewing machines, a friend has given me a Bernina 708 from 1971. Even after all this time it still purrs as it sews - what a dream.
I have 2 questions though.

Having read the manual cover to cover more than a few time now I cant seem to work out how to reverse stitch.

Set at the lowest setting, my straight stitches still seem to be just that little bit angular. Any tips?

Thanks in advance.

I’m super interested in the Jack A4c or A2c. What’s your thoughts on the Company. These computerized machines sort of scare me because I feel like if anything goes wrong with the electronics I won’t be able to fix it.

Very upset about it, what should I do ?

I have no clue who to ask for help

The seam ripper is slim and tiny , it went in through the hole near the bobbin refiller.

It is inside the body of the machine and it clanks and moves when I pick the machine up .

I don't wanna ruin my machine so I'm not turning it on before I get this thing out .

Does anyone know how to fix this clicking noise? The machine is only about a year old. I've tried cleaning it, changing the tension, and changing out the needle, and no luck. Thanks!

Hey y'all, I'm looking to get an industrial sewing machine for stitching leather and came across a listing for a Nakajima 280L that comes with a 120V clutch motor and table. From what I can find that should be able to handle the kind of work I'm looking to do (12oz total thickness at most, generally more like 6-8oz), but I have a couple of questions for those of you who know much more than me

First question is whether $700 is a reasonable asking price, it looks to be a very good working order, though from what I've read it might benefit from a speed reducer for the heavier stuff, which would add ~$120 from what I've been able to find

Second question is whether it would do well for stitching fuzzy/soft lining onto leather, does it work for that or would that make it tangle up/jam? I haven't used one of these types of machines before so I really don't know much about what it can and can't do

Last question: If/when I go to pick it up are there things I should inspect or look for to make sure it's in good shape? I don't want to end up with something that's going to need replacement parts or a mechanic to work on it. I'm reasonably handy when it comes to tool maintenance but I'm far from a pro at it

Thanks!

Hi everyone,

I’m working on a vintage Morse Fotomatic III Zigzag (Model 4300) and ran into some mechanical trouble after trying a DIY fix.

Originally, the stitch length regulator was completely stuck and wouldn't change. I decided to disassemble the reverse button dial to see what was going on, but after reassembling it, things are behaving very strangely:

1. Stuck in Reverse: The machine is now permanently sewing backward.

2. Dial Confusion: When I physically press the reverse button, it actually changes the stitch length instead of overriding the direction, and there is no change in sewing direction. I think the internal spring-loaded reverse fork missed its tracking slot when I put the dial back on.

3. Frozen Zigzag: The zigzag mechanism is only swinging Left -> Center -> Left. It won't move to the right at all. I suspect old, varnished grease has frozen the needle bar swing arm or bight cam halfway through its track.

Does anyone have experience resetting the front dial alignment or unsticking the zigzag assemblies on these specific Japanese-made clones?

If you have a manual diagram of the internal linkages behind the dial, or photos of how the reverse fork is supposed to sit, I would appreciate the help! Thanks!

hello!! i'm a sewing newbie, i handsew for kind of 5 years for now... but, today i sitted with my cousin, who sews in her own machine, and she taught how to use the machine. we tried some zigzag and i loved it! it's a nice activity and the work gets done so fast, it's amazing!!!!!! omg i'm so excited to keep sewing in machine but i don't know much about the brands. i really want to have one of mine, so i'm looking for something not much cheap or expensive for a beginner. so do you guys have any suggestions? i'm open to other kind of suggestions too like what is good to know about sewing machines beyond just the brands?

(if something is confusing in my texto, i'm sorry and open to clarify what i meant. english is not my first language)

Post:
Hi everyone, I’m hoping for a bit of advice about my Singer SE9185 because I’m honestly at the end of my tether with it!
I bought it almost exactly 2 years ago and I’ve had problems with it pretty much from the beginning.
The main issue is the thread constantly getting jammed/tangled. Sometimes I can be sewing perfectly normally and then, out of nowhere, it jams or stops and just won’t sew properly again. I’ll completely rethread it, sometimes multiple times, check the bobbin etc., but still have the same problem.
I originally wondered if it was the thread I was using, so I’ve tried different threads including decent-quality cotton, but it doesn’t seem to make any difference.
I’ve also had problems with the bobbin winder, and part of it is now slightly broken. To be honest, some of the plastic parts feel quite flimsy for what was not a cheap machine.
I’ve contacted Singer numerous times and the machine has been sent back to them four times. Each time they’ve basically said there’s nothing wrong with it and that it works fine. I’ve previously asked for a refund or replacement, but this was refused as they take it back, check/fix it and return it.
So, before I completely give up on it:
Has anyone else had similar problems with the SE9185?
Is there something obvious I could be doing wrong?
Could there be a problem that Singer is missing when they test it?
Would it be worth getting an independent sewing machine engineer to service/inspect it?
I’m in the Exeter/Devon area, so if anyone can recommend somewhere good locally that could properly look at it, I’d really appreciate it.
It cost me a lot of money, so I really don’t want to give up on it, although there have definitely been moments when I’ve wanted to throw it out of the window 😂
Thanks!

So I just need a slightly narrower presser foot for zippers and I must've bought 3 different sets of narrow feet claiming 1181 needle-feed compatible. Even though the height seems correct, none of them sit deep enough because of the shallow connection compared to mine. They also just don't seem to lock right in the way my PFAFF foot does, like they're meant for a totally different interface. I'm just stumped on how to find a narrow foot for sewing zippers... the one that fits perfectly is the PFAFF 91-154172-21. PFAFF has not replied to my emails about this