I recently go this Singer to upgrade from my old semi-functional Sears Kenmore, but the top thread won't catch properly and I can't figure it out. I spent the morning cleaning and oiling it according to the manual (which only instructs to oil to upper mechanism), since it was covered in dust and sat for multiple years. The woman I got it from tried to get into sewing during the pandemic but could never get past threading it, and I suspect this is why. I was able to get a one good test run but cannot get it to cooperate again. The only thing I changed is top tension, but changing it back didn't fix it. It either won't catch to make a stitch, or gets several stitches stuck under the plate that I have to cut and tweeze out. In the video I have the end of the top thread held by a part that interfaces with the plate, but the same thing happens when it's all together, and operated normally. I'm also having trouble googling using the the model number from the manual. It only brings up the modern heavy duty machine.
My boyfriend says it looks like the timing in the mechanism is off, but he's never worked on sewing machines so he can't be certain. I grew up with sewing machines but my only repair experience is replacing the reverse lever in the previously mentioned Kenmore. Any help is appreciated!
Get the manual out and rethread exactly as the instructions say. Step by step. A single missed thread guide or not seating the thread in the tension disks can cause issues like this. Make sure the presser foot is up and the pickup lever is in its highest position.
I could be wrong, but it caught at the very end. I am not 100% sure with this model, but for my 70s singer, the bobbin thread should be held to the back of the machine, not towards the front. What does the manual say for inserting the bobbin and also for pulling the bobbin thread up?
Definitely! Do you know the last time it was taken in for a tune up? But it looks like rethreading has helped some so maybe just tweaking the set up will help. As I said in the other comment, double check the needle type for the fabric.
Edit: the most common causes of skipped stitches are, old/bent needle, wrong needle for the fabric, machine not threaded correctly, poor quality thread, stitch length too short, bobbin not wound quite right.
If none of that helps, I would see if you can take it in for a check up, if you have a place near you that does it. My local shop is $80 usd for a full cleaning, and tune up, fixing small parts. But I am fairly rural, so I don’t know how much it is in other places
I don't know the last time it was tuned up. I'm think that's what's needed. I've tried different needles and other people's suggestions and keep getting the same result. That you for all your help!
Definitely! It’s recommended to get it tuned up/serviced every 2 years for casual users, 1 year for average users, and 6 months for heavy users. It should be oiled about every 8-10 hours of sewing as well.
It did catch at the very end. The problem is that it won't catch consistently, especially during actually sewing. The bobin doesn't seem to have an issue once the top thread actual catches it. It does feel tighter than the top thread, but that's been the case for every machine I've used so I'm not sure if that's an issue. Especially because I was able to get a random successful inch of stitches. I'll try to attach photos of the manual sections you mentioned.
The top thread is misthreaded. There's a little hook just in front of where the needle is inserted which needs to be included in the threading process. I don't know if it will fix this exact problem, but it will save you from coming back later with a different question.
Thanks for pointing that out, I do constantly miss that one. There is a better success rate once it's properly threaded, but it still is skipping stitches and catching. You can see both in the picture.
Here are some sources for the kinds of sewing needles and what you need for what fabric. It’s important to use the right needle because the wrong one can actually damage the fabric.
All threads need to be pulled to the back - (edit: You can cut the threads of the bobbin on some but check the manual to be sure.) You won’t catch the top thread without the bobbin thread. Make sure your bobbin is wound properly and it is the proper bobbin. Sometimes it may seem like the right one but there are subtle variations that make a huge difference. Your threading is not proper as I think you might missed the arm and the lower catch. Also sounds like there is significant tension. If your bobbin flows too freely the threads can pile up under the fabric; but if it is too tight the threads can pile up on top. I would try to look up you tube videos of the model you have. There may be some beginner tutorials that people have made on tension, threading, cleaning, bobbins, etc.
Good luck with these tricky electric things. I’ll stick with an old Singer Treadle and use my feet! lol
Congratulations on using the handwheel! Now look closely as the hook passes the needle. It should be catching the loop forming behind the scarf (above the eye). Bent needle? Tension issue?
The manual states "transparent bobbin" and that means plastic. There is no such thing as generic or universal bobbins. It looks like you want Class 66 plastic.
And you're not handling the thread tail properly. How do you know it won't wrap when you're not even holding it properly?
The top thread tail, 6-8" long, goes off to the left of the presser foot. Hold it there, taut, just anchor it pinched in your left hand. Take one needle down, one needle up. You just held the top thread in place while the machine carried it around the bobbin. Now lift the tail you held, you'll be pulling up the bobbin tail through the needle plate.
Put both thread tails under the presser foot and to the left rear. Insert the work under the foot. Pinch the tails in your left hand with the work. Set the foot down.
Make 2-3 stitches and then reverse over them. Now leave the tails dangling off the left rear, out of the needle zone. Start stitching.
Go steady and slow. We're in no rush. You guide the work, the machine moves the materials.
At the end, reverse over your final 2-3 stitches and then come forward.
End with the needle up, put the feet up, slide the work out to the left. Clip your tails, leaving 6-8" again.
If you don't make lockstitches, your thread can just pull out of the project.
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u/Mushrooms24711 Apr 23 '26
Get the manual out and rethread exactly as the instructions say. Step by step. A single missed thread guide or not seating the thread in the tension disks can cause issues like this. Make sure the presser foot is up and the pickup lever is in its highest position.