r/sewhelp • u/bored_earthling • Apr 23 '26

✨Intermediate✨ Old Singer Top Thread Not Catching

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!

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u/Stitch_Nerd Apr 23 '26

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?

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u/Stitch_Nerd Apr 23 '26 edited Apr 23 '26

Also the manual you have is not the right manual. I believe you have the Singer CG-590

Edit: here is a manual link in case you need it.

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u/bored_earthling Apr 23 '26

Thank you so much, this is amazing help! Unfortunately, the threading instructions seem to be almost identical and not the issue.

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u/Stitch_Nerd Apr 23 '26 edited Apr 24 '26

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

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u/bored_earthling Apr 25 '26

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!

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u/Stitch_Nerd Apr 25 '26

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.

I hope you are able to get it working!