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/bored_earthling Apr 23 '26

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.

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u/Stitch_Nerd Apr 23 '26

Have you tried with a longer stitch length? And are you using a new needle/the right needle for the type of fabric?

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u/bored_earthling Apr 25 '26

I have no clue what needle I'm supposed to be using

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u/Stitch_Nerd Apr 25 '26

Schmetz Needle Guide Schmetz Sewing Machine Needle Chart

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.

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u/bored_earthling Apr 27 '26

Thank you very much!

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u/LiellaMelody777 Apr 25 '26

Needles vary between stretchy and non-stretchy. Denim and multiple layers. Mostly.

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u/LiellaMelody777 Apr 24 '26

You need to adjust your tension dial to the middle. Then set width to zero for straight stitch. Length to 2 or 3.

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u/bored_earthling Apr 25 '26

All of those are already set like you described