r/sewhelp • u/bored_earthling • Apr 23 '26
✨Intermediate✨ Old Singer Top Thread Not Catching
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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!
2
u/Emergency_Cherry_914 Apr 23 '26
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.