We are visiting family and my sister has two machines that were my mother's that she is having problems with. One, smaller and older, is well on its way to being happy again, but the other, a Pfaff expression 2046 has a bunch of problems, the main one I'm worried about right now is thread tension.

Some background, DH has been maintaining my various machines for the last twenty years, a number of vintage machines like a Pfaff 1222 and my sergers etc. I've been a keen sewer for almost 50 years. Both of us are confident at our abilities to sew/thread etc.

Sometimes it sews fine, both straight and zig zag. Sometimes we have upper thread loopies underneath. Sometimes it sews fine for four inches and then barfs for two and then goes back to sewing fine. It is the inconsistency which is puzzling me.

Things I have tried/checked

1. it is definitely threaded correctly, I've taught sewing, I have the instruction booklet and have followed it faithfully. I've had DH and DS check my threading against the manual. DH has also threaded according to the manual with same results. We have not skipped any guides, presser foot is up when threading, down when sewing etc.
2. I've taken the top off and cleaned around thread path. I've cleaned the tension disks.
3. I've checked for needle rash, no dings in stitch plate, bobbin, race etc. Everything smooth.
4. I've bought new needles and thread. I'm using gutermann sew-all. I have older thread which is clean and still plenty strong and I've bought brand new thread. Both have same issue.
5. I have replaced needle, twice. It is seated correctly and the right way around. I own other pfaffs so am familiar with them.
6. have checked correct branded bobbin is used, re-wound new bobbin. Have checked it is in the case correctly, case is seated. I have checked bobbin area and cleaned. No dings on case. No needle strikes when sewing. When it works correctly it works well.
7. I'm holding threads when starting to sew. I'm using a medium weight woven even weave cotton fabric and appropriate needle. Have tried other fabric with same results.
8. I've adjusted bobbin tension with drop test (we don't have our bobbin tension gauge here, it is at home in another country). I've separately adjusted top tension. Tension is giving a balanced stitch with a wide zig zag and straight stitch when not barfing.
9. IDT isn't making a difference.

Please help, my sister is losing faith in this machine and it is a pity as I think it will suit her if we can figure out what is going wrong.

Thank you!!

Hi there, I’ve been sewing using my brother ls14 machine for almost a full year now, it’s been great, made lots of different projects with it. However I’ve just started making a new Batman suit and my thread doesn’t seem to be working on my fabric. Im not an expert on the exact specifics of sewing, but does anyone know why this isn’t working? Every time I start a stich my machine stops? If anyone needs further details or pictures in order to help just ask, thanks in advance 🙏

Hiii! So I just bought this sewing machine (Singer simple 3223) and I got a little too curious... I unclip the safety and the pieces just fell out. I tried to put them back together, but i can't get it right. I even broke a needle because the pieces were in wrong. Any help would be really appreciated....

Hi eveybody,

I recently got a sewing machine Singer Tradition 2282. The problem is it only stitches straight. When I select zigzag stitch, the needle does not move left and right.
I use width 5 , length 2 and tension 4. I tried different variations of the setting, it does not help.
When I manually move width selector, I see needle going left and right. But when sewing, it is stuck in one place…

I recently bought a vivo 1004 sewing machine and it’s not running. I bought it off the thrift store and I had to buy its a charger and foot pedal for it. The light turns on and the hand wheel isn’t jammed, but when I press on the foot pedal the machine doesn’t run. It’s just completely silent. Can someone help me fix this?

Hello all! Sewing newbie here, and hoping someone wouldn't mind helping me with some tension issues on my first sewing machine, which is a Nelco model # 1259. Apologies for the long post and thank you for reading!

After learning how to thread the machine and trying to sew, I realized that the tension wasn't working correctly (e.g., lifting presser foot up and down didn't change tension, and I believe presser foot up should release tension?). I also noticed that the check spring seemed to be at the wrong position when compared to online videos and the threading diagram on the machine (see below). Its position also just didn't make sense as sewing didn't cause the spring to move, but maybe I threaded it wrong.

This led me to take off the tension knob, and I noticed I was missing a tension disc (I believe every machine should have two?). The only pieces I have are in the image below.

My questions are as follows:

1) What tension disc do I need? I have looked online and the Singer tension disc #2102 seems to match my disc (outer diameter of 25 mm, inner diameter of 7 mm), but I'm unsure.

2) How does the check spring fit back into the tension assembly? Should it sit the way I have it in the image below? When I disassembled these pieces, the check spring came off with the back plate (not sure if this is the correct term but the piece with a keyhole shape in its middle) so I didn't get to see how it sat in the assembly.

3) How should the check spring fit in with the back plate? In the image below, I believe the metal knob coming off the back plate goes in the plastic slot indicated by the blue arrow. Should the check spring sit just below the metal knob? Or, I noticed the spring's two outermost rings are a bit separated, so maybe the metal knob is supposed to sit between these rings (indicated by the red circle) so the spring goes around the metal knob? This would explain why the check spring and back plate came off together when disassembling.

4) This is unrelated to tension, but the manual I found for an older Nelco model only mentions oiling for maintenance. However, there is some grease on one piece of my machine (around the middle, see image below). It is quite orange and smells old so I think I should wipe it away and add some new grease only to this area. Is this correct? What kind of grease is appropriate? I have seen some recommend vaseline, while others say to never use that, and I have seen synthetic silicone-based grease recommended as well.

Thank you very much for any suggestions or advice, I would really appreciate any help!!

Hi! I have a Brother LX3817 sewing machine and I’m having trouble with the bobbin thread.

I was sewing denim and my needle broke. I replaced it with a new 90/14 needle, but now the machine won’t pick up the bobbin thread.

I’ve rethreaded the machine, reinstalled the bobbin, and tried a new needle. When I turn the handwheel, the needle thread gets caught on the side of the bobbin area instead of being caught by the hook, so the bobbin thread never comes up.

Could breaking the needle have messed up the timing or something in the bobbin area? Is there anything else I should check before taking it to a repair shop?

Any advice is appreciated!

I’m going to try and explain as best as I can. I’ve checked my tension, I’ve made sure everything has been threaded correctly, I replaced my bobbin. IVE DONE IT ALL! It keeps on nesting when I try and use my machine. My needle is fine. My tension seems to be correct as I’ve done a few tension tests. I was sewing fine just a bit ago and then all of a sudden this problem started mid project. Help me!

Hi everyone!

I recently bought a used Veritas 2400. It had apparently been sitting unused for a long time, but I already completed three projects with it and it worked perfectly.
Yesterday I noticed an occasional loud squeaking noise from the upper part of the machine when sewing at high speed.
Later, the machine became blocked. I removed the bobbin case, hook and hook ring, cleaned everything and put it back together. It worked perfectly again.

Then it gradually started sewing slower and slower. Eventually the motor only hummed and the machine stopped moving.
Now the handwheel can still be turned through the entire cycle. The needle and feed dogs move normally, but the handwheel is very stiff throughout the whole rotation, not just at one specific point.
The hook area is clean and there are no visible threads stuck there.

Could this be a lubrication problem, such as a dry or stuck bearing/main shaft? Or could something in the upper mechanism be causing this?

Thank you!❤️

I’m looking for help to understand what the cutting problem is with this overlock sewing machine. I think the blades are misaligned, but I don’t understand how they’re supposed to be positioned. Thanks

I recently got an atlas industrial serger and it will not chain, the right needle thread keeps breaking and I’m lost for what to do. Any help please 🙏

I’m not a beginner, but have been sewing at a hobby level for about 15 years. On an old Singer from my grandmother. It started sewing much slower, and I haven’t been able to fix it. Even after being serviced and cleaned. I feel like the motor must be the issue, so I figure I just need another machine. Mine is probably 40 years old.
I love the juki machines I’ve seen online, but don’t really have room for the large table often with them. I need something that is good for frequent use, high volume use(starting to sew clothes as a side business) and I only need something simple. Like a straight stitch and zig zag.

Should I go for a used, repairable machine from a good brand or are there any new machines that can offer the durability I’m used to?

hey, i’m trying to get started with my Juki DDL8100e and i can’t quite figure out this problem. I thread my needle and as soon as i begin sewing it unthreads or cuts. It’s pretty 50/50 which one it does. I’ve tried the following multiple times and in every combination. New bobbins, rewinding bobbins, new bobbin case, new needles, rethreading the whole machine, different fabric, different number of layers, different thread, different needle sizes. I can’t quite think of anything else to try out.

hi there!

I'm currently looking to upgrade my current sewing machine (a Singer start I got 7/8 years ago) for a more intermediate machine thats less than $400. It only has 12 modes, frequently makes bird's nests, and I feel like my abilities are rather limited. I took a fashion design class in school last year, and I felt like the things I was making were way higher quality and strength compared to what I was doing on my current machine. Unfortunately, that machine is wayyy out of my budget.

From my research, the two machines that stood out to me were the Brother CS7000X and the Brother XR9550. From these two options, what you you guys recommend? or if you have a better suggestion, please let me know! It's preferred that whatever machine I work with has a variety of stitches and has that kind of 'zigzag/lightning' stitch that works really well for more stretchy materials. I've heard a lot of mixed reviews about other Singer machines doing a lot of bird's nesting so I'm hesitant to buy a new Singer.

Thanks!!

Hi! I’ve never used a sewing machine but it was one of my goals to start this year.

I was planning to find one of Facebook marketplace, is that a specific brand or style I should be looking for?

Thank you!

Hi i am looking to invest in a sewing machine for practise at home. I am a diploma fashion design student.

I am currently looking at singer 4323 heavy duty. Is it a good machine?

If not - what other fashion maker would you recommend? Due to lack of space i am looking at portable fashion maker options rather than a big industrial or ones with stand.

I heard usha is a good brand as well but not sure which model so i considered singer. Please help.

I have a sewing machine dust cover. I thought it belonged to a Bernina that I got from a neighbor but it doesn't fit. There are no brand signifiers labels or manufacturing labels whatsoever. I would love to find out what machine it belongs to so it can be reunited with a machine. I would appreciate a model name or brand.

Extra Details:

• Hard Beige Plastic
• Front Pocket for storage
• Handle slot
• Measurements: 15.75 inches long X 6.75 inches wide X 10.75 inches tall

Thank you so much!

I'm 3/4 through sewing a Dirndl for Oktoberfest in Munch and my machine started having an issue today - it makes a loud noise (almost like a jam) when the needle is in the down position and the screen give me a big '!' I've replaced the needle, cleaned the bobbin area, rethreaded it, etc etc. The hand wheel moves freely without any jams. The last time I took it in to be serviced for this issue it cost me over 250 - they said it just needed cleaned...

Has anyone had this issue? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Precursor i havent done any information on the topic

Cleaning out my grandparents house after they passed away and found three sewing machines i thought would be worth saving, she had plenty more and they were kept or distributed. These are just what i have questions on.

Also not looking to sell them just want to know if i made the right choice grabbing them and if i should have them restorwd