Beginner machine problem

[Sophia Maria]

I recently started up (again) my quest to learn sewing. The thing is, I'm used to sewing on my mom's Bernina, and I've now inherited my grandmother's old White machine. It's a White 765, from 1965, I think? Weighs about 10,000 pounds...

Anyway, my friend and I worked out how to wind a bobbin, and how to thread the needle. Finally we set to work testing out the actual sewing. However, right after I thread the needle from the top, and go to move the needle through so it can pick up the thread from the bobbin as well, it doesn't seem to work. On the Bernina it would pick it up easily. I did some hokey thing where I manually knotted it (sorry for being unspecific) and when I sewed, ugly knots happened.

I know that's not very specific...right now I'm confused about sewing terminology and mostly refer to all sewing machine parts as "that doohickey" and "this widget". But in general, could someone help me maybe by telling me common problems that happen when threading the machine?

 

[SeeJaneDance]

My machine (a newer, but basic, Brother) will do that same sort of nonsense if either A) the bobbin is in incorrectly, or the thread is not properly in the bobbin, or B) if the bobbin casing needs to be cleaned. If I were you, I'd hunt for a manual, even if it's not the exact machine, a similar one would work. Just to make sure you're threading everything properly.

 

[Mosaic]

It probably needs a service - like cars they do need a "tune up" every now & then. The knots forming generally mean the tension on either the bobbin or upper thread is either too loose or too tight & the tension hoodickey needs adjusting, - you'd need to fiddle with that & test after each adjustment.

I am no expert, just a very basic seamstress, but have learnt through the years that tension being off causing all sorts of knotting/looping or breaking thread problems.
~Mosaic

 

[Silverfyre]

I agree with what Mosaic said, it is most likely the tension. I studied costume design so should have a fairly good knowledge of these things but it's been a while, I just do the odd bit of sewing at home now!!

So, there should be a tension dial on there somewhere, mine goes from 1 - 6, I keep mine around 3ish but machines vary.

Also, make sure you have the presser foot down before sewing! Sounds obvious but so many times I have left it up and it gets all tangled and knotted, it's not pretty, not easy to unpick it either!!

Hope that helps,

Happy sewing

 

[Aniseteph]

My machine sometimes surreptitiously manages to unloop the top thread from one of the bits it's supposed to go round, so the thread takes a short cut - bad tangly stuff happens. So I second what SeeJaneDance says about the threading having to be right, top and bobbin. I don't know how standardised even basic things are between machines, e.g. which way you load the bobbin.

Also sometimes a knackered old needle can wreak havoc.

Definitely try to find a manual, check that you are threading and adjusting tension right (sewing websites should have examples of what it looks like when it's wrong), and do any recommended maintenance/ cleaning. If it's still no good get it serviced. Older machines can be worth it.

 

[gisela]

This looks like it could be the manual for your machine:
http://www.singerco.com/uploads/download/827_white-765-x.pdf
found here: Instruction Manuals | Singer Sewing

 

[Shanazel]

All the advice you've been given is good. Little left for me to say about the problem solution except good luck.

I do have some tips, one of which I didn't learn until I'd been sewing forty years.

1) Always buy good thread- yep, the expensive stuff, not Coates and Clark or off brands. The difference in how your machine runs and how your garment looks is amazing.

2) Don't use thread inherited with the machine or that came out of the 1960 era sewing basket belonging to Aunt Sally. Old thread shreds and rots.

3) Put in new needles periodically. Old needles get bent, develop burrs, get dull and will make sewing a misery.

4) Clean your machine every ten hour of sewing, more often if the fabric you are sewing frays or fuzzes. One little piece of fuzz in the wrong place can make everything go haywire.

5) When all else fails, walk away from the machine, have a glass of the best wine you can afford, and try again later.

 

[Jane]

Everyone has given great advice so far! Agree agree agree! Especially the parts about: take it in for a tune up, find the manual online, and use good quality products. I use canned compressed air to clean out the normally accumulation of fuzzies and do a thorough de-fuzzie cleaning and oiling on a regular basis.

 

[Sophia Maria]

Thank you all for the helpful replies!

I thought it might have been something wrong with the bobbin / bobbin case, but I don't know. You may be right about the machine being old and fuzzy. Also, I can check the tension dial. But honestly I think I might talk to the my mother (who gave me the machine) about when it was last tuned. Also while I know this might seem a tad wasteful, I might think about putting a sewing machine on my Christmas wish list. I haven't had much experience sewing, but I know how to thread a machine and shouldn't be messing that up. Also I got spoiled with the Bernina, there are far fewer features on the White. There's one important feature which as a beginner I would really love to have--the ability to have a pedal that modulates the sewing speed based on how much pressure I'm putting down with my foot. I realized the White pedal acts like an all the way on/all the way off button no matter how I press it. It's a bit jarring to not be sure of one's stiches AND have to sew at warp speed at the same time.

 

[Farasha Hanem]

Definitely agree with getting older machines serviced. My grandmother used to tell me that the timer (???) sometimes gets off and needs adjusting when this happens. However, my sewing machine scares me, I hardly ever touch it.

 

[Zorba]

Agreeing with what else has been said so far. I collect old sewing machines - and they come to me in all kinds of disarray. I'll repeat some points already made by others:

1) service it or get it serviced. Its pretty darn close to impossible to actually break one of these old machines - but they are often dirty and as dry as the Sahara desert!

2) Get the "book of brains" (manual) for it. Then make sure EVERYTHING is correct: Correct needle type (does it use the standard 15X1 needle?) AND installation (it may not orient like you think); correct threading (some old machines thread weirdly); correct bobbin installation. Are you turning the handwheel in the correct direction when you're trying to pick up the thread? Whites (And Kenmores built by White) had handwheels that turned in the opposite direction than the usual for many years. I don't know if yours is one of them or not.

3)Ditto on what others said about using quality thread - AND tossing the 50 year old thread collection.

4)Lastly, I encourage you to try to get this old machine going rather than buying a new one. Its far better built than all but the most expensive new ones out there today. An old machine is a joy to sew on...

For those curious about my growing collection, check out:

Zorba's Secret Sewing Machine Page!

 

[LilithNoor]

My 1976 Frister & Rossman does a similar thing if I put the bottom bobbin in the wrong way round... something that happens often enough that I now have a reminder pinned to the wall behind the machine!

Older machines do have their own foibles, even when in full working order. Mine will only work if the tension is set to 0, regardless of whether I'm sewing sailcloth or chiffon. Move it from there and I'm in for a world of snapped threads, knots and swearing.

That foot pedal doesn;t sound right- you may want to look at replacing it. While older machines are often more durable than the newer ones, having a foot pedal permanently set to 100mph would soon have me on eBay eyeing up a replacement foot or machine.

 

[Shanazel]

Also while I know this might seem a tad wasteful, I might think about putting a sewing machine on my Christmas wish list.

Wasteful? NEVER! I had an early 1970s Singer up until a few years ago when I bit the bullet and bought an expensive (for me) Janome. The newer computerized machines are heavenly to sew on compared to the old mechanical electrics. Good tools make the difference between a great sewing experience and a medicocre (or bad) one.

 

[AndreaSTL]

Ooooooh, Zorba, I'm jealous! I have a computerized Brother, and I want a regular old metal sewing machine. I guess the gadgetry is OK, but I don't use 99% of it's functions. Plus, with all the circuitry in there it makes it hard to work on yourself. Same as cars I guess.

On a brighter note, have you seen this guy? He will restore and repaint your machine, and you can choose any color! And flames! Pictures

 

[Zorba]

On a brighter note, have you seen this guy? He will restore and repaint your machine, and you can choose any color! And flames! Pictures

Not familiar with this particular guy, but there are a number of people "hotrodding" machines. I'm working on an 1891 Singer that will eventually be painted Candy Apple red metal flake.

That foot pedal doesn't sound right- you may want to look at replacing it. While older machines are often more durable than the newer ones, having a foot pedal permanently set to 100mph would soon have me on eBay eying up a replacement foot or machine.

I missed this - if the machine operates in "binary mode"; either off or full blast - the pedal has burned up and needs replacing.

 

[Shanazel]

Hot rodded sewing machines! I love that idea.

Hey, Zorba, how did that hand-held basting machine work for you?

 

[Zorba]

Hot rodded sewing machines! I love that idea.

Hey, Zorba, how did that hand-held basting machine work for you?

Ok - now that the forum is de-wonked...

It does what it says it does, although I'm going to wire in a power supply for it instead of using batteries. It still helps to have knowledge of "real" SMs to operate - something I think both many users, and the marketers, seem to forget. I still need to do an in depth webpage for it.

 

[Shanazel]

Wow, that little sucker really moved uptown when I sent it to you- its own power source and web page.

 

[Zorba]

Eventually!

 

[khanjar]

From a mechanics point of view all machines need lubrication and it is on my old Singer 128k from 1913 it needs oiling every time it is used, that's my general purpose sew anything machine as it will handle leather and sail canvas, but only one stitch that has to have the ends tied, so good enough for repairing the stuff mentioned above but not much use for anything else apart from holding the door open.

I also have a Singer 161 Capri I got for pennies (99p) due to smoke coming out of the foot switch, well smoke coming out the foot switch is usually attributed to a faulty radio interference capacitor, and it was and as everything is digital now radio suppression isn't needed so much, so out that came and it was tossed and so I have a little used fully functional machine that is electric and so much easier to use. Oh and being mechanically inquisitive I have taken it apart and checked for wear to find this machine hasn't done much, so a winner.

I also pulled the Singer 128k apart too for the fun of it and that thing is a mechanical masterpiece inside and I understand many engineers stick their nose inside those old machines to see it all working; connecting rods and bronze slip bearings , it is very smilar to an engine in it's operation hence the need for lots of oil. But underneath that machine was a newspaper from 1935 soaking up the oil that had worked it's way through the machine.

Oh and something else, and this applies to modern machines as well as old, fluff that gathers in the bobbin mechanism in the base dries a machine out rapidly as cotton thread is an absorbant material, so adhere to the lubrication guidelines.