Bobbin and Lace and Tatting

What could be wrong with my sewing machine and how can I fix it?

I just bought this sewing machine. I THINK (but not sure of) the problem is the thread getting caught in the shuttle.
I feel like I’ve tried everything I knew of to fix it (oiling the shuttle case, re-threading the bobbin, re-threading the machine, replacing the needle, trying different types of fabric, checked the feed dog, etc)
Whenever I would try to sew, it works for a few seconds. The needle would go through the fabric and would just make jagged little lines, then the fabric and the needle would start jamming and the sewing would stop and make a whirring type sound. I would turn the fabric over and the thread would be all mangled and caught in the shuttle case and all over the bobbin, but the bobbin looks as if it was never touched. I didn’t have this problem the first day, but I turn it on the next day and this all starts happening and I don’t know how or why it started happening. Please help if you can, I want to try to fix this on my own if it’s not a major problem.

How are you starting? The following is going to sound dictatorial and grumpy — I’m just trying to sort out the problem.

Take all the thread out and and off; get out the manual and rethread from scratch. Put in a size 80/12 needle, sharp or universal (that’s what most machines are tuned with, so let’s try that — if not, use a 90/12). Use decent thread — at least as good Coats Dual Duty or Gutermann poly, regular old sewing machine thread. If you’ve got 3 spools for a dollar junk, throw it at the wastebasket and get better thread. (no, I’m not kidding — see
http://sewing.about.com/library/weekly/aa102100a.htm )

Make sure when you thread the top that the presser foot is raised — this opens the top tension so the thread can enter it.
Set top tension to 4 — that’s also “factory standard”. You can lower the presser foot to thread the needle. Pull about
4-6″ of the top thread through the needle.

Load the bobbin case per the manual. Use the handwheel (turn in the correct direction, please) to fetch the bobbin thread up through the needleplate.

Take two thicknesses of cotton muslin or old sheet or similar woven and place them under the presser foot. Use the handwheel to lower the needle into the work. Drop the presser foot. Hold the tails of both threads behind the presser foot and take 1-3 stitches with the handwheel. You can now let go and sew.

If this cures it, I suspect the real issue is how you’re starting (the needle down-presser foot down — hold thread business) or that the top thread was not entering the tension.

If that’s not it, there’s a fair chance the machine is defective, and it’s worth taking it back to the store, since we should have eliminated most of the user error issues.

How to adjust the Tension on a Vintage Long Bobbin Sewing Machine – 1934 Singer 128K Indian Star

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