Tag Archives: how it works

Sewing Machines, VSM Repair

Bobbin’ Along – bobbin tension

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You may have noticed in the previous post about tension that we didn’t even test sew the machine.

Yet.  We will test sew it, but not just yet.  You see what I’m trying to do is get the machine to a point where it’s in the ballpark first, then the rest is just small tweaks.  The goal is to help you rule out the big problems, the ones that require repair, or in drastic situations, possibly a trip to the sewing machine spa.

Consider this statement:

Tension too tight on the top can also be tension too loose on the bottom.
Top Tension too tight does not automatically mean bottom tension is too loose.
Tension too loose on the top can also be tension too tight on the bottom.
Top Tension too loose does not automatically mean bottom tension is too tight. Continue reading Bobbin’ Along – bobbin tension →
Sewing Machines, VSM Repair

Fragile Tension – Tension does not have to equal stress (Updated with a video)

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Possibly the most common reason a machine ends up on my bench is for tension.  Usually bird’s nests.  The thing is easily 80% of the time, there’s nothing really wrong with the machine that a repair person needs to look at it.  Sometimes it’s basic maintenance, sometimes it’s because someone told you at some point “DON’T YOU TOUCH THAT! EVER!”

I’m sure that the people who’ve said that meant well, but today I’m going to show you how to manage that dial properly and what to do when it’s not proper. Continue reading Fragile Tension – Tension does not have to equal stress (Updated with a video) →

Sewing Machines

testing threads

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As I mentioned in a previous post, I intend to do a comparison between several  threads to decide which I like the best for piecing and quilting. I currently have 6 of the threads that I reviewed from a cost point of view, plus one spare (Sulky) that my rep at SMS asked me about, and I’m considering picking up the last 2, just for the heck of it.

Tomorrow, I’m headed out to get a couple of rulers (they’re on sale for  70% off at the local fabric shop – who can pass that up? As an added bonus, they sell one of the two threads I’m missing for this test) and some topstitch needles  so I will pop into the quilt shop at the same time and grab the MasterPiece. Over the next several weeks, I hope to review each thread, by making a set project that will require piecing, as well as quilting.

I’m thinking of using this Continue reading testing threads →

Sewing Machines

I learned a lot today. Tension, needles, thread

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I love learning!  One of the things I’ve realised about quilting and sewing in general is that you can never learn all of it.  I spent a day a couple of weeks ago just watching videos from the Superior thread company (all of the videos posted on youtube)

I learned so many things that will do nothing but improve the quality of my sewing and quilting.  I really want to get my hands on some of that Superior thread too!  I would love to feel and see the differences for myself, but my supplier doesn’t carry it (yet) so I’ll have to spend some time looking for some to sample.

Some of this stuff I knew and have even discussed on this blog, but even that stuff I think it always worth watching, even if only to see it explained from another point of view. Continue reading I learned a lot today. Tension, needles, thread →
Sewing Machines

Mack the Knife – testing your serger knives

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I read this in an “old” Serger book this week again.  I read it probably about a year or so ago, and needed the information today.  I thought it was a good enough tip to warrant publishing here to help everyone out.

From ABCs of Serging by Tammy Young and Lori Bottom:

A comment in the book, made by Sue Green-Baker Continue reading Mack the Knife – testing your serger knives →

Sewing Machines, VSM Repair

Sit yourself down!!! Slant-O-Matics: Bobbin Case placement

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Sometimes you find yourself taking the bobbin case of a Slant-o-Matic out, maybe to remove an errant thread, clean the lint out or whatever.  Strangely, putting it back in isn’t as easy as taking it out.   Or maybe you thought it was good, but the machine’s locked up, or it just doesn’t look / feel right. Continue reading Sit yourself down!!! Slant-O-Matics: Bobbin Case placement →

Sewing Machines, VSM Repair

Tear it down – bobbin case maintenance

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What do you do when you’re sewing along and your machine’s tension goes crazy for no reason?

There are the obvious things to do: re-thread the machine, in case the thread “popped” out of one of the guides, or came unseated from the upper tensioner, clean out all of the fluff and lint from the machine, especially in the thread path ( don’t forget the bobbin case area) … sometimes you might even get desperate and clean out the upper tensioner.

If you don’t know how to do that, it’s really straight forward, and can save you a trip to the sewing machine repair shop.

But what do you do if you’ve done all of that and the tension’s still goofy?  Especially if your top tension seems way too tight.  Say you have it turned the upper tensioner all the way loose, and your thread is still laying on the top of your fabric… Continue reading Tear it down – bobbin case maintenance →

Sewing Machines, VSM Repair

Until Next Time

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Timing series part 6:  The others

Two things I touched on but didn’t explore in detail are feed dog timing and how the timing on a shuttle bobbin works (Vibrating shuttle or transverse shuttles, also known as bullet and boat shuttles)

Feed dog timing is very straight forward – The feed dogs move the fabric.  In order to do that effectively, the needle must be clear of the fabric before they start to move it.

Continue reading Until Next Time →

Sewing Machines, VSM Repair

Running out of Time

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Timing series part 5:  Examples

Note: The 401A and 201 timing directions have been updated.  My apologies for the previous mistake.  I’m not really sure what I was thinking when I put those directions in, they were just plain wrong.  They should be correct now.

Note:  Never run the machine with the pedal If you suspect that the timing is off, while checking or after adjusting the timing until you’ve determined that the setting was correct.  Running it at speed if the timing is off can cause massive damage to the hook, bobbin case and also smash the needle which can lead to shards flying around.

Note: The process I show for adjusting timing doesn’t necessarily work for newer machines that are set up a little differently, but the process of checking it still applies.   And if your machine is on warranty, please just take it in and have it fixed.  Some dealers / manufacturers will void your warranty if you try to change anything.

In order to demonstrate setting the timing on a machine, I’m going to show a series of photos.  The first is the location of the timing lines on the machine, if applicable.  The next is the location of the screws / nuts / bolts you need to loosen to time it.  As needed, I will provide further explanation.  For the technical explanation, please refer back to this post: Making Time

Continue reading Running out of Time →