The thread won't come up through the bottom. I don't know what I'm doing wrong.

Try lowering the needle in the shaft a teeny tiny bit at a time. Some of the older machines need a different length needle then the new needles out now. There are good minds here that can help with more trys to do.

Is your needle in correctly? I'm not sure what type those are so I can't tell you which way to turn it. My friend, Karen had the same problem; her needle was in backwards. I turned it, and voila!

Is this a White-made rotary?

If so, it may be that this machine's hand wheel turns away from you over the top, instead of toward you over the top like most machines.

Could it be the bobbin is not loaded correctly. Set the machine on top of the cabinet, turn the wheel slowly by hand, and watch the needle as it enters the bobbin case. This may give you an idea of the problem. On some of the older machines I have owned (that were side loaders) the thread would span across the bobbin. Hope this might help.

Sorry, I forgot to add, from the picture it looks a though the needle should extend down through the 'pointed' area to pick up the thread; and if the thread isn't in the right position it can't pick it up. Sure hope you get it resolved. Looks like a good sturdy machine. Good luck.

I can't tell by looking at the bobbin but is it coming out at the right spot to be picked up? Is that a liitle hole on the right that it's maybe supposed to thread through? I have never seen this set-up, hope someone who has it will help out!

If these good posters can't help, PM Billy at Lostn51 or post under the Vintage Machine Shop topic. Great help over there, too.

PS: Love your machine!

Other than checking to see if the needle is inserted correctly, I have no advice. However - I want to congratulate you on having the most descriptive title I have ever seen on a post! So much better than those that just say "need help".

I second that!!! I LOVE that you were much more descriptive!

Some older machines, the thread goes into the needle from the right, some from the left, if it isn't correct, that might stop the thread from being picked up.

Have you tried changing how the bobbin goes into the holder? Spinning clock wise/counter clockwise? :D:D:D

I could be wrong about this, but......

On that type of bobbin, the pointy piece goes up, doesn't it? Then I would think that the thread is supposed to be caught in that little "nick" to the left of the point, so the thread comes out and towards your left hand.

If you're using better needles (Schmetz, etc.) try Singer needles - they are just a little longer and may be all you need to change.

is it threaded correctly? I have one singer that threads from left to right, one that threads from front to back and my FW thread right to left. Reverse how you have it threads and see if it works.

What is the model number of the machine? The following website has free threading diagrams for older machines. Not sure if this is the model you have:
http://www.sewusa.com/Threading_Diag...ng_diagram.htm

The bobbin case looks like yours, so I'm thinking the bobbin directions should be the same. If your machine is a different model, you can probably find the exact threading diagram for it on the sewusa website.

WOW! Thank you. ;) I just figured that you should know what you are opening up. It is irritating to me (not to mention time consuming) when I open a post to find out that it's no where near what I thought it was and I wind up just clicking out of it.

I so appreciate your help. I will try these things after church tomorrow. This is the first time that I have actually sat down to see how it sews and then was frustrated because it never would pick up the thread.

At the moment it was threading from left to right in the needle. I will check and see if it helps to turn the needle around. Also, yes, I have the pointy part of the metal bobbin case pointed up. I will try to change the way the thread will unwind and see if that helps.

Thank you all so much for your ideas, help and the link. I just love this place! ;)

Quilty Hugs!

One of my vintage machines was giving me the same problem. Happened to have the original manual & looked at it.
The needle was one that was seated with the eye on the side. Then had to be threaded from left to right.
Did that. Wahala! Sewed like a dream and such an easy fix.

Most important: check the manual for threading and needle insertion instructions! If you don't have one, try the vintage machine sites for help. Your picture looks like there's a part of the threading mechanism missing on the front, but I've never seen a machine like that, so who knows...

Anyway:
1. Insert the needle with the flat side in the proper place. I sometimes have trouble with it twisting as I insert it, so it's always a good thing to check to see if the thread channel in the needle (you can feel it with your fingernail) is opposite the flat side so you'll know if it's correct.

2. Make sure the bobbin case is firmly seated in place.

3. Make sure the bobbin is inserted properly in the case, with the thread coming off the proper side and up through the slot and hole

4. Thread the machine, with the needle raised to the highest position and the foot raised.

5. Slowly turn the wheel toward you as you hold the top thread in your hand and lower the needle into the bobbin case. This should bring the bobbin thread to the top. Bingo! you're good to go. Now make that pretty baby sing! Good Luck!

I have a 1949 singer and a 1962 wards, they both have bobbins with a sinilar "pointy" piece. Both bobbins fit into a kind of slot and the thread then is naturally coming from the top of the bobbin case. Sometimes I have to jiggle the bobbin case to get it to set right in its place. Also, the needles on both of these machines have a flat side that goes against the lifter bar.
Don't know if this helps but good luck getting it working.

Did you notice that the lever in front is in reverse??

I didn't notice that Krafty. Thank you.

Thanks for all of your tips. I'm actually not going to mess with it today. Got some other things I am needing to get done. I will let you all know when I get back to it. ;)

Hugs

you must not have a manual. google Kenmore sewing machine serial #-------. and see if you can find one. you will need
it for so many things. give us the serial #, model #--I'll bet someone can find the manual. all of the hints are great,you just need the right combination of them !

Put a new needle in- if a needle is even a bit worn for some machines it won't sew correctly. Try a Schmetz universal needle. The rule of thumb on a needle placement is the flatside points away from the bobbin. So with this machine if the bobbin is to the left of the needle the flat of the needle shank should be to the right.
You'll also notice the little finger at the top of the bobbin. In this case the bobbin thread has to also go up between those little pinching fingers though the tip. The point of the finger on the bobbin should be straight up when loaded and the bobin has to sit securely the race way. This is one of the more complex bobbins to load. Take a look around the internet for a free downloadable manual to also help you keep the machine running in top condition. We have several of these in our inventory for refurbishing which I have managed so far to avoid.

Make sure you're using the right size needle. It just may be too short and not be catching the bobbin thread.

Something else noone mentioned yet... once you find the manual check to see if the machine requires oiling and give her a drop where suggested. With any machine that requires only if they are dry they will not pick up thread or lock a stitch as this will throw the timing off slightly. After all of this advice if it still will not sew it may need more tlc from a qualified sewing repair person.

After my last post I checked the picture again and it also looks like your bobbin winder is engaged. Turn it off and it should work.

And if you look at the directions on that site, the bobbin thread should come out the top of the bobbin case--it isn't hard, but might take some practice.

I don't have the solution to your machine, but I want to follow to see what the solution is. I have an old machine that the needle goes in differently and I always forget until I start to sew.

When I taught sewing in middle school I always told the kids to: HOLD THE NEEDLE THREAD IN LEFT HAND--TURN HAND WHEEL 1 COMPLETE TURN ONLY WITH RIGHT HAND AND PULL UP ON THE THREAD IN THE LEFT HAND. A LOOP SHOULD COME UP (THE BOBBIN THREAD) PULL THREAD THROUGH AND YOU ARE READY TO GO.
Good luck. Hope this helps.
Phyllis M prm

I did do this. :) I knew since I hadn't had it I couldn't be certain it had been oiled lately.

Hopefully I can mess with it tonight. :)

I wondered about this!! I will have to check on this too.

Thank you all so much for your help. I really do appreciate it. :)

My sister-in-laws mother had an old machine that threaded only when you rolled the hand wheel backwards. ??? Hope you figure it out.

Thanks I'll try that too.

I have tried everything that I can to get this thing to go. Still not working. Ugh!

It looks just like my Domestic Rotory. It has to be something simple. Start from the beginning.
Thread the top exactly like the manual says. Use the correct needle, in the correct position. Try a new needle even. A bent needle will not work right.
Then remove bobbin, and replace in the correct position.
Then turn hand wheel slowly, so you can see what the needle is doing . . .

Just wondering if you've figured it out yet. It's a beautiful machine. Maybe someone else with the same machine could help you out. Good luck. I will be watching for progress and success. Good Luck!!!

Had an old Kenmore with a side bobbin. After many tries and attemps I found that part of the shuttle broke off. Try to find a parts list with pictures.

This is the same exact machine I have Kenmore 117 959. I am looking for a bobbin case and bobbin for it. It was my GMs. Someone on the board is working on this for me. I can't wait to see if it fits.
Re-post when you get it working! I want to know how you like it! I have the manual and now I have to study it. It says the flat side of the needle should be on the right. It should desend through the center of the needle plate hole from front to rear, but close to the right side of the needle plate hole. If it doesn't do that the needle is bent or not set right.
peace

Well, I took it to our local shop and the lady there just LOVED it! She really went on and on about it. She showed me how to thread it. I don't have a manual for it. She showed me that my needle was what looked to be too short and didn't have a sharp edge anymore. She sold me some new ones for me to try. I haven't had time yet to even try them out yet. I need to do it.

I have a ???? She said there wasn't any packing around the barings/bearings is this something I can do myself? She said for $50 they would clean it and oil and pack it for me. I know that doesn't sound like a lot but really all I gave for the machine was $50 and I don't really have it to do. Can anyone suggest what I should do?

TIA,
Angie