1946 Singer Featherweight Machine
 

I have a 1946 FW that is not stitching. I'm not sure if I have it threaded properly. I have the needle inserted with the flat side faced to the right but do you thread it from right to left or left to right ? I know they work differently than most machines but am not sure. I am new to actually using vintage machines, I use mine all just for decoration. I would like to use my FW but I can't get it to stitch. Everything moves the way it should but the top
thread & the bobbin thread will not link to make a stitch. Would appreciate any help. Thank you.

Featherweight needle orientation is NFL (needle flat on left) and then thread right to left. If you don't have a manual you can get one from singerco.com

Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.

Have fun, you will soon be like the rest of us with all of our machines, I predict it!:D

Featherweights are notoriously finicky with their bobbins. Make sure you get it threaded correctly; then if it doesn't make stitches check back here. We'll help! PS - check for stray threads in the bobbin area - sometimes invisible thread gets caught up in there...plus the whole bobbin assembly has to be inserted just right - it's all in the manual!

My guess is that the needle isn't installed properly. That would cause it not to pick up the bobbin thread.

It's also what I do wrong and kick myself for 99.5% of the time.

Featherweight, flat of needle to the left. Doesn't look right but that is the only way it will stitch.

Boy, you're right about finicky bobbins & their cases !! I double checked the manual & noticed something about removing the face plate. Well, that was it. I had to remove the plate & the bobbin case was not inserted so that it fit into the opening in the underneath side of the face plate. Well, I managed to fix it & now it sews like a charm. Such nice stitching for such a "mature" girl !! LOL Thank you everyone for all the suggestions. It's okay now. I will be reading the manual from cover to cover AGAIN.

Threading Featherweight
 

Flat side to the left. Threads from right to left. The bobbin "finger" or jib, has to be pointing straight up. Those are the most common problem with FWs. It will not sew until all the planets align and it is happy. The 301 is a happier machine, in case you can find one.

The easiest way to remember which way the needle goes in a Featherweight is to hold the needle like you're about to insert it. Now look at the throat plate. They should have the same orientation - flat to the left, like others have mentioned.

Lucky you...glad you figured it out...someday I will have a FW.....