New Featherweight Won't Sew, Need Help Please!
 

Hello, I have attached many photos so you can see how things look. This machine is new to me and my first Featherweight. It will not sew at all. The threads get tangled as soon as I start to sew. The picture in the book that shows the bobbin area looks like the part that hold the bobbin casing is in a different position when the needle is fully raised. Any thoughts on what to do. I really feel like the problem is in the lower thread area. I cleaned and oiled. Do I have the right bobbin case? Do I have the right bobbin? Any and all help would be greatly appreciated. I think I will name her Trixie since she is being tricky. Amy

Since this machine is new to you, I would shop for a manual. There is probably a previous post here of where you can locate one online.

You have the right bobbin, these machines take an odd size bobbin and I don't think any other (at least common) would even slighly fit this machine. The question might be bobbin case, I have to look it up, but early Featherweights differ somewhat from the later ones regarding a few aspects, but generally they all are of the same build.

Clean and oil best you can, particularly the bobbin area. There are several user manuals as well as service manuals available on the web. Unscrew needle plate, take of face plate, etc. cleand and oil every where.

Check that the needle is in the corret way, (flat side to the left and it threads from right to left).

Check top tension mechanism, when threaded the two disks should grip the thread firmly when presser bar lever is dow, when up it should release. It should gradually increase tension from 0 (very loose) to 9 (very tight). Test sew with two layers of light cotton (shirt / quilting weight) and sew-it-all type thread. Assume tension is correct some where between 4 and 5 and take it from there.

This lady's blog is very good and she seem to know the Featherweight well. You have a very nice machine there :- )

A couple of things I'm thinking:
1) You have a replacement bobbin case, it looks like, not an original Singer case. Sometimes those cause problems and don't work well. It's sort of luck of the draw. Do you have another FW that has a vintage bobbin case so you can see if that's the problem? ETA: Now that I read your post again, I see it's your first FW. Do you have a friend with a FW?
2) Have you removed the bobbin-case base to be sure there's no thread caught back there? I thought I had cleared a thread jam once and the machine was still giving me problems. Turned out there was a 1/2" piece of thread stuck in the hook assembly.
3) Make sure you put in the bobbin so it spins counterclockwise when you pull on the thread.
Good luck!
ila

Oh, one more thing: Are you holding the ends of the thread when you start sewing? If not, Featherweights love to eat the thread. I either sew onto and off a piece of scrap fabric, or hold the tails.
ila :)

Be sure the needle had the flat side facing left. That gets even experienced FW sewers once in a while. Bobbin case looks like mine. Be sure the little "flipper" is pointing up in the bobbin area. That has tripped up a few folks too.
Follow the threading route in the manual. If you need a manual, go to ISMACS.com and you can get a free download.

Thread goes right to left through the needle. Stop and start with the take up lever all the way to the top.

Since others have addressed the bobbin issue, I suspect it's your needle placement or threading route. Check both of those. And DEFINITELY hold your tails when beginning to sew. Good luck.

If it is threaded wrong it won't sew. Make sure you are threading the needle from the right to the left. The flat side of the needle faces the left. Hope that is all that it needs. Good luck. If nothing else take it to a shop. There is a web site where you can look at maintenance on a FW

Check to see if your needle is in right. The flat side goes to the left. I found I make this mistake on mine.