minibarn

After reading the other reply about weighting the spool I thought I would give it a try but I am not sure how to. The spool I am using is taller than the spool pin. Guess I could use washable glue and glue a quarter on, then when I am done w/the spool just wash it off! Elmers list of uses just keeps growing .


Jp

ArchaicArcane

If you don't return to "up", the stitch isn't finished being formed, so that's why the machine doesn't want to let go of your work.

I think this is likely what's happening. The other thing that's likely making the problem worse is that cross wound thread - which is a lot of what we buy these days, doesn't love being on a vertical pin. Especially when sewing at speed, it can climb up and down the pin, it can over spin, wrapping itself around the pin the wrong way and binding it, etc. Weights can help, and I think this is one of the uses of the spool pin springs you can buy for the featherweights, but in the end the only thing that worked for me too was a thread stand or a cup to take the thread off the top of the machine. When these machines were made, most if not all thread came on stack wound spools. Vertical pins are great for that.

Stack wound thread is meant to turn with the spool as it comes off. If we put it on a horizontal pin - or a thread stand - we introduce an extra bit of twist, which can cause "springy" issues, like what you describe. Likewise, cross wound thread doesn't want to be yanked off with the spool rotating. The resistance causes issues with tension and sort of "snaps" back and forth, causing the spool to over spin and wrap around itself.

Here's more on the subject if I haven't bored you to tears already: http://www.archaicarcane.com/standin...s-stack-wound/


Of course most of these problems won't manifest, as Cathy mentions, at slow speed, so it's really hard to troubleshoot because few of us troubleshoot at WOT (wide open throttle).

miriam

You said the spool is taller than the spindle. Have you tried a shorter spool?

deedum

OMG, please don't give up on your 15. I think they are the best. Sometimes I have that happen, but that is when I am going way way to fast. I usually turn my spool upside down as someone mentioned. Also, I use around felt piece on the botton of the spool. I agree to throw the bobbin out and even if you have to buy a new bobbin and case. There may be a bur inn it. I do like the idea of a washer on top. I have a brother that is notorious for this problem if I go to fast. It doesn't sound to me like a tension issue since your stitches are fine. I may suggest to change your type of thread, my old machines does not like gutterman and some brands. I know that may be silly to others but I find that to be true for me.

deedum

Now, that is one great article. http://www.archaicarcane.com/standin...s-stack-wound/
thanks

minibarn

I agree thank you so much for that information. I have often wondered what causes my thread to herk and jerk around.

I am a bit embarrassed to say I think I know what the problem was. At least I am pretty sure I figured it out. The bobbin case has a burr on the post that the bobbin slides onto. I knew that, discussed it in and earlier topic on this board even. I had bought a replacement case but somehow ended up w/the defective case in the machine. I think that burr was catching on the notch on the bobbin. Now, I have done some sewing and see no problems so far, however I only sewed several long seams just to test it and had no issues, but I am never sure when it is going to happen so I will have to wait until I spend more time w/it to declare w/certainty it is fixed. I feel pretty confident though .

Thanks for all the replies and suggestions. It is always so informative to get all the different ideas because one never knows which idea will be the one they need for their problem.

You guys are great and a wealth of information.

Jp

Cogito

tammi,
i am very intrigued by all if this. So, was thread of the past stack wound then? And if so, what brand of thread still winds like that? I would like to try that with some of my peskier machines.

ArchaicArcane

I sure hope that does fix it. The symptoms you describe really sound like needle thread, not bobbin thread.

If it's the post I'm thinking of - it's not part of the bobbin case but the part that stays in the machine when you take the bobbin case out to replace the bobbin, yes? If so, polish the burr off of it with some fine grit sandpaper.

If the burr is where I'm thinking, yes, it would affect the needle thread.

but definitely let us know how you make out!

I think you've probably already read the post I made about it, but it's largely threads that can be problematic by themselves that are still stack wound. Silks, some metallics, the heavier weight quilting threads are the only ones that I have here.

You'd probably have to just survey what the shop has. Luckily it's easy to tell by looking at it.

I would try a spool stand or a coffee cup with cross wound threads in your peskier machines first. My featherweight used to launch spools. Now she just hums along and sews her pretty stitches.

Assuming that you do the appropriate tension adjustments to the machine, really any thread should work in it, within reason. If you want to start using V92 thread in a 15, you're likely to run into trouble, but I've run anything from 60wt to 30ish weight and silk, poly or cotton - with no trouble as long as I adjusted both top and bottom tensions appropriately.