J Miller

Oh, Miriam, I have read your thread, just need to expound on this in open court.

Machine: Kenmore 120-491.

OEM Needle: Kenmore #49 or Boye 2 ½. These are pretty much extinct.
Needle used: DCx1F size 14.
({ I do not have any good OEM needles so I've set this substitute needle so the eye is in the same place as the one bent OEM needle I have is. })

Problem: Top tension gives up and loops with multiple layers of normal fabric but sews good otherwise.

OK, I've worked and worked and worked on this thing till I'm blue in the face. I've got it to the point it will sew on flat surfaces of multiple layers of fabric with out problems.

I'm making a Wacky Bag and when the top edge is folded over and the handles are sewn in, there is at least 10 layers of fabric. When seams are hit add 4 more. On the flat areas the machine's tension is good. But hit a seam or go over the handle areas and the top thread loops underneath. It looses tension.
The machine feeds this fabric sandwich just fine, only the tension needs help. And it's the only machine I've had that looses tension when going over the humps.

I've tried tightening the top tension, didn't help. And I've played with the needle setting, didn't help either.
I've also tightened and loosened the presser foot tension, no help there.

The only other idea I came up with is perhaps the DCx1F needle being a serger needle, might be slightly different than a standard sewing machine needle and have a smaller eye. I don't have any size 16s to try in it either.

Anybody got any other ideas?

Joe