Originally Posted by
miriam
Tammi, I was being sarcastic about the plastic wonders... I know they can jam same as anything else. Most problems with machines are user error of some sort. I thought about making this whole thread sarcastic (I leave that for CD to rewrite or make into a poem) and it would have been very easy but I realize there are beginner sewing machine operators that really do need some tips. It IS hard to remember everything - I still make thread nests. Mom REALLY makes thread nests. I don't know if chewing gum would help with concentration or make it worse... maybe chocolate? And yes some machines need longer tail thread than others - you are right leave enough tail or give the machine a turn while holding on to the tails before putting fabric in. I was hoping other people would chime in with things I forgot.
I knew you were.
I thought I'd reassure people who'd managed to do it anyway on a plastic wonder. Some of the plastic wonders I work on are 5 figure machines and "they" have the same problems - "the tension's off", "it's making nests but I tried adjusting the bobbin tension and it won't go away" "I don't touch the tension", "it doesn't like x thread"....
Yesterday, I posted on AA's FB page asking if there was any local interest in a tension busters class. It would appear there's a lot of interest.
Originally Posted by
SunlitenSmiles
I have a question about this..why would anyone turn the wheel backwards???? the wheel always turns towards you...written in stone !
As Sewnoma mentioned - there are a couple of brands that turn backwards as normal operation. Also, the always turn forward is for a couple of reasons - shuttle machines - a long bobbin, boat shuttle, etc - will usually snap the thread if you turn backwards. Something about trying to send the anvil shapped end through the thread loop instead of the point end... and that's why it was drilled into heads. It won't hurt a machine, just mess up your work. In fact, I turn a hand wheel backwards all the time when servicing and clearing thread jams. If the jam formed going forward, it will unwind with the handwheel going backwards. Same when I find thread in the take up lever bits and around the handwheel.
Originally Posted by
Sewnoma
I've used that machine just enough that now I've broken my "always turn it towards you" habit and I get all confused now!
I serviced a White of about the same vintage recently. You're right, they play with the mind! I was creating all sorts of havoc with my test sews.