Originally Posted by
Iceblossom
No, it was my vintage machine that mentioned it in its book (it had belonged to a friend's grandmother before me).
There was a latch/spot in the internal bar that had to be in place in order for you to actually change anything other than stitch length. That included going into zigzag mode and most adjustments and it said to have the foot down to change the tension as well....
Thank you for the reminder. I couldn't find that in an early 27 or Improved Family manual, but
it is in the 127/128, 221, 301, 15-91 and in
"A Manual of Family Sewing Machines" which covers 15K, 66K, 201K, 99K, 185K, 327K, 328K,329K, and 404K. I thought it might be for the numbered tension dials, but upon further review, I see that even those say that the needle tension should only be adjusted when the foot is down.
Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.