leonf

old National machines had smaller spools under the bobbin slide. These spool aren't readily available. so Your idea was a good one. Have no idea why someone doesn't make one now.. Of course, no auto thread on 100 year old machines.

CaleyH

I received the Brother Sewing and Quilting machine this morning, and sent it back to Amazon two hours later. Why? Well, first there was no power cord. Secondly, all the quilting accessories were missing, that should have been included with the machine, ased on the accessory list. And thirdly, the box was nearly open at the end, with foam and packing showing through that opening.

So my fun has been delayed for however long it takes for me to find something similar. Sigh!!! I will never order a refurbished machine again. It looked like it never had been refurbished. Cosmetically it looked kind of OK, but the Spool holder was bent, and the mechanical was stiff. I think someone dropped this unit. Could have been UPS,k as I have had a couple of things destroyed by them during shipment.

Will let you know what I decide on a machine. Problem is that it probably is going to cost two to three times what I want to invest. I guess I can think of it as an investment for my inheritors.

SHELTIE'SMAMA

Send me a PM (private message). I'm downsizing my stash and I can afford to Greyhound you a healthy size box.

CaleyH

I guess I had better mention I already found a replacement for the defective machine, so that others don't worry about things. I appreciate the offers I have been given so far, but I want to wait and see if this new machine actually works. The only part of purchasing these incredible machines is the sticker shock. As I mentioned in a PM to a Forum member, the replacement machine costs almost as much as my first car in the early 1970's. Everything is costly these days.

Thanks All for your help and kind offers of assistance

leaha

a warm welcome from western Ky. for now. my fav machines are the singer 221 FW and the Pfaff 7570 both are work horses and I can do all the fix's on my 221 thanks to Dave's book and DVD

CaleyH

I got my replacement machine today. It's the first one I chose when looking, the Singer Quantum Stylist 9960. Funny how some reviews give it a bad rating, and then I read here on the Forum that several people just love it.

I've started going through the owner's manual. It lists needle nomenclature, but it seems no one except Singer uses the same nomenclature. Singer colour codes things also, but cannot find needles with the same nomenclature and colour.

Also found it takes bobbin type 15 style A, but again, when I look at this, and go through the list provided by the seller, my new machine is not mentioned

All this is what gets me confused. I am trying to get exactly what Singer says the machine takes, but it seems no one sells the stuff.

CaleyH

I got things going today. Learned how to fill the4 bobbins. Also learned how to install the boffin under the sewing area, and how to thread the needle. It took me a while to understand how the threading assist mechanism worked, but finally got it worked out.

Tested the setup on a square of cloth, and things were perfect. I am not used to using the presser control pedal for starting and stopping sewing. I ended up adjusting the sewing speed, and just used the start stop button.

Also learned how the button controls raising and lowering the needle, as well as how to reverse stitch by pressing the button.

Got a long way to go before I really know this machine.

Now all I have to do is get more bobbins, needles, thread, etc.

I am assuming, per the instruction manual that the darning foot is used for free form quilting. Is there another type foot that can do the same function?

aashley333

I buy my needles in bulk (100 in a box) because I break or dull them a lot. Size: 80 mostly, 100 for jeans.
https://www.schmetzneedles.com/categ...old-Needles-71

I needed a small table for my sewing area, but when shopping for a desk or table, they were over $200. So, I searched for a dinette w/o chairs included. $69 at Ashley Fine Furniture(also Amazon).

CaleyH

Thanks so much for the needles link.

I am not sure, but when my needle gets to the place where two to three layers are, it sometimes goes thunk. Not sure it is because of the wrong needle, or that the needle is getting dull. The needle is what Singer installed at the factory. I am going to put in a size 90/14 (?) top stitch needle and see how that works

osewme

It sounds like it might be a dull needle or wrong size needle. Sometimes when I forget to change out my jeans needle when I go back to regular fabric my machine will make a thunk sound when I'm sewing so it's a reminder to me to change that needle.