hard as we tried we could not get her to sew...
Motor ran, threaded right, loosened tension, tightened tension, and all it would do is break the thread!

This little beauty is near MINT..all original, no rubs, pin marks, etc, in a mint case with all of the attachments, no book though..price was $325!

I really want her...BUT...with not being sure what is wrong with her, I had to walk away!

There are several people you can buy from where the prices are comparable and you are guaranteed that the machine will be ready to sew as soon as you unpack it.

It might have been an easy fix, but you never know. You did the right thing by walking away.

You could take her to someone that fixes them & they are very minimal on fixing them because there is so little to repair them. Mine is doing the same thing, will sew 6" & breaks thread. Sometime within the next week I am going to take mine in to have it looked at.... I'd go back & get it for that price!!!!

I was thinking about getting it anyway..but there are NO repair people here or where I live....

she was just the best looking one I have seen in the last 3 years of looking..even at the Dallas quilt show this weekend the ones the vendors had were not this nice looking!

Maybe you can get the price down since she doesn't work...but I'm not talking $35...at least $50 since you will have to take her to the Dr.

I'm with you on this one. The fix is probably pretty simple, but finding one in that sort of condition is the tough part.

There's a part that holds the bobbin that is often inserted incorrectly; has a little "thumb" that needs to be seated. This could be the problem.

In exactly which direction did you put the thread through the needle?

I would buy the machine if it's in good cosmetic condition. The problem is likely to be very minor and you should be able to figure it out by doing some research on the internet and/or purchasing a manual for it.

held the thumb out and it clicked in, bobbin thread came up and pulled nicely...threaded the needle from the left!

with no book to guide us on the threading I think we also threaded through the top loop with I believe might have been for the bobbin winding!

Prism99 refered to the threading direction, featherweights thread from the inside toward the outside (right to left). If you don't do it that way it will rebel.

http://www.suite101.com/content/thre...machine-a64698

A quick search of featherweight threading came up with this.

I'm certain there's a lot more info out there.

The "thumb" I was talking about is not the one associated with the bobbin case; it's a piece of the bobbin case housing within the machine.

Here's a fw troubleshooting article I found on a quick Google. It shows the correct positioning for that metal "finger" I tried to describe:
http://www.suite101.com/content/comm...problem-a50918

However, an even more common problem is threading the needle in the wrong direction.

The thread goes in from right to left! It's probably the problem. Try it again! :thumbup: :thumbup:

I tend to agree with this suggestion. From the right to the left.

Don't forget, the bobbin goes in the case the 'other' way round too. (at least, I am pretty sure that's the case).

thread from the side of the last thread guide.

Try threading from right to left... that is how it is to be threaded and it should sew nicely. I think everyone that has a FW had threaded incorrectly and found out! If that doesn't help, a trip to the dr is called for. Call you Quilt shop or even Joanns for a name of a repairman. There should be many around. :) Maybe look in the yellow pages online as well. Good Luck

One more thing to check...there might be a little burr of metal on the needle plate above or below the hole the needle goes down thru, usually caused by a needle hitting the hole side. It is hard to see, but will snag and cause thread breakage. Only way to check for it is by feel, be careful as it can cut your finger--found out the hard way! I used an emery board to smooth away the burr.

And also a burr on the needle will cause thread to break

I'd go back and offer less. You might call a repair shop, explain the problem and see what they would charge to fix it, than offer accordingly.

LOL as I read these suggestions ; as only one woman to another could follow them!

I'd also check the needle. People frequently put them in backwards and then thread them wrongly as well which makes for a very balky machine.

Featherweights thread right to left. See - it could be something this simple. Other common things: Bobbin inserted wrong. Holding Case in left hand, bobbin thread should turn up & over in counterclockwise direction. Bobbin case inserted wrong. Someone explained this already in an above post.

Hope you go back & give it a second try. Sounds like a really sweet machine!

The needle may be in wrong also.

Try a new needle and a different spool of thread. Old thread breaks and a burr in the needle will break thread.

It sounds like a problem that stems from the bobbin. Take out the bobbin, make sure it is wound correctly, threaded correctly, and inserted into the bobbin case correctly. It has to click when inserted. Also, check that the bobbin winding disk on the right of the machine is not touching the belt. It should only be in this position while winding a bobbin. I find that most sewing machine problems originate with the bobbin.

If you send me your address I will make a copy of my book and send it to you
Daryl

Last thread guide is on the left, you MUST trhead the needle going into the RIGHT side and out the LEFT. I was not only told this verbally, but have an expensive book written all about Featherweights.

Usually a new needle will do the trick if everything else is in order!

also check to make sure the bobbin is inserted correctly. there is a little bar at the top of the bobbin ase that has to go into a slot. This happened to me at taking my FW to a class after cleaning etc. Wouldn't sew....embarassing but teacher was able to point out my error.

check underneath, if the bobbin case (where bobbin fits in) is just rotating round and round the needle plate was put back on wrong...it just will not sew if it is put back on wrong. check the manual, there is a picture on how to rotate under arm to fit in groove of top needle plate...check it out...

The part of the machine that accepts the bobbin case needs to be aligned. Sometimes, when cleaning out the lint, the needle plate is removed and this part will shift. You have to make sure to align it before putting the plate back on.

Are you sure you had her threaded right? She needs to be threaded from right to left to work at least that is what my manual says! Look on line to look at a threading diagram. There is also someone on this sight that might help. GOOD LUCK!!

I agree, but I think $100 less is more like it.

Perhaps the bobbin tension is too tight.

Also, check to make sure the needle is installed correctly with the flat side to the left and that there are no burrs on the tip. It has to be something very simple since these little machines are very reliable.

I'd thread from right to left and see it that will make it work. I had the same issue with my first FW and it was my threading it from left to right that caused the problem.

Very good chance with those symptoms all that what was wrong was the needle was in backwards, for Featherweights it is NFL-needle flat side left

Did you change the needle and rethread. Everyone is right about how you thread. Good luck.

If the needle is put in the wrong way,the machine will not sew.
The FW needle goes in with the flat side to the left or right.
I have to dig up my book to make sure.
go back and check the needle.

on your machine. I know this sounds funny but sometimes the bobbin is not the exact one that goes in the FW. Sometimes it is just a tad to big. Try a new bobbin. Also you can call the singer company, give them your model number etc. of your machine and they can mail you a copy of the book that goes with it for a fee. Well worth it. There is really not much that can go wrong with the FW I would buy it but try to get the price down some. Hope this helps. pat