Originally Posted by jenna p in ga

Ugh, bad sewing day!!! The tension is messed up on my Brother (newer electric) and no matter what I try I can not get it right. So, I head to the treadle...it pushes the top fabric so much that it ends up off by 1/4" or more at the end of the seam, and the same w/the hand crank! I am working on a dress and am now so frustrated I have stopped sewing for the day.

Those of you that use your treadles often, how do you keep the top fabric from getting pushed so much? I am not talking about multiple layers, just two. I have tried adjusting the presser foot pressure and see no change, except if it is too loose the fabric does not move at all! And pinning, but the fabric pushes to the pin then will fold over if I don't remove the pin. (hope that made sense)

I guess some days are just not meant for sewing. And, now my Brother is going to have to get serviced or something to get the tension corrected...that is frustrating enough since it should be a simple fix!!!

I feel better having vented a bit :).

Thanks,
Jenna

Originally Posted by jenna p in ga

Looking at Nancy's 28hc, and using mine today (128k hc), brought to mind a question. There is a piece that goes between the spokes of the wheel that is attached to the crank and is what turns the wheel. (w/me so far?) On mine there is a piece of rubber, but due to age, and use I guess, the rubber has been worn down to nothing on the sides. Because of that it makes a tinkling noise. It looks like there is a staple or something holding that rubber part on. Now the question...can that thing be flipped out, and then the rubber replaced?

Because this may be very confussing if you are not familiar w/the hc, I will try to get a pic posted.

Thanks for the help,
Jenna

Originally Posted by Honchey

Jenna, Take a triangular piece of fabric about the size of a nickle--place it under the presser foot and sew thru to the end and just two or three stitches past the piece then sew the dress piece or whatever you are sewing then when you're done with that seam remove the first "leader" and place it at the end- sewing thru the piece + a few empty stitches and snip your piece off. You can make a few of these leaders and enders and just trim off all the threads when they get too hairy. I started doing this about 20 years ago and I have never had a problem with the fabric being pushed down since. For some reason the thread in the leader keeps the fabric from going down in the bobbin area. You could also try to get a straight stitch plate The plate has a single hole as opposed to a slot. The fabric won't get caught in a straight stitch plate.

Originally Posted by Miz Johnny

If you can't get the lever to "flip out" (I constantly flip out), loosen the nut holding the HC to the machine and move it that way. The rubber piece can be replaced with anything that fits--tubing (I'm thinking aquarium, but guess it's not big enough), section of rubber hose, even the rubber bands off broccoi in a pinch!!

Originally Posted by Lostn51

And I just thought they were for rubber band wars...

Billy

Originally Posted by purplefiend

Nancy,
Wow major pitty pat factor!!! You did wonderful! very pretty cabinet and machine.

Originally Posted by Miz Johnny

Major score, Nancy--THIS is the I was speaking of earlier when I commented that I had put so much money into it because I wanted it!! Yours is doubly cool because it holds a 3/4 sized machine!! I have a VS II in mine. Again, great score!!