novicequiltergrandma

I'm trying to learn to fmq on a vintage singer 15-91. I am using a good quality thread and a topstitch needle. Feed dogs lowered, presser foot down. I'm getting eyelashes on the top and bottom, but I think that is a speed issue. Both times the needles broke I had the machine going pretty fast, but was being careful not to move the fabric around too fast. I tend to have a lead foot (bent the shaft on my new Brother machine awhile ago). I only have 2 new needles left and I don't drive so I'm hoping someone can give some suggestions before I break my last two needles or run out of the expensive thread. Could it just be my lead foot or is something else amiss? Thanks

Prism99

What size are the needles? You might need to go to a bigger size needle that doesn't bend as easily.

Edit: If your machine has the clamshell-type foot pedal, you may be able to wedge a sponge or small piece of wood into it to limit your speed. This way you can use your lead foot to keep a constant speed, with the wedge limiting the max speed.

QuiltingHaven

Make sure your needle is in correctly. I have 7 vintage Singer sewing machines and they all have a different position for the needle. Make sure the needle is all the way up in the shaft. And yes, if you are pulling the fabric too quickly, the needle could bend toward the front and catch slightly on the metal plate and break. Yes, we do have a tendency to go fast....love it....so try to get that lead foot off the peddle...at least we don't get speeding tickets....;-)

Tartan

Sounds like the needle is hitting the throat plate. Do you have the wide hole plate on? If you do then you are probably pushing or pulling the sandwich enough to bend the needle and it clips the side of the hole.

novicequiltergrandma

Thanks, I did double check the needles were in correctly before I sewed and that the needle was all the way in the shaft, so I don't think that is it. My lead foot can be hard to control and the foot peddle is the old style button. If it were a rocker foot I could put some foam in it. Any way to make the machine slow down even if I have "the peddle to the metal"?

Gay

Your lead foot is not the problem, but the speed you move your sandwich around could be, so go slower. If too fast, you put sideways pressure on the needle, which misses the hole and hits the plate - check for scratches there. Do you have another plate with a wider hole for zig-zag, try that also. Are you using a hopping foot. The eyelashing could be a thread tension problem, or even the wadding you are using. Try normal straight sewing - feed dogs up - on a sandwich. Do you still have eyelashing? If so I would look at the tension, top and bottom, if not, a hopping foot should help. Hope this helps some.

novicequiltergrandma

Thanks for all the help. I think I'm done for today, but I'll be back at it tomorrow with your suggestions!!

Prism99

Also, try FMQing with the feed dogs up. Some quilters find they have better control that way. You still need to set stitch length to zero, though!