oldtnquiltinglady

I don't remember how long it has been since I made a statement on this forum that I am in the market for a FW. No special year, nothing really special about it, just a FW in good shape.

Well, DH and I broke away from cold TN, drove down to Alabama looking for new roads to travel, new adventures to excite us--got as far down I-65 as Cullman and left the freeway looking for a particular antique store that I had read about on CL. We found several antique stores, and walked through a couple, when DH said "did you see that sewing machine back there"--we usually separate and go our separate ways (him searching for a chair to snooze in, and me looking for sewing machines) when he caught up with me after one stroll down memory lane for both of us. Well, he found the FW that I have been looking and looking for everywhere we went.

$275. Way more than I was willing to pay; but it was pretty so we started to bargain with the owner. She was adamant, so was I; but DH was determined that this was going to be the stop for the FW. So he said OK, and we loaded it into the back seat and off we started toward TN. He was too tired to drive in an hour or so, so we stopped overnight in Scottsboro, and shopped in Unclaimed Baggage this morning before heading back up to TN before the next big weather system.

When he went out to pick up supper I started messing with the FW, no thread, no scissors, just curiosity. I found two bobbins, so loaded them one for the upper thread and the other in the bobbin case. No sew, take it apart and re-thread completely; no sew. Runs quietly and smoothly, but breaking thread and going nuts after the third or fourth stitch. So I put it away reluctantly, after studying the manual (can you believe it was included), and I think the needle is either a wrong needle or blunt. I'll try to figure it out tomorrow. Olympics come first tonight.

I'll be back reading tomorrow morning, so if you folks have a comment or two, go ahead and try to get me through this little hurdle. I'll be checking early, goodnight for now.

mlmack

Congrats!

All of the ones I have ever found in the wild were also priced at $275, except for a couple I have seen at estate sales, and those were high as a cat's back.

abdconsultant

The flat side if the needle should be on the left side, thread goes right to left.

vanginney

diddo. My guess would be this as well. Congrats!

quiltingcandy

Also, check to make sure the bobbin case is in properly. I found out when I took mine apart to clean it there is a trick to getting it back in and if not done right then sewing is a major problem. Luckily, what you need to know is in the book. Also, it matters which direction the bobbin thread goes in matters too.

Congratulations with getting the FW. I really enjoy mine. Just when you take it traveling, be sure to take your sewing machine oil too. My little machine wants oil every day.

Redsquirrel

yep, probably just the needle position. Rethread according to manual (with good thread) and try again. If that doesn't work, I'm sure we can all help you figure out what the problem is pretty quickly.

cherylrom

The best money you can spend is a DVD and book by Dave McCallum, Featherweight RX. They are wonderful people to deal with and will spend lots of time with you on the phone too. But hurry, they are retiring this summer.

psychonurse

Congrats on your find. too bad you didn't call me. you could have bought mine. I am off exit 308 in Cullman.

nanna-up-north

I had the same exact experience with my first FW. I was so excited when I got her at an auction ... they let me plug it in to make sure it worked but no thread in the bobbin or on the top. Once home, I couldn't get her to make a stitch. I fiddled with it all evening but couldn't figure it out. I'm not a night person so I went to bed frustrated. I was really upset, thought I'd wasted my money and started looking on the internet for a manual because it didn't come with one. A good night's sleep really helped. I had the needle in backwards and the bobbin in the bobbin case clockwise instead of counterclockwise. That was it. She's stitched like a trooper ever since. That was 8 or 9 years ago. This has been my baby ever since. I now have 4 FWs.... just because I got good deals on them at the time but am happy to have them. I have one at our cabin, one at my son's house where we spend our winters, and I have 2 great granddaughters that will get the other 2.

So, I know you will figure this out. And congratulations on becoming part of the FW family. There are many that don't like FWs but there are just as many that love them to pieces..... like me.

Maureen

When I bought mine, we went to a website and bought new needles , a drip pad, bobbins, a new belt and replaced, cleaned, oiled etc. it runs like a champ and smells much better too. Nothing worse than old oil smell. I even got the original case with mine. Good luck, keep us posted.