Help on 1957 singer

Old 02-11-2018, 01:39 PM
  #1  
Super Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: New Orleans, La
Posts: 1,768
Default Help on 1957 singer

I inherited this machine from my mother in law and though she's a great machine I'm back,g problems and maybe you can help. I was given three box's of upholstery samples and want to make some pillows and bags with them. I'm using a 16 -18 needles, upholstery thread and a 40wt in bobbin. It starts to sew fine, but then it misses the stich or it gets tangled. Any suggestions, or is this machine not able to handle large bulk.
Gannyrosie is offline  
Old 02-11-2018, 01:46 PM
  #2  
Super Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Chula Vista CA
Posts: 7,335
Default

If you just sew a standard cotton fabric are you having the same problem? I can't imagine that it can't handle the fabric. What is your stitch length you are trying to use.
So folks know the model that you have give us the serial number. Or do you know which model you have.
quiltingcandy is offline  
Old 02-11-2018, 02:39 PM
  #3  
Power Poster
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Northern Michigan
Posts: 12,861
Default

I have a 1956 Singer 99K, it has no problem sewing the fabrics you mentioned. Perhaps it’s not threaded quite right?
I downloaded the user manual from the internet and found in the beginning I was threading one step backwards- it wasn’t sewing correctly. Also make sure the bobbin is in correctly. I’ve never used upholstery thread- I would try regular cotton or polyester thread & see if that makes a difference. I use Aurifil thread without problems
ckcowl is offline  
Old 02-11-2018, 03:47 PM
  #4  
Banned
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Victorian Sweatshop Forum
Posts: 4,096
Default

Are you holding on to your thread tails for the first few stitches? This used to be taught back in the day but isn't needed on many modern machines.

Cari
Cari-in-Oly is offline  
Old 02-11-2018, 06:25 PM
  #5  
Super Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: New Orleans, La
Posts: 1,768
Default

Its an AL235182. My phone won't let me upload the pics. I had watched a you tube where she said to use a 16-18 needle, upholstry thread, which is nylon, and a poly in bobbin. It starts stitching fine, then it starts to skip, like its not catching the bobbin thread. Yes I've so downloaded its manual and really never had a problem sewing with it until now. It seems it sees well using the threads mentioned, but not when it gets thick. I'll try to use the same top thread as bobbin tomorrow. I also cleaned and oiled everything real good, maybe the thickness isn't allowing the needle to catch the bobbin when its too thick
Gannyrosie is offline  
Old 02-11-2018, 06:55 PM
  #6  
Super Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 2,816
Default

It's a 15 of some sort.

Sorry, I'm no help past that.

bkay
bkay is offline  
Old 02-11-2018, 07:41 PM
  #7  
Super Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 9,492
Default

Is it extremely heavy upholstery fabric? I've sewn on a lot of upholstery fabric and never used larger than a 90/14 needle and regular weight thread. Maybe the difference between the weights of the top and bobbin threads are giving you problems. I'm not sure what upholstery thread is or why you'd need it or why you would want poly in the bobbin with it just for sewing upholstery fabric.
cashs_mom is offline  
Old 02-11-2018, 07:50 PM
  #8  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 472
Default

Double check your threading path, make sure the thread is coming off the bobbin in the correct direction, clean around the bobbin case and feed dogs, and check that the flat side of the needle is to the correct side. I find when my Singers "complain," that I have missed a seemingly small but critical step.
WIChix is offline  
Old 02-12-2018, 07:07 AM
  #9  
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: the Cariboo, B.C. Canada
Posts: 13
Default

Have you checked that your needle is in the right way? I ask because I fixed my DH hunting jacket the other day and when I changed the needle for my smaller needles I put the needle in with the flat side facing to the right. This machine needs to have the flat side facing to the left. It was doing exactly what you say yours is doing. Just a suggestion. I sew and quilt all the time, but have a few different antique Singers and some of them are quite different to thread and needles go in different ways.
sisterziz is offline  
Old 02-12-2018, 11:55 AM
  #10  
Super Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Dakotas
Posts: 2,977
Default

Try a different style bobbin
tranum is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Yamaha_Mama
For Vintage & Antique Machine Enthusiasts
11
02-23-2012 09:06 AM
Ellen
For Vintage & Antique Machine Enthusiasts
20
11-03-2011 06:47 PM
jaciqltznok
Main
65
03-22-2011 12:28 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


FREE Quilting Newsletter