15 91 isn't picking up bobbin thread
 

I bought a very nice Singer 15 91 from an estate sale last summer, and have been patiently waiting to get it up and running. Had the wiring replaced and some other stuff. As far as I can tell it's threaded right and the bobbin is would correctly.

Problem is, I can't get the upper thread to pick up the bobbin thread. Any suggestions? I feel like I've run 25 out of 26.2 miles in a marathon preparing to operate this thing with joy. But without the bobbin thread working, i can't cross the finish line.

I'm a novice . This is my first vintage machine, but I really want to sew on this one!

Is the needle threaded from right to left? If not, it should be.

Also is the needle in the machine correctly. I do believe it goes in Flat to the Left.

Joe

Yes, it is flat to the left.

I just deleted a message I'd written contradicting that the flat side should be on the left.
Who knew that the 15-91 is different from all other model 15s??
I think the 15-91 is the only one but it's certainly not obvious. I had to DL the 15-91 manual to check.

I believe that 15s from the 15-88 on are flat side left. Earlier 15s and 15 clones, which are based on the earlier 15s, generally are flat side right, threaded left to right.

That would probably include the 15-89s then, as they were made at the same time.

I've never seen any of these models, presumably because they weren't commonly sold in Australia, but very strange for Singer to change something fundamental and call it the same model.
These models are also very desirable amongst quilters, so can anyone tell me if they are better than the other models in anything other than feed dog dropping?
Does the different bobbin setup make it better at FMQ?

The reason I mentioned it was because I have a 15-91 and that's the way the needle goes in.

Joe

how can you tell which 15 you have? I have my mom's and she thought it was 15-91 then said 15-90 then said according to Singer it's a model 15...guy at sewing machine place said 15-89. Ihaven't researched yet - just love the machine! - it has a nice scroll faceplate and the round thingy on the back has the same pattern.

That's what I've read. One less turn in the thread path, as opposed to the horizontal bobbin machines, as well as being easier to access the bobbin, since it is below the bed.