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Stitching & Crafting Room:  Sewing Machine Woes  |
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dkelewae
True Blue Farmgirl
1310 Posts
Diana
Saint Peters
MO
USA
1310 Posts |
 Posted - Dec 12 2008 : 12:42:09 PM
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My vintage Kenmore (I got it in 1974) has decided to start acting up, just as I was sewing some Christmas gifts. Not being an expert seamstress I don't know what's wrong with it.
It keeps 'locking up' to where the needle won't move up and down to sew the stitches. I tried manually to get it to move but then it only sews a stitch or two then locks up again.
Any ideas what it could be? I really need to get it working again so I can finish these gifts!
Diana
Farmgirl Sister #272
St. Peters MO
Country Girl trapped in the city!
http://farmgirldreams.blogspot.com/ |
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Jami
True Blue Farmgirl
1238 Posts
Jami
Ellensburg
WA
USA
1238 Posts |
Posted - Dec 12 2008 : 1:14:07 PM
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Diana, have you oiled the machine lately? I used to have my mom's old Kenmore and would take off its lid once in a while and oil everything that moved or that the manual said to, plus some other stuff. I'm a big oiler...overboard probably.
If I remember right, there might be some plastic gears or cogs inside that runs the needle mechanism. You can take off that side piece where the needle housing is (on the very left side of the "head" of the machine) and watch the gears as you hand crank the wheel slowly. Now, make sure to turn off the power before you do anything like this, girl!
Do the feed dogs go up and down when you crank the wheel? Try the oiling and see if anything improves. Make sure your needle is not broken or hitting the throat plate hole when it's going through. I always rethread the machine from scratch if I'm having problems too.
Good luck!
Jami in WA
Farmgirl Sister #266
http://woolyinwashington.wordpress.com/
http://farmhouseflair.etsy.com |
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Bonne
True Blue Farmgirl
3003 Posts
Bonne
Littleton
CO
USA
3003 Posts |
Posted - Dec 12 2008 : 1:17:15 PM
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What kind of shape is the belt in? Unscrew the screws to the flywheel assembly and check to see if anything is binding it up.
Take off the top (or back or whatever so you can see inside) and using a flashlight, check for possible obstructions to moving parts(thread bound up etc.)as you manually move the flywheel.
 http://bonne1313.blogspot.com/ BLOG
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rabbithorns
True Blue Farmgirl
544 Posts
Allison
Fort Scott
KS
USA
544 Posts |
Posted - Dec 12 2008 : 2:48:14 PM
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When that's happened to me repeatedly, there was often a piece of thread cought around the bobbin assembly. I just opened the little door (sorry to get so technical here lol) and take the bobbin out and pull out the thread - sometimes there's more than one ticking out and it's the culprit. Also check before you put the bobbin back in the a loose piece of broken thread.
http://www.rabbithorns.etsy.com & www.wayofthewife.blogspot.com |
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dkelewae
True Blue Farmgirl
1310 Posts
Diana
Saint Peters
MO
USA
1310 Posts |
Posted - Dec 12 2008 : 3:43:24 PM
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I took the bobbin assembly apart and there's no thread stuck in it. I also checked the belt and it's fine. The feed dog moves when I can get the arm to manually move. The needle isn't broken, and I oiled all the parts. It's still doing the same thing:(
Might just be time for a new machine.
Diana
Farmgirl Sister #272
St. Peters MO
Country Girl trapped in the city!
http://farmgirldreams.blogspot.com/ |
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rabbithorns
True Blue Farmgirl
544 Posts
Allison
Fort Scott
KS
USA
544 Posts |
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khartquilt
True Blue Farmgirl
1176 Posts
USA
1176 Posts |
Posted - Dec 12 2008 : 6:19:34 PM
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I know nothing about old machines. But, when something like that happens to me, I remove all the thread. Run a few yards of waxed dental floss between the tention plates. Wind a new bobbin. Rethread. And say a little prayer to the sewing angle.
But what do I know...
Kathy H
Farmgirl Sister #81
"To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world..." (anomymous)
http://khartquilt.blogspot.com |
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wild daisy
True Blue Farmgirl
503 Posts
Madelynne
Billings
Montana
USA
503 Posts |
Posted - Dec 12 2008 : 6:36:23 PM
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Just a helpful tip. Do you have a new needle in? Sometimes a new needle and an oil job helps.
Madelynne |
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happydaze
True Blue Farmgirl
136 Posts
lorraine
atlanta
ni
USA
136 Posts |
Posted - Dec 12 2008 : 8:06:13 PM
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| When mine does that, its usually lint or junk under the feed dogs |
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Beverley
True Blue Farmgirl
2707 Posts
Beverley
atlanta
Michigan
USA
2707 Posts |
Posted - Dec 13 2008 : 01:35:34 AM
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It might just need a good cleaning. You can do it yourself.. give it a try.
Folks will know how large your soul is by the way you treat a dog....Charles F. Doran
beverley baggett Beverley with an extra E...
http://bevsdoggies.googlepages.com/ |
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5 acre Farmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1007 Posts
~~~*Terri*~~~
WA.
USA
1007 Posts |
Posted - Dec 14 2008 : 07:49:25 AM
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I have a 1960's Kenmore also, that I LOVE(it has the cams for different stitches.. it sews any type of fabric, from lingerie to Jean)... and that is what it was, the time it did that, LINT!
Than, sewing away one time, the needle plate broke in half, I ordered a new one from a place on the internet....works perfect....
Farmgirl Sister #368
http:/froccsfrillsfurbiloesandmore.blogspot.com
http://thecontentedwoman.blogspot.com
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dkelewae
True Blue Farmgirl
1310 Posts
Diana
Saint Peters
MO
USA
1310 Posts |
Posted - Dec 14 2008 : 12:44:50 PM
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I took my old kenmore completely apart, and cleaned and oiled it again...it worked for about 5 minutes then started acting up again...ugh.
Hubby told me that if I'm really good, that Santa might bring me a new sewing machine for Christmas...LOL!
Diana
Farmgirl Sister #272
St. Peters MO
Country Girl trapped in the city!
http://farmgirldreams.blogspot.com/ |
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Bonne
True Blue Farmgirl
3003 Posts
Bonne
Littleton
CO
USA
3003 Posts |
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electricdunce
True Blue Farmgirl
2544 Posts
Karin
Belmont
ME
USA
2544 Posts |
Posted - Dec 14 2008 : 2:16:41 PM
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All the suggestions sound good, I know once I had to replace a needle twice. I had tried everything and called a friend asking for suggestions and she said, replace the needle one more time, and that did the trick. You never know with sewing machines. I sure hope you get it figured out, I know how frustrating that can be, especially when you are in the throes of creating holiday gifts.
Karin
Farmgirl Sister #153
"Give me shelter from the storm" - Bob Dylan
http://moodranch.blogspot.com
http://domesticnonsense.etsy.com |
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Jami
True Blue Farmgirl
1238 Posts
Jami
Ellensburg
WA
USA
1238 Posts |
Posted - Dec 15 2008 : 07:19:39 AM
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With an offer like that, think I'd make sure it doesn't work for much longer, Diana. 
One of my favorite things is to go sewing machine "shopping"...I say that in quotes because you know we don't need a new sewing machine often, but they are so wonderful to look at and sew on--new to vintage, they are all wonderful and the thought of a "new" one makes my heart always go pitter-patter.
Hope you can borrow one so you can get your things finished for Christmas, however.
Jami in WA
Farmgirl Sister #266
http://woolyinwashington.wordpress.com/
http://farmhouseflair.etsy.com |
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graciegreeneyes
True Blue Farmgirl
3107 Posts
Amy Grace
Rosalia
WA
USA
3107 Posts |
Posted - Dec 15 2008 : 07:51:49 AM
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Diana - hope Santa brings a new machine!! Other than that you could find a sewing machine repair shop, I had to break down and take mine in for a tuneup once when I absolutely could not get the tension to adjust right. Sometimes, especially with those of us who are not necessarily experts, we just have to do it!!
Amy Grace
Farmgirl #224
"use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without" |
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dkelewae
True Blue Farmgirl
1310 Posts
Diana
Saint Peters
MO
USA
1310 Posts |
Posted - Dec 15 2008 : 08:43:35 AM
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I've decided that I'll wait and see if Santa comes through, as it would cost more than my kenmore is worth to be repaired. I've told Santa what machine I want and even gave him the link to buy it ;)
Diana
Farmgirl Sister #272
St. Peters MO
Country Girl trapped in the city!
http://farmgirldreams.blogspot.com/ |
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Stitching & Crafting Room: Sewing Machine Woes |
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Sewing Machine Woes
