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not sure if there's something broken (Moderated by Sharon1952, EleanorSews)
Posted on: 1/23/06 9:47 PM ET
I was sewing a decorative stitch on the hem of my DD's pants yesterday. When I finished the hem, I noticed there were marks all across the hole of the needle plate, evidence that I had been hitting the needle plate without realizing.
I didn't think much of it(although, looking back I should have, hindsight being 20/20 after all), but today, while sewing a simple interlock jacket, I sewed up over a serged seam (perpendicular to the one I was sewing) and the needle hit the plate dead on.
That's when I noticed that the needle barely clears the back edge of the needle plate hole, rather than being in the center.
It is a Kenmore 19233. Does this machine always have it's needle setting so close to the edge?
Is there some kind of adjustment screw that controls where the needle enters the hole?
I know it might need an adjustment appointment, but I'm pretty handy with tools (and so is DH), so if it's something I can take care of myself, I'd rather.
I've already used a diamond file the smoothe the burrs on the plate caused by the needle hitting.
Any advice is welcome.
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I didn't think much of it(although, looking back I should have, hindsight being 20/20 after all), but today, while sewing a simple interlock jacket, I sewed up over a serged seam (perpendicular to the one I was sewing) and the needle hit the plate dead on.
That's when I noticed that the needle barely clears the back edge of the needle plate hole, rather than being in the center.
It is a Kenmore 19233. Does this machine always have it's needle setting so close to the edge?
Is there some kind of adjustment screw that controls where the needle enters the hole?
I know it might need an adjustment appointment, but I'm pretty handy with tools (and so is DH), so if it's something I can take care of myself, I'd rather.
I've already used a diamond file the smoothe the burrs on the plate caused by the needle hitting.
Any advice is welcome.
------
Trinity
I probably have too many sewing machines, but how am I supposed to resist when they're either free by the side of the road or people give them to me?
http://thimblesthreadsandneedles.blogspot.com/
I probably have too many sewing machines, but how am I supposed to resist when they're either free by the side of the road or people give them to me?
http://thimblesthreadsandneedles.blogspot.com/
Posted on: 1/23/06 10:53 PM ET
I'm not totally familiar with your machine, but I have a 158.17550 and hit the plate enough that I snapped it and had to buy another. No long-term damage to the machine though. Just make sure you put in a new needle, and try to not put a lot of tension on the fabric when sewing it.
Also if your needle plate flips around for different stitches (like mine has a straight stitch side and a satin stitch side) then use the correct side.
I really don't think you could've been hitting it that much when sewing a line of stitching though. For one, you would HEAR IT. For two, your needle would have broken with every other stitch. For three, stitches would not have been forming.
Also if your needle plate flips around for different stitches (like mine has a straight stitch side and a satin stitch side) then use the correct side.
I really don't think you could've been hitting it that much when sewing a line of stitching though. For one, you would HEAR IT. For two, your needle would have broken with every other stitch. For three, stitches would not have been forming.
Posted on: 1/23/06 11:38 PM ET
It does seem odd that you didn't notice. I would have expected your needle to break. I've never had such a problem with my kenmore. Have you tested the needle positioning by slowly turning the dial by hand? Maybe those marks are from something else. I'd take it in to a repairperson if that were happening, then ask them how they fixed it for future reference.
Posted on: 1/23/06 11:48 PM ET
Your needle position can get out of whack, and then it can hit the needle plate. It's usually nothing you can fix yourself, and is sometimes just caused by wear, which causes play in the machined parts. Do make sure you have the right needle plate in place.
As I reread your post, I noticed that you hit the plate dead on while sewing over a serged seam. I think you're pulling your fabric faster than the machine is feeding it, and you are bending the needle backward, and causing it to hit the plate. Don't do that anymore.
Hold your fabric taut with one hand in front of the needle and one in back, but let it sew at its own rate. Use a "hump jumper" (folded piece of fabric or cardboard) to make the back of the presser foot level with the front when you come to a thick place, and it will feed through just fine.
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As I reread your post, I noticed that you hit the plate dead on while sewing over a serged seam. I think you're pulling your fabric faster than the machine is feeding it, and you are bending the needle backward, and causing it to hit the plate. Don't do that anymore.
Hold your fabric taut with one hand in front of the needle and one in back, but let it sew at its own rate. Use a "hump jumper" (folded piece of fabric or cardboard) to make the back of the presser foot level with the front when you come to a thick place, and it will feed through just fine. ------
Liana
http://sewintriguing.blogspot.com/
http://artisanssquare.com/sg/
http://www.pbase.com/lianasews
http://sewintriguing.blogspot.com/
http://artisanssquare.com/sg/
http://www.pbase.com/lianasews
Posted on: 1/23/06 11:59 PM ET
You're right, I would definitely hear it if it were hitting right on the needle plate. But the first time, it just nicked the inside of the hole.
The second time, it hit the plate pretty square, didn't break the needle, and left a crater in the plate.
My concern is that the needle is so close to the edge of the hole that practically any tension on the fabric might cause it to hit the plate.
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The second time, it hit the plate pretty square, didn't break the needle, and left a crater in the plate.
My concern is that the needle is so close to the edge of the hole that practically any tension on the fabric might cause it to hit the plate.
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Trinity
I probably have too many sewing machines, but how am I supposed to resist when they're either free by the side of the road or people give them to me?
http://thimblesthreadsandneedles.blogspot.com/
I probably have too many sewing machines, but how am I supposed to resist when they're either free by the side of the road or people give them to me?
http://thimblesthreadsandneedles.blogspot.com/
Posted on: 1/24/06 0:06 AM ET
In reply to Liana
Thanks, Liana.
My machine is only three months old, so I hope it isn't wear and tear.
This machine came with a foot that you can lock especially for sewing over seams. I was using this at the time I hit the plate "dead on".
As for stretching, perhaps this new machine is so much more sensitive than any of my others. I broke out my backup machine and finished my jacket without a hitch.
It sure does sound like a call to the repair people is in order. Too bad it will mean another week without my machine. Last time I had a problem, they couldn't duplicate it in the shop.
Thanks everyone, for your help.
-- Edited on 1/24/06 0:08 AM --
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My machine is only three months old, so I hope it isn't wear and tear.
This machine came with a foot that you can lock especially for sewing over seams. I was using this at the time I hit the plate "dead on".
As for stretching, perhaps this new machine is so much more sensitive than any of my others. I broke out my backup machine and finished my jacket without a hitch.
It sure does sound like a call to the repair people is in order. Too bad it will mean another week without my machine. Last time I had a problem, they couldn't duplicate it in the shop.
Thanks everyone, for your help.
-- Edited on 1/24/06 0:08 AM --
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Trinity
I probably have too many sewing machines, but how am I supposed to resist when they're either free by the side of the road or people give them to me?
http://thimblesthreadsandneedles.blogspot.com/
I probably have too many sewing machines, but how am I supposed to resist when they're either free by the side of the road or people give them to me?
http://thimblesthreadsandneedles.blogspot.com/
Posted on: 1/24/06 0:54 AM ET
You've put a new needle in, haven't you? Once you've hit anything, the needle point is almost surely damaged. If you scored a direct hit on the throat plate, you may have bent the needle. See if a new needle is also off centre in the hole.
Jennifer in Calgary
Jennifer in Calgary
Posted on: 1/24/06 3:58 AM ET
In reply to Trinity.
That is scary news having the needle hit the plate. You could have knocked your new machine out of time. Did you check to see that your plate is in proper postition and if it is and since your new machine is still under warranty I suggest taking it in to be checked out. When I do deco and heirloom stitches on my Kenmore I sew very fast and if the needle hit the plate at that speed I know my machine would be damaged. Thank goodness it has not happened ever. I'm assuming that your machine is like my 19365 and has the 7 pc. feed dog system and extra wide stiches. In other words, these machines feed wide and well. My Kenmore has a needle hole wider than the toes of the open toe craft foot. Sometimes people purchase the wrong feet for the narrower stitching verticle bobbin machines and the needle hits the foot but the needle should not be hitting the plate. I suggest to have your machine checked out.
Posted on: 1/24/06 9:38 AM ET
Duplicate post.
-- Edited on 1/24/06 9:41 AM --
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-- Edited on 1/24/06 9:41 AM --
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Trinity
I probably have too many sewing machines, but how am I supposed to resist when they're either free by the side of the road or people give them to me?
http://thimblesthreadsandneedles.blogspot.com/
I probably have too many sewing machines, but how am I supposed to resist when they're either free by the side of the road or people give them to me?
http://thimblesthreadsandneedles.blogspot.com/
Posted on: 1/24/06 9:40 AM ET
The machine is not out of time as it still sews beautifully. I have checked and rechecked the seating of the needle plate. No, it really does seem as though the needle arm is incorrectly positioned too close to the edge of the needle hole, so that the slightest variation in feeding (like sewing over a seam) causes it to hit the plate. Yes, it does have the seven piece feed dogs and a 6mm wide stitch.
And I've gone through a number of needles in this process. Even tried different brands to see if they fit differently. Kenmore, Schmets, Singer, and Organ. They all fit the same: practically up against the back of the needle hole in the needle down position.
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And I've gone through a number of needles in this process. Even tried different brands to see if they fit differently. Kenmore, Schmets, Singer, and Organ. They all fit the same: practically up against the back of the needle hole in the needle down position.
------
Trinity
I probably have too many sewing machines, but how am I supposed to resist when they're either free by the side of the road or people give them to me?
http://thimblesthreadsandneedles.blogspot.com/
I probably have too many sewing machines, but how am I supposed to resist when they're either free by the side of the road or people give them to me?
http://thimblesthreadsandneedles.blogspot.com/
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