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Member since 1/22/06
Posts: 1
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Posted on: 4/3/06 3:38 PM ET
Ok, so I am a first time sewer and even though I read all the posts about not buying a machine until you practiced on one I jumped the gun and bought one. I have a kenmore and cannot even thread the thing. I am so lost. I am following the instructions exactly like they say but when I start to sew the thread gets snagged everytime. Can anyone help me or suggest a good place to take classes in Houston? Thanks!
  
Member since 4/8/02
Posts: 5095
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Posted on: 4/3/06 3:49 PM ET
In reply to mcod
First off, what area in Houston??? I saw some classes listed in the last Leisure Learning catalog but most of them are probably in the inner loop.

Did your machine come with a video??? Unthread it, take a deep breath, and start over. You can do this!!!!!


-- Edited on 4/3/06 3:50 PM --
Quote:
the thread gets snagged everytime
This could mean you have your thread spool on the wrong way. Is that where it is getting snagged??
-- Edited on 4/3/06 3:51 PM --
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Member since 10/9/05
Posts: 1411
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Posted on: 4/3/06 3:54 PM ET
Well, it's a little hard to know what's happening here, but here's a few suggestions.

First, even if you're positive it's threaded correctly, take the thread completely from the machine and rethread. Same with the bobbin.

Make sure you are pulling at least a six inch tail from both the needle and the bobbin, run it through the slot in your presser foot, and push it out of the way toward the back of the machine.

When you put your fabric (should be a nice weight of smooth woven to make things easier) under the presser foot, make sure the fabric is under the entire presser foot.

When you start sewing, sew slowly. If you have a speed control, set it to it's slowest setting.

I can't help you with classes, however, since MA is nowhere near Houston.

Hope this helps.
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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?

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Member since 10/18/03
Posts: 1115
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Posted on: 4/3/06 4:02 PM ET
It sounds to me like you do not have the thread running in between the tension disks. These will look like thin wafers of metal, and the thread must go in between them. I agree that completely re-threading the machine will often do the trick. Also, please be sure that you are using the correct needle for your fabric and good quality thread (not Coats and Clarks, or brand x in other words).
  
Member since 10/6/04
Posts: 556
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Posted on: 4/3/06 4:14 PM ET
In reply to redhead
Quote:
Also, please be sure that you are using the correct needle for your fabric and good quality thread (not Coats and Clarks, or brand x in other words).


I use Coats and Clark and have no problems. I do like the better brands but they are not always easy to find. Just curious why you dislike Coats and Clark. I think a beginner would do ok with Coats and Clark brand as long it wasn't something kept in their GM stash for 20 years prior. LOL! I would definitely stay away from those cheapy generic brands of thread you see sold in bins at Walmart, JoAnn's, and Hancock!

Mirza
  
Member since 8/24/02
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Posted on: 4/3/06 4:22 PM ET
In reply to Mirza
Mirza - I just recently was working w some black C&C and running the machine fast. The black lint was literally flying in my face!!

I was able to finish and of course, cleaned out the machine afterwards. I read somewhere that black thread has a different process, so maybe that was part of the problem.

So, now I understand all the fuss about thread!! LOL!!

Nina
  
Member since 7/2/04
Posts: 1725
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Posted on: 4/3/06 5:41 PM ET
I'm going to get really basic here. Make sure the presser foot is UP when you thread the machine until you get to the needle.

Make sure the presser foot is DOWN when you start to sew.
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Mary Lynn (Who's finally sitting up and taking nourishment)

Design Degree??? I prefer my artistic license

"A woman who works with her hands is a laborer; a woman who works with her hands and her mind is a craftsman; but a woman who works with her hands and her brain and her heart is an artist." (St. Thomas Aquinas, modified)

  
Member since 7/18/05
Posts: 576
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Posted on: 4/3/06 5:51 PM ET
In reply to Mirza
Another protest here to c&c.

One of my machines chews through any poly/cotton mixes.

It's gotta be 100% poly or 100% cotton. Some machines will shred the thread as the fibers separate. It can cause knotting, choking, and other protests from the machine.

I don't think that is what is going on here.

She probably isn't threading either the machine or bobbin properly.

If she were to post a picture of how she has threaded it, and how she is trying to sew, we could help better.

Another very basic tip: Also make sure the fabric is fully under the needle when you begin to sew, not off the edge. They won't sew without fabric under the foot.
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My website: http://www.twistedangel.org
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Inventory: Bernina 830e, Juki TL2000Qi, Babylock Ovation, Babylock Evolution, Bernina 1150mda, Singer 206k, Singer 221 Featherweight (1941), Singer 128-23 Centennial - Blackside Godzilla, Singer 128 La Vencedora, Singer 128 Roccoco, Singer 27 Memphis (aka Sphinx), Singer 9W Custom (Rose Gold, Black decal)
  
Member since 6/22/04
Posts: 4602
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Posted on: 4/3/06 6:55 PM ET
Does it snag as soon as you start sewing? The machine might be eating the thread ends as many machines can do when you start a seam. If so, make the bobbin and top thread ends long enough to hold onto pinched between finger and thumb when you start sewing to keep the threads from being pulled into the bobbin area. If your machine is a mechanical one it does not have the automatic stop at the top of the stitch feature and the machine may not have completed its stitch cycle when you are starting up. That causes big time thread eating.

And, of course, presser foot down when you start sewing.

Don't be discouraged, it is probably something very simple and yet easy to overlook.
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Liz

thefittinglife.blogspot.com
  
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Member since 7/30/02
Posts: 8991
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Posted on: 4/3/06 7:53 PM ET
Congratulations on your machine, and welcome to Pattern Review.


Here is a picture of a typical Kenmore machine, picked at random from the Sears website:


You can see the spool of green thread behind the machine, held in place with one of the disks that are provided for that purpose. There is typically a small disk and a larger disk. Use the small disk for Gutterman-style spools (the thin ones), and use the larger disk for the coats & clark style spools (the thicker ones).

Re thread: some machines are more fussy than others, and some spools even within a brand are better than others. Look at the thread when you buy it. If it looks particularly fuzzy, pick a different spool.

Ok, back to threading: As Marylynn said, have the presser foot in it's "up" position. Also, turn the needle wheel (over on the right side of the machine) until the needle is at it's highest position. When you move the needle, you will notice a little metal lever that also moves, comes out the slot and pops out the top of the machine. Make certain that you can get to that little metal lever.

There is probably a little metal disk on the top of the machine, on a little stand. Bring the thread from the spool to the back of the that stand on the top of the machine, then bring it forward. You can see this in the picture if you look carefully. It's the thin green line going from the thread spool.

Then go down the space / gap that is just to the left, move the thread to the left, then come back up the next gap (where the metal lever is).

You then put your thread into that metal lever that popped out the top of the machine. Your manual should have a diagram of this. (It should feed from the back and have a little window to hold the thread.)

Bring the thread down that gap that the metal lever travels in (so follow the gap down, so that the thread is a little inside it). Then push slightly away from you so that you can loop the thread on the tiny little hook just above and to the right of the needle. Next, thread the needle itself.

At least, this is how to thread my Kenmore machine.


I don't know if that is any more descriptive than your manual, but hopefully between this and the manual pictures you can figure it out. And if not: bring your machine to your local fabric store. Someone there is bound to be able to help you out!

Good luck.

edit 1:
Oops - I was threading my machine last night, & realized that I had written to use the metal knob for your thread path. That is used to wind bobbins. Sorry for any confusion.

edit 2: Oh good grief, I forgot a step. *sigh* So sorry. I added it.

-- Edited on 4/11/06 5:04 PM --
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