Common Causes of Singer Featherweight Machine Trouble

Deloris Pickens Thoughts on Common Causes of
Singer Featherweight Machine Trouble

Causes of Upper Thread Breaking

• Machine improperly threaded (see instruction book).
• Tensions too tight.
• Needle bent or having blunt point.
• Thread too coarse for size of needle (see instruction book).
• Needle too fine for size of thread and material to be sewn.
• Burr on needle hole in throat plate (caused from sewing over pins or breaking needle).
• Burr on needle hole in throat plate (caused by breaking needle when pulling material from machine).
• Needle incorrectly set.
• Needle too long for machine, or not all the way up in the clamp.
• Take-up spring bent or broken (see adjuster for repair).
• Tension disks worn so that thread works in groove.

Causes of Lower Thread Breaking

• Improper threading of bobbin case (see instruction book).
• Tension too tight.
• Thread wound unevenly on bobbin or bobbin wound too full.
• Spring on bobbin case worn to sharp edge.
• Burr on underside of throat plate (sometimes caused by sewing over pins or breaking needle).

To Avoid Breaking Needles

• Do not sew heavy seams with a needle to fine.
• Use proper size needle for thread and material to be sewn.
• See that the presser foot or attachments are securely fastened to the bar and that the needle does not strike the edge of the hole or slot in the presser foot or attachment.
• Do not pull the material to one side when taking it from the machine. The needle may become bent and strike the back of the needle hole.
• Do not bend the needle when pulling out the needle before cutting thread.
• Do not leave pins in the material after basting and sew over them with the machine.

Skipping Stitches

• Needle not correctly or accurately set into the needle bar, blunt, or bent.
• Needle too small for the thread used.

Stitches Looping

• Looped stitches are usually caused by improper tension. If the loop is on the upper side, it may be corrected by tightening the under tension. If the loop is on the under side, it may usually be corrected by tightening the upper tension.

For Average Sewing Keep Your Tension Set on 4.

Before trying to adjust a tension problem:

1. Be sure the machine is properly threaded.
2. That the bobbin is inserted correctly
3. That the needle is inserted correctly
4. That the needle is good and the brand of thread is of good quality.

Other reasons fore tension problems are any kind of chemical contamination caused by fusible interfacing or things that have glue involved in the sewing process. If you feel that you need to adjust the tension after checking all these things then only adjust the top tension. To increase tension on the top side of your stitching lower the top tension a little at a time until the tension balances. To increase the tension on the bottom side of the stitching increases the top tension until the stitch balances.

Always insert the needle with the flat side to the left.

Be sure the bobbin turns counterclockwise when you pull on the thread with the bobbin inserted in the bobbin case.

If you have skipping or broken threads, try a new needle inserted properly.

Use Schmetz needles for best results. Universal point needles for average fabrics. Ballpoint needles for stretch fabrics. Sharp point needles for dense fabrics. You can also use Quilting needles. Topstitch needles and Leather needles. Remember you cannot change your needle too often. A good rule of thumb is to change needles every other project. When in doubt change it! The size of the needles is important. Use a 70/10 for delicate fabrics. Use a 80/12 or a 90/14 for average fabrics. For heavy fabrics use a 100/16 or 110/18.

It is very important to use good threads such as Gutermann, Mettler or Signature. This is especially true for skipping and broken thread problems.