Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with sewingmachine

Correct parts for a Bernette/Bernina 812 sewing machine?

Perplexer — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:19:01 -0800

Correct parts for a Bernette/Bernina 812 sewing machine? I'm a sewing novice, never owned a sewing machine. Thus, many of my pants and jeans are too long, some garments have the ugliest button threading ever, and I still have an unmended hole in my jacket pocket.

I picked up a Bernette 812 "Made for Bernina" at a garage sale for two bucks, and it appears to be in good working condition. I can't tell, however, since it is missing the power cord and foot pedal.

Does anyone know the proper parts for this unit? I can't find a service manual or a whole lot of information on this model, and don't want to order the wrong parts.

Thanks!!

All about sewing machine cabinets

dilettante — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 20:08:41 -0800

So I've been coveting a sewing machine cabinet for a couple of reasons. They're expensive, but I find affordable used ones at a local thrift store and on craigslist pretty regularly. However, I don't know what I'm doing! Does anyone have any advice on:

- choosing a cabinet (I'll probably have to evict an older machine, will try to get one with a non-working non-antique machine in it to reduce the guilt)

- installing the machine? I wrote to my machine's manufacturer (Singer) to make sure it can be installed in a cabinet, and they said I'll have to buy a couple of little parts. The manual didn't have anything about this, and I'm still not sure how this is generally done.

- operating the lift?

Note that I do not sew well or often, and am trying to protect the machine and get it out of the way (and out of sight) without just adding a big useless lump of machine-in-a-case.

Automatic sewing machine - I provide the design, the machine does the rest!

WhereAmI — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 07:04:48 -0800

Do programmable sewing machines exist? I want to be able to provide the sewing machine with a design or logo and have it sew it for me - in this case, a nice little dog to go on the breast pocket of a golf shirt. Surely something like this exists for a reasonable price? I'm thinking that a sewing machine exists that can take an image/cad file/etc. from a computer and then I just secure the material within the sewing machine's needle range, hit start and off it goes (think CNC machine or laser etching, except with needle/thread).

Where's the "make a shirt" button?

tomatofruit — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 20:08:43 -0800

My sewing machine is on its last legs. What should I look for in a new one? I'm not looking for a beginner machine--I've been sewing clothes and costumes for 15 years, but I've never had access to anything but the most basic and run-down of sewing machines. Some sewing machines on the market now look like they could fly the space shuttle, and I really have no idea what features might actually come in handy for me if I decide to stop being so lazy and using a regular straight stitch for almost everything.

So far just about all I know is that I want to be able to sew buttonholes without snapping an attachment onto the machine. If it helps, I mainly sew regular clothes that have at least a little stretch to them. When I make costumes, I often find myself sewing through many layers of fabric, so I'd like a machine with the power to punch through some heavy stuff. And I'm interested in learning how to make some fancier items--specifically, corsets and hats.

So, crafty MeFites--what sewing machine features could you not live without? What might I find handy for my usual sewing projects? I'm mainly looking for a list of features to consider while I do my research, but recommendations for specific brands or models are welcome, too.

How does the bobbin work on this sewing machine?

gregr — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 17:15:34 -0800

I can't figure out how the bobbin works on this sewing machine. It's a Kenmore model 148.19370. This is a picture of the important parts. I have tried everything I can think of. The pieces all seem to fit and lock into the machine, but when I try to sew the needle hits part of the bobbin carrier.

This is how the pieces seem to fit together: the piece second from the left has a little piece that you flip up to load the bobbin. You then take the piece with the bobbin in it and put it in the area below the needle. Then the leftmost piece gets locked in with the two little black fingers at the left and right of the bobbin area.

(I found a website that sells manuals for this machine, but I feel like it's not worth spending any money on this machine because I can buy a new(er) sewing machine for almost no money.)

Does anyone have a bobbin I can borrow?

ginagina — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 07:22:27 -0800

What tools should I bring to my first sewing class? I'm enrolled in an adult learning "Sewing 101" class at a community college. The description says to bring your sewing machine on the first day of class and that no materials are included.

I'd hate to be that kid in class who always had to borrow a pen. What are the essentials that I bring on a first class? I've got the machine, but what else should I bring? Scissors, thread...what else?

Thanks for your help!

Sewing machine repair in San Francisco

Quietgal — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 08:00:52 -0800

Please recommend a good place to have a sewing machine serviced in San Francisco. My Pfaff 7570 is about 15 years old and needs a little preemptive maintenance.

I've kept it clean and regularly oiled the one part that users should oil, but now it's making an odd smell when I sew long and fast, so I think some of the "permanently lubricated" bearings need to be changed.

Can you recommend a good place in SF that can service it? Thanks!

Need info on this sewing machine!

faunafrailty — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 10:57:43 -0800

Does anyone know anything about the Sears Kenmore sewing machine Zig-Zag 1756? I can purchase used one for $30, but I can't find any information online about it, other than the opportunity to purchase a manual. Is it an old model? Is it appropriate for a beginner? Thanks!

I want a MANLY sewing machine!

SpecialK — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 13:44:58 -0800

Heavy duty sewing machines? What do I need? I have a few things that I need to fix around the house after my dog ate them, and the plastic cheap-feeling sewing machine that I have access to (borrowed from neighbor) doesn't seem to have enough umph to do it. I also want to make my own UtiliKilt and I'd like to make and/or customize some bags for my camera and computer gear. If the only sewing machine I have access too won't do three layers of upholstery fabric without getting kinda warm and melty-smelling, I don't think it's going to handle four layers of 1550 Ballistic Nylon and padding...

Although I'm mostly a manly man, I'm not a sewing machine neophyte. I made my first few sewing projects in middle school and have since made a few small things like beds for my dogs and to do simple clothing and motorcycle luggage repair. The motorcycle luggage is where I found out about the accidentally-partially-melting-plastic-parts when sewing heavy nylon using my neighbor's machine... and now I have two futon covers, several pillows or pillow cases, a robe, and now some of these other projects that I want to try out, and they're ALL heavy and/or thick fabrics.

MetaMind, what do I need to sew heavy duty fabrics? I know that my mom does some of this kind of stuff and has a sewing machine and serger, but she even shrugged when I asked her about heavy duty nylon and padding... and her machines cost thousands of dollars, because my dad refuses to buy cheap tools.

I'm not going to be doing a ton of this stuff so I don't need an industrial machine with a thirty year lifespan, but I figure that getting a machine that will handle the weights of the fabrics that I'm going to need to work with is worth spending the money... keeping in mind that I live on a state employee budget. If only I could figure out what that was, and what I need to look for in the machines to know if it'll do what I want...

Do I need a serger? What is the difference between it and a normal sewing machine? How do I tell how heavy of a material can be sewn with a machine, or how thick the material can be (i.e. layers of fabric + padding)? What features do I need for basic, occasional but heavy use -- I don't need an auto-embroidery library or some of the electronic stitch selection tools that some of the high end machines have. And please, share your wisdom. I'm new to this and it's not really a man's world... give me a two-stroke or four-stroke engine and I'll have it in parts inside of a half hour, but I'm kinda lost here.

We can rebuild it... Maybe?

slowfasthazel — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 09:38:19 -0800

Can my sewing machine be fixed? After a failed stupid attempt at sewing too many layers on my Singer Stylist 476 (from the late '60s I believe) my machine quit threading the bobbin. A repair place in town looked at it, found that the top gear was broken and said it would be over $200 to repair. And then started talking about how great their NEW machines are. That quote sounds really steep, especially when followed by a sales pitch.

So what I'm wondering, is no particular order, is:

Does that quote sound really high?

Should I find another repair shop? Of course I should, but I've been asking around and all I have heard so far is that there are not any great repair places in town (Portland, OR) any more. Do you know of any?

Can I fix it myself?! That kind of sounds like fun. I've come across a few places that sell parts and repair instructions online, but I have no idea what kind of technical ability a person really needs to fix one of these. Think it's doable? I'm no mechanic, but I'm decent at figuring things out.

Should I just suck it up and buy a new machine and chuck the old one out for scrap metal? That makes me sad.

Any advice or recommendations is appreciated. Thanks!

Getting an old sewing machine fixed in New York/Jersey City

yarrow — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 06:06:23 -0800

Recommendations for sewing machine repair places in New York City or Jersey City? I have an old Singer 5525 that I paid $5 for. I think there's something wrong with the bobbin assembly. I work in the garment district, so you'd think I'd be set, but all the places near me seem to be focused on fixing giant industrial machines. Anyone have a suggestion for a place where they would be tolerant of my near-total ignorance?

Help me not sew my own finger by mistake

Sijeka — Sat, 09 Jun 2007 16:11:32 -0800

Help me not sew my own finger to the machine! I recently bought a Singer 99 model from the 30s (I think) and can't get it to work for the life of me. I bought a Singer 99 sewing machine on ebay - electric, has a light, probably made in the 30s as far as I can tell.

It came with a manual, but alas I am afraid I'm not getting the instructions at all. Do any of you know where I could get clear instructions as to how to thread the bobbin properly and start sewing? Or maybe do any of you know how to do it and could help me out? I am putting the thread through all the rights holes, but I start sewing in only makes holes in the fabric, and the thread doesn't go in. Should there be two bobbins working at the time?

I am so sorry about the vagueness of my explanations, I am an absolute novice, currently confused and frustrated. As far as I can tell, not a piece is missing and the machine *should* work....

I googled for 30 mns and didn't find anything to help me :(

incoming sewing n00b alert

divabat — Sat, 07 Apr 2007 04:30:06 -0800

I've been inspired by t-shirt surgery and am thinking of getting into sewing. However, I've never sewed something in my life. Where do I begin? A request from a friend to design a t-shirt for her (odd, because I've only used an iron-on transfer before, but eh) and my fascination with t-shirt surgery has inspired me to delve more into it. I've been experimenting with cutting up stuff (right now I'm wearing a rudimentary skirt made by chopping a t-shirt in half) but know next to nothing about sewing.

I used to hate sewing. We had to do it as part of a Life Skills course in school and I just tossed the work to my mum. I get the basic idea of sewing, but can't tell you how to do a hem. I'm not even interested in fashion; I find it utterly boring. However, I like the creativity of turning something into something else, and t-shirt surgery seemed fun.

My qs:

1. I live in Brisbane, Australia. Are there any sewing classes in the area? Google doesn't get me anything specific (there is a Sewing Guild but that's all). Is it worth going? I'm a uni student, so time and money is a concern.

2. I've been reading up on sewing machines for beginners and I'm not sure where to get a good deal. I saw a beginner Singer for $199 at Lincraft but I have the feeling they're cheaper elsewhere. Any tips for where to look?

3. Where can an absolute beginner seamstress start? Assume I know nothing. I've been reading up things online but even the name of stitches elude me.

4. How do you do a hem?

Any info appreciated, though if it's Brisbane-specific even better. Thanks!

How does one tame a bobbin?

grabbingsand — Sat, 24 Feb 2007 10:27:52 -0800

SewingFilter. I've a new sewing machine, a model 2950 bought refurbished from Singer. As such, I need help with something that ought to be simple. How does one go about positioning and manipulating the bobbin in such a way that the needle will pick it up? The manual gives what appear to be definite instructions, but I really need some specifics, some wheres and some how muches. For instance, do I need to do anything with that trailing bit of thread? Need it be shoved under the needle plate? If not, how does the needle manage to magically grab the bobbin thread?

I've scanned the "Inserting a Bobbin" and "Raising the Bobbin Thread" pages and posted them to Flickr. Take a look and explain this mechanical miracle to me as if I were eight. Thanks.

I want a geeky sewing machine

squishy — Fri, 04 Aug 2006 09:25:33 -0800

I want a geeky sewing machine. There have been other threads on sewing machines, but while I'm sure a sturdy, reliable, basic model would probably be the best thing for me, I kind of want one that can do programmable embroidery- I really want to sew the logo of my punk rock band into my underpants.

I've used a sewing machine maybe twice in my life, but would have more if I'd owned one. I don't expect to become an instant crafter, but I assume I'll have it for life. How do I get a fancy one that won't go out of date? I saw one the other day that was advertised as having a floppy drive!

I'm going to "The Place That Sells Sewing Machines" this weekend. What do I look for?

Sewingfilter: loops on bottom of fabric

kc0dxh — Tue, 12 Apr 2005 08:42:50 -0800

When using my sewing machine, large loops and tangles of thread are generated on the bottom side of the fabric. What am I doing wrong and what do I need to do to remedy the problem?