Sewing Lessons & FAQ

Joli7211 · Feb 12, 2008

Newby sewing question... I have a vintage sewing machine that does the basics, straight line, zig-zag and hems. It's a Singer Stylist 570 if I recall correctly. Heavy like the dickens, and has a wooden carrying case. My experience is basic at best.[huh]

So here is my situation.... I'm trying to make a circle skirt. Pretty basic I figure...

When I'm sewing though, I end up with "clumps" of thread on the underside

:rage: I've tried fixing the tension ad it doesn't seem to help. I don't know what else to do...

:rage:

Please help before I lose my mind!

CanadaDoll · Feb 13, 2008

I don;t think it's worth starting a new thread for, but I was wondering what sorts of print fabrics would be more authentic looking? I know that wool, jersey, rayon gabardine etc were very popular fabrics in general, but I'm at a loss when it comes to prints and the colours they would have used.

Any suggestions would be very much appreciated

Cherry_Bombb · Feb 13, 2008

Joli7211 said:
Newby sewing question... I have a vintage sewing machine that does the basics, straight line, zig-zag and hems. It's a Singer Stylist 570 if I recall correctly. Heavy like the dickens, and has a wooden carrying case. My experience is basic at best.[huh]

So here is my situation.... I'm trying to make a circle skirt. Pretty basic I figure... When I'm sewing though, I end up with "clumps" of thread on the underside :rage: I've tried fixing the tension ad it doesn't seem to help. I don't know what else to do... :rage: Please help before I lose my mind!

You've already tried to fix the tension? The tension on top, the tension below, or both?

I feel the need to start a check list- lol- So here I go:
*Did you change the needle? Is the needle facing in the correct position?
*Did you take out the bobbin casing/ bobbin, rethread the bobbin, and then rethread the spool?
*Are you lowering the needle and pulling the bobbin thread up and pushing both the spool and bobbin thread behind the foot before you begin sewing the fabric?
*Is there a belt on your machine? Is it squeaking or grinding? Is it tight enough?
*Have you taken a can of air and blown out the bobbin area and the needle plate to clean out the fuzz?
*When was the last time the machine was oiled? Has it been over oiled?
*Is the thread knotting below the plate (down by the bobbin) or mostly knotting on the backside of your fabric?
*Are your dogs down?
*Are you threading your machine correctly? (Silly question, but sometimes the simplest solution!) Here's a guide just in case: http://www.sewusa.com/Threading_Dia...ding/singer_534_stylist_threading_diagram.htm

Here are a couple sites to check out as well:
Trouble shooting: http://sewandserge.com/tshoot.asp
Maintainance: http://www.sewusa.com/Sewing_Machine_Repair/Singer_Sewing_Machine_maintenance/Singer_538.htm
Timing Adjustments: http://www.vacsew.com/repair/singer-600-timing.html
Singer parts for repairing: http://www.tandtrepair.com/StylistLine.html

Hope this helps!

Snookie · Feb 13, 2008

dakotanorth said:
I agree with both Snookie and Miss Neecerie. Michael Levine's is a great place to pull together all the needed details of a project- thread, buttons, belt buckles, fabric, lining, etc.
Mike's fabrics has great stuff too- I found a 50's style hawaiian fabric for $3 a yard! It looks like the "Ocean Storm" prints they always did.
Another place I like is called "Fabric and Fabrics" (no, I'm NOT making it up!). He focuses mainly on silks, but he has a nice stash of wool in the back. Some of his colors are really unusual and exotic.

Jp

Fabrics & Fabrics is great! It's one of my favorites, too...wait, I've got a card...403 E. 9th St., 213-488-0681. I've never shelled out for silk, although they have VERY nice ones, but I have gotten some nice rayons.

Snookie · Feb 13, 2008

CanadaDoll said:
I don;t think it's worth starting a new thread for, but I was wondering what sorts of print fabrics would be more authentic looking? I know that wool, jersey, rayon gabardine etc were very popular fabrics in general, but I'm at a loss when it comes to prints and the colours they would have used.

Any suggestions would be very much appreciated

I'm bumping a thread I did a while ago to the top - Fashion Fabrics of 1940. Hope it's useful.

CanadaDoll · Feb 13, 2008

It's awesome thank you so much Snookie! I must have done something wrong when I searched cause I completely missed it, it's a big help, thanks again

deadpandiva · Feb 13, 2008

I was ironing a 1930's pattern yesterday. I can't seem to get the stupid pieces to lay flat and I ripped one a little. :eusa_doh: Does any one have any suggestions. The smaller pieces are no problem but the long thin pieces are murder.

Joli7211 · Feb 13, 2008

You've already tried to fix the tension? The tension on top, the tension below, or both?

Umm, I guess the top one, how do I fix tension below? I just fixed the tension at the knob above the needle, you know, where you thread the needle before it goes in the up and down arm...

(This is a picture from the internet of my machine which is in MUCH better shape, model Stylist 457, not 570 as previously noted...:eusa_doh: )

I feel the need to start a check list- lol- So here I go:
*Did you change the needle? Is the needle facing in the correct position?

It's a new needle, and it only fits one way in the machine, so I guess that yeah it's in the correct position..

*Did you take out the bobbin casing/ bobbin, rethread the bobbin, and then rethread the spool?

I rethreadd the bobbin, I didn't know you could rethread the spool... [huh] How do you do that??

*Are you lowering the needle and pulling the bobbin thread up and pushing both the spool and bobbin thread behind the foot before you begin sewing the fabric?

Yup... I did manage to remember something from my home ec class 20+ years ago.

*Is there a belt on your machine? Is it squeaking or grinding? Is it tight enough?

I guess there is a belt. It's not sqeaking or grinding. How can I tell if it's tight enough, it'd be inside the machine...

*Have you taken a can of air and blown out the bobbin area and the needle plate to clean out the fuzz?

I've dusted it out with an ancient make-up brush that my kids took scisors to...

*When was the last time the machine was oiled? Has it been over oiled?

I guess it's been a while, but where do I put the oil?

*Is the thread knotting below the plate (down by the bobbin) or mostly knotting on the backside of your fabric?

It's knotting on the backside of the fabric... although sometimes it seems to catch under the plate.

*Are your dogs down?

Well he's sleeping right now, but he's not allowed in my sewing room. lol Obviously I have no clue what you mean by this question (shows how much of a newbie I am)

*Are you threading your machine correctly? (Silly question, but sometimes the simplest solution!) Here's a guide just in case: http://www.sewusa.com/Threading_Dia...ding/singer_534_stylist_threading_diagram.htm

Yup... The other thing I remembered from home ec class...

Here are a couple sites to check out as well:
Trouble shooting: http://sewandserge.com/tshoot.asp
Maintainance: http://www.sewusa.com/Sewing_Machine_Repair/Singer_Sewing_Machine_maintenance/Singer_538.htm
Timing Adjustments: http://www.vacsew.com/repair/singer-600-timing.html
Singer parts for repairing: http://www.tandtrepair.com/StylistLine.html

Hope this helps!

Yes it does, thanks

Cherry_Bombb · Feb 14, 2008

First of all- I'm not familiar w/ this machine first hand, I'm just trying to narrow down what could be wrong w/ it.

Ok, so- you've fiddled w/ the tension on the top part of the machine. There are some machines that allow you to fix the tension right next to the bobbin casing- I'm not sure if your machine allows this or not.

Usually, what I do if my thread starts to bunch is to unthread the entire machine and then re-thread it all. Are you certain that you are threading your bobbin correctly? (again- not to ask the stupid questions, just trying to narrow down the problem)

Usually you can tell if the belt is tight enough if your machine is not squeaking or grinding, if it's not shimmy-ing, and if it's not slipping. If you don't have to crank it by hand to get the needle "jump started" than you're probably ok.

Haha- I love the makeup brush!!

As far as oiling your machine- I won't be able to help you w/ that one. (I was hoping you knew the last time it was oiled. ) Unless it's an industrial machine, I can't tell you how to oil it yourself- that's something you'll need to go to a sewing machine tech for.

The dogs are the tracks below the foot. They move your fabric forward as you stitch. If the dogs are up, they're moving your fabric forward and it's more than likely it's something to do w/ the bobbin/ timing in which case you'll need to see a tech. If the dogs are down and your fabric isn't advancing, there should be some sort of lever next to the bobbin casing below the needle plate that will raise them again. It's easy to knock this lever out of place when you reach in to retrieve your bobbin.

There's also a good chance that your machine might just need a good cleaning/ oiling/ tuning up. If you haven't used it in a while, it's like any other old man coming out of retirement- needs a good oiling and a sponge bath before he's ready for new tricks- lol

Joli7211 · Feb 14, 2008

First of all- I'm not familiar w/ this machine first hand, I'm just trying to narrow down what could be wrong w/ it.

That's ok, it's an old machine that does the basics 'cause I don't do much sewing... I was better in the kitchen part of home ec and had very little patience for sewing... I can't figure spending even 100$ for a sewing machine with bells, whistles and plastic interior when 30$ will get me a sturdy old machine that goes straight and zigzag...

Ok, so- you've fiddled w/ the tension on the top part of the machine. There are some machines that allow you to fix the tension right next to the bobbin casing- I'm not sure if your machine allows this or not.

I didn't see anything that would allow this on my machine.

Usually, what I do if my thread starts to bunch is to unthread the entire machine and then re-thread it all. Are you certain that you are threading your bobbin correctly? (again- not to ask the stupid questions, just trying to narrow down the problem)

I was always told there are no stupid questions, only dumb a$$ answers... It took me a couple of tries and a lot of lost thread, but yeah, I think I've threaded the bobbin ok, it's all smooth and even like a spool, not lumpy.

8<snip-------

As far as oiling your machine- I won't be able to help you w/ that one. (I was hoping you knew the last time it was oiled. ) Unless it's an industrial machine, I can't tell you how to oil it yourself- that's something you'll need to go to a sewing machine tech for.

Darn. I was hoping to avoid having to go to a tech...

The dogs are the tracks below the foot. They move your fabric forward as you stitch. If the dogs are up, they're moving your fabric forward and it's more than likely it's something to do w/ the bobbin/ timing in which case you'll need to see a tech. If the dogs are down and your fabric isn't advancing, there should be some sort of lever next to the bobbin casing below the needle plate that will raise them again. It's easy to knock this lever out of place when you reach in to retrieve your bobbin.

At least I kno I don't have to go see the vet! Seriously though, I don't think there is a lever for the dogs, they seam to be screwed in place.

There's also a good chance that your machine might just need a good cleaning/ oiling/ tuning up. If you haven't used it in a while, it's like any other old man coming out of retirement- needs a good oiling and a sponge bath before he's ready for new tricks- lol

I guess I should give it a good tune up... Do I have to give the old man a sponge bath?! lol

Snookie · Feb 14, 2008

CanadaDoll said:
It's awesome thank you so much Snookie! I must have done something wrong when I searched cause I completely missed it, it's a big help, thanks again

No problem, it took me a while to find it, on Google, and I even knew it was there!! lol lol

CanadaDoll · Feb 14, 2008

Okay, it's not just melol

Cherry_Bombb · Feb 15, 2008

Joli7211 said:
Darn. I was hoping to avoid having to go to a tech...

I guess I should give it a good tune up... Do I have to give the old man a sponge bath?! lol

LOL - you may have to give the old man a sponge bath!

I'm sorry I wasn't able to help more. At least now you can go into the tech and say "I've sort of figured out the problem!"

I just think it needs a tune up is all. You should be just fine after that- and for a good long while! I agree w/ you- I have two machines (hand me downs from my mom) that have all the bells and whistles, and I've had more problems with them over the years than I ever had w/ the straight stitch/ zigzag machines.

Good luck w/ your machine!

Lady Day · Feb 19, 2008

Anyone know how to make frogs?

LD

ShooShooBaby · Feb 19, 2008

Lady Day said:
Anyone know how to make frogs?

LD

well, first you start with tadpoles....

buh-dun-DUN!

Snookie · Feb 19, 2008

Lady Day said:
Anyone know how to make frogs?

LD

Never done it myself, but this diagram looks pretty easy to follow.

http://members.tripod.com/~perfectpatterns/frogs.html

There's also a version in my Reader's Digest sewing manual. Am I allowed to scan? (They should also carry this book at every bookstore and library, if you want to check there.)

dollydaydream · Feb 19, 2008

Re-Sizing Patterns

Feel free to move this if need be, but I searched every term I could think of and couldn't find the answer!!!

Anyway, I have some really rather lovely patterns coming in the post, but unfortunately, one is going to be a wee bit small. I'm pretty good on the old sewing machine, but have never really had to adjust a pattern like this. Any tips?? I'm a particularly odd shape too, short, big hips & little top, I believe Gok Wan & Trinny and Suzanna refer to it as 'Pear shaped'. Blooming awkward is what i call it lol

Fleur De Guerre · Feb 19, 2008

I'll let knowledgeable ladies reply, but the best place for this question is in the "sewing lessons and FAQ" thread -

http://thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=11070

The Shirt · Feb 19, 2008

heehee - well I just attempted my first sewing project and my pattern had listed a crazy small waist. So I meticulously copied the pattern out and adjusted it in a similar fashion to the already established increases per size to get to what I thought would be roomy enough for me. As I finished up the last seam I slipped it only only to find out I created a large potato sack. :eusa_doh: So I went back and decreased all the seams I had increased and came out with a project that fits me much better. I think that some of these patterns have a built in increase. My suggestion would be to do a mock up in muslin - which is what I will do next time.

deadpandiva · Feb 19, 2008

The Shirt said:
heehee - well I just attempted my first sewing project and my pattern had listed a crazy small waist. So I meticulously copied the pattern out and adjusted it in a similar fashion to the already established increases per size to get to what I thought would be roomy enough for me. As I finished up the last seam I slipped it only only to find out I created a large potato sack. :eusa_doh: So I went back and decreased all the seams I had increased and came out with a project that fits me much better. I think that some of these patterns have a built in increase. My suggestion would be to do a mock up in muslin - which is what I will do next time.

I can't wait to see the finished project. Which fabric did you use for the one that fits?

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