I did it!

[mala_14]

I sewed! It was only the darts and attaching the front piece to the side pieces, but still, first time I've been on the machine since I got here. And the last thing I sewed was curtains. Not really thrilling in my opinion. Next will be cutting out some bias for a waist facing. I also need to cut out the flounce. (Maybe flounces? Haven't decided yet, but a little ruched bit on the bottom of the flounce could be fun, especially if I do a ruched bit at the head of the flounce, which I was planning on doing.)

This sewing machine mostly worked fine too. It's an old Kenmore that my mom got me as a present probably like 20 years ago. It's always had this problem though where the thread gets caught up in the bobbin and makes a mess of threads. Then I have to open up the bobbin case and pull out all the little threads that have magically appeared wound up in there and re-thread it. I have no idea how to fix this. It happened a couple of times today. Any suggestions?

Comments

[fleurdelysa.livejournal.com]

Hooray! I picked up a project for 30 minutes today and called it a victory. It was progress at least.

[mala-14.livejournal.com]

Every little bit counts!

[ashamanja-babu.livejournal.com]

Have you tried adjusting your bobbin tension?

[starlightmasque.livejournal.com]

Yeah, baby! Sometimes its just too hard to get going. This I know.

Sounds like a tension problem-- is there a little screw on the bobbin case? Is there a troubleshooting guide to your machine anywhere online?

[mala-14.livejournal.com]

Nope. But this is the suggestion my mom gave me last night, so it's the first thing I'm going to try. Thanks!

[mala-14.livejournal.com]

I've been so blah lately that it just feels like so much effort to do anything.

Bobbin tension seems to be the most likely culprit. I'm going to try that first. Thanks for the ideas!

[theladyrebecca.livejournal.com]

Is your upper thread coming out of your take-up lever? That's usually what causes a rats nest in your bobbin area.

[mala-14.livejournal.com]

I don't think so. The upper thread seems fine. I think it might be the bobbin tension. I'm going to test that out the next time I get around to sewing, whenever that happens. ;p

[tigerweave.livejournal.com]

Turning up in the middle of this project, I have no idea what it is. What are you sewing?

I learnt to sew on a machine like that, and it taught me as much patience as it is possible for me to learn. Hopefully adjusting the bobbin tension will help :-) If not I've a whole slew of other suggestions!

My current machine is a darling with a drop-in bobbin, and is a really good workhorse. SO much easier than the one I learnt to sew on!

[mala-14.livejournal.com]

I'm making an 1895 petticoat right now. I have plans for a whole ensemble, but my lack of motivation is kind of stalling that. ;p

I think the bobbin tension was too tight, but I have yet to try it out. When I was at home, I just used my mom's machine, but now that I'm in a different city I had to change to this one. If this bobbin tension change doesn't fix things, I may be taking you up on the suggestions!

[tigerweave.livejournal.com]

Oh right, nice! I get the lack of motivation though. I get that at times too :-)

No worries re the suggestions I have, but hopefully it's just the bobbin.