<p>I’ve been using the one my mother bought in 1966 and the bobbin always – always – catches when I’ve sewn more than – oh, two inches or so. I’m ready to throw it out, but I want to find something simple, that will sew a few fancy stitches (oh, like straight and zig zag), and very very inexpensive. Ideas, anyone??</p>
<p>Check out craftster.org :3</p>
<p>I have a Singer and I love it</p>
<p>Have you had a repair guy look at it?</p>
<p>Because unless it is a Singer Touch and Sew machines that old were usually well built.</p>
<p>I sew daily on a Singer machine from the 1940’s, my traveling machine is a Kenmore from the 1960’s and I do have a modern day fancy pants Bernina. I have several other vintage machines that I keep because well, I just love 'em and they are great machines.</p>
<p>The newspaper and craigslist are sources for used machines. A local sewing machine dealer may also have trade ins for sale. Word of mouth sometimes works, too.</p>
<p>Before you throw it out - adjust the bobbin tension or if the bobbin casing is the type with a screw adjustment play around with that too.</p>
<p>How do I adjust the bobbin tension??</p>
<p>If you have already tried changing the needle, made sure it is in the right way, rethreaded the machine as well as tried different thread, then my guess is that you may have a rough spot somewhere in the bobbin area, perhaps caused by a broken needle.</p>
<p>^^^Yes, I’ve done all that about 50 times. </p>
<p>I’ve had it looked at through the years by our local repair guy and, after about 10 minutes, it always goes back to getting caught. </p>
<p>I tried to hem a pair of jeans the other night – it should have taken a max of five minutes each leg! – and it literally would catch every two inches. I’d have to stop, clip away all the extra bobbin mush on the underside, rethread the needle, clip away the extra threads, and start again. Took me about 45 minutes to do one leg.</p>
<p>To adjust bobbin tension - newer machines tend to have a seperate dial. If your machine is the type is where the bobbin goes into a seperate removable metal case, there is usually a small screw that adjusts the tension.</p>
<p>Also - Gotta love Google</p>
<p>[Fix</a> Sewing Machines - Sewing Adjust Bobbin Tension](<a href=“http://www.fixsewingmachines.com/Sewing-Adjust-Bobbin-Tension.html]Fix”>Sewing Machine Repair | Repair Sewing Machines | Sewing Machines Repair - Sewing Adjust Bobbin Tension)</p>
<p>I had a singer but hated it. I had so much problem with the tension - it was very frustrating. I have a Bernina now - absolutely love it - but they are not cheap.</p>
<p>What got me thinking about a new machine was wandering the aisles at WalMart yesterday and seeing a Singer for less than $100. Having The Man look at my machine costs $49.95.</p>
<p>Some years back I was looking at machines in walmart. (can’t quite remember why, maybe before my Bernina or maybe my daughter had expressed a fleeting interest in having one). The lady there told me they had less returns on their other sewing machines (Brother I think) than on Singers.</p>
<p>I sew on a Bernina but a few weeks ago it froze up on me in the middle of a project. So I got out my daughter’s Brother which I believe she bought at Walmart for about $179. I was very impressed with it. It sewed beautifully, felt nice and solid and had lots of features that I like (needle stop down, variable speed.) Finished the project and then took my Bernina in for service. I just got it back and the repair (including a part) cost, oddly, $179. The point being, I love my Bernina but would certainly consider buying that Brother if I needed a new machine.</p>
<p>At my local Walmart, they had two styles of Brother. I’m sorely tempted, but it’ll have to wait at least a few weeks. (DH desperately needs a new computer.)</p>
<p>Consider a used sewing machine from the place that repairs your current sewing machine. Lots of places take trade-ins and you can get amazing prices.</p>
<p>I use my Mo’s Singer, and gave the fancy model to my sister, who sews a lot. I just do repairs. Last nite I hemmed several pants for S, from PJ bottoms (light weight) to sweats. I adjusted the stitch length for each project. If tension too tite, for sure thread will break.</p>
<p>I have no interest in the light weight plastic models. I hope this model lasts my lifetime. I learned to sew aprons and skirts on it.</p>
<p>I have a Brother, Dh bought it for me after watching me finish a dress for DD by hand (side seams and all)). It took me a while to do the buttonholes on it, but really it’s easy to use and very reliable. I’ve had it about 12 years or so, mostly use it for hems and repairs now (DD no longer wears smocking or embroidery :-)).</p>
<p>I don’t like sewing machines. I much prefer to sew by hand. </p>
<p>I have two old sewing machines: one from the 70s and a nice little Singer featherweight from the 60s. I’ve had the 70s-era machine repaired several times and also have this same problem with tension and the thread breaking. I’m not going to repair it again. I like the little Singer much better, but that one is also currently broken.</p>
<p>Once when I got the 70s machine repaired, the repairman told me that the machines with metal parts are much better made than most of the current machines available with plastic parts. An inexpensive current machine isn’t going to solve your sewing issues.</p>
<p>There are some inexpensive Berninas.</p>