How do you machine sew towelling?

[UnSerpentQuiCourt]

Hi. I am very new to machine sewing and have a 40-year-old Singer machine which I don't know very well. I was trying to hem some towels and the stiches slipped about and snarled into knots. Any ideas as to why?

Either your tension is wrong,could be top or bottom..... or the machine isn;t threaded correctly..(slightly out can cause major snarl ups.....

or less likely you've the wrong sort of needle for the cloth....ie using ball point on woven fabric...or the needle is damaged...try changing it for a fresh 1

Do you have the machine manual, you should find a trouble shooting guide in there & threading instructions....

if you don't have it, try googling the machine make & model number & user manual or instructions, you might well find something online

hope that helps :)

also give it a clean out, try and get all fluff out from the feed dog (is that what the teeth are called) and the bobbin area.

I second a new regular medium needle and make sure it's threaded correctly. Don't know much about tension I'm afraid.

I've never even changed the needle ... although surely it can't be 40 years old. Off to search for the manual.

If the towel hem is very thick, you might have problem getting started as the presser foot is at the wrong angle. I have a gadget called a "humper jumper" which helps with that.

(Couldn't find one to link to....)

Yes, maybe too narrow a hem and too thick. I have booked myself on a 'get to know your sewing machine' course, which should cover 'humper jumpers'.

Still can't find a picture of a "humper jumper" but did find the very similar "Jean-a-ma-jig"
here.

You will have to scroll down quite far.....