sewing people... please help me thread my machine!!!

[thisisyesterday]

I inherited an old singer sewing machine. have managed to thread it with the help of youtube and a picture i found on google

dp managed to get it going (who knew he could sew??) but now I have bobbin trouble!!!!

the thread on the bobbin ran out. have managed to fill it up... but i don't know how to fit it back in. i thought it just slotted in but when I sew,.... only top sewing happens

Ah, you need to bring the bottom thread up first. Turn the needle knob slowly once and the needle will go down and pick up the bottom thread in a sort of loop. Pull that up through the wee hole and bob(bin)'s your uncle.

HTH

when i put the bobbin back in do i have to put the thread in a certain place or anything?

It does just slot in, but you have to get the thread back up through the base of the machine so that it can connect with the upper thread.

Place the filled bobbin in the correct position.
Leave the little door open.
Hold the upper thread that is threaded through the needle firmly with your hand.
Wind the sewing wheel/handle slowly by hand BACKWARDS.
The needle will move in the sewing action and the lower bobbin will turn.
The lower thread will be pulled up through the base of the machine by the upper thread.
It will only appear as a small loop, but you can use a pair of scissors etc to pull the thread out.

Once you have the lower thread up through the base of the machine, you will be able to sew as before.

I'm sure you'll find videos of the this procedure on Youtube too.

Ruth's explanation is much better than mine

no, i am still doing something wrong, just not sure what...

the thread from the bobbin isn't getting picked up. i must have to wind it somewhere or something i think so that it gets picked up maybe

Do you have the thread correctly hooked around the little slit in the bobbin holder?
Once the bobbin is filled and placed in the bobbin holder, you have to pull the thread through a little crack and slit in the holder.

You then place the bobbin holder into the machine and can bring the thread up ready to sew.

I'm sorry, I really don't know how to describe this bit...

Does help?

the bobbin holder does not appear to be removable. well, not without undoing several screws... and there is no obvious place to wind the thread into it :-S

i have found a site that has a manual for it for £5, i may have to download that! lol

Mine's not removable either - I just have to pop the bobbin in and then do the handle thing. If there's a metal slit at the side of the bit where you put the bobbin in, catch the thread in that before you turn the handle.

oooh oooh i might have done it.....

have got a loop pulled up... i have to pull that right up through the plate now don't i? i don't leave it looped?

yes, then it stays at the top but underneath the foot with the end at the back of the machine

thank you thank you midnight and Ruth and fumblina!

you're very patient people lol

Just marking place... have an ancient little singer in the cupboard that I still haven't figured out...

go and get it captain! i'll help you, i'm an expert now

only one i've ever used before is my mums ancient one that you have to turn by hand lol.

am getting the hang of this now.

one other question though... how do you finish it off neatly at the end? i am left with huge threads hanging off each side atm

ach- I haven't got time to dig it out now... not even supposed to be on here

Go backwards and forwards for about 2cm. Then you can cut threads close to cloth

Same applies at starting and finishing ends.

cool, thanks!

well... here goes nothing. am attempting a laundry bag for ds1!

If you forget to go backwards and forwards to finish the sewing, then pull both threads to the same side of the fabric (pull one of the threads gently until you see a little loop at the base; pull this through). Then you can knot the two ends together.