Sewing machine threads and zipper foots

[Missunreasonable]

I am looking to start sewing more regularly and I am hoping that some more experienced people can help me.

I have had problems with threads in the past getting jammed in my machine and snapping off constantly. My mum gave me this machine because she had the same problems. I switched to guttermann threads and the problems were decreased significantly. Are there any machine suitable threads as good as guttermann but less expensive?

Also: I have never been able to insert zips properly. I am keen to learn how to do zips so that I can sew a much wider range of things. Do I need a special zipper foot? I have an older Toyota machine and I am not sure that I will be able to get a zipper foot easily but I will do an internet search of I need one.

Thanks all.

Guterman thread is expensive, but the only thread that works on my machine.

Yes, you do need a zipper foot if you want to be successful with zips, so I would try to find one that is compatible with your machine.

Not much help maybe, so best of luck.

usually if thread breaks on top thread its a problem with the bobbin underneath. the opposite is usually true as well. I don't know why but it's a rule that holds true in my quilt group.

Guttermann threads are excellent but all thread spools are designed to be unwound and used in a particular direction. There is writing on the gutterman spool. this needs to be on the bottom when the thread is on the machine. or as my friend remembers it " gutterman stands on it's head".

Thread breakage is reguraly a sign of wrong tension. I would suggest sitting down with your machine and using some scrap fabric start changing tension (bottom tension I would go for) and see if that helps.

Don't use old thread - it is far more inclined to break. Make sure the thread in your bobbin is the same as your top thread - modern machines really seem to prefer that.

Sorry I can't help with the zipper problem!

Zips are a pain, you need a really narrow foot. I sometimes see them in like a seam. In industry they don't have such a thing as a zip foot, industrial machines just have one narrow foot and sew everything with that

Thanks to everyone who has replied. I am going to look at the tension and see if that helps. I have some guttermann thread so will try with that. If it works okay I will buy a zipper foot otherwise I might need to buy a whole new machine.
My mum has a new machine and it isn't any better than the one she had given to me (still has puckering and thread breakage) so I think I should try and resolve the problem first.

Can you download the instructions for the machine from the internet? The try to follow them right from the start?

I will try and find the instructions online and see if they help.

If they don't then I think I need a new machine. I am thinking if getting this one
www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/4602363.htm

I figure that by the time I buy a zipper foot and other bits and pieces it might be more economical to buy a new machine if it isn't going to work perfectly.

I can spend a little more if it gets a much better machine (don't want to go over £140). Does anybody have a machine that they would recommend?

I bought my Riccar 8500 -S in the 70s, but I don't think it is made any more.
To me it has been the most incredible machine and I made loads with it, including my daughter's wedding dress (needed a little bit of help with the organza and the contact points on the foot pedal had worn down. After they were mended it works perfectly again and I think I may go back to sewing soon.

Ooh, a tip for sewing sheer fabrics is to put tissue paper on the seams. Works a treat as it stabilises the fabric. Then you just pull it out. And I always put in zips with masking tape.

What is the masking tape and zip trick? Do you just stick it across the zip to hold it in place whilst you stitch it?

Those dresses are lovely dutchoma. I am hoping me can learn to sew half as good as you

Yeah, place the zip in position and masking tape 2 or 3 strips horizontally across the back.

Yes, normally I could have done it with or without tissue paper. But because the pedal was messing about, not going steady it was too hard. My ds' mil, who is a rained dressmaker helped me out. I will be forever grateful.

'trained' not 'rained'

I have now emptied the tray on the side of my sewing machine and discovered that I already have a zipper foot . I haven't got a clue how to fit it though so am off to find a manual. If anybody has a manual for an ancient toyota 222 sewing machine I would much appreciate photos of the relevant page.

Have a look to see how the current foot is fitted. You need to take that off and put the zipper foot in its place.

I had a look how the current foot is fitted but if I fit this one the same there will be a long bit sticking sideways out of the back of the foot. It is a two part foot and I'm not sure that the two parts are together in the correct way.
Trying to convince husband that it would be easier to buy a new machine but he thinks I should just get a manual or ask my mum when she comes over at the weekend (I didn't think she ever used the zipper foot).

I have figured it out now and managed to find a manual online. Thanks everyone.

I would also suggest getting the machine serviced. I had my old frister and rossmann machine almost 30 years old. It was serviced and the the tension was set correctly - it was like a new machine. I was also able to buy accessories and feet for the machine (like you I had feet I didn't know I had until I downloaded a manual). In the end I did upgrade to a lovely pfaff with the dual feet (fab system). I would recommend servicing new machine, seeing how you go and then slowly looking into a new dream machine over time (got mine for my 40th)

If you do end up getting a new machine, I've had lovely service at John Lewis recently. As well as quite detailed advice based on how I would use it, I'm booked in tomorrow (about a month later) for a sewing lesson. So having had a chance to play with it, I'm looking forward to find out all the bits I didn't manage to work out by myself.
Ridiculously excited about this actually. Not sure what that says about me!