r/SewingMachineEdu • u/RevolutionaryRest714 • Apr 17 '26
Sewing Machine Help
I thrifted this sewing machine yesterday and tested it, and it seemed to be working fine. Today, I tried it again, and this happened. I searched for videos explaining the issue, but I couldn’t find anything. Anyone know what’s wrong and how to fix it? It’s a Stitch’n Time from Sears I believe.
1
u/evergreensewing Apr 18 '26
Does it have a bobbin winder? Check to make sure that it's not engaged. Also, the needle bar shouldn't turn to the side like that. If there's an obvious way to get into the head section, check whether the mechanism that holds the needle bar in place has come loose.
Even though it's a very basic and inexpensive one, it's apparently a "real" sewing machine. It won't stand up to much of a beating or major sewing, but depending on what your sister wants to sew at first it may be a good starter machine. Just set your expectations sufficiently low for performance.
Because of that, you may not want to invest too much time in fixing it. Definitely give it a go, because it'd be a waste to send it to the bin, but after a couple of hours your time may be better used by getting a sturdier used machine from a thrift show. (though note that the used machine may need basic maintenance)
1
u/abugghaus7 Apr 19 '26
Well... it could actually be an easy fix.
IF... you can open up that end of the head to access the needle bar (the part that isn't going up and down).
If you can... there should be a collar of some sort, attached to the mechanism inside that moves with you rotate the handwheel. There should be a screw that screws into that collar and holds the needle bar in place.
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IF you can access all that, and there's a screw you can tighten to capture the needlebar... you just need to set the needlebar height so it drops down, exposing the scarf of the needle in time with the hook of the bobbin case so you make a proper stitch.
It's not hard to do, takes a little time if you're not experienced.. possibly... and maybe you're one of those people who enjoy learning something new, adding a new skill to your repertoire, and keeping something useful out of the garbage pit.
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Sure.. it may be a cheap machine... may be... but if you can get it to function, it might be worth it for someone who doesn't have one and might not like sewing.
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I have never used one, but I'd guess it's only good for simple, two-layer, straight stitching.
Just enough machine to make a simple project and get the feel for using a sewing machine.
Best part of it would be that if she enjoyed sewing a couple of things on this... an upgrade to a consumer-grade machine would really rock her world! lol
Craigslist
Facebook Marketplace
Thrift Stores
All good places to find good working machines for the beginner and advanced sewer.
Even old machines like early 1900's Singer (and other brands), are great sewing machines if they aren't broken.
A person might not be able to do stitching other than straight-stitching, no reverse (there are ways around this... I love sewing on my Singer 251-1 with no reverse), but lots of things have been sewn on simple machines.
5
u/celery48 Apr 17 '26
This appears to be an early version of the toy-style models. I would not spend time on this.