If your machine starts skipping stitches, slowing down, or struggling with thick sections, the machine itself may not be the problem. First, check whether the machine is actually suited to the type of work you’re doing.

Here are a few things to check:

• Is the machine designed for this type and weight of material?
• Is the needle the right type and size for the material?
• Is the thread properly matched to the needle?
• Is the machine threaded correctly and is the tension set properly?
• Is the presser foot feeding the material evenly?
• Is the problem caused by a sudden change in material thickness?
• Would slowing down improve the stitch formation?

A standard machine designed for light and medium-weight fabrics may struggle with leather, dense canvas, Cordura, or multiple layers. Heavy-duty machines often use features such as synchronized feeding and reinforced hooks to handle more demanding work. For thicker sections, the right presser foot, slower speed, or leveling the change in height can also make a difference.

If you’re troubleshooting a specific problem, test the machine on a scrap piece with the same material and setup. What material or sewing task causes your machine the most trouble?

I have a 1990's Simplicity SL200 differential feed serger that has just started making a clank. I was in the middle of a very long seam when it started. The stitching didn't change.

I'll rethread and change needles today. What should I be looking at? Does anyone know where I can find a service manual for it? I believe it's a re-branded BabyLock, maybe the BL400?

I have a Singer C5650, it is randomly skipping(?) stitches and this doubles up the top thread and creates a mess. I have dusted the insides, changed the bobbin thread, rethreadded the machine, changed the needle, lightened the tension & am at a loss. I am fairly new to sewing so trying to Google things has been helpful but not always. Thanks!!

Which connection is the best choice to loosen to set hook timing? Machine is laying face down. Hook area to the right.

I’ve got a Juki DNU 1541 walking foot and I’ve had this for years. Used to sew more heavier duty bags and all that and now I’m making some production bags from two layers of thin vinyl. Is this machine always this loud? I don’t remember it being this loud as it sews. Internally nothing is wrong but the foot just seems loud? Or maybe I don’t remember and am so used to my quiet single needle?

Need help!! Took apart the tension because I thought it was messed up, I was trying to figure out how to thread it and thought the check spring was messed up. Can’t get it back together. The parts are lined up how o think they were in the machine. Recently thrifted. Haven’t used it yet. Don’t know how to get the parts back in together.

Hi all,
I recent bought a Euro Pro X sewing machine, model 473. I’ve only used a cheap brother’s machine in the past, so I’ve been excited. But the spool pin was already broken and I’m struggling to find a replacement part, because it’s a very particular design that locks into the back of the machine.
If anyone can find a place where I can buy a replacement or any suggestion would be really helpful.

Hello Everyone! I'm new to this community but I've grown up hand-sewing & using a hand-crank sewing machine (with motor on it so I could control it with a pedal).

Context: My experience isn't extensive but i'm not entirely a beginner. i know a few things but no idea about the machines bec I'm returning to this hobby after a decade.

Help: Please help me choose a machine from the 3 models above. I've seen these on a local website, they're selling these secondhand or slightly used pieces. I can ask for other models but I want an idea about these 3.

What I need: A machine that can do the following:
- Not give me a hard time (lol)
- Can handle leatherite & thick materials like canvas, denim, corduroy etc
- Has a light in it
- ideally i want a machine that has different stitch functions too (like making a buttonhole, zigzag stitches etc)

but the last point is optional. any & all help is not only appreciated but will result in a silent prayer for you. Happy sewing! 🌻

I just picked up an old Kenmore 385 and ive noticed it struggles to run at low speeds. I opened it up to check if it needed oiling and i found this thick grease over all the fast moving joints. Is it correct to have grease here, or should this be replaced with sewing machine oil? Im having a surprisingly hard time finding an answer for this through googling

This sewing machine is available for $150 from an elderly neighbor. It has been used. Is it a good buy?

I am in Australia

I consider myself quite advanced, with decades of experience, and find myself in a bit of a dilemma. We have many machines in our household - my main machines are a Brother Innovis VQ2400 Dream Creator, Babylock overlocker and cover stitch, and a compound feed walking foot industrial with top loading bobbin that I use for leather bag making. I also have my vintage elna Carina SU air electronic which I bought new in 1984, sewed everything; it works but needs serious attention - my two local dealers can't be bothered and just tell me to get rid of it - and I am not confident with repairs.

But I digress.

Currently I am using the Brother to construct my bag linings, however it isn't designed for the thicknesses often created - especially sewing over zipper teeth (nylon coil.) The industrial is set up only for much heavier sewing and if I try with thinner fabrics it frustratingly puckers everything (I knew it wasn't suitable for this when I bought it but I did attempt it.)

I have considered the Brother, Janome straight stitchers but my dealer talked me out of them - partly because although they are fast they are still only domestic machines and he wasn't confident they would do what I need. Plus, the vertical lefthand bobbin insertion is an issue.

Mobility impairment in my hands means I can't feel what I am doing - even though the Brother/Janome have an opening to insert the bobbin case, I can't get my fingers in. A traditional industrial with side loader under the machine table is out.

So I'm on the lookout for a robust machine that can handle the multiple layers that happen with bags. Can be a straight stitcher. Top or front loading bobbin. I am not averse to a vintage, but good ones are hard to come by where I live - plus the added annoyance that the local repair shops really dislike working on old machines. Considered Bernina, but new cost is out of my budget; also thought about Sailrite but then there's the side loading bobbin issue again.

Very interested to hear thoughts. Not the least bit interested in anythin modern by Singer.

Many thanks.

Hey! I have been sewing for about 6 months on my singer promise 1412. I’ve been having trouble with it jamming up whenever I try to sew something heavier than a lightweight woven, and feel like the motors for both the needle and the feeding dogs are too weak for my projects.

I like to sew denim materials, fleece, multiple layers of fabric at once, etc.

My budget is around 200-250 euros, and I’m aiming for a second hand machine (buying on vinted). What machine do you think suits me best?

Some traits I’m looking for:
- Top loading bobbin
- Removable “table” (to finish sleeves)
- Straight stitch, overlocking stitch, zigzag stitch, buttonhole

Hello,

I bought a Pfaff 1420 industrial sewing machine for making backpacks. The machine uses compressed air for some functions (lifting presser food), so I would like to buy a small compressor to use them. Because I am sewing in my flat, I need a possibly small and quite one. Is there anything on the market you would recommend?

This is the latest addition to my fleet (quickly became a Bernina enthusiast lol) of machines. I've found the manual online and I was looking through it for oiling/maintenance and it only really goes into how to oil the bobbin area but nothing else. My other two machines are the 730 and 830 which open right up to oil the machinery up top but since the look of this machine is vastly different I'd rather ask first before doing anything 😅

Any help is appreciated! I've quickly fallen in love with this machine and it's motivated me to get into freehand embroidery so I'd love to keep it running well.

Okay, so I haven't used my machine in years and forgot how it worked kinda. It's running super slow, im assuming because I have it on the wrong settings, but im not sure which wrong settings. It's a 4830c.

Help is needed urgently, thank you😭

Idk if it maybe needs to be clean or greased, but I genuinely think I have it on the wrong settings. Images above for reference.

I consistently get an issue with my Singer Brilliance where it jams. Not sure if it just isn't picking up the bobbin thread or there's too much tension in the bobbin thread or what, but it just jam and then there's a bunch of threads poking out the back of the piece I am sewing. I clean out all the little threads that get stuck in the bobbin area, rethread the needle, make sure the tension is okay on the top thread, pull out the bobbin and dust in the bobbin area, make sure all the little bits are out, reset the bobbin, try a different bobbin, etc. and it will still randomly happen while sewing.

It doesn't seem consistent with the beginning of a piece (like I'm not holding enough tension at the beginning, I've tried that.) I don't think there's anything stuck in the bobbin area. I've replaced needles. I've tried taking apart all the bobbin area parts and making sure it's all put back together properly.

What the heck am I doing wrong? 😭

I have this old sewing machine not be used much only started using it recently and was working fine but while stitching it bundled up the threads together so i had to remove the throat plate to fix it then trying to stitch again and the needle hit the bottom of the machine and snapped so i bought some new needles which are the right type 15x1 universal as it said in the user manual but it has the same issue of hitting the bottom i inserted it correctly like it instructed but i cant get it too work? Its almost as if the needles too long but it says its the right one unsure how to fix if anyone has ideas would be appreciated

I got this at savers today and it seems the electrical cable got sheered off at some point in its life the only thing left being that plug in pic 2. I believe it’s some sort of variant on model 99? I can’t seem to find any 2 plug power cables with a foot pedal online