Just another reminder to check the obvious!
#1
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Rhode Island
Posts: 1,663
Just another reminder to check the obvious!
I've been having a world of trouble with the automatic needle threader on my Singer 160. No matter what position I put the needle in... or how fast I pressed the lever....or how slow (LOL)....or how much tension was on the thread... I could not get the thread to go into the needle!
I studied the sewing machine manual and prepared my tools this evening. That threader was going to work, no matter what! I tweaked and oiled the mechanism a little. Still, no luck.
All of a sudden a thought popped into my head.... change the NEEDLE! I changed the needle and guess what? Threader problem solved.
Recently I was working on a George Washington costume for a friend's son (don't ask how I got that job!). It required me to sew through elastic in a casing. I assume that sewing through that thick elastic caused the needle to bend ever so slightly, thus the threader could not get through the eye.
So as a public service announcement - always check the obvious things! Needle, bobbin thread (make sure it's going counter-clockwise), burrs on your thread spool - things like that will cause problems that drive you nutty, and they are so easily fixed!
I studied the sewing machine manual and prepared my tools this evening. That threader was going to work, no matter what! I tweaked and oiled the mechanism a little. Still, no luck.
All of a sudden a thought popped into my head.... change the NEEDLE! I changed the needle and guess what? Threader problem solved.
Recently I was working on a George Washington costume for a friend's son (don't ask how I got that job!). It required me to sew through elastic in a casing. I assume that sewing through that thick elastic caused the needle to bend ever so slightly, thus the threader could not get through the eye.
So as a public service announcement - always check the obvious things! Needle, bobbin thread (make sure it's going counter-clockwise), burrs on your thread spool - things like that will cause problems that drive you nutty, and they are so easily fixed!
#5
I had one machine that had a DVD showing how to use the threader, finally figured it out. I have one on my Babylock Jane and haven't figured it out. I just thread the needle and sew on. I find they just get in my way.
#9
Super Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Southeast Wisconsin
Posts: 1,070
I have threaders on two of my machines. Never use them. Tried once on each - the learning time for me was not worth it. I just thread the needle. One less thing to monkey with and have go wrong. (And I have very bad eyes - when threading is defeating me I keep a magnifying glass on hand.)
#10
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Small town in Northeast Oregon close to Washington and Idaho
Posts: 2,795
Sometimes my automatic needle threader doesn't work. I never thought it could be the needle. Thank you a million times over!!! I will change my needle when it doesn't work. I'm sure that's the problem! It's so obvious, but something I never thought about! You're a godsend! I love my auto needle threader when it works!
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MaryTG
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08-04-2015 02:14 PM