Help with a Singer Touch and Sew 630: chainstich (images included)

Hello, I'm having so much trouble getting the chain stitch to work and honestly I have no idea what I'm doing wrong as I'm following the manual 100% exactly. The instructions manual pages on the subject are here:

formatting link
've taken pictures to show what I've been doing.http://kansaigal.net/sewinghelp/sewinghelp01.jpgThroat plate is put in, flush with the operating surface. Set to the"regular" position.
formatting link
case cover is put in, little knobly bit is facing right.http://kansaigal.net/sewinghelp/sewinghelp03.jpgMachine is threaded with chain stitch thread guide.http://kansaigal.net/sewinghelp/sewinghelp04.jpgstitch pattern is AK, stitch width is 3, stitch length is 8, presser footis general purposeIn this case, the presser foot pressure is set to 4, the needle-threadtension is 6. Needle size is 90/14, thread is "50" mercerized cotton. Sewing is started on the very edge of the fabric, and nothing is visibly wrong yet.

formatting link
is bunching horribly, in fact, fabric is no longer moving at all.http://kansaigal.net/sewinghelp/sewinghelp06.jpgWhen removed from the machine, the loops are much too large.http://kansaigal.net/sewinghelp/sewinghelp07.jpgExcess thread is stuck beneath the throat plate.I've attempted adjusting the needle-thread tension at various settings; 0,2, 4, 6, 8 (thread snaps immediately) but the basic problem is that thereis excess thread accumulating under the throat plates no matter what thetension settings are. (I've also tried changing the presser foot settingsas well, no change.) I have no idea what is going wrong here. Any help would be GREATLY appreciated.

##-----------------------------------------------## Delivered via

formatting link
Community of the NetWeb and RSS access to yourfavorite newsgroup - alt.sewing - 40728 messages and counting!##-----------------------------------------------##

Reply to
Mina Prefect
Loading thread data ...

!. Are you using a new needle? @ are you lowering your needle before you drop your presser foot?

  1. are you holding your upper and lower threads to the back until you/ve sewn 2 or 3 stitches? I'm sure some one who is familiar with the machine will chime in here. Juno
Reply to
Juno B

honestly I

100% exactly.

I do not know how much difference this will make for you ...

But, according to the pictures, you are *not* using the "general purpose" foot ?

You are using the "special purpose" foot ( a.k.a. applique foot)

That big gap under the "special purpose" foot may be preventing your fabric from feeding properly to form the chain.

Try the straight stitch and general purpose foot with your original setup instructions and see if that helps. I have found the T&S chainstitching a bit touchy and sensitive to the tension setting so I always start with a stiffer/mid-weight *baseline* fabric to get the chainstitch going/setup then make other thread/fabric changes etc....

hth

robb

Reply to
robb

InspirePoint website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.