Treadle doesn't want to back stitch

Treadles do not back stitch. The hook and needle are made so that the thread is picked up in a forward motion only. Turning any wheel backwards on a machine will cause the threads to not be picked up by the hook and just tangle, bunch up and normally break. You need to drop the needle into the fabric, pick up the presser foot and turn the fabric, then re stitch or you can make the stitches smaller as you begin or reach the end of the seam or you can 'retard' the feeding motion. The last technique is what I do. Just hold the fabric in place for a couple of stitches To back stitch requires the proper built in mechanisms.

I read online that this model (Singer 15-88) does do reverse, but I know I am doing something wrong. It has a lever for it. I will get it figured out!

Thanks!

Michelle Giordano

Are you setting the stitch length lever to the reverse position? I get what you describe when mine wants to treadle backwards!

Good luck with the interview!

Sorry, yes the 88 does do reverse. Are you sure the lever is all the way up. It sounds like it is not engaging the mechanism. Is everything well oiled? Give it a good drink of a quality machine oil, NOT WD40 which is a cleaner not an oil and then work the lever a few times. Also oil the under carriage every where there is metal against metal and run the machine without thread or needle till warm. Possibly it is just gunked up.

Forget the treadle for just a moment.......I got the job!!!! It pays slightly less than what I make now at the call centre, but it could lead to great opportunities and its more stable! Hooray!!!!

Ok.......back to the treadle.......I am going to keep trying, its hard with this one because I have no manual, but thank goodness I know a little bit about sewing machines or the poor thing would just be for decoration.

Thanks for wishing me good luck, it worked!

Michelle Giordano

That sounds really good. I will try that! Thanks very much!

Michelle Giordano

In article , dnmgiordano of Posted via Supernews,

uttered>I figured out how to wind the bobbin and thread the machine, but when I >go to back stitch my seam it gets all tangled. Its a Singer 15-88 >treadle. Do you think I am doing something wrong? Any Advice >appreciated! I can't find anything on google. I can't wait to make >something on my treadle! Hopefully tomorrow I will have time.OK ... model 15 ... if the stitch-length lever has a position you can shove it to above the scale (you have to hold it there), that's reverse. Otherwise it doesn't, you have to stop with the needle down, raise the foot, twiz the fabric round through 180 degrees, and remember to put the foot back down. Don't try to just pedal it backwards, you'll end up with a boggle.

It does. Thanks, I didn't know I had to hold it there. That should make a big difference!

Michelle Giordano

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

-Charlotte

Michelle, no backstitching on that model. =20

I'm thinking of putting a different machine that does have reverse in my treadle base when I'm done cleaning & restoring it. Grandma's 66 Redeye (originally in it) doesn't have reverse, but my 201K does, so that may be the one that goes in it in place of the 66. =20

-Irene

Saskatchewan we=20

-------------- You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.=20

--Mae West=20

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Michelle, if that's the case, then it's like the 15-91, just put the stitch lever to the up position.

-Irene=20

-------------- You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.=20

--Mae West=20

--------------

YIPPEE!!!! Way to go! I'm so glad you got the job!!

As to the treadle, maybe this will help...Singer has manuals for sale of course but there's a free download for a 'regular' 15 treadle:

'15' in the model numbers list, and it will take you to the pagefor the treadle manual download. Good luck!!!

-Irene

-------------- You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.=20

--Mae West=20

--------------

My 201K, Davis VF, and other treadle machines backstitch just fine. It just depends on the type of machine one has in the treadle base.

Have you tried the Smithsonian for a manual or one of the Yahoo groups. Often they have manuals on the web page.

... YIPPEE!!!! Way to go! I'm so glad you got the job!!

As to the treadle, maybe this will help...Singer has manuals for sale of course but there's a free download for a 'regular' 15 treadle:

'15' in the model numbers list, and it will take you to the pagefor the treadle manual download. Good luck!!!

-Irene

Thanks and Thanks! I downloaded it.

Michelle Giordano

Yay! Congratulations! This being only lunchtime and me with heavy brain work to do this pm, I'll toast you in Fair Trade Columbian coffee! :)

Let me just go look in my files... I can't find a 15-88 manual on line, but I can scan mine for you if you like.

Mine doesn't need to be held - just stays there as long as you like...

Michelle, from my 15-88, 15-89 manual: (You have a lever that goes up and down, call it B. To the left of B there is a thumb screw, call it A. There is a round plate these are on/in, with numbers, call it C. C is marked with numbers that are the number of stitches to the inch).

Push down the stitch regulator lever B as far as it will go. To feed the goods toward you, raise B as high as it will go.

To regulate the stitch length loosen A and move it to the bottom of the slot, then move B until its upper side is in line with the number of stitches to the inch you desire. Now move A until it touches B, then tighten A.

Hope this helps; I didn't remember my model 15 is a 15-88 or 89.

Jean M.

There is a free manual here but I am not having any luck getting it on my computer. I have printed out many others from this site and lots of parts files though. Manual is about 3/4 of the way down the page.