Needle problems

Is it possible it is a timing or bobbin issue?

If you have changed the needle twice, and they are from separate batches/packages, I wouldn't assume it is the needle.

I honestly know extremely little abou these things but my first instinct is that either the spool is wound funny or the bobbin is.....

I've probably been no real help whatsoever, but that's my guess....

Tricia

B> I've been having problems with my stitches on my Singer 15-91. I know the

That's probably the problem, I just picked up some Schmetz needles. I wonder if I can use them in my Elna?

Yes. I use Schmetz in my Elna all the time.

Julia in MN

Thanks, at least I'll be able to get some use from them.

I use them in almost all my machines. Elna Lotuses [I have two}, Singers (15-88, 99K 66K, and Featherweight), Viscount, the Lily, both sergers (the Brother and the Bernina). I used to use them in the Huskylock and the Frister & Rossman when they were working, and the Toyota sergers when I had them. I only have one machine that won't take them, and it's the 1909 Jones, which takes a different type. Your machine should cope with them just fine.

I use Schmetz needles all the time in my trusty old Singer FWs and my Singer

Here is my list of things to check when that's happening to me. I usually do all three of these things before I try sewing again.

Bobbin inserted so that the thread is unwinding in the wrong direction. (I've got two machines and the bobbins unwind in opposite directions so I forget which is which way sometimes so I double check the manual.)

A short length of thread (or other stuff) lodged somewhere in your bobbin area. (Remove bobbin and look behind bobbin case for any offending thread.)

Something just plain threaded wrong somewhere. (Rethread the whole machine.)

If nothing helps I know it's Murphy's Law or Rebellious Machine Syndrome keeping the machine from working right at this time. In this case I just give up. Somehow the machine magically "fixes" itself overnight and it works perfectly the next day. Debra in VA See my quilts at

Well, I did wait another day - then I changed the needle again. After putting in a Singer needle, it worked well. It stitching the way it should. I'm not sure if the machine just wanted a break or if the new needle was the answer.

Sometimes I find it's the operator who needed the break! LOL

Please check responses within quoted message..... and note at bottom.

Debra wrote

A hint for all bobbins..... when inserting a bobbin into a machine,the thread must always make a "U-turn" in order to engage the tension. If you remember this it is easy to see how a bobbin goes into any machine.

Always a good idea. Also check the feed teeth/ feeddogs for lint build up. You would be amazed at the difference in sewing when the lint builds up in there.

Again, a generally good idea. Also check your thread. Make sure it isn't "bad". And check using the same thread top and bottom.

As to the type of needle..... it depends on the Singer machine. Never use Singer needles in non-Singer machines. They are different in length and in the size of the "little bump below the eye on the back of the needle"..... You can actually see the difference if you compare the two. That is why some Singer machines really need to use Singer needles. Some work fine with Schmetz needles, some don't. Sometimes using the Schmetz, but not quite getting it all the way up into the positioning slot (drop it a bare 16th of an inch, a thread or two down) will help. But it may be that your hook is just worn enough that it needs the extra room given by the "larger bump" in order to catch the thread and form the stitch. Do use Schmetz, or Organ or Klassé (or machine specific, like Bernina), needles in all the other major brand machines. The Dritz machine needles are, sorry to say, junk.

Hope this helps.

Pati, in PHX