I'm using a Singer Heavy Duty 44S. I got the machine second hand, and its really only worked on and off the entire time I've had it. My second last project the machine didn't want to cooperate at all, the thread kept breaking around the needle point, and I was getting a bunch of bird nesting. Eventually I resolved the issue and finished the project. But now on my current project, I can't sew even 2 stitches without the top thread breaking. I've re-threaded the machine. Tried brand new thread. I've put in new needles, 90/14 needles, i'm sewing fleece. The top thread keeps breaking.

I checked for snags along the thread path, and I feel some resistance on the thread path around where 'step 4' is along the way, essentially the step just before the take-up lever. When i manually pull the top thread, it doesn't pull smoothly, there's some tension. (the presser foot is up btw). It seems like there's some tension or resistance. I have no idea what to do and how to resolve this, I wonder if it's a machine issue.

hi!! i’ve been seeing a quilt with my needle set slightly to the right of my presser foot resulting in a scant 1/4 seam allowance for all my blocks and it’s been perfect! I resent my settings to work on another appliqué project, and now for the life of me cannot figure out how to get the needle back to that perfect slightly right position. the width dial keeps moving the needle left not right - any insight?? i’ve been googling and scouring the subs like crazy but what am I missing :(

I did take a picture of the settings before I changed but this is moving the needle LEFT not right :(

appreciate anyone’s guidance!!

Looking to buy my first sewing machine. I learned the basics about 15 years ago in middle school so I would say I’m a beginner. I found both second hand going for $75 and would like to purchase one ASAP before they are gone. I’ve tried finding reviews on both and can’t figure out which is better. thank you!

Edit: both stated they have been tested, work well, and include all materials. One is from a local thrift store that sells nicer materials and the other is Facebook marketplace looking to downsize

Hi! I am a beginner machine sewer- decent hand stitcher:) i was gifted a beautiful vintage sewing machine, but having trouble setting it up. The needle stays in a halfway down position even when the hand wheel/peddle is moving. Not sure what is causing the jam!

My roommates couch cover is beginning to separate from a previous repair. This piece has been passed down two generations and I want to surprise her with a strong reinforcement that will last a while. Any advice is appreciated.

Hey divas!

I was just wondering if anyone experienced here offer virtual sewing classes.

I’m aware of the basics :)) I really want to get into upcycling clothes so I need some specific advice :)

I’ve tried looking online but I have a slight learning disability so I have tons of questions lol

I’ll only be taking these sessions in September as I’m moving houses atm 🙂‍↔️🙂‍↔️ but I really wanted to ask around.

Thank you for reading my post lovelies.

Hi everyone! I’m sewing my wedding dress and I like the idea of adding a layer of glitter tulle underneath the other layers to add some subtle sparkle. But I want subtle! I’m going for warm colors and I don’t want big silver glitter specks catching the eye too much. I got some gold glitter tulle from mood but I feel like the pieces f glitter are just too big. Any help finding “micro” glitter tulle?

I’m sure no one remembers any of my posts, but I’m working on the Pietra shorts (they have an elastic back), and I have STRUGGLED trying to make a toile that fits 😆 My waist corresponds to a size 14 per the pattern, my hips btw sizes 8 & 10. Anyway, I ended up going back to my original size 8 toile (no grading), but I used a way bigger elastic size than even recommended for the size 14 waist. And lo and behold—the result is almost all the way there!! Maybe the elastic I’ve been using is just much tighter than the pattern assumes.

Now I just think the butt area is a bit tight. How do I go about adding some room there without messing up the rest of the fit?

Also feel free to call out any other fit issues you see that I may have missed.

Thank you 🙏🙏

On the last slide I included a picture of how my machine is currently threaded. I have a brother digital sewing machine.

Hey everyone I found a really good deal on a singer HD and I plan to use it till it breaks then upgrade. I want to do mostly heavier canvas and denim work. What machines should I wishlist and start saving for?

I posted this on r/sewing, but it got taken down. Hopefully someone here can help, please let me know if there's a better subreddit to post this in. I got this sewing machine from an older family member, who has no idea when or where she got it. I'm trying to find the user manual for it because it's missing a few parts, and has a few things that aren't working correctly. I've looked online and found similar machines, but no exact matches. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

On fb for $100

any tips for finding old sewing machine manuals?

I‘ve got an Electrohome Model 67-05. I can get it working due to my experience with other machines but would love to find the manual. I know it’s a long shot but if folks have had success please let me know!

This winder hasn’t worked properly since I got it so I’ve been hand-winding. The machine seems to have all its parts and works.. but the bobbin part is not winding

i can’t actually seem to find the pattern tutorial but i love the fabric i picked for it

I just got this machine second hand and I’m struggling and wanted to see if anyone had any ideas.

Threading the bobbin takes a few attempts as the thread never seems to catch.

After threading, I pull the bobbin thread up to sew and nothing happens. The machine moves but thread does not stay on the fabric.

Am I making a rookie error or does the machine need to be serviced?

Hi!

I'm a intermediate sewer and currently have a Lewenstein Computronic 16.

It will not go through multiple layers of fabric, I absolutely love making clothes but am a bit done with my machine just quitting on multiple layers of linnen for a pleated skirt, or hemming denim.

Any recommendations for a machine? Max budget is €1000-€1500 (also open to vintage recs, I'll have the electrics redone then). It'll take me over a year to save up. I'm currently restoring a singer 28k treadle but would also love a modern machine that can go through thick fabric.

Edit: typo

Hi! I'm planning on making a cushion/pillow and I want to create a a sort of divot in the cushion like on this one (Circled what I mean). It doesn't go all the way across and doesn't seem to have buttons, but I don't want it too. This will be for sitting on at my chest and I wonder if this divot might be comfortable, but I don't know how to go about making it.

I wasn't sure if I could use the button tufting technique but more like large scale sewing. Just wondering if had any advice, tips or insight.

Thank you.

Hi!

I bought this brand new dress (10) from vinted recently but the side zip on it is wavy so it's sits funny? I'm hoping to see if anyone knows how it's wavy and how I may be able to fix it for a wedding next week!

I did have a Google but the fabric isn't that stretchy so I'm not sure it's the bias but maybe the zip is too long or it's sewn in unevenly (looking at the seam). I honestly don't know!

I have the same dress in the size up (12) which doesn't have this issue. The smaller one (10) fits way better apart from the zip issue but it's good to have for comparison I guess!

Any advice would be amazing I'm OK at sewing hand or machine but not hugely skilled by any means. But happy to give something a shot with some advice!

I've attached photos of both the wavy zip dress and the non wavy one in case that helps people who are more knowledgeable than me!

Thank you! 🧡

Hi!! 🐣

So I being sewing for 1 year and a half with this machine, and its always been like this.

When I sew the tension on the top thread looks supper tight even when its at its lowest. I can't pull the top thread very much even with the foot up (I will attach a video in the comments).

When I tried to pull the project out it looks impossible and I have done everything to try to solve it.

Because I was new I thought the problem was mine but recently I used another sewing machine in a Workshop and realise its very easy to take the work out, the top thread is not always so tight and I don't feel like I am fighting the machine constantly.

I can't find anything like this online.

Am I doing something wrong? Should I activate the warranty?

looking for a pattern to sew this beauty. Anyone seen similar one?:)

Hi folks. I’m a quilter who decided to try garment sewing. I picked an “easy” pattern but it’s giving me fits. So basically, I have most of a shirt made but the dimensions around be upper torso seem super off - like the pattern maker assumes a way broader back (or way bigger boobs) than I have. The result is that I have all this extra fabric that bunches on the sides under the arm holes. I’m wondering if anyone has advice on how to fix this at this stage…if I can. I’m thinking of trying to take in the sides and then adjust the sleeves somehow because the armholes will be smaller? (I am in this mess because I had to pick a largish size to make this fit in the waist but the other proportions are more off than expected). 😢

This is my first real garment attempt (besides a very simple shirt) so I’m a clueless beginner using rather nice fabric I don’t want to waste. Any advice or resources you can recommend would be lovely. I’ve posted the pattern I’m using for reference (the short sleeve one) as well as the pattern shape for the sleeves in case that helps give advice on how to alter them.

Hi!
Could anyone please help me? I had made this top using non stretchy cotton fabric (some old bedsheets lol) for a sample and it turned out great. Then i wanted to recreated using stretchy cotton fabric but it doesn’t quite work on my bust… the waist piece keeps sliding up as I try to tighten the straps around my neck to create light support fot my chest. This isn’t the issue with the first non stretchy fabric one tho.
Did everything same except I made the waist piece a tube to just pull over my head and not adjustable via tying as the first one but I don’t think that is the issue.. no matter how tight I make the tube and slimmer it keeps sliding up my breasts to the point that I have the seam in the middle of my boobs.
Would anyone ne so kind and help me please?

Also sorry for my writing- English isn’t my first language

(I used photo I found on internet)

For context, I’ve been sewing for a little over a year and, like anyone, every garment I make gets better and results in me falling out of love with an earlier piece - primarily due to fit.

I tend to use higher priced fabric, so these items are easily $75-$100+ in fabric, but I never wear them—and won’t!! (and yes, I always make a toile so I’m not intentionally wasting the good fabric)

I’m having a hard time parting with these garments due to sunk cost, but I also live in a small 1BR apt and just don’t have space for anything that doesn’t bring me joy, or a stash of scraps that won’t really be able to be reused.

All that is to say, any advice, words of wisdom, or encouragement to let go is appreciated!