It's been a frustrating week for sewing for me with the reemergence an old (never solved) problem with my Pfaff. The machine repeatedly drops the top thread from the take-up lever midway through sewing which results in a dramatic crunch from the bobbin, horrible bunched up thread and swearing from me.
I've tried everything. New bobbin, new needle, different thread, adjusted tension, you name it and every time I sew more than a couple of inches without a problem I allow myself to hope I've fixed it and then it happens again!
The only positive thing is that having sat down to write this and managed for the first time to put into words the problem I'm having, I have found a possible solution online. Someone has suggested threading the machine from the other side so that it crosses over itself. Please let it be that simple!!
So anyway, just one thing from me this week, one of Liz's scrappy log cabin blocks for the FQR Bumbling Honeys Bee. (Just don't examine the stitching on the back too closely Liz, bunched stitching and all that!) Great fun to put together, despite everything...
What have you been up to?
What a cute block! I've established that I can only use the metal bobbins with my machine, plastic ones gave the result you describe. However, sounds like you have tried different bobbins already...
ReplyDeleteit is SO frustrating when the evil thing wont work!! good luck .. I have everything crossed for you x
ReplyDeleteYep I've had that problem too, let me know if it works! I found mine was mostly a threading problem, one of the plastic clips snapped off when it fell over in my car and it meant that the fascia stuck out very slightly, so when I went around it with the thread it wasn't always going into the right place.
ReplyDeleteIt is SO good to know I'm not the only one! Going to test out the backwards threading some more this morning and hope I make progress!
DeleteLovely Block, your fabrics have vibrancy and good energy.
ReplyDeleteI had the same problem with my machine when I used a different make of thread on the top to the one in the bobbin. I know you have probably tried this, but maybe try getting a baby wipe and flossing the vertical slit areas where the thread does the loop thing before it goes down to the needle. Sometimes a build up of lint is to blame. Also oiling everything and speaking to the machine nicely helps. I find if I swear at it, it retaliates with bad behavior.
P.S. I always thread my needle from the front, although the instructions say to thread from the back. I find back threading makes the thread snap easier
Thank you sincerely for all those suggestions, I am really heartened that I'm not the only one with problems. As there is no shortage of baby wipes here to try flossing with, I will give that a go for good measure!
DeleteTalking of things that need to be talked to nicely… We have a haunted cupboard unit, made by my husband's grandfather which only opens when talked nicely to.
Those blocks are lovely - hope the threading trick sorts out your machine!
ReplyDeleteMaybe a service is in order. My daughter had this problem also and it was well worth it to have a little man come out and give it the once over!
ReplyDeleteI wish it were that! Last in for a service a couple of months ago and has been in to fix this problem before too! :-( Still the backward threading seems to be working. *fingers crossed*
DeleteOh dear - that does sound frustrating! Afraid I don't have any ingenious tips for you as I'm useless when anything goes wrong with my machine but I hope you get it sorted. And on the plus side, I like the block - it's a fun mix of fabric!
ReplyDeleteOh dear - that does sound frustrating! Afraid I don't have any ingenious tips for you as I'm useless when anything goes wrong with my machine but I hope you get it sorted. And on the plus side, I like the block - it's a fun mix of fabric!
ReplyDelete