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Sewing/Questions
| Subject | Date Asked | Expert |
| pressure foot won't move | 2/8/2012 | Norman Roy |
| Q: I have a Singer 774 sewing machine, and the presure foot won't go up or down. Any suggestions for ... A: The only thing I could suggest is spray the area with WD-40 penetrating oil and let it sit for a day ... | ||
| Nelco Model N-250-B-3 | 1/26/2012 | Norman Roy |
| Q: I was given this sewing machine as a gift from my mother approx. 45 years ago. Don't even know if it ... A: I'm sure it's worth a lot to someone who needs it, There are those who can sew who cannot afford to ... | ||
| Singer Stylist 514 | 1/23/2012 | Norman Roy |
| Q: The feed dogs on my machine will not seem to come up from under the throat plate, thus the material ... A: the only thing I can think of is that you need to remove the throat plate and clean between the feed ... | ||
| Clothing that doesn't fit | 1/20/2012 | Sharon Vogel |
| Q: I am 5'3&1/2" tall and "chunky". Not obese but not slender. I can never find pants that fit me ... A: I believe you would be called "short waisted". Have you tried junior sizes in clothing? They ... | ||
| Nelco N-250-B-3 | 1/14/2012 | Norman Roy |
| Q: I just bought this sewing machine 2nd-hand. As far as I can see all parts move, but the fabric will ... A: Just below the stitch length dial you will see 2 push buttons, 1 will be for raising the feed dogs ... | ||
| bobbin | 1/12/2012 | Norman Roy |
| Q: Singer model #478 It's been a long time since I used it. Can't get the thread to come up after ... A: First check to make sure your needle is on properly, not backwards, (needle should have groove ... | ||
| Winding a Bobbin | 1/10/2012 | Norman Roy |
| Q: I have misplaced the manual for the Singer Touch & Sew machine (Model 600E). What "letters" do I ... A: Leave machine on "A-K" and open the cover to get to the bobbin, there is a small white knob on the ... | ||
| hemming suit sleeve | 1/10/2012 | Sharon Vogel |
| Q: I have a suit that the sleeves are to long, the only problem is it has button holes so I can't hem ... A: I would determine how much shorter the sleeves need to be, then take the sleeves out of the jacket ... | ||
| altering a blouse pattern | 1/5/2012 | Sharon Vogel |
| Q: my sister has unusually large boobs, when we sew together, we can never get a blouse to fit her ... A: When one body measurement, like the bust, is much larger in proportion to the rest of a person's ... | ||
| singer 348 | 1/3/2012 | Norman Roy |
| Q: I just bought a singer 348 that has been pretty neglected. It looks like it hasn't been used in a ... A: Start by opening it up, the top, the nose and bottom covers. Give it a good blowing out, if you ... | ||
| old machine | 1/2/2012 | Sharon Vogel |
| Q: I was given my grandmother sewing machine and really like it. It runs great and has been well cared ... A: From what I have read about this machine, it is a good one! The following link will tell you quite ... | ||
| Singer 758 | 12/29/2011 | Norman Roy |
| Q: My girlfriend has a Singer 758 that belonged to her mom that I am trying to help her repair. She ... A: The singer 758 is a fairly reliable machine but it can give you problems at times. There are a ... | ||
| Alter Ladies Jacket | 12/23/2011 | Sharon Vogel |
| Q: I like to shop in the thrift shops usually I do not find much that fits me. I am a size 1X. ... A: The alterations can be done but you may have to take the entire jacket(s) apart and recut the back ... | ||
| bobbin ? | 12/20/2011 | Claudia Buchanan |
| Q: Do you know what size bobbin would typically go into a 8-9 year old singer machine (medium size) and ... A: Richie, I suggest that you by the bobbin for that model # of sewing machine. If you go to a singer ... | ||
| bobbin | 12/13/2011 | Sharon Vogel |
| Q: i just bought this sewing machine singer600 the bobbin is not like one i,ve seen before i took ... A: This threading diagram calls the bobbin a "reel". Follow the steps listed and you should be able to ... | ||
| Bobbin gathering up underneath | 12/7/2011 | Norman Roy |
| Q: have a singer model 7422 machine when sewing the bobbin starts to knot up then the machine locks up. ... A: Any time the thread starts to knot up in the bobbin area you should be checking the top tension, the ... | ||
| Walking/quilting foot | 12/4/2011 | Norman Roy |
| Q: I have a slant needle Singer sewing machine, I have recently purchased a Quilting foot (Walking?) ... A: One problem you might have is that most walking feet are for sewing machines with a straight shaft, ... | ||
| getting thread onto the bobbin spool | 12/3/2011 | Norman Roy |
| Q: I have a 401 A singer. How do I get the thread onto the bobbin spool A: If you will look at the right front of the machine beside the hand wheel, you will see a mechanism ... | ||
| Singer Stylist 543 Sewing Machine | 12/2/2011 | Norman Roy |
| Q: I am trying to determine if my machine is a class 15 or class 66 machine. The Dritz brand bobbins ... A: I'm not sure what a Dritz brand bobbin is but what you need is a Singer bobbin which you should buy ... | ||
| Brocades | 11/30/2011 | Sharon Vogel |
| Q: Most of my fabric collection is cottons for quilting. But I love brocades and buy them whenever ... A: I really liked the idea of the bird mobile. You could also cover lampshades with one piece or a ... | ||
| Loose Stitch | 11/28/2011 | Norman Roy |
| Q: Singer Special Zig Zag Model 478. Not worn out - it has had a very light usage lifetime. It is ... A: I would start by pulling the thread through the top tension and see if it is working properly. If ... | ||
| Needle out of alignment | 11/25/2011 | Norman Roy |
| Q: My needle isn't aligned correctly anymore. It is sewing only to the left-hand side of the presser ... A: By what you are saying it sounds like the machine needs a good oiling. I would soak it down with ... | ||
| Fashion mate Model 237 | 11/25/2011 | Norman Roy |
| Q: Hope you can help me Mr. Roy. The top thread on this machine keeps breaking. I found out its the ... A: You have one of 2 problems, could be you have a bad spool of thread, if not may be the hook that ... | ||
| Singer 237 | 11/24/2011 | Norman Roy |
| Q: I have a followup question and I couldn't find a way to ask it except for posting it as a new ... A: The problem is with the washer, you might think it is on properly but it is not. you will have to ... | ||
| Pink Singer sewing machine | 11/23/2011 | Norman Roy |
| Q: Roy I would like your opinion on my sewing machine. Its a pink Singer like the following one in this ... A: I have serviced a couple these machines in my time, they are somewhat rare but not particularly ... | ||
| Singer 237 | 11/23/2011 | Norman Roy |
| Q: I picked up a very dirty Singer 237 at the local thrift shop and I have fully cleaned and serviced ... A: There is a small wheel on the hand wheel, it seems to me it is loose. There is a small screw on the ... | ||
| Patterns for dolls | 11/19/2011 | Sharon Vogel |
| Q: Greetings! I'm trying to find some clothing patterns for a teddy bear. He measures 18", and I'm ... A: Eighteen inch doll patterns may need to be altered for teddy bears because the bears have a more ... | ||
| SHORTENINGJEAMS-HOW TO SEW OVER THE THICK SEAM | 11/17/2011 | Sharon Vogel |
| Q: I HAVE TO HEM ALL MY HUSBANDS JEANS. I HAVE TROUBLE SEWING THUROUGH THE SEAMS, AS MY SEWING MACHINE ... A: It is hard to sew over those very thick seams. The needle breaks because the machine is trying to ... | ||
| Cravat and Ties need | 11/12/2011 | Jenna McAuliffe |
| Q: I need luxury <a ... A: I'm sorry, I don't understand yourDo you need to sew a cravat and tie or to buy them? If you are ... | ||
| Fleece | 11/6/2011 | Sharon Vogel |
| Q: I am going to be sewing a fleece blanket because I really don't care for the tie blankets but I've ... A: It is not really difficult, you just need to follow a few rules to make it easier to work with. It ... | ||
| Making a Flounce Valance | 11/6/2011 | Karen Erickson |
| Q: I want to make a valance for a solid color balloon shade out of a plaid moire home decorating ... A: Good morning, I would very much like to answer your question but not seeing what you are writing ... | ||
| Replaced the bobbin tire - well, almost | 10/30/2011 | Norman Roy |
| Q: I just bought a Rocketeer and when I took off the top I noticed the rubber tire on the bobbin winder ... A: I thought I had answered this question but here I go again. There should be 2 small holes where the ... | ||
| 503A sewing machine | 10/29/2011 | Norman Roy |
| Q: I was given a 503A sewing machine with attachments and a book. It runs beautifully but I am having ... A: There are 2 possible things that could go wrong, first the bobbin winder might need some oil or the ... | ||
| singer 500 A | 10/28/2011 | Norman Roy |
| Q: how do you turn this machine on A: This machine just plugs in and goes, there is no switch. If it is not working it could be the ... | ||
| Kenmore 385 stuck in reverse | 10/27/2011 | Norman Roy |
| Q: I have a ~7-year-old Kenmore model 385.15516000 sewing machine that has not seen much use. The last ... A: These Kenmore's are pretty good machines,but you need to oil them when they sit too long. The area ... | ||
| duck material? | 10/22/2011 | Sharon Vogel |
| Q: in jeans? And the weight? 12oz or 14oz? and canvas vs duck, Thanks Paul A: Duck is canvas and is a tightly woven fabric. It comes in different weights depending on fiber ... | ||
| Singer 401 Motor removal or brush removal | 10/13/2011 | Norman Roy |
| Q: I have a question about a Singer 401. This machine belonged to my mother-in law back in the eighties ... A: Try running the machine at it's highest speed and tap it with a screw driver lightly, it might just ... | ||
| help to make wrinkled skirt | 10/11/2011 | Sharon Vogel |
| Q: hey sharon i have this pink satin fabric and i want to make wrinkled puffy skirt for my niece but im ... A: I have never actually made a skirt with the picked up look, but whenever I decide to try something I ... | ||
| sewing leather | 9/30/2011 | Sharon Vogel |
| Q: I'm making a wool jacket that has leather cuffs, leather welted pockets, leather collar and ... A: You are an ambitious seamstress, my dear! I believe they press open seams on leather by pounding. ... | ||
| lace overlay | 9/27/2011 | Sharon Vogel |
| Q: I would like to add lace over simplicity #2400 dress b what is the best way to add the lace over ... A: To add lace over the dress, I would cut the lace pieces the same as for the dress. You could then ... | ||
Sewing
Answers by Expert:
Norman Roy
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
Depending on the mechanical knowledge off owner, I can answer just about any question they ask. One lady asked about her feed dogs not going back up, some machines will not go back up unless you turn the wheel over, (start sewing). It sounds simple but sometimes you never think of it.
Experience
I've been servicing sewing machines since 1989, I still service machines for Northwestern Ontario Canada. It is a large area with little or no service people and I can usually tell on the phone if it can be fixed by the owner.
Education/Credentials
I took a 2 year apprentice course with a dealer who was looking to teach and hire. I worked for him for 8 years before moving up to the Northwest, Red Lake area of Ontario.
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