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Sewing/Questions
| Subject | Date Asked | Expert |
| RE: sewing machine jam | 2/4/2009 | Bill Eaton |
| Q: I have a beautiful Singer 319W from 1956. It's in perfect shape and was recently serviced by a ... A: About all that goes wrong with a 319 is thread jamming. Soak the bobbin case-hook area with oil and ... | ||
| Sewing machine bobbin | 2/4/2009 | Bill Eaton |
| Q: Bill, My sewing machine bobbin is messed up. I try to pick up the bobbin thread with the needle, and ... A: First I need to know which machine you have. Also, I don't quite understand the question. If this is ... | ||
| help with needle tension assembly | 2/3/2009 | Bill Eaton |
| Q: Help. My needle tension assembly came apart on my moms old slant needle 404. I can't seem to be ... A: Below is a schematic of the 404 and its parts. Figure #172325 shows the exploded view so you can see ... | ||
| Singer 413 | 2/3/2009 | Sharon Vogel |
| Q: My Singer 413 Sewing Machine is in new condition and was working fine until now. My problem is that ... A: You have already checked for correct threading and that is apparently fine, and the needle has been ... | ||
| Bobbin winding -Futura Two Model 920 | 2/3/2009 | Bill Eaton |
| Q: The bobbin will not load. The thread pulls across the top of the bobbin case and then the botton of ... A: Sounds like the bobbin case position bracket needs adjusted. I am not too familiar with the Futura ... | ||
| Old Sewing Machine | 2/2/2009 | Bill Eaton |
| Q: ) I recently pulled out my grandmother's old sewing machine to tinker with. Unfortunatly, throughout ... A: Below is a threading and bobbin case guide. It's for a different machine but will be the same as far ... | ||
| ANTIQUE SEWING MACHINE | 2/2/2009 | Bill Eaton |
| Q: I HAVE AN ANTIQUE, NEW HOME, ELECTRIC SEWING MACHINE , COMES WITH A WOODEN DOME CASE WHICH HAS ... A: Sadly, not much! I see them in goodwill and second hand stores for from $5 to $50 depending on ... | ||
| Old Sewing Machine | 2/2/2009 | Bill Eaton |
| Q: ) I recently pulled out my grandmother's old sewing machine to tinker with. Unfortunatly, throughout ... A: Loosen the clutch......(loosen chrome end wheel while holding the bigger wheel,) then put your spool ... | ||
| problem winding bobbin | 2/2/2009 | Bill Eaton |
| Q: I need to acquire the rubber drive which engages when winding a bobbin. My machine is a 500a singer ... A: Those are called bobbin winder rings. You should be able to get them at most Walmarts, fabric stores ... | ||
| Old Sewing Machine | 2/2/2009 | Bill Eaton |
| Q: ) I recently pulled out my grandmother's old sewing machine to tinker with. Unfortunatly, throughout ... A: That old machine sure brings back memories. After I quit Singer and opened my own shop I sold those ... | ||
| velcro | 2/2/2009 | Sharon Vogel |
| Q: I am making 18" doll clothes, and when I go to sew the velcro on the back, my stitches aren't ... A: I have never had much luck making velcro look nice on any kind of application. To suit my ... | ||
| Sewing Machine Gear Replacement | 2/1/2009 | Bill Eaton |
| Q: How do I replace the top vertical gear on my Singer Model 640? A: Not an easy task as the machine will have to be re-timed too. Too complicated to do over the ... | ||
| singer sewing machine # 348 | 1/31/2009 | Bill Eaton |
| Q: I recently acquired an old singer sewing machine #348, no manual and no extra parts. When I set the ... A: Below is a link to a Singer model 328 machine manual which is the same as yours only a couple of ... | ||
| elastic measurements/application | 1/31/2009 | Claudia Buchanan |
| Q: How do you measure for and apply elastic to an oval shape. I am trying to make a table cover (oval ... A: Patricia, The elastic length should be 3-4" smaller than the circumference of the table top, so that ... | ||
| elastic measurements/application | 1/30/2009 | Claudia Buchanan |
| Q: How do you measure for and apply elastic to an oval shape. I am trying to make a table cover (oval ... A: Patricia, 1. Measure the diameter of your table + height of table + inches that it is going to fold ... | ||
| sewing machine | 1/29/2009 | Sharon Vogel |
| Q: where is the bobbin filler located on the singer 638 model A: The bobbin winds in the machine. I have included a link to the threading diagram for your machine ... | ||
| Needles and Bobbins | 1/29/2009 | Bill Eaton |
| Q: I have a 319W Singer sewing machine. I need to know what needles I should use for fairly heavy ... A: That machine uses 206X13 needles which are kinda hard to find. YOu can get all this info from Cindy ... | ||
| Singer 237 attachments | 1/28/2009 | Bill Eaton |
| Q: Does the Singer Smooth & Even Feed foot (part C 470) for vertical needle zig-zag machines fit the ... A: Any singer attachment that fits a 'low shank' singer will work on the 237. The 'slant needle' ... | ||
| Singer 648 Touch-n-sew | 1/28/2009 | Bill Eaton |
| Q: I obtained this sewing machine from our local Goodwill store after verifying the motor worked and ... A: Yes, if you are mech inclined you could fix it yourself. Problem is that ALL the nylon gears in the ... | ||
| measurment | 1/28/2009 | Karen Erickson |
| Q: i'm terrible at math. i'm making boxed, welted cushions for patio furniture. i've figured that i ... A: Oh My... I would like to help, but knowing the dimensions of the project you are doing would be ... | ||
| sewing tool question | 1/26/2009 | Sharon Vogel |
| Q: she used to have this tool that had a directional hook on the end that you could attach a ... A: The item you are looking for is called a bodkin. The following link has pictures of several types ... | ||
| Siner 401a | 1/25/2009 | Bill Eaton |
| Q: Is there some place that I can get a repair manual for this machine? I would really like to clean ... A: Your 401 just needs a good oiling. Best way to oil those is take off the top cover, end door, and ... | ||
| definition of bias and welting | 1/25/2009 | Sharon Vogel |
| Q: I am trying to make a comforter and I am not very experienced in sewing. I understand cutting two ... A: Bias is referring to a diagonally cut strip of fabric. Bias cut strips will stretch a little and are ... | ||
| Problem with Armhole | 1/24/2009 | Sharon Vogel |
| Q: I made a sleeveless dress but the armhole is too large showing my bra. About a 1/2 inch smaller ... A: Since you now know how much this pattern needs to be taken up to fit you properly, you can alter ... | ||
| Problem with Armhole | 1/23/2009 | Sharon Vogel |
| Q: I made a sleeveless dress but the armhole is too large showing my bra. About a 1/2 inch smaller ... A: I would try adjusting the armhole by taking up the shoulder seam. Put the dress on and then pin up ... | ||
| Wool Coat | 1/23/2009 | Claudia Buchanan |
| Q: My daughter is making a wool coat for a 4-H project. What type of needle would you recommend ... A: Lisa, Sorry I missed your follow up e-mail. Yes, I would serge them individually before sewing the ... | ||
| Wool Coat | 1/23/2009 | Claudia Buchanan |
| Q: My daughter is making a wool coat for a 4-H project. What type of needle would you recommend ... A: Lisa, So glad to hear your daughter is in 4-H, I was a state award winner in 4-H sewing win I was a ... | ||
| sewing felted wool | 1/22/2009 | Jenna McAuliffe |
| Q: I am a sewing novice and am trying to make mittens out of recycled wool sweaters. I have a very ... A: The reason the threads are bunching up is that you're not using the presser foot. No matter what ... | ||
| bobbin cover | 1/22/2009 | Bill Eaton |
| Q: Mr. Eaton, we have an old singer swing needle 319. that we got from my daughters grandmoter in law. ... A: Do you mean the bobbin case that the bobbin fits into or the plate that the needle goes down through ... | ||
| Prom Dress | 1/21/2009 | Claudia Buchanan |
| Q: Ok, I'm a senior in high school, and i wanna make my prom dress for our up coming prom. I have ... A: Kalieah, I suggest that you go to the local fabric store and see if they have any classes. You ... | ||
| Singer 319W Sewing Machine Timing | 1/21/2009 | Bill Eaton |
| Q: Bill, I have owed my Singer 319W, sn W1677451, since the mid 60's. It is a truly great machine, but ... A: Somewhere I have an adjusters manual on the 319 but can't find it on this computer. Send me your ... | ||
| Needle breaks with zigzag stitch | 1/20/2009 | Sharon Vogel |
| Q: I have a Kenmore sewing machine model 385.1652. When I sew a straight stitch using the straight ... A: If you are using the zig zag foot when doing a zig zag stitch, then the needle should not hit the ... | ||
| Singer 221 J Noise, & Cleaning | 1/20/2009 | Bill Eaton |
| Q: Eaton, My 221J (tan) Singer makes clunking noises when I sew at a medium - fast speed. I am trying ... A: It's been so long since I did that I am not sure I remember either without the machine here in front ... | ||
| stylist 534 | 1/20/2009 | Bill Eaton |
| Q: It worked great for about 5 minutes then stopped feeding fabric through(zig zag stitch on fairly ... A: Yes, after all these years the gears should all be replaced. However, this would not be cost ... | ||
| Singer 221 J Noise, & Cleaning | 1/20/2009 | Bill Eaton |
| Q: Eaton, My 221J (tan) Singer makes clunking noises when I sew at a medium - fast speed. I am trying ... A: I am answering questions about the tan 221-J but I am not sure whether it's the same person as the ... | ||
| stylist 534 | 1/19/2009 | Bill Eaton |
| Q: It worked great for about 5 minutes then stopped feeding fabric through(zig zag stitch on fairly ... A: It sounds like the feed dogs have dropped or you need to increase the preshure on the foot! I can't ... | ||
| Singer 221 J Noise, & Cleaning | 1/19/2009 | Bill Eaton |
| Q: Eaton, My 221J (tan) Singer makes clunking noises when I sew at a medium - fast speed. I am trying ... A: Yes, remove the bottom drip pan and you can see up to where the threads are stuck. Grab the end of a ... | ||
| Tension problems for singer machine | 1/19/2009 | Bill Eaton |
| Q: The stitches coming from the top spool are very loose and not holding on to the bobbin stitches. The ... A: I have never heard of that model Singer. However, your tension adjustments are wrong. Try tightning ... | ||
| bobbins | 1/18/2009 | Claudia Buchanan |
| Q: i have just been given a singer 720 sewing machine,i am having problems with the bobbin ,it has a ... A: Anne, I'm sure I will not be much help! But did you change the needle? and make sure there is no ... | ||
| speed of machine | 1/18/2009 | Claudia Buchanan |
| Q: My machine (singer magic 22) is from the 80's but was/ is working fine. However, it seems to run at ... A: Diane, Most likely it is not the foot petal, call the repair location and ask them if the can set ... | ||
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Sewing
Answers by Expert:
Sharon Vogel
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
I can answer general sewing questions as well as tailoring, heirloom, menswear, children's wear, craft sewing, quilting and just about any fabric or notion. I can also help with some sewing machine repair and maintenance.
Experience
I started sewing at the age of 3...thanks to my mom and grandmother, and I am now in my fifties. Home economics classes in junior high and high school helped me to finesse my skills.
Education/Credentials
Palmer and Plesch tailoring class
Basically, self-taught...give me the instructions and I will figure it out and then make it better!
Awards and Honors
A few blue ribbons at fairs along the way
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