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Sewing/Questions
| Subject | Date Asked | Expert |
| sewing machine needles | 2/27/2009 | Bill Eaton |
| Q: I recently found a bunch of sewing stuff and in the box was a plastic box that reads Torrington. I ... A: It's doubtful those needles would fit a Singer 206 as they were not and are not that plentiful. ... | ||
| singer 404G | 2/27/2009 | Bill Eaton |
| Q: please can you tell me how to remove the motor from the singer 404G sewing machine. thank you. A: The motor should come out the same way as a 404A which was the USA version. Lay the machine on its ... | ||
| Singer 319w internal drive belt adjustment | 2/27/2009 | Bill Eaton |
| Q: I have a Singer 319w that I think needs an adjustment on an internal belt. This is the belt that is ... A: Without having the machine here in front of me...I can't remember, but I would think there should be ... | ||
| Singer 319w internal drive belt adjustment | 2/27/2009 | Bill Eaton |
| Q: I have a Singer 319w that I think needs an adjustment on an internal belt. This is the belt that is ... A: The cleated belt is called a timing belt and you can no longer get them. Only ones I know of (if you ... | ||
| my machine seems to be locked up | 2/25/2009 | Bill Eaton |
| Q: my sewing machine is a model 920 Futura II from Singer. I was trying to find out why the bobbin ... A: As I said before the Singer Futura is a machine I am not too familiar with. My expertise ends about ... | ||
| my machine seems to be locked up | 2/25/2009 | Bill Eaton |
| Q: my sewing machine is a model 920 Futura II from Singer. I was trying to find out why the bobbin ... A: There is a very good chance your machine has a broken (or stripped) plastic gear! You might also ... | ||
| Lower bobbin trouble | 2/25/2009 | Claudia Buchanan |
| Q: I just recently was given a Kenmore sewing machine model # 158.13250. I'm somewhat familar with ... A: Linda, Can you tighten the screw? If not I would suggest taking it to a repair person. There also ... | ||
| Singer machine | 2/24/2009 | Bill Eaton |
| Q: What is the difference between a Singer 15 & 15-91 if any. Also, I recently came across a light ... A: Yes, you got a really good deal. Your AL# was made in 1954 according to the serial number. I have ... | ||
| Singer machine | 2/24/2009 | Bill Eaton |
| Q: What is the difference between a Singer 15 & 15-91 if any. Also, I recently came across a light ... A: Your green model 15 is a 15-125 which is kinda rare and a really good machine. That's the only green ... | ||
| Shoulder and sleeve | 2/24/2009 | Sharon Vogel |
| Q: I found a great pattern, the only thing the seam where the shoulder and sleeve meet is too low on ... A: I would like to see a picture of the pattern, but in general you can probably fix this problem by ... | ||
| Singer keeps fraying thread | 2/24/2009 | Bill Eaton |
| Q: my singer keeps fraying thread. I have tried new thread, needle, it is threaded correctly, it has ... A: I would really need to know what the model number is as each model has a 'mind of its own'. The ... | ||
| Altering? | 2/24/2009 | Sharon Vogel |
| Q: hey, I bought this gorgeous dress shirt from old navy and i was so excited to wear it... then i put ... A: Sheila, I would need to know more about the shirt to be able to tell you if it could be altered. ... | ||
| fitting sleeves of a jacket | 2/23/2009 | Claudia Buchanan |
| Q: I am making a jacket and the top of the sleeves had to be increased as my arm is large from the ... A: Bonnie, I would add extra at the side seam. You could add a little at the shoulder seam, but not as ... | ||
| how to measure a table topper | 2/23/2009 | Karen Erickson |
| Q: How do I measure for a square table topper to fit a round table? The round table si 102" A: Well my first response is how long to your want the table topper for the round table. Usually what ... | ||
| Bobbin winded doesn't work | 2/23/2009 | Bill Eaton |
| Q: Hope you can help me. I have an old singer machine. I found the box of attachments and it says on ... A: After all these years you need a new bobbin winder rubber ring. Also, a drop of oil on the winder ... | ||
| touch n sew 750 | 2/22/2009 | Bill Eaton |
| Q: the machine will sew about 4 stitches and stop. the top stitches looks ok. turn the fabric over and ... A: Could be several things such as tension adjustment, an out of adjustment position bracket that holds ... | ||
| featherweight problem | 2/22/2009 | Bill Eaton |
| Q: Bill, Just got my featherweight from an Ebay seller....did not match her desc. Light bulb was not ... A: This is a common problem and most people do it when cleaning their machine! Loosen the two screws on ... | ||
| Winding Bobbin for Singer Athena 2000 | 2/22/2009 | Bill Eaton |
| Q: I received a Singer Athena 2000 electronic sewing machine from a friend and I'm having problems with ... A: Sorry, but I won't be of much help on the Athena. My expertise is before and up to the time the ... | ||
| featherweight problem | 2/22/2009 | Bill Eaton |
| Q: Bill, Just got my featherweight from an Ebay seller....did not match her desc. Light bulb was not ... A: Put a light coat of vaseline on the bulb contacts and the bulb should work OK! Your clutch needs ... | ||
| inserting an invisible zip into dress where the skirt has a chiffon overlay | 2/21/2009 | Sharon Vogel |
| Q: I was wondering if you could guide me as to the best way of inserting an invisible zip into a dress ... A: You are definitely on the right track when you are talking about finishing the seam edges. I would ... | ||
| Cutting a toddler skirt from pre-scalloped fabric | 2/21/2009 | Sharon Vogel |
| Q: How do I cut the skirt of a toddler dress out of pre-scalloped eyelet fabric. The bottom of the ... A: The pattern pieces for the skirt also include a hem allowance. Fold up the hem allowance on the ... | ||
| Somethings wrong with my bobbin | 2/20/2009 | Bill Eaton |
| Q: I have a thirty year old Singer portable sewing machine that I don't use very often. Today when I ... A: It sounds like the machine is not threaded right but it could be other things too! I need to know ... | ||
| Nelco N-250-B-3 | 2/20/2009 | Bill Eaton |
| Q: I am working on an almost there Nelco N-250-B-3, the motor runs beautifully, I've oiled it, things ... A: You are welcome. You are probably right, it's just that you need to experiment with the settings. ... | ||
| Singer 201-2 Electrical Schematic | 2/20/2009 | Bill Eaton |
| Q: We have a Singer 201-2, circa 1948. I need a foot pedal for it, wiring instructions, and an ... A: Email me at beaton38@yahoo.com and give me your email address as I can not send that file on this ... | ||
| Singer Stylist 543 | 2/19/2009 | Bill Eaton |
| Q: I have a Singer Stylist 543,The zigzag goes back and forth while the needle is down in the fabric ... A: While I could not find much info on your 543 Stylist most of that era machines in the stylist lines ... | ||
| singer 404 | 2/19/2009 | Bill Eaton |
| Q: I have a singer 500 and a 404. Which would be better suited to sew some heavy slip cover fabric for ... A: Either machine should sew your slip covers OK. They are basicly the same machine as far as motor and ... | ||
| 503 slant o matic | 2/19/2009 | Bill Eaton |
| Q: I recently purchased a singer503A at the salvation army store. It sews a beautiful straight stich ... A: Yes that cabinet was from the 40s or early 50s. Probably was 'modified' to fit the 500A as the 500 ... | ||
| Nelco N-250-B-3 | 2/19/2009 | Bill Eaton |
| Q: I am working on an almost there Nelco N-250-B-3, the motor runs beautifully, I've oiled it, things ... A: Nelco made many models but I don't know of any that have an inside drive belt. More likely your ... | ||
| 503 slant o matic | 2/19/2009 | Bill Eaton |
| Q: I recently purchased a singer503A at the salvation army store. It sews a beautiful straight stich ... A: All things considered if they sew equally well I would keep the model 500A as it was (still is) the ... | ||
| Brother sewing machine | 2/18/2009 | Bill Eaton |
| Q: I have recently acquired a used Brother XR-65T sewing machine. The bobbin winder on top of the ... A: I am an OLD Singer man and do not work on the new plastic machines. Only the older metal 'made to ... | ||
| Singer sewing machine 237 | 2/18/2009 | Bill Eaton |
| Q: This great machine works except it goes very slowly (sometimes the engine is running but the belt ... A: It does sound like it just needs a good cleaning and oiling. Not much goes wrong with the 237s. I ... | ||
| Singer 201-2 | 2/18/2009 | Bill Eaton |
| Q: Eaton. I have my mom's old 201-1 and decided to see if I could sew something. I'm having trouble ... A: I am sure you have a bent needle or the needle may be in wrong. Here is a threading chart to make ... | ||
| Enlarging/Reducing Patterns | 2/18/2009 | Sharon Vogel |
| Q: I have a book of aprons that calls for the patterns to be enlarged 400% for adult sizes. Do you ... A: I don't know if there is any kind of guide for enlarging the aprons to child size, probably because ... | ||
| singer 319w | 2/17/2009 | Bill Eaton |
| Q: i cant get a tight stitch on the bottom side? A: Sounds like the bobbin tension needs tightned up a little. There is a screw on the bobbin case close ... | ||
| Singer 401G and 411G | 2/17/2009 | Bill Eaton |
| Q: I've just purchased a 401G and 411G, i'm really pleased to have them but can't find a manual ... A: I have had several 401s but never a 401G. Not much difference in them though! The slide plate goes ... | ||
| electric 401 Singer sewing machine | 2/17/2009 | Bill Eaton |
| Q: The repair man has told me that the "zig-zag and needle positioning mechanism is broken. Are they ... A: In my over 45 years experience in sewing machines I have never seen those parts break on a 401. ... | ||
| Singer 626 Touch & Sew Zig Zag | 2/16/2009 | Bill Eaton |
| Q: I can't figure out how to wind this 2 piece bobbin. I have original manual & bobbin can be wound in ... A: A friend of mine Terry Fielding owns the website below. He is also an "old Singer man" altho much ... | ||
| Singer 401a | 2/16/2009 | Bill Eaton |
| Q: I recently purchased an old Singer 401a. It does sew a nice stitch. But it seems slow like it ... A: Yes, I forgot to answer that part of your question. Loosen the thumb screw on top until it comes ... | ||
| Singer 626 Touch & Sew Zig Zag | 2/16/2009 | Bill Eaton |
| Q: I can't figure out how to wind this 2 piece bobbin. I have original manual & bobbin can be wound in ... A: I kinda figured it was bad gears as all the Singers from that era are showing up now with broken ... | ||
| Singer 626 Touch & Sew Zig Zag | 2/16/2009 | Bill Eaton |
| Q: I can't figure out how to wind this 2 piece bobbin. I have original manual & bobbin can be wound in ... A: First, be sure you have a good bobbin. Those plastic bobbins tend to get sharp places on them over ... | ||
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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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