If your machine has a thumb tab beneath the tensions discs, make sure you press the thumb tab when you lift the foot to remove your work after sewing. This releases the tension on the top thread, so you can pull the thread freely without putting strain on the needle. This photograph is of the Singer 28K that featured in the machine cleaning video.
Later models have no thumb tab because they were manufactured with a mechanism that automatically released the tension in the top thread when the foot was raised. It took me a long time to get used to the more modern models after years of sewing only on model 28Ks - every time I lifted the foot my right thumb instinctively pressed a non-existent tab.
Hi. Thank you for posting all this wonderful information. I found you through You Tube after being given a Singer 28K. It's a lovely little machine from 1899. Your videos have given me the confidence to strip her down and clean her. As a result of getting to know the machine I now see that the take up spring has been butchered. Do you know a good UK based source for a replacement?
ReplyDeleteHello Anonymous,
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your new machine, and being the first person to post a comment on this blog.
It's not unusual to find that the take up spring has been snapped. You might find enough wire still coiled up behind the tension discs for you to pull a bit out and fashion a rough and ready loop to take the thread. You will need a pair of jewellery pliers to do this. If this isn't possible, then go to the Helen Howes Sewing Machines website. She is in Norfolk. Otherwise, Treadle Lady has them on her website - postage from USA would be very cheap, it is a tiny item.
Good luck!
Hello again Muv
ReplyDeleteThank you for the lightening response! The wire has been snapped off short on my machine so reshaping the existing isn't going to be an option. I have been on the phone to Helen Howes and she is going to sort me out with a replacement.
I oiled the machine after work yesterday and it is running smoothly with a surprisingly light action. I'm looking forward to the spring's arrival so I can see how it sews!
Thanks again for your help.
G
Hello Anonymous G,
ReplyDeleteReally glad to help you. There is nothing too complicated with these machines. If I can fix them anyone can.
Muv
Hello Muv
DeleteWelcome back to England. It looks like you had a great holiday! Just a quick update on the "28". Helen Howes got the spring to me in short time and the "28" seems to be sewing well. The tension took a little sorting out. I think I had the shuttle set a little loose at first. I now see that Helen can supply a full set of the original feet and attachments as sold with the 27, 28, 127 and 128 series advertised at £20. I must say I am tempted. By the way do you know if the 28 can work a singer button hole attachment or are these strictly for round bobbin/electric machines?
Best wishes
G
Hello Anonymous G,
ReplyDeleteIt was a lovely holiday, thank you.
Pleased to hear that you have the spring from Helen. She has an Aladdin's cave of bits and pieces.
I have a Greist buttonholer which I fit to a 28K. I haven't used it much yet because I got sidetracked from dressmaking by quilt projects. So far as I understand Singer buttonholers work on the same principle. They come with a metal plate to screw down on the bed of the machine so that the feed dog teeth are covered. The buttonholer works by taking the material in a different path, bypassing the teeth. The snag is that the cover is the part that can only be used on a round bobbin machine. There is a screw that goes through the bed of the machine to the right of the needle. On a 28K it sticks down in the path of the arm of shuttle carriage, which will bash against it and go no further. The answer to all of this is a quick bit of dentistry. Tip the machine back in its base, get a long shanked screw driver, and take out the teeth - just one screw and one part - and keep the screw and teeth in the base of the machine where they won't get lost. Now you have an empty hole in the needle plate where the teeth should be, and the buttonholer can move the material freely.
I will do a video and posts about this one day... Thanks for reminding me!
Muv
I was so used to using my grandmother's Singer 99 (sans thumb-tab) that when I did a test-sew on my Singer 28, I forgot that I had to press the tab to release the thread! I nearly broke the needle, but otherwise...nothing bad happened. At least the needle is easily replaced!!
ReplyDeleteHi. I found your page from you tube. I have a 99k that has the motor conversion. Ive not used it before as always used my mums 1980's singer - the old 99k being my nanna's - but recently got back into sewing and I'm now using the 99k as talked my mum into giving it too me -lucky me!. I'm having some problems that the stitches are really loose - I think it must be the tension but Ive no idea whether I should be putting it up or down. I asked my mum who used the machine and she said to set it around 4. Its the underside of the stitch that is so jumpy. Any tips on using this old lady?
ReplyDeleteHello Anonymous,
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear you are enjoying sewing and have got your nanna's old machine.
This sort of question is tricky because I can't see what you are talking about,but I guess from what you say that there are loops on the underneath.
Before you start adjusting the tension check, re-check and check again that you have got the machine threaded correctly. Make sure the bobbin is in the right way round and the thread is free running.
If you still have loops coming through to the underneath this means that the top tension is too loose. To tighten it, turn the tension screw clockwise.
I suggest you watch the video about adjusting the tension on a long bobbin machine. Ignore everything about the shuttle, but everything about the top thread applies equally to round bobbin machines.
Good luck!
Muv
Thanks for your video: simple, easy to follow and explains everything clearly. I've had my singer long bobbin hand machine for 40 years now and never really got to grips with the tension!
ReplyDeleteNow I understand how it works & I've followed your tips with excellent results.
Thanks again
Alice
Hello Alice - Great news! Thank you for letting me know.
DeleteLove,
Muv
Hi Muv, I'm busy trying to reassemble my tension unit on my 28 and I'm unable to get the check spring to work correctly. When I tighten up the main stud it moves to 11o'clock position and will not "spring" correctly. I thought it was missing the tension pin, but if it has the tension tab that might not be the case? This is my only machine with a tension tab so can't compare. Any help would be most appreciated. I have the service manual but the tension tab is not covered. Thank you. I"ll go check out your You Tube videos next. Allison in North Texas USA
ReplyDeleteHello Allison,
DeleteDoes today's post answer your question?
Love,
Muv
Thank you Muv, but no, it didn't. I had the order down correctly, but the check spring will not stay and "spring" correctly no matter how I adjust the thread take-up spring regulating plate. I've tried it in all postions. When I installed the new spring, there was NOT a notch in the back of the tension screw stud to seat it; like my newer longarm machine has. Thanks again, Allison C Bayer, North Texas USA
ReplyDeleteHi Allison - I have just replaced the tension spring on my Singer 28. It took me 3 attempts - as you say there is no notch at the end of the tension screw stud.
ReplyDeleteI eventually held it below the guide (at 9 o'clock) on the left of the tension assembly back plate, just at the bottom of the 2 notches on the back plate (around 7 to 8 o'clock). Tightened the stud so the spring just came to under the back plate guide - and once secure moved it above the notch before I replaced the tension discs - so it now lays on the top of the notch.
This is how I saw to do it on a video on a web site - unfortunately can't remember which one.
Hope you get on ok with it
Anne G
I'm having a similar problem on a 28k, the top tension is majorly tight even out on its last screwthread and pulls the bobbin thread up to the top of the work. The tension wire spring behind everything else has obviously been hacked around- it doesn't lie well on itself in the hole though the machine body. I'll try reordering from Helen as a last ditch attempt to get her running after 2 days of stripping, cleaning and oiling.... wish me luck and thanks verrrry much for your wonderful info and blog! Sal (Leicestershire)
ReplyDeleteHello Sal,
DeleteGlad you have found the blog helpful.
The problem could be that the bobbin tension is too loose. Have you done the shuttle dangle test, as shown on the video on setting the tension on a long bobbin machine?
If it is a problem with the top tension, it could be that the compression spring is too big and you need a smaller one - have a look at the springs at the bottom of this page:-
http://www.helenhowes-sewingmachines.co.uk/tensions.html
I'm sure Helen will be able to sort it out for you.
All the best,
Muv
Please can you help, my Singer 28k has been working fine all morning now the needle refuses to go up and down when I turn the handle nothing happens.
ReplyDeleteI have recently oil'd the machine.
Kind regards
Susan
Hello Susan,
DeleteYou probably need to turn the stop motion screw - the big metal disc at the middle of the wheel. If you aren't sure what I am talking about, look at the second picture on my post of 6th March 2013. Turn it clockwise as far as it will go. When you want to wind a bobbin, turn it anti-clockwise, and it will disengage the needle.
Hope this does the trick.
All the best,
Muv
I have a 50s brother galaxie 171 that I adore, but it has an issue. No matter what I do, I cannot get it to release the tension. Even with the dial turned all the way down to 1, or with the presser foot raised, it still tensions the thread enough to pull the needle sideways as I pull the fabric away. Can you help me troubleshoot? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHello Hellga,
DeleteOne of my machines has the same problem, but I haven't managed to fix it yet. I've given up and have decided to live with it. Sorry I cant be of any more help.
Love,
Muv
Some machines in the 50's had a two-stage presser foot lift - lift then lift higher to release tension. Could yours be one of those?
DeleteHi Lizzie
ReplyDeleteIve just bought a little Sylvia machine that Id really like to use. the bobbin and shuttle are missing. Do you know where I might get them from or if other makes like the Vesta will fit?
Hello Julia,
DeleteSylvia was the brand name of a shop in Manchester, Check these photos on the link to see if it is a Vesta machine:-
http://www.sewmuse.co.uk/dietrich.htm
Then, for parts, you need to contact Helen Howes - link at the bottom of the page on the right.
Good luck!
Muv