New poster with machine questions

20 years ago

Hi, I just noticed this forum the other day. To introduce myself, my name is Jess. I've been sewing off and on since highschool. I started quilting about three years ago. I'm trying to do more with apparel lately and I just got a job through a uniform shop doing hems and patches and things.

My question:

I have my MIL's old Dressmaker s2402. It doesn't work right and I was wondering if anyone thought it might be worth getting repaired. I imagine it will depend on what the repairs entail exactly. All I know right now is whie it runs it doesn't stich right. The bobbin side of the stiching is full of loops and knots when you try to sew anything. I don't think it's a tension problem but I haven't figured out the tension settings yet.

I'd love to hear anyone's thoughts positive or negative.

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Comments (6)

keepeminstitches
20 years ago
Make sure the thread is feeding off the bobbin in the proper direction. Do you have a manual? If not, maybe you can get one on ebay or on-line. I'm not familiar with that brand, but experiment with the bobbin thread coming off the bobbin both ways...it could be that. Attempting to adjust the bobbin tension is pretty tricky and should only be done in tiny increments, if at all.

Mary L
User
20 years ago
I agree with keepeminstitches, in checking the bobbin thread direction. Also, you might want to use an artist paintbrush to make sure there is no lint in the bobbin housing. I love my old Elna, but it does not like lint. I use a tiny paintbush to remove lint after a few hours of sewing. Good luck.
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joansews4u
20 years ago
There should be a wire like lever by the tension dial. If the thread is not under it, it will make "bird's nests" like you are describing on the bottom side. See if you can figure out what I am talking about. When you pull the thread under & up through the tension disks, it is almost automatic. You normally pull down on the wire with the thread & it locks in place. Then you complete the threading field, usually down to another guide & up to a take up lever & back down through a series of hooks lining up to the needle.
loganhogan
20 years ago
Also change the needle. I know it sounds crazy but it can make a big difference.
Susan
stitchntime9
20 years ago
The wrong type of needle for the fabric will cause bird nests, skipped stitches, you name it. If you are working on polyester or a knit, try a ballpoint needle when you change the needle if it's the needle that came with the machine--no telling when it was last changed or what type and size needle it is.

The other thing is the bobbin could have been wound incorrectly causing the thread to be loose or uneven and that will cause problems. Try rewinding another bobbin and see what happens.
mrsgalihad
Original Author
20 years ago
Well, I've done all the fiddling that you guys have suggested and it's no better. I found a threading guide so I was able to double check that I was doing it right.

I suppose at minimum I should take it in to get looked at.

Has anyone ever used one of these machines? Is it worth putting $100 or so into it if it needs reapirs? It's not like I need another machine but this one is in a table. It would be really nice for using for finishing up quilt tops.