Yesterday, it wasn't stitching properly. So, I decided to work it over. I went to the Singer website and printed off the owners manual, which is available as a free PDF. I then oiled the dickens out of the machine and put a new needle in. Suddenly, the stitch skipping was worse. This is the sole statement in the manual on skipped stitches: "See that the needle is correctly set (see page 5), is not blunt, bent or too fine for the thread." I rechecked the needle position. I changed the thread. I fiddled with the tensions. It would stitch fine at a very slow pace. At a reasonable clip, I had big gaps of missed stitches. I opened the shuttle door and ran it by hand. I tipped it up in the case and ran it by hand. Everything seemed fine. I had horrible thoughts. What if the shuttle is too worn and no longer sits right in the race? Who would I take this machine to that would have the knowledge and patience to look at it? What if I can't use it anymore?
Okay, if the shuttle were so worn that it was having a hard time picking up the top thread, wouldn't a heavier thread be better? So, I pulled out the dual duty thread that I bought for the Minoru jacket, loaded some on the bobbin and threaded it up. Worse! So much worse! I sat and meditated on the machine. I think: There is no chip standing between me and the function. It is so simple; the answer has to be there (cue Zoolander moment). I look at the needle I replaced. I look at the needle in the machine. I look at some of the other needles I have. The one that came out of the machine and the one that is in it are a hair longer than the ones in the side pocket. There is no mechanism for the tip of the needle to collide with. What if the needle is too short? I adjust it down a bit and clamp it in place. Voila! I need to go buy new, longer needles! So, we buzz away through some canvas. Beautiful! I can't wait to sew this jacket.
Woot!
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