Newbie questions on a sewing machine and a simple sewing project.
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Newbie questions on a sewing machine and a simple sewing project. MJ WILME 03-05-2007
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Posted by MJ WILME on March 5, 2007, 9:45 pm
Hi all,

We have a singer 3343 sewing machine. I put it away in frustration
last time I tried to use it because as the needle thing went up and
down it seemed to collide with something, maybe I broke it, I don't
know.

Anyway, I need to use it. I need to sew some "fender covers" for my
boat. Fenders are the big bumper things that hang between your boat
and the dock or another boat. the covers are to keep them looking nice
and to prevent them from marring the hull.

Instructions are here : http://www.sailrite.com/PDF/BoatBlanket.pdf

It seems very straightforward - straight stitches on the velcro and
then some 'darts' at the top. I made a mock up out of paper and used a
stapler etc so I know how big and how long my darts need to be, I just
need to "do it".

So :

1. My thread has come shipped on a large odd shape spool like this :
http://shopping.netsuite.com/core/media/media.nl?id=38&c=603010&h=e1dbdff75fe342abae60&resizeid=-2&resizeh=90&resizew=90
I don't think this will fit my machine. Can I just put something in
the middle to make it fit the doodaa on my machine or do I need to
rewind it on another bobbin / spool ?


2. What could be causing my needle / collision thing ? Is there an
adjustment or something ? (I am going to find the manual now).



So that's it. You're probably all smiling and saying "newbie" but it
is what it is. Anyone care to help ?

Thanks

Mark
( 40 year old male ! )


Posted by IMS on March 5, 2007, 10:40 pm
The 'collision' may have been a broken needle in the hook assembly. By
far your first order of business is to get your machine fixed and if you
can't figure it out take it to a professional....or you won't be able to
'do' anything :)

-Irene
=20

>Hi all,
>
>We have a singer 3343 sewing machine. I put it away in frustration
>last time I tried to use it because as the needle thing went up and
>down it seemed to collide with something, maybe I broke it, I don't
>know.
>
>Anyway, I need to use it. I need to sew some "fender covers" for my
>boat. Fenders are the big bumper things that hang between your boat
>and the dock or another boat. the covers are to keep them looking nice
>and to prevent them from marring the hull.
>
>Instructions are here : http://www.sailrite.com/PDF/BoatBlanket.pdf
>
>It seems very straightforward - straight stitches on the velcro and
>then some 'darts' at the top. I made a mock up out of paper and used a
>stapler etc so I know how big and how long my darts need to be, I just
>need to "do it".
>
>So :
>
>1. My thread has come shipped on a large odd shape spool like this :
>http://shopping.netsuite.com/core/media/media.nl?id=3D38&c=3D603010&h=3D=
e1dbdff75fe342abae60&resizeid=3D-2&resizeh=3D90&resizew=3D90
>I don't think this will fit my machine. Can I just put something in
>the middle to make it fit the doodaa on my machine or do I need to
>rewind it on another bobbin / spool ?
>
>
>2. What could be causing my needle / collision thing ? Is there an
>adjustment or something ? (I am going to find the manual now).
>
>
>
>So that's it. You're probably all smiling and saying "newbie" but it
>is what it is. Anyone care to help ?
>
>Thanks
>
>Mark
>( 40 year old male ! )



Posted by Kate XXXXXX on March 6, 2007, 3:11 am
MJ WILME wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> We have a singer 3343 sewing machine. I put it away in frustration
> last time I tried to use it because as the needle thing went up and
> down it seemed to collide with something, maybe I broke it, I don't
> know.

Check the following, and if this doesn't work, take it in to the local
sewing machine repair person:

Needle: Is it bent or damaged: if so, replace it with one of the right
size and type for the job.

Bobbin: is this the right type for the machine? Is it in the bobbin
case the right way up? As you pull the thread off it as it sits in the
machine, it should turn anti-clockwise.

Make sure the machine is threaded correctly according to the threading
diagram.
>
> Anyway, I need to use it. I need to sew some "fender covers" for my
> boat. Fenders are the big bumper things that hang between your boat
> and the dock or another boat. the covers are to keep them looking nice
> and to prevent them from marring the hull.
>
> Instructions are here : http://www.sailrite.com/PDF/BoatBlanket.pdf
>
> It seems very straightforward - straight stitches on the velcro and
> then some 'darts' at the top. I made a mock up out of paper and used a
> stapler etc so I know how big and how long my darts need to be, I just
> need to "do it".
>
> So :
>
> 1. My thread has come shipped on a large odd shape spool like this :
>
http://shopping.netsuite.com/core/media/media.nl?id=38&c=603010&h=e1dbdff75fe342abae60&resizeid=-2&resizeh=90&resizew=90
> I don't think this will fit my machine. Can I just put something in
> the middle to make it fit the doodaa on my machine or do I need to
> rewind it on another bobbin / spool ?

For using cones of thread like this on my ordinary machines, I use a
double cone thread holder like the one on this site (scroll down and
click on the picture): >
http://www.cottonpatch.co.uk/acatalog/Sewing_Machine_Accessories.html

> 2. What could be causing my needle / collision thing ? Is there an
> adjustment or something ? (I am going to find the manual now).

You may have knocked the timing off (though this can be hard, it is
possible if you were sewing something heavy on this light weight
domestic machine). Check the things I mention above. If the needle is
actually colliding with something in the bobbin case area, you will have
to take the machine in to the shop for repair.

> So that's it. You're probably all smiling and saying "newbie" but it
> is what it is. Anyone care to help ?

We were ALL new at this at one time (in my case, over 40 years ago, and
I'm not the oldest or most experienced here by a LOOOOONG way!). The
only stupid question is the one you didn't ask! ;)
>
> Thanks
>
> Mark
> ( 40 year old male ! )
>
Look, gals - another one bites the dust! ;) Lots of blokes sew, Mark.
My FIL used to make his own trousers and sewed lots of stuff for my
MIL. :) I'm teaching my 12 YO son to sew.

--
Kate XXXXXX R.C.T.Q Madame Chef des Trolls
Lady Catherine, Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttons
http://www.katedicey.co.uk
Click on Kate's Pages and explore!

Posted by Ron Anderson on March 6, 2007, 8:21 am
Size 69 or heavier thread WILL NOT WORK in that machine.
It is not intended for heavy work at all.
Even if you have it repaired it still is an inappropriate machine for that
work.


--
Ron Anderson A1 Sewing Machine
PO Box 60, Sand Lake, NY 12153
518-469-5133
http://www.singera1sewing.com
http://www.a1sewingmachine.com
> Hi all,
>
> We have a singer 3343 sewing machine. I put it away in frustration
> last time I tried to use it because as the needle thing went up and
> down it seemed to collide with something, maybe I broke it, I don't
> know.
>
> Anyway, I need to use it. I need to sew some "fender covers" for my
> boat. Fenders are the big bumper things that hang between your boat
> and the dock or another boat. the covers are to keep them looking nice
> and to prevent them from marring the hull.
>
> Instructions are here : http://www.sailrite.com/PDF/BoatBlanket.pdf
>
> It seems very straightforward - straight stitches on the velcro and
> then some 'darts' at the top. I made a mock up out of paper and used a
> stapler etc so I know how big and how long my darts need to be, I just
> need to "do it".
>
> So :
>
> 1. My thread has come shipped on a large odd shape spool like this :
>
http://shopping.netsuite.com/core/media/media.nl?id=38&c=603010&h=e1dbdff75fe342abae60&resizeid=-2&resizeh=90&resizew=90
> I don't think this will fit my machine. Can I just put something in
> the middle to make it fit the doodaa on my machine or do I need to
> rewind it on another bobbin / spool ?
>
>
> 2. What could be causing my needle / collision thing ? Is there an
> adjustment or something ? (I am going to find the manual now).
>
>
>
> So that's it. You're probably all smiling and saying "newbie" but it
> is what it is. Anyone care to help ?
>
> Thanks
>
> Mark
> ( 40 year old male ! )
>



Posted by Kate XXXXXX on March 6, 2007, 8:36 am
Ron Anderson wrote:
> Size 69 or heavier thread WILL NOT WORK in that machine.
> It is not intended for heavy work at all.
> Even if you have it repaired it still is an inappropriate machine for that
> work.
>
>
I did go and look at the fabric on the Sailrite site, and that says the
fabric can be sewn on a domestic machine, but having had a look at the
stuff in some of the pix, I do rather doubt that particular model will
cope. I'd be happier using something like my 18-88 treadle or one of
the hand-cranks. If they have sent the heavier thread, then I agree,
that machine will never cope with stuff like that. Mark, if that sort
of thing was what you were sewing on it before, no wonder it's busted!

--
Kate XXXXXX R.C.T.Q Madame Chef des Trolls
Lady Catherine, Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttons
http://www.katedicey.co.uk
Click on Kate's Pages and explore!

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