This is the side view of my turquoise and white 1950s “Best Built” machine.
The body style and side tensioner mechanism is based on the Singer 15 machine, and this line up works GREAT when sewing from a spool of thread placed upon a spool pin…
But if sewing from a cone of thread and using a cone stand to raise the thread above the machine it can cause a bit of thread feeding issues.
Some class 15 machines only have a u-shaped notch in the faceplate where the thread goes from spool to notch and down to the tensioner – at least in this case I have that chrome eyelet you can see here in the photo.
Still, the thread likes to jump and I needed a bit more control.
An empty bobbin to the rescue:
On a gifted spool pin doily no less!
The thread is coming off of the cone you see behind the machine, and before heading over to the chrome eyelet on the side of the machine, I simply ran it through a hole in a spare class 15 bobbin to help direct the thread where it needs to go.
Issue solved! The thread now feeds in line with where it would, as if it were coming off of a spool on the spool pin in the first place.
And yes, I’m sewing!
Remember this?
I pulled this out a couple of weeks ago, and it’s been laying on my studio floor – it is OH SO GREEN. I’ve decided to treat this quilt like a medallion. I’m going to piece 4 blocks with pink centers as shown above, then I’ll do a round of another color, etc – finally ending up with the green blocks around the outside edge of the quilt to tone it down. I think it will be better. This is just too….ummmmm….GREEN. Which is likely why it became a UFO in the first place!
I’ll be working on this during Quilt-Cam tomorrow night, 9pm Easter! You are going to be here, aren’t you?
See you then!
It is really green. Reminds me of the Wicked Witch of the West. So it's wicked green! I'll bet you are glad you are home for a bit. Hope you get more sewing time in.
ReplyDeleteGreen or not, I love it! This one is ALSO on my to be made list :) I know it is as long as my arm!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the hint for the 15-90 sewing machine and using cone thread. I bought my 15-90 in 1955 and it still works great.
ReplyDeletePoor, misunderstood green. I love how vibrant it is.
ReplyDeleteI love the bright pink and think adding the different colors in the ring affect will really make this quilt special. Can't wait till quilt cam!!!
ReplyDeleteI had the same issue with my Kenmore - especially when winding bobbins. I did something similar, I firmly taped a small safety pin (head down) to the end of my machine, and draw the thread through the loop at the bottom. This brings the thread down to the level that the machine understands and I get perfectly wound bobbins and stitches now.
ReplyDeleteYou smart, smart woman! : )
ReplyDeleteI am struggling with a baby quilt that is TOO PINK. It helps me feel better to know that other experienced quilters have color challenges still, too. Off to cut my 6 inch blocks into smaller pieces and add something light to it! Thanks for keeping it real.
ReplyDeleteYay Quilt Cam!!! Not supposed to watch at work so I'll listen (and peek once in awhile). Shhhh!
ReplyDeleteYou are just too brilliant!
ReplyDeleteWHEWWWWWWW that is GREEN! Sorry but just not my green lolol.
ReplyDeleteWant to see what you are planning to do.
It is always so good to see and read about machines etc from your knowledge you share. THANK YOU.
Smiles, JulieinTN
what a clever idea for the threading! I will have to borrow that one! ;)
ReplyDeleteCan't wait for quilt cam - wouldn't miss it!!!
ReplyDeleteI like the green, but your idea sounds good, too. In the end you have to go with what pleases you. Haven't seen you make a bad quilt yet.
ReplyDeleteRunning the thread through a bobbin is a brilliant idea. That's thinking outside the box! I don't have such an issue with any of my machines, but if and when I do.... I just hope I remember this fix. Solid green is just too, too much on that quilt, Adding other colors should make it much happier.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the (timely for me) idea with the bobbin! I was struggling with this issue earlier this week and couldn't figure out what the problem was. I will certainly try your solution!
ReplyDeleteBonnie, I am kind of surprised you find it too green! I love the green. It looks like a bright lime - such a cheerful color.
ReplyDeleteBonnie I must do quilt cam some day, but don't know how. Can you explain? What do I do?
ReplyDeleteGreat tip to use a bobbin to help even feed the cone thread!! Easy solution! Thanks so much :)
ReplyDeleteI like how the spiderweb pattern makes two shapes when the blocks are put together and as to the colour scheme, just like Kermit the frog says 'sometimes it's not easy being green!" :)
Just put your safety pin in part of a drinking straw. Instant guide for thread. My machine loves it.
ReplyDeleteAlways learning new things, the bobbin trick is very useful! Designing on the fly...loving the quilt process!
ReplyDeleteI actually love the green, but certainly, everyone's eyes read color differently and have different reactions.
ReplyDeleteI love you problem solving skills. You are so thoughtful and quick to diagnose and work through challenges. As Janet O. said, you are a smart, smart woman.
Green is MY favorite color, so you can send it to my house if it really bothers you -- lol! But I know what you mean about a piece being too something. I have a hard and fast rule about not sewing something I can't look at and smile. Good tip on the bobbin thing. Changing the angle makes all the difference. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteWow, that is definitely early exorcist green! Will the pink tame it? Good luck! Nice tip on the bobbin, thank you!
ReplyDeleteLove the bobbin as thread guide tip! I've tried the safety pin taped to the machine, but tend to knock it off periodically and then lose the safety pin. I've got some bobbins that don't fit my machine that should fill the bill quite nicely!
ReplyDeleteThat is quite a green!