Sewing machine help needed in western washington

[AdamDavis]

Hey guys, I went ahead and got myself a new sewing machine ( Cobra class 26) and realized I have absolutely no clue what I’m doing! I’ve been watching tutorials on the youtube but was hoping someone would be able to give me a lesson in person. I would be happy to compensate someone for there time.  If not are there any other resources that you could recommend? Thanks.

Adam

[chrisash]

Not leather but  "Sailrite.com" do some great videos on using sewing machines all the techniques are the same for man made or leather so worth some watching

[AdamDavis]

Thanks Chris, I’ll check those out.

[Northmount]

@AdamDavis moved your post to leather sewing machines.

[MtlBiker]

@AdamDavis - If, as you say, you have absolutely no clue what you're doing, what made you buy a sewing machine and specifically that machine?  What do you plan on sewing?

Before Covid, I couldn't even sew a button on a shirt (I still have trouble with that) but I started sewing with a home sewing machine.  I got hooked, and now have several different machines.  I learned most of (the little) I know by watching YouTube videos ("on the Youtube" ) And this forum has been an incredible help as well.  But with the combination of YouTube and this forum, all is possible!

Do you have any sewing experience?  Have you tried something and run into problems?  What exactly do you feel you need help with?

 

[AdamDavis]

@MtlBiker I have been hand sewing my projects; wallets, sheaths, and hand bags. I thought a sewing machine would save me a lot of time allowing me to be a little more ambitious with my design choices. The machine as it turns out is somewhat more complicated than I expected. My first problem was loading the bobbin thread. That took like a whole day to figure out. After that, I managed to jam the bobbin case up with a “birds nest” of thread and knocked the timing off. With the help of a facebook group I was able to get everything back in working order. At this point I’m concerned that trying to learn as I go will likely result in more problems. Perhaps this unavoidable. Eventually I’ll figure it out but if I could save myself the frustration and just pay someone to give me some pointers that would be Preferable.

[MtlBiker]

@AdamDavis - Okay, it sounds like you've got experience, but little if any with sewing machines.  The "birds nest" is often caused by your not holding the bobbin thread tightly enough as you start your stitches.  If it gets pulled in, that's what will happen.

What thread are you using, and what needle?  Do you know how to check/adjust bobbin tension?  If you can clean up that birds nest and are sure there are not thread remnants caught around the bobbin, just try to do a straight stitch, making sure you are holding both top and bobbin threads tightly at the start.  After a couple of stitches you can release them.  Finish your line of stitching and then look at the result.  See if the top and bobbin threads are meeting in the middle of your material assembly.  If not, you will have to adjust the thread tension... probably top thread tension but maybe also bobbin tension.  Do you know that you need to readjust thread tension when you change thread weights (sometimes even colors as black thread is stiffer) and even as your material assembly (thickness and layers) changes.

What thread are you using?  What needle?  And what material are you sewing?

Don't worry, we'll help you get going.

 

[Sasquach]

I learned a lot about the Class 26 by watching Al Bane on You tube.  He has lots of videos  but one that may help you is 

 

[AdamDavis]

@MtlBiker  thanks for the help! I’m using size 138 thread and whatever size needles they sent with it. I’m pretty sure you are right about the thread tension because  I’m getting “knots” on the bottom stitches.I’m not really sure what you mean about about the top and bottom threads meeting in the middle of the material assembly though. As far as what I’m sewing, just scrap pieces of veg tan. Not ready to try a real project.

[AdamDavis]

@Sasquach thanks!