Tmosely1 Report post Posted June 25, 2015 I know that there are several members here with experience with this machine and for them .... I have questions. My issue is that when starting my stitch I have to hold tension on the thread behind the machine or I get a loose bottom stitch. It also can sometimes do what I think is double catching the bobbin and cause a bunch. Can someone throw me a bone on this on? It's a new machine to me and i just replaced the belt and re-timed it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vpd66 Report post Posted June 25, 2015 I have a 111w155 machine and I've been having the same problem since i got it 3 years ago. Somethings I learned is always hold the top and bottom thread on starts for a couple stitches so the hook doesn't catch them. Watch when you wind your bobbin that the thread winds across from one side to the other. If it doesn't the tread won't come off consistent and change the bobbin tension. When i start I always rotate the hand wheel to sink the needle into the material before sewing with the motor.How are you locking your stitches at the start? I was sewing 3-4 stitches, then lifting the foot and pulling the material back to the start and sewing over the 3-4 stitches to lock them, but it was causing all kinds of problems with tangling around the bobbin. Now I hand sew 3-4 stitches then with the needle in the material, lift the foot and turn the material 180 degrees and hand sew over then spin it 180 again and continue to sew. Seems to work better. Every once in a while I still get bobbin tangle at starts, but not has much has I did before. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tejas Report post Posted June 25, 2015 As an alternative to holding the threads upon starting sewing, stick a quarter with butyl tape toward the back of the bed and wind the threads around once. As for sewing and pulling the material back to lock the stitch, that worked for me on my 111W155 if tension was kept on the threads. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tmosely1 Report post Posted June 25, 2015 (edited) Vpd...I have been doing the same thing with the thread. I hold the piece with my right and then crane my left arm around and hold the thread and hand crank... Im not going to lie, between that crane maneuver, holding the material, and still having a clutch motor to contend with, I am in the danger zone. There were a few times I thought I was going to sew right in to my thumb. I had been backing the foot up to lock but I am binding the bobbin so I will start using your needle spin method. There has got to be something we're missing here. Tejas... So you are using it like a hitch? Edited June 25, 2015 by Tmosely1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vpd66 Report post Posted June 25, 2015 Also make sure when you stop sewing that take up lever is all the way up and the needle is up. I noticed on my machine that the needle can be raised out of the material,but the take up lever will not be all the way to the top (locking the stitch). That causes some problems on starts and stops. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TomG Report post Posted June 29, 2015 Having to hold tension for the first few stitches is normal for these machines Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
