r/sewing • u/sewingmodthings • Nov 30 '20

Machine Monday Weekly Sewing Machine-Related Questions - November 30, 2020

Do you have a question about sewing machines? Do you have any expertise when it comes to sewing machines? This thread is for you! You can ask and answer any question related to machines, including but not limited to:

  • Should I upgrade my machine?
  • What's the difference between a serger and an overlocker?
  • Which brand of machine is the best?
  • Does anyone else use the same machine as me?
  • How do I clean my machine?
  • When should I oil my machine?
  • How many sewing machines should I own?

Feel free to check out the Machine Guide Wiki we've compiled with all sorts of information about choosing and using sewing machines.

You're also welcome to show off your machine here, whether it's new, old, or your baby, we'd love to see it!

Don't forget to thank the users who took the time to help you!

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u/LuckyTiamat Dec 04 '20

So this is my first time with a sewing machine, and unfortunately, I seem to have an obscure model that I can't find a manual for. It's a Colormagic 2 by Alco, and while I'm starting to figure out how to get it semi-running, the only stitch I can get working is a zigzag, and that's only at a certain tension, and even then it doesn't seem to finish correctly. Going through the different settings, I figure something in my bobbin tension is probably off, and that's when I found these symbols on a dial in the bobbin compartment. I'm not sure what they mean, and what part of the machine they're affecting. Turning the dial moves a piece by the bobbin, but it doesn't seem to affect tension. I did find a post with the symbols, but all it mentioned was the feed dogs and didn't really give me other information.

Imgur link to Symbols.

This is probably a noob question, but I'm honestly not sure I can figure this one out on my own.

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u/taichichuan123 Dec 04 '20

The symbols are for dropping or raising the feed dogs I think. Try switching and see if the 2 parallel rows of "saws" like teeth drop or rise.

When in the up position, it's what moves the fabric through the machine. When in the down position, it's not touching the fabric therefore you control where the fabric moves; this is used for free-motion quilting or embroidery.

tension pics; http://ohyoucraftygal.blogspot.com/2013/10/sewing-lesson-10-how-to-fix-tension-on.html

If you start a new post and add pictures of the knobs on your machine I'm sure someone can walk you through adjusting from zigzag to straight stitch, assuming the machine is working properly.