Sewing questions

[mj512]

I know we have some girls on here that sew so I'm hoping someone can help me haha

Okay so DH's grandma gave me a sewing machine she had laying around (someone had gave it to her I think). Anyways I've been playing with it and I got it threaded and then figured out the whole Bobbin thing and I got a few play stitches in but then I did something wrong and it got all tangled and when I was trying to get it all untangled I think I broke the machine haha

Okay so I don't know all of the machine terms but the piece that holds the foot - that had tension like it was on a spring (I know that's a terrible description) Well when I used the lever to raise the foot all of the sudden the tension is gone - which means now it doesn't clamp down on my fabric. Ugh am I making sense at all? The lever brings it up and down for the most part but the tension is gone that was there before. Did I totally break it or is there a way to fix it?

Did I make sense at all?? I'm very very new to this.

ETA- I looked up the part and the manual says it is called the "Presser Foot Lifter" that's the part that has lost the tension that it had before.

[amisteratwisterandme]

There is a round knob on the older machines that the tension may be set to tight, also, did you tighten the tension on the bobbin? On the left hand side of your machine is a large knob, you may have to release the tension on that.

Otherwise, the only thing I can think of is that the bobbin isn't aligned, and if that's the problem you would have to take it in to get it fixed.

[mj512]

I don't think I'm describing it well enough :/ the thread tension is fine and the bobbin seems to be fine, it's the foot, so like how there is resistance (which I used the word tension) when you raise and lower the foot, that resistance is suddenly gone when trying to raise and lower the foot - which means it doesn't fully clamp down on the fabric.

Bah I think I need to take a picture lol

[amisteratwisterandme]

Is there any string wrapped around it? Sounds like it may be the spring and I wouldn't know how to fix that.......Does it have a compartment you can open up and look at it?

[amisteratwisterandme]

Oh, just a thought, but doesn't Sarah sew a lot? I know she's not on here much, but you could facebook her! Also, Nicole Finkins sews too!

[scarymary48]

Did you fix your sewing machine, Jacklynn?

[mj512]

No :( but I do know the problem. There is a spring that is attched to the foot (well the piece that the foot connects to) and it is what allows the foot clamp down tight, and it I isn't attched properly now. I'm not sure how to get it back on right.

[SunnyAB]

What type of machine do you have Jacklynn? I am pretty sure I know what you mean, but there are so many different types - it might help to know the brand name and then go from there. If you didn't hear anything 'snap' or break when you were fiddling with it, maybe it just fell out of something, or unclipped from something... and might be an easy fix IF you know the trick - but it all depends on the machine.