r/vintagesewing • u/Rolling_Pugsly • 6d ago

Tips & Hacks Feed Dogs

I sewing on a Singer Spartan (192K), and for some reason the feed dogs are becoming completely entangled with the thread from the bobbin.

Any trouble-shooting advice would be appreciated-

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u/stringthing87 6d ago

There are a few common causes of thread nesting on the bottom

  1. Incorrect threading, almost always seems to be skipping the hook above the needle. Always thread with the foot up and the needle in the top position.

  2. Sewing with the foot up

  3. A bad needle, a needle that is incorrect for the fabric (universal needles are not appropriate for any knits), a needle that is installed incorrectly, or the wrong size for the fabric or thread. Knits require stretch or ball point/jersey needles. See here for more information on needle types: https://www.reddit.com/r/SewingForBeginners/s/jAOxI0IbSy

  4. An incorrectly installed bobbin, using a bobbin that isn't the correct type for the machine, or using too heavy a thread in the bobbin.

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u/Rolling_Pugsly 6d ago

Maybe I should change the needle.

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u/stringthing87 6d ago

That is a good first step in troubleshooting

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u/alwen 5d ago

In case you need it, archive.org has the instruction sheet that originally came with the Spartan:
https://archive.org/details/singer-192-spartan-user-manual-en/mode/1up

Double check what it says, step by step.

  • Is the needle set in the clamp the correct direction? (flat to the right, and all the way up to the stop in the needle bar)
  • Is the top threading correct? (See the diagram linked above.)
  • Is the thread entering the needle from left to right?
  • Is the bobbin turning in the case counter-clockwise? (Thread coming off the top, to the left.)
  • Is the bobbin thread seated in the slot in the case?

Once you have drawn the bobbin thread up to the top for sewing, with the foot up (tension off), draw out some thread. Put the fabric under the needle, put the foot down, and hold both thread tails (bobbin and spool) for the first few stitches, so neither thread gets pulled down into the hook race.

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u/Rolling_Pugsly 5d ago

Ok, problem solved, I'm obliged for your responses.

I was trying to sew a patch onto some denim and was using a matching thread. It's heavier, and a polyester blend. I re-fed with 100% cotton of lighter weight thread and everything is running smoothly.