Need help with a singer fashion mate 257 sewing machine

[HereSince1628]

For retro sewing a retro machine: does anyone know how to thread a Singer Fashion Mate 257 Machine?

[auntAgonist]

1. Hope this helps

http://www.sewusa.com/Sewing_Machine_Manuals/Singer_Sewing_Machine.htm

half way down the page you'll find your model of machine.

on edit. noticed that you have to buy even the download :( sorry.

[HereSince1628]

3. thanks

Thanks for the quick reply. Am hoping to find some free advice, however.

[auntAgonist]

6. that's why I edited my post .. didn't realize

it was a pay thing :(


good luck. I tried :)

[bettyellen]

2. I would recommend re trying and tugging on the string each time

you put it through another loop. It should feel smooth and shouldn't increase in tension until it goes through the tension dialer thingey. Make sure you don't do a full circle through the tension dialer thing. And that the thraed through needle is either front to back or right to left.
Is there something about this particular machine that seems different to you?

[HereSince1628]

Truth be told

I haven't used this machine in years...probably back to time I was in Brownie Scouts. I think it all began when I was making an apron for my mom for Mother's Day. The bobbin got stuck, and it's been downhill from there. This may be the same machine, btw, same bobbin (sigh).

[bettyellen]

10. okay, it could be the bobbin to.. also tug the string and see..

sometimes they are not wound properly and unspool jerkily no matter what, or dropped in the bobbin casew/ thread unspooling in wrong direction. mess around with it to see where jam is occuring. lossen the tension on both to 65% free so you can see it's not that.
there's a tiny baby screw on the bobbin to loosen.
Also, check there's no loose threa gunking things up where you insert the bobbin.

[Whoa_Nelly]

11. Could be a prob with dust/lint

in the bobbin casing. Try to remove bobbin, dust bobbin housing under lift arm out with a Q-Tip, remove all the old thread from bobbin and wind on new thread. You may also want to check the teeth area at the needle plate to make sure there's no thread or lint caught there...can really screw up a bobbin.

Did you do anything to the thread feed pressure knob? If it's too tight or too loose, can also cause bobbin probs.

[democrat in Tallahassee]

4. can anybody recommend a good sewing machine for a beginner?

just for light sewing

[Whoa_Nelly]

7. Try a local sewing machine repair and resale store

You can sometimes get a good deal on a simple machine that's been refurbished. Brother machine makes some good ones.

[bettyellen]

8. buy a sturdy old used one. if you need straight and zig zag only.

the cheaper ones today are garbage. Lot's of people discard them sell at yard sales and they are usually just lightly used + have all the booklets, etc. A lot of people buy and never use them at all! Stay away from the electronic ones unless you are really using all that fancy stitch crap.

[happynewyear]

9. I have an old Singer Fashion Mate bought in 1979

and it is a great sewing machine - zig zags, etc. I would not trade it for a piece of made in China crapola for anything!

:dem:

[democrat in Tallahassee]

14. thanks good idea

[Whoa_Nelly]

5. You might find the instruction manual here

http://www.singermachines.co.uk/Parts_&_Ser/indstbooks.htm

After searching, was the best linkI could find. However, can't figure out which link in the .pdf downlaods would be for the 257.

What part of the threading are you having a prob? My old '50s Featherweight threads from inside to out (right to left) at the needle.

[HereSince1628]

12. Thanks

Thanks everyone for your help and encouragement. I need to outfit the machine with a new needle and bobbin. Will probably order the manual as long as I am at it. Who knows, this may launch me on a new career. It worked for Betsy Ross, no?

[signmike]

13. I use a 1935 model

Mine is a "Dressmaker's" model and the needle has to be put in BACKWARDS to work or else it will snarl up the bobbin thread something awful. Where you put it in with the set screw - it has to rest on the round side of the needle haft, not the flat side that looks proper. Crazy, but true.
I bought mine in 1970 for $35 and have stitched miles of denim, canvas, repaired many pairs of Levis, patches, belt loops, etc. I even cut up the heavy vinyl sheets billboards are made of after the outdoor ad companies throw them out, cut them down and stitch them on this old workhorse to make equipment covers, tents, smaller signs, etc. Every once in a while I use a compressor to blow out the lint and oil it up - works like a charm! I love old fashioned stuff.