Won’t stop zig zagging-won’t stop straight stitching. What to do? No tools or adjustment (video 273)

[@k_elseybelle]

Hi Randy, thank you for making this video. I inherited a Kenmore 24-stitch (385) and thought all hope was lost because my machine is stuck on straight stitch. I'm going to follow your directions; I especially appreciate your advice about leaving the screwdriver alone. I had no idea, so you saved my machine in multiple ways! Thank you :)

[@randyyoursewingmachineman9954]

@@k_elseybelle you’re welcome and thanks for watching. 😎👍🏼

[@DomesticWithAnMD]

I had this issue a few weeks ago with a new-to-me Kenmore 158.1231 that had been sitting in storage for some time and would only do a straight stitch. Watching some of your other oiling and maintenance videos allowed me to puzzle that one out for myself, and it's nice to see I got it right.

[@randyyoursewingmachineman9954]

Excellent. That news makes my day. Thanks. 👍🏼😎

[@NeauxWai]

Thank you for this!! I have a little 3/4 size Janome and this helped me so much! It was the same - hadn't used it in a while and wouldn't switch between stitches. I opened it up and found the mechanism you pointed out and oiled it, worked it back and forth for a while, and now it's mostly fixed. I need to get it properly serviced, but you helped keep my machine going for another day while I'm in a costuming crunch!

[@randyyoursewingmachineman9954]

Excellent. Give it a little time for the lubrication to get to where it’s needed. When they sit for a long time, it takes a bit to establish movement and range of motion. Not unlike some people I know. (Me) 😂😎👍🏼

[@alcas7864]

I learned the hard way not to touch a sewing machine with a screw driver. Thought I can be “Mr. Fix It” and get a Bernina going again. Let’s just say out of this whole ordeal I greatly began to appreciate and admire a skilled sewing machine repair person.

[@randyyoursewingmachineman9954]

👍🏼😎

[@FlorBantique]

Thank you so much ❤️ i fix it today,, straight stichting..i olie it but still to do reverse the one you show ..thank you so , much

[@randyyoursewingmachineman9954]

You’re welcome. 😎👍🏼

[@FlorBantique]

@@randyyoursewingmachineman9954 because of you i was able to fix it❤️

[@FlorBantique]

@@randyyoursewingmachineman9954 thank you so much ❤️🌻

[@randyyoursewingmachineman9954]

@@FlorBantique you’re welcome.

[@lindamorgan2678]

You never know .. a person might have mischievous leprechauns in their closet. ;-) Good line Randy made me laugh

[@randyyoursewingmachineman9954]

😎👍🏼

[@billmaguire6216]

Hi Randy, Your videos of model 158 Kenmore machines have helped me with my 158.1431. Do you know where I can get a service manual for one? The zigzag timing seems off on mine. The needle bar starts moving before the needle leaves the material. Thank you.

[@randyyoursewingmachineman9954]

I don’t know where a service manual can be acquired. If the zig zag pendulum timing is off, there is a gear on the main upper shaft that has two set screws. Loosen those screws and rotate the gear incrementally until the pendulum timing is a proper arc of a half circle out of the fabric. 1) loosen then rotate the gear a few millimeters 2) tighten the screws and test 3) repeat until satisfactory zig zag is achieved

[@billmaguire6216]

@@randyyoursewingmachineman9954 Thank you, Randy. I looked for the source and figured that is what probably needs to be done but didn't want to touch anything until I asked you. I'll do what you suggest. I will let you know how it goes.

[@randyyoursewingmachineman9954]

@@billmaguire6216 👍😎

[@billmaguire6216]

@@randyyoursewingmachineman9954 Randy, I did as you suggested and the first try did the trick. Works fantabulously. Thank You!

[@randyyoursewingmachineman9954]

@@billmaguire6216 you are the rockstar sewing machine dude. Way to go. 👍🏼😎

[@andriea2272]

I have a Brother LX 3125. I was sewing a straight stitch with a 1/4 seam allowance and broke a needle. I have the needle removed and the broken piece. I kept sewing and it worked fine. I wanted to zig zag and the stitch dial will move to zig zag now. I have all covers off and haven't touched any a Screws inside. I have gently cleaned and and oiled what I know to without any change.

[@andriea2272]

Any suggestions or a place where I can see a pic of what it should look like? Everything looks good and I've been through the Manuel twice and done all troubleshooting .

[@randyyoursewingmachineman9954]

I didn’t catch what the malfunction is? What is it doing or not doing that has you concerned?

[@andriea2272]

The stitch dials turns to other straight stitch but won't turn at all to do a zig zag

[@andriea2272]

And it was working before I broke the needle

[@randyyoursewingmachineman9954]

@@andriea2272 I have no idea what that could be. Sorry.

[@rhondamercado7527]

I am having issues with the vintage singer 348. I’m trying to find out what adjustment I need to make because when I put it to number four on the zigzag, it goes way to the left and way to the right. It is crazy off and I know there’s a simple adjustment but I just don’t know where, thanks for any suggestions you might be able to offer. I was able to center the needle following that video. But the issue is the zigzag is just too wide.

[@randyyoursewingmachineman9954]

If it’s too wide for the presser foot opening, you may need a different presser foot. If you remove the presser foot and it’s hitting on both the left and right sides, I’ve never seen that happen.

[@ag-fk6bp]

I have a Brother XL 3027. It was only zigzaging and no straight stitch. So after viewing your video I took the back off and oiled everything that moved. Now it only does a straight stitch. I can't seem to locate the bar that makes the needle shift left and right. Also, this model doesn't have a bar that shifts between the zig/straight stitches, it has a cylinder with a little arm that rides in or out depending on the stitch setting. Anyhow- I can't figure out how this controls the stitch. Any insight?

[@randyyoursewingmachineman9954]

@@ag-fk6bp spray some penetrating oil on the zig zag mechanisms and the cam area. Work the needle bar left and right manually. Set the pattern selector to zig zag and put the width on its widest setting. Work the mechanism until it loosens and responds.

[@bengtliberg7851]

Hi thanks for the video. I bought a pfaff 138 with a cracked (and glued) dial. The dial works, the mechanism is free, but once put in zig zag, the machine pushes the dial out of place. It seems like the machine is seezed up somewhere else. The arm at the head of the machine (where the needle bar moves up and down) is really hard to move from left to right. I have oiled it a few times, but it is really stiff and keeps pushing out the dial once I try to zig zag ( the 1,2,3 lever under the dial jumps and rattles) and then the whole mechanism is thrown off. ANY help is really welcome. Your line of thinking seems logical for my problem. I just can't enter the part of the machine that you show in your video because the machine is cast in one. Hope all this makes sence and I really hop you can help! Thanks!

[@randyyoursewingmachineman9954]

Penetrating oil, patience, and persistence will be the solution. Oil it. Work it. Repeat x 100 or so. It’s annoying but achieves results.

[@bengtliberg7851]

@@randyyoursewingmachineman9954 any place in particular? Again, hard to tell where it is clogging. I used the standard oiling holes and opened the plate around the dial.. Thanks again

[@randyyoursewingmachineman9954]

@@bengtliberg7851 any mechanism that slides, pivots, rotates, or hinges, is where you should concentrate your efforts. If something should move but won’t, help it move. If an assembly moves slowly instead of quickly, help speed it up. There’s no quick fix for a machine that is gummed up and frozen up from the lack of activity. It’s always my biggest challenge and hardest fix. Welcome to my world. Enjoy.😎👍

[@darcyhill5982]

You !!!! Thank you So much ❤️

[@randyyoursewingmachineman9954]

You’re welcome.

[@darcyhill5982]

@randyyoursewingmachineman9954 So sew...I opened up my machine but I still can't figure this out. Dagnabbit !