Well, I think you'll have more problems with a cheap sewing machine that is already giving you problems. If the wrong side of your stitch is a straight line, then the tension is off!... Look at stitches on something that is in your closet. You don't pull the material thru the machine, the machine does the "pulling"...You probably need to get a good book on sewing and there are a lot of them on the market. Singer puts out some good ones. Possibly you can find one on Amazon.com. You might find some quilting clubs in the area and go just for help with your sewing. Most ladies would be glad to help. You might rent a good machine for awhile to see what it is like too. You don't have to spend mega $'s on a machine, but one of those cheap hand things will never work for anything you'd want to make as a beginner. Sorry...

Kat says it's a hand sewing machine - must be a little gadget that is meant to hem things, I think.
Kat, I would invest in a proper sewing machine. You don't have to spend a lot and you'll get much better results and be a better sewer!

As the others pointed out, you are starting out wrong and trying to get by cheap will never work. Go to the library and get some sewing books, sit down, and start reading. There is a ton of technical reading to get through to give you an idea of what sewing is all about...and it's not just running a sewing machine seam...there are techniques and handstitching methods to learn. Yes you will have to learn to thread a sewing needle and use it properly.

Learning to sew on your own is the rough way to go with bad sewing habits developed in the process since you don't know any better. It is better to take learn to sew classes available in your area of the country to start you in the right direction. It's also a good way to find out what you like in a machine and how to use a sewing machine properly and safely.

To solve the immediate problem:

Tighten the upper tension a tiny amount.

Kat,

If you're new to sewing like me (I got my first machine in December) you need to buy your machine from a dealer who specializes in sewing machines and offers free classes.

Sewing is not impossible and there's no reason for you to fail at it as long as you buy a decent machine, have the proper tools and accessories, and get some hands on instruction.

I invested in a very good basic machine and received 15 hours of classes. I also went to the public library and checked out over a dozen sewing books.

Now I'm sewing Roman shades, throw pillow covers, and round table clothes. But I'd never have been successful at it if I'd bought the wrong kind of machine or hadn't received those lessons.

Nancy

Most people that give up sewing from the start, are the ones that buy a machine like yours, or a very cheap, poorly performing machine. They give up because the machine is giving them such grief and they believe it's because they just can't get the knack of sewing, when the problem was really with the machine. If you're really interested in learning, then a good machine will make all the difference and make sewing very enjoyable and easy to learn :)

Sounds like the hand held machine is making a "Chain" stitch. I agree with the others about getting a regular machine. Thrift stores often have some good older models.
Susan

thank you all for your comments, ideas and help. I know I need to get a regular machine, but as a young college student, now is not the best time financially. I will just be on the lookout in cheap stores and maybe even garage sales, if I can wake up early enough.
I will definitely get some books on sewing though- I have a 50% coupon to the local Michael's, so I will try to get over there. thank you for all of your help, and I will let you know how it turns out with the bad sewing machine until I am stable enough to purchase a new one or lucky enough to find a nice one for little cost. Thanks!
Kat
P.S. lazygarden said to tighten the upper tension, but it is as tight as it will go on the machine, so that is not it.

If you are thinking of buying your first sewing machine, go to a local sewing machine dealer and ask to look at their used machines. Dealers take machines on trade-in, refurbish them, and sell them again. These are not worn out machines; most people trading in their old machines are buying newer, fancier, snazzier machines, and the old machine still works fine.

If they don't have anything in your price range, leave your name and number and ask them to call you when they do. Ask for lessons to go with the machine, even if it's used. Drop by every now and again so they remember you. If it's a good dealer, they will want to provide you with good service in the hopes that, soon enough, YOU will be the customer trading in her old machine for a newer snazzier model, and you will become another loyal customer.

I've seen entry model used machines at my local dealer for a little as $100. I know that sounds like a lot for a student, but you can get some excellent features for your $100. Your dealer may be willing to do layaway for you, also. He keeps the machine, you pay a little bit each month until the machine is paid for. (I bought my first serger that way - with no finance charges.)

Walmart or Target or any other big store selling sewing machines won't provide that extra service to maintain a loyal customer following. For an independent dealer, customer satisfaction and return business are vital to his business.

CMC

Kat,

CMC has given you excellent advice.

Nancy

Hi there- I am also new to sewing and am looking at buying a machine. I already did the basic sewing class with the crappy machine I bought at Walmart that takes me an hour to get set up with winding the bobbin etc so before I start to hate sewing forever I would like to get a machine that is a little more heavy duty so that the problems I am fixing for an hour are ones I created, not the machine.

So what do I look for. I am wanting to spend $200 and under and am looking for something solid and sturdy and easy to use. I will be keeping an eye open at auctions and second-hand places as well. What should I be looking for?
Brand, model, features???

Kat -
try craigslist.com for used machines.

First, I'm sorry this is so long, but there was so much to say.

The only model suggestion I can make with any authority: Pfaff 1069. I have one of these that I bought 20 years ago, and I could not bear to trade it in. It is a sweet machine. Completely mechanical, no computer controls, original list price 20 years ago was $900; I got mine for $700. I have NEVER seen a used one for sale! Sewers love these machines. If you see one, snap it up and pay to have it serviced.

There are a number ways to acquire a good used machine. Look for machines that have not been used much (gifts or abandoned hobbies), although theres probably no way to be sure how much the previous owner used the machine.

Some used machines just need servicing: a good cleaning and tune up, which you can always get from your dealer after you buy any machine. Having to pay for servicing drives up the initial cost of your used machine. I suppose the cost varies depending on where you live, but I always expect to pay $60 to $80 for a thorough repair and service. Then again, I own some complex machines, so my estimates may be high.

The advantage of buying a used machine from an independent dealer is that he has already done the cleaning and tune up and any needed adjustments and repairs as he was getting the machine ready for resale.

Another place to check for refurbished sewing machines is your local vacuum and sewing repair shop. ThereÂs a vacuum shop near me where the owner is not a dealer of any new sewing machines, but he does sewing machine repair (and vacuum repair) and has an entire assortment of used machines, which he has fixed up for resale. Again, these are all "ready to go" when you buy them. (I lusted after the industrial Bernina for $500, but where would I put it and how could I explain it to my husband?)

Look for the popular high-end brands: Pfaff, Bernina, Janome, Brother, Viking, Baby Lock  IÂm sure there are other good brands, but IÂd avoid Singer and Kenmore. I canÂt recommend specific models, but there does seem to be a sliding scale of features from low-end to high-end machines. This does not mean that a low-end machine is necessarily no good, only that it doesnÂt have as many features.

Low-end machines tend to not have the ability to lower the feed dogs. However, they usually have a plastic cover for the feed dogs so you can do free motion work.

Check that all the presser feet are with the machine. There should be a tool box or accessory box with some presser feet and other tools. Having an instruction book is a big plus, but those are often separated from the machine.

This is where it pays to do your homework by looking at new machines at your dealer and noting how each model moving up the price scale adds more features and what those features are. Some features to pay attention to:

Adjustable needle position  left, right, center or (on high-end machines) multiple adjustments points, left to right.

Button holes: they tend to be easier to do or more automatic as you move up the price scale. Also, different types of button holes. For instance, you usually donÂt see a keyhole button hole on a low-end machine.

Specialty straight and zig zag stitches: a hem stitch, variations on zig zag stitches, a triple stitch zig zag, an edge joining stitch. This is not a complete list, but look for some variations.

Knit stitches, a straight knit stitch and a selection of knit overlock stitches. Knit hem stitch. Doing knit stitches requires the machine to sew forward and backward in the stitch pattern, and some low-end machines donÂt have any knit stitches.

Decorative stitches. The more decorative stitches there are, probably the higher up the model ladder. However, my experience is that you can get by with no decorative stitches at all. I think they are a sales feature "This machine does 125 different stitches!!" but they really arenÂt all that useful unless you have some specific need.

Good Hunting!!

CMC

Krissy,

For $350, you can get a used Bernina 1000 or 1008 from a sewing machine dealer. These are the heavy duty, all metal mechanical "workhorses" used in all the home ec classes. I know this is above your stated budget, but you'll be able to use this machine for decades. Back in December I originally thought I wanted a $200 machine, but I'm so glad I bought a 1008 and spent the extra dollars to get an excellent machine. It was money well spent.

OK thanks for the advice. Now I have some navigational equipment for my hunt and will let you know when I find something! I'm hoping to get lucky on one of those two machines you mentioned. There's an auction every week here where I live and they handle a lot of estates so I might just get lucky. Thanks again.

Hi again! There is a bernina 530 Record at the auction this week. Is that going to be too old?

You can't beat a Bernina, IMHO. I have two, the artista 200 and a gently used Activa 145. A little more $$ than your budget, but look around for an older model. Also, often on the computerized ones, the machine repair person can see how many hours the machine has been used, but only he/she can access that information.

Mary