Is it possible your machine needs to be serviced?  Also, I have a variety of presser feet that I use.  Some are clear, some have a much larger opening (so you can see what you are sewing), etc.  I change them out depending on the fabric I am using.  Some of these did not come with the machine, but are items I bought because I needed the extras they provided. 

Also, is it possible the feed dogs are not working right?  This should help pull the fabric through.

We were taught in school to turn the wheel manually when starting.

My 2 cents!

T

Na I thought of a idea........... Why don't you make some plushie type pin cushions to sell to other crafters. They wouldn't have to be very big at all. Another idea is to make a checkbook or wallet style folder to hold all your crafting sewing needles. I made myself one and I Love it. I made it out of fabric scraps.

I laughed when I saw your reply. As it happens...



I've been redesigning my work area and have been needing somewhere to put my pins and needles. I'd been keeping them in a small tin, but it was annoying me, so I thought I'd make a wristband pin cushion. I hadn't gotten around to it yet, so in the meantime just stuck the pins, etc on the prototype plushie. I'm not using it for anything anyway, so why not? (More pics of the plushie is here, minus the pins: http://www.flickr.com/photos/66356835@N00/sets/72157627074074811/) The prototype is about 26cm but I think it's a bit small (and not 'plushie' enough in terms of thickness). The overall aim is to have a series of items that I could sell at craft markets, and I think these would work well. - I hadn't thought of doing items specifically for crafters, but maybe that's what I should be doing.

Is it possible your machine needs to be serviced?  Also, I have a variety of presser feet that I use.  Some are clear, some have a much larger opening (so you can see what you are sewing), etc.  I change them out depending on the fabric I am using.  Some of these did not come with the machine, but are items I bought because I needed the extras they provided. 

Also, is it possible the feed dogs are not working right?  This should help pull the fabric through.

We were taught in school to turn the wheel manually when starting.

My 2 cents!

T

I don't think it needs servicing. I've had it for a while, but it's not often used. Maybe I should look into that though, it's probably a good idea. I haven't even thought of changing the presser feet! I have a clear plastic one too, I can't believe I never  thought of that Thanks for reminding me

 Love it Na!

Cool pincushion!

Thank you both I'm really liking this new character design, as you can see I'm using it everywhere! I think tomorrow I'll be starting on a two larger prototypes and timing how long it takes to handsew; that will be the deciding factor on whether or not I'll make big ones or the one as pictured above.

It is one great design. Friend of mine is from a small town in the Harz and there somebody really made cult with a character. He has a garden of herbs and created this fellow (the Würzel):
 http://www.wuerzel-altenau.de/foto/galerie.htm
It has become a mascot for the town (they have a great deal of tourists, too). Your design carries the same potential- sadly Melbourne is a bit too big to make that happen quickly. (There is something to be said about coming from a small town...)

I agree it could be the feet or the feeders. What sort of fabric are you using? If you adjust the stitch size/style does it still happen? Try putting a piece of paper under the fabric and see if you still have the same problem.

Totally wicked pin cushion Na!

I use very small stitches on small curves and stop to pivot fabric just a little by hand a couple of times with the needle down in the fabric to get around a tight curve. But if you have to rip out the seam the small stitches are a pain. I like the practical idea of the pin cushion/needle caddy, crafty people go to craft shows and I can never find a good needle. I like the ones that have several prethreaded needles for emergency fixes. With that open head you could hang it on a door knob or dresser knob,handy.

Try to search or ask in a kite forum.
Sewing machine speed is also a concern for kite sewing and construction. I usually visit one kite forum and there is a thread about customize a sewing machine; this is a common problem for kite makers. Here you are that threadi, http://foro.cometas.info/index.php/topic,9824.0.html but it is in Spanish and it is devoted to a specific model very popular in the forum (because it is quite cheap) and involves open the sewing machine foot and "play" with the electronics. Some users tried and were happy with the results.

I was scared to do that and tried with a device intended to light intensity regulation,such those of the pics here: http://www.electronet24.com/Control-de-iluminacin/Reguladores-de-intensidad-c47.htm?gclid=CJjHhu7Az6wCFQkLfAodemc4rw but it did not work as I expected, the sewing machine goes more slowly, but also weaker.