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tool:sewing_machines

VHS Sewing Machines

VHS has a variety of sewing and overlock serging machines.

Newer machines are more accurate and have more complex functions Older machines tend to have more solid metal parts and build, and can sew through tougher materials like denim, leather and multiple layers.

Sewing Machine FAQ:

  • Important note Please make sure that you have the needle all the way up before you remove the fabric. If the fabric doesn't pull out easily, move the handwheel a bit until it does.
  • Important note Not all feet work on all sewing machines!
  • My stitches are uneven / keep skipping - Check what kind of needle is in the machine. Different needles are for different fabric. If your needle is dull**, crooked or snagging your fabric, change it
  • It keeps jamming from the bottom - Are you using the correct bobbin for the machine? Check that your bobbin is wound correctly and inserted in the right direction. Note: the Janome and the Brother should only be used with plastic bobbins, not metal.
  • I'm sewing but all my stitches fall out - Did you run out of bobbin thread? Wind a new bobbin. Did you leave the presser foot up? You can only sew with it in the down position first.
  • Threads are too loose or pulling tight - Check that your machine is threaded correctly. Check the tension dials and stitch length.
  • I'm sewing but it won't go anywhere - Check your stitch length and style, are you on a stretch stitch or fancy? Are you trying to sew with the presser foot up?

Brother Innov-ís 80

Status Presser foot is missing (December 1 2024)
Training Not needed, but ask Liz if you want assistance
Hackable NO
Usage Restrictions Anyone
Owner VHS
If it Breaks It's probably not truly broken, you just jammed the thread or broke a needle. 1) replace your needle and re-thread the machine 2) If that doesnt work, put a sticky note on it and contact a champion
Loan Status Donated by rsim - contact if removal required
Location On or under the sewing table
Value $$
Champion See Compendium of Champions

Janome 6019

Status Operational as of December 5, 2024. (Thanks @janet)
Training Not needed, but ask Liz if you want assistance
Hackable NO
Usage Restrictions Anyone
Owner VHS
If it Breaks It's probably not truly broken, you just jammed the thread or broke a needle. 1) replace your needle and re-thread the machine 2) If that doesn't work, put a sticky note on it and contact a champion
Loan Status Unknown (has a label saying on loan from Miststlkr)
Location On or under the sewing table
Value $$
Champion See Compendium of Champions

Kenmore Ultrastitch 6

Status Operational as of December 1 2024
Training Not needed, but ask Liz if you want assistance
Hackable NO
Usage Restrictions Anyone
Owner VHS
If it Breaks It's probably not truly broken, you just jammed the thread or broke a needle. 1) replace your needle and re-thread the machine 2) If that doesnt work, put a sticky note on it and contact a champion
Loan Status Unknown
Location On or under the sewing table
Value $
Champion See Compendium of Champions

Singer Stylist 478

Status Janet took this home to fix (May 2023)
Training Recommended
Hackable NO
Usage Restrictions Anyone
Owner VHS
If it Breaks It's probably not truly broken, you just jammed the thread or broke a needle. 1) replace your needle and re-thread the machine 2) If that doesnt work, put a sticky note on it and contact a champion
Loan Status (Unknown, Owned, Permanent, Temporary, Semi-Permanent
Location Under the sewing table
Value $
Champion See Compendium of Champions

VHS Sergers

Janome MyLock 234D

Status Working nicely as of December 5 2024.
Training We don't have any training for Sergers unfortunately, but you can ask Liz or Metal Janet to help you figure it out. Note: if you need to change the thread color, please do it by cutting the thread at the top, tying the new thread on, reducing the tension, and pulling the thread through. (This is recommended in the manual)
Hackable NO
Usage Restrictions Anyone
Owner VHS
If it Breaks Check your lower looper threads if they are threaded properly. Check needles.
DO NOT PUT SEWING MACHINE NEEDLEs IN THE SERGER
If that doesnt work, put a sticky note on it and contact a champion
Loan Status Donated by Miststlkr - Contact for pickup
Location Desk beside main crafting table
Value $$
Champion See Compendium of Champions

Janome Mylock 234D Serger manual

VHS Embroidery Machine

Brother PE 800

Status Operational as of December 1 2024
Training Talk to Liz
Hackable NO
Usage Restrictions Anyone
Owner VHS
If it Breaks Put a sticky note on it and contact a champion
Loan Status This was a group buy by VHS members
Location On the sewing table
Value $$$
Champion See Compendium of Champions

There are spare needles and a USB drive inside the purple cover.

brother_pe800_manual.pdf

Intro Video

VHS Industrial Sewing Machines

Reliable Sewing Machines RELSEW GC0618-1

The don't mess around & will sew darn near anything industrial machine. It will happily sew leather, canvas, denim, and other thick materials.

For threading and other instructions see the detailed page on the Relsew 4000SW

Status Operational as of November 2024
Training Recommended
Hackable NO
Usage Restrictions Anyone with experience on domestic machines - watch your fingers!
Owner David Bynoe
If it Breaks Contact David - @dbynoe on slack and talk
Loan Status Loaned by dbynoe- contact if its removal is desired
Location Beside sewing desk
Value $$$$
Champion See Compendium of Champions

There is a threading guide on the wall behind the machine.

Manual PDF

Additional info from dbynoe:

For adjusting the top tension (which you will probably have to do based on the thickness of your material) keep this in mind, and it seems to take a lot of clicks on the industrial to get it to adjust where you need it

tool/sewing_machines.txt · Last modified: 2024/12/06 21:56 by elizabot

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