tool:sewing_machines
Table of Contents
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 |
- Type: Quilting Sewing Machine
- Repair receipt with warranty:
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
Brother 1134D
| Status | Working July 2025 |
|---|---|
| Training | We don't have any training for Sergers unfortunately, but you can ask Liz 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 | On Loan from Liz |
| If it Breaks | Put a note on it and message @liz on Slack |
| Loan Status | On Loan from Liz |
| Location | Sewing table |
| Value | $$ |
| Champion | See Compendium of Champions |
| Other notes |
Janome MyLock 234D
| Status | Out of Order July 2025 - Liz is taking for repair |
|---|---|
| Training | We don't have any training for Sergers unfortunately, but you can ask Liz or Metal Janet to help you figure it out. Note: if you need to change the thread color, please do it by cutting the thread at the top, tying the new thread on, reducing the tension, and pulling the thread through. (This is recommended in the manual) |
| Hackable | NO |
| Usage Restrictions | Anyone |
| Owner | VHS |
| If it Breaks | Check your lower looper threads if they are threaded properly. Check needles. DO NOT PUT SEWING MACHINE NEEDLEs IN THE SERGER If that doesnt work, put a sticky note on it and contact a champion |
| Loan Status | Donated by Miststlkr - Contact for pickup |
| Location | Desk beside main crafting table |
| Value | $$ |
| Champion | See Compendium of Champions |
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 | $$$ |
| Champion | See Compendium of Champions |
There are spare needles and a USB drive inside the purple cover.
VHS Industrial Sewing Machines
Reliable Sewing Machines RELSEW GC0618-1
The don't mess around & will sew darn near anything industrial machine. It will happily sew leather, canvas, denim, and other thick materials.
For threading and other instructions see the detailed page on the Relsew 4000SW
| Status | Operational as of November 2024 |
|---|---|
| Training | Recommended |
| Hackable | NO |
| Usage Restrictions | Anyone with experience on domestic machines - watch your fingers! |
| Owner | David Bynoe |
| If it Breaks | Contact David - @dbynoe on slack and talk |
| Loan Status | Loaned by dbynoe- contact if its removal is desired |
| Location | Beside sewing desk |
| Value | $$$$ |
| Champion | See Compendium of Champions |
There is a threading guide on the wall behind the machine.
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: 2025/07/14 00:36 by elizabot