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 | Working (May 2023) |
|---|---|
| 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 | $$ |
| Champion | See Compendium of Champions |
Janome 6019
| Status | Repaired by Euro-Tech in May 2023, there's a 1-year warranty. |
|---|---|
| Training | Not needed, but ask Liz if you want assistance |
| Hackable | NO |
| Usage Restrictions | Anyone |
| Owner | VHS |
| If it Breaks | It's probably not truly broken, you just jammed the thread or broke a needle. 1) replace your needle and re-thread the machine 2) If that doesnt work, put a sticky note on it and contact a champion |
| Loan Status | Unknown (has a label saying on loan from Miststlkr) |
| Location | On or under the sewing table |
| Value | $$ |
| Champion | See Compendium of Champions |
- Type: Quilting Sewing Machine
- Repair receipt with warranty:
Kenmore Ultrastitch 12
| Status | Out of Order (January 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 | Has a label saying loaned by Davonna - but Davonna has said she considers it VHS property now |
| Location | Under the sewing table |
| Value | $ |
| Champion | See Compendium of Champions |
Kenmore Ultrastitch 6
| Status | Operational as of January 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 |
| Location | On or under the sewing table |
| Value | $ |
| Champion | See Compendium of Champions |
Singer 656G
- Type: Slant Shank Sewing Machine
- Manual: Not found, but possibly hard copy available at the space
| Status | Out of Order (January 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 |
Videos about threading the “Singer Golden Panoramic 670G” apply to this machine. There's also a threading guide inside a panel on the left side of the machine.
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
Kenmore 3/4 Differential Feed
Davonna says this is her serger and she has taken it home.
This is the main serger set up on the craft table. By default it is set at a 4-thread safety stitch for general purpose woven and stretch fabrics. Feel free to change thread cone colours, but for 3-thread edging, use the Janome located on the workbench.
^ Status | Unknown (needs testing) |
^ Training | Recommended |
^ 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 | (Unknown, Owned, Permanent, Temporary, Semi-Permanent |
^ Location | Main crafting table |
^ Value | $$ |
^ Champion | See Compendium of Champions |
Janome MyLock 234D
| Status | Operational as of January 2023 |
|---|---|
| Training | We don't have any training for Sergers unfortunately, but you can ask Liz or Metal Janet to help you figure it out. |
| Hackable | NO |
| Usage Restrictions | Anyone |
| Owner | VHS |
| If it Breaks | Check your lower looper threads if they are threaded properly. Check needles. DO NOT PUT SEWING MACHINE NEEDLEs IN THE SERGER If that doesnt work, put a sticky note on it and contact a champion |
| Loan Status | Donated by Miststlkr - Contact for pickup |
| Location | Desk beside main crafting table |
| Value | $$ |
| Champion | See Compendium of Champions |
Baby Lock Evolution
Avy has taken her Baby Lock Evoluation home.
This is an 8-thread, self-threading overlocker.
^ Status | Loaned to the space in January 2023 |
^ Training | Recommended |
^ 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 | Loaned by Avy (@RedrosesForever) |
^ Location | Desk beside main crafting table |
^ Value | $$$ |
^ Champion | See Compendium of Champions |
ble8w-2_evolution_instrefguide.pdf
VHS Embroidery Machine
Brother PE 800
| Status | Operational as of September 2023 |
|---|---|
| Training | Not currently available |
| Hackable | NO |
| Usage Restrictions | Anyone |
| Owner | VHS |
| If it Breaks | Put a sticky note on it and contact a champion |
| Loan Status | This was a group buy by VHS members |
| Location | Under the sewing table |
| Value | $$$ |
| Champion | See Compendium of Champions |
VHS Industrial Sewing Machines
Reliable Sewing Machines 4000SW walking foot
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 | Tuned up and working September 5 2021 |
|---|---|
| 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
