I have a cosplay convention in three days and my machine stopped working tonight all of a sudden. I have a really old Singer Stylist Zig Zag Model 413. It was my grandmother's and I've had it for about three months or so, but I've tried multiple things to fix this and it doesn't seem to work. I've changed the needle, lowered it, rethreaded the whole machine, but the bobbin thread just won't come through no matter what. Please help. ASAP!
By Kaitlyn M
Add your voice! Click below to answer. ThriftyFun is powered by your wisdom!
I love the Singer vintage electric 413 and the 513!
However, on these (and all vintage electrics built in the mid-late 60s and forward when plastic and silicone parts started to replace the all metal parts) the bobbin gear on both has a tendency to 'die' and cause exactly the problem you are describing. There is nothing you can do at home, this is a job for a qualified repair tech.
Be sure he/she tells you if he/she used a newly milled replacement part OR a salvaged part.
A salvaged part is not going to give you reliable years of sewing so you need to be prepared for the salvage part to fail again, usually sooner rather than later. I understand this machine has deep sentimental value to you but you really do need to start thinking about a replacement machine - something modern with a warranty.
Trust me on this. I am a sewing teacher and a self-taught repair tech. I used to do a lot of vintage electric restoration and repair.
I gave it up when my students were very disappointed by the unreliability of the salvage parts I sometimes had to use because new parts for many of their machines are no longer milled. When I had to use a salvage part on their vintage electric machines, the salvage part inevitably failed after only a few more months of sewing and it was VERY disappointing to them.
That disappointment led me to start encouraging my students to retire a much loved family heirloom machine to an honoured spot in the sewing room after a second part failure, and then to purchase a new, modern machine with a warranty that is comparable in features with the machine they are replacing - I also recommend to them they look to add a few things at the same time as an lessor or greater upgrade depending on their finances.
For example, to replace your vintage 413 you might want to look at one of the Talent Singers. The Talent line has all of the features of the 413 including the top-drop in bobbin system. ** Note: the bobbin class is different (413 uses a 66, the Talents a 15K class) but otherwise the Talent line machine can use all of the same feet and accessories you've accumulated for the 413.
I highly recommend the 3323 because it has a one-step buttonhole process instead of the 4-step on the Talent 3321. Both models are free-arm zig-zag machines with several stretch and decorative stitches, do lovely twin-needle sewing, and sew well on fabrics from sheer to heavy duty.
Singer has several new machine lines available, the best place to 'window shop' is the US Singer website. Other great brands include Elna (and their little sister Janome) and Brother.
Depending on what country you live in you are looking at around $175-$225USD (£155-£250GBP) for a comparable-in-features machine that will last you for several happy years of sewing.
Please note, your new machine will not be as long-lived as your gran's because Singer no longer builds these machines to last more than 25 years or so.
The old machines built before the mid-late 60s were all metal (which can usually be restored with some elbow grease) and can last forever but the 'modern' post mid-late 60s ones do not. It's all the plastic - it wears out and cannot be restored.
Add your voice! Click below to answer. ThriftyFun is powered by your wisdom!
