Yes we know . bit they are down they dont seem to be high enough up .not pulling fabric through .

Is the stitch length set high enough to actually make a longer stitch? Are the feed dogs raised? Are the feed dogs actually moving to pull the fabric under the needle?

indicates that the top thread tension is not tight enough
as you pull the thread to thread the needle , there should be a resistance to pulling that thread or the tension is not high enough

Tighten the top tension. However, if the bobbin thread is actually pulling up on the top of the fabric, the bobbin tension is too loose. Both top and bobbin threads should pull enough against each other that they meet in the middle of the fabric without causing puckering.

Another thing to remember. ALWAYS RAISE the presser foot when threading the top thread!

...

You mean after you change the setting and then it doesn't
pull any more.?
-If so the foot tension need to be re adjust. (More tight or loose)
-Here try this:
1. If thick fabric then need more tension.
2. If thin fabric then need less tension.
*After try the above if still not work then:
4. Lift the foot up and spin the machine by hands and observe the dog feed. It should swing pass above the surface about 1/32 (+/-)
-If it swing but stay below the surface then the
internal part that spin the dog feet is worn out.


Good luck

Mai

First, verify that the stitch length is set high enough that the feed dogs should be pulling the fabric to create a stitch.

If you have not recently oiled the machine, the feed dog mechanism may be stuck due to old oil that has solidified. Pick up some liquid Tri-Flow Synthetic Lube. While gently rocking the handwheel, apply a couple drops everywhere that metal rubs against metal. Do NOT oil rubber, leather, or synthetic parts!!! Don't forget to hit the spots under the sewing surface, ie the feed dogs, bobbin area, etc. Also, move the levers and selectors and hit those with a couple drops of oil. If things are still a bit sluggish, you can apply hot air from a handheld hairdryer at the interior of the machine. The heat will help loosen things.

P.S.--I picked up a frozen Pfaff 260 at the thrift store for $25. Used the above method to get things loose and now it sews beautifully!!!

...

+

Slow down and watch what you sew over.
No needle is going to sew through the metal part of a zipper.
With many layers of fabric you have to slow down. If you have multiple layers of a thick fabric you may have to resort to using the hand wheel to get through the layers.
Another tip would be to not pull on the fabric. The machine is capable of "feeding" the fabric at the rate it requires. When sewing with many yards of fabric the weight of the fabric may create a pull on the needle. If the needle is pulled so that it no longer goes through the need plate properly it will hit the metal of the needle plate and break. Instead rest your hands on either side of the fabric and gently steer the fabric. Do not pull it out of the back of the machine or shove it into the needle. With large yardages wad up the fabric around the machine so that the weight of the fabric isn't causing strain around the needle.
One other tip. If you have a needle plate in your machine that only supports straight stiching, that is one with a needle hole that is just big enough for the needle to move up and down, and you switch to a zig-zag stitch, you will break the needle. Most factory installed needle plates have a needle hole large enough to support the largest zig-zag that the machine can support. But some machines have custom needle plates (for quilting) that only support a straight stitch.

On the top of the machine directly above the pressure foot should be a post with a knurled knob-like nut. You adjust pressure foot tension there.

But before you go doing that are you sure you've put down the pressure foot?

Have you wound the bobbin with the shiring under tension? you need the shirring elastic to be stretched somewhat as it goes onto the bobbin so that when stitched out, it relaxes and pulls the fabric up.

And yes, usually you need to tighten up the bobbin tension also to stretch the elastic some more.

The Ellure has a horizonal drop in bobbin so you will need to access this to adjust the tension. This may require unscrewing the two screws holding down the needle plate (metal flat plate you sew over). Take this off and now you'll see the bobbin holder area clearly. Look where the tension spring is, the little groove you pull the thread into when threading up. Is there a small dial just near this, about 7mm across? it will have a groove in the top and hopefully a + and - marking.

IMPORTANT: carefully make a note of where it is set now. Take a picture or write a little diagram down so you can get it back to normal setting. Use your little accessory screwdriver and carefully turn it one click to +, then test sew. YOu may need to turn it up 3 clicks to get the elastic stretched enough. Just make sure you know where to set the dial back to when you are done.

Also, remember you won't be able to shir heavy fabric, just light weight cottons work best.

I find that stitching lots of straight lines of shirring like you see tube bodice sundresses made in ready to wear is very hard, factories will have a machine that sews 20 rows at once. And getting enough gathers is trial and error with a domestic sewing machine.

Here's how I do it. Turn down top selvage edge of the fabric width you want to gather, turn down about 10mm and straight stitch around. Now on the wrong side with a sewing marker pen rule lines down from here across the fabric width spaced 1 cm apart. Now lie shirring elastic on these lines and stitch over it with a narrow zig zag stitch making sure not to catch the elastic with the needle. Start each sitching seam one cm from the raw edge of the fabric and finish the seam the same way.

Now I pull the elastic up from each side pulling all of them evenly until I"ve got it gathered enough. Now place right sides together and stitch the fabric into a tube catching the elastic ends in and securing them.

I hope this helps you out.

when the needle pulls the fabric into the feed dog you dont have enough fabric behund the neelde when you srart, and the fabric gets caught in the feed and the bobbin case underneath clean it out anf change the needle they often get bent after they get tangled in the thread and fabric

The fault is with the height of the feed dogs it is an internal adjustment that you tech. should make. As a guide if you cant see the majority of the front teeth above the plate or feel them with your finger then they are to low and need to be raised. Also check that the pressure of the sewing foot is set in the right position on the left side of the machine.