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I'm using my mum's old machine, which was in the 300 range rather than the 100 range but I'm not sure if the difference is in features or in robustness.
I had a lot of tangling when I started out and sorted most of it by boring @pdlouche with a lot of stupid questions via Instagram DMs. Not sure if he's up for another pupil, but what I mean to say is there's a good chance it's user error. Just threading properly in the first place and then getting your thread tensioning right. It's something you can learn off of Googling it (just like basically everything else) but some formal training in the form of a workshop might be helpful as a lot of it is down to feel. I also had my machine serviced at some point, but it's hard to say if that solved it or that I just got better at things. The main thing they can fix that's hard for a hobbyist is sorting out timing issues, it's a bit like a combustion engine in that late or early firing can run somewhat okay but still give a lot of issues.
Not very helpful or actionable maybe, but there you go.
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Rubbish machines don’t make life easy. However, in general, it’s user error.
Best to avoid getting yourself in the dog-house.
Best method:
Ask if you can try make yourself a little pouch.
Be adamant you want to do it yourself.
Cut two rectangles of standard weight cotton (trouser, not dress shirt), get a zip.
With or without the audience, get the manual and set up original spec tension.
Wind a new bobbin. Make sure bobbing thread tension is correct.
Do the threading yourself. Make sure needle is correct and in line. Make sure thread tension is correct.Test with two strips of excess material, correct spec tension correct spec thread for needle, etc. Make sure the material isn’t bunching and is sewing correctly.
If after a few attempts you can’t get a simple line of thread seam, then you can blame the machine. Otherwise, it’s user error.
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It would be like the difference between riding a supermarket bike and riding a something with XT or Ultegra.
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Tijmen
pdlouche
Kurai
@fizzy.bleach
ok sewers
my wife likes to sew and she has a John Lewis machine that cost her around £100 I think. I think this one: https://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-partners-jl110-sewing-machine-white/p317685
and every time she's sewing i hear her grumbling that it's getting tangled up. not really sure what's happening – whether it's the needles or the machine or what – but i was thinking of getting her one a bit better for christmas – or at least a gift that solves this problem.
is this type of entry level machine prone to tangling up the thread and will a "better" one be easier to use? she makes nice stuff, but i hear her shouting at the machine a lot. maybe i will need to stealth ask her what the problem is.