Replies

1. 
   NotASewer | Jun 11, 2009 11:34pm | #1

   Thank you Gail for a reply and the info.  The needle bent rather than actually broke off, but of course I still couldn't sew with it like that, so that's when I changed it.

   Guess I'll continue to search the web for answers before trying the sewing doctor.

   Thank you again, appreciate it!

   NotASewer

2. 
   jjgg | Jun 12, 2009 01:03am | #2

   I love the very technical term "pranged"

1. 
   gailete | Jun 12, 2009 01:57am | #3

   Hubby restores pianos especially player pianos for a living and when he sees something that is pranged it usually is. Don't know where he picked the word up, perhaps it is just our little corner of the USA.

   Gail

1. 
   starzoe | Jun 12, 2009 06:31am | #4

   In the Royal Airforce (Gt. Britain) and the Royal Canadian Airforce the word "prang" means a plane crash.

1. 
   jjgg | Jun 12, 2009 03:48pm | #5

   This message board is so interesting, It just amazes me how we can jump form one topic to another, and like someone else posted a little while ago, it is OK to be off topic here! Some message boards get really huffy about off topic stuff.I really feel like I'm sitting with a bunch of good friends having a morning coffee
   Judy

1. 
   gailete | Jun 12, 2009 04:44pm | #6

   I like it too. Real life/time conversations rarely stick with the original topic. Even those boring work meetings would always eventually slide into something else. I never stay long at discussion forums where someone is holding a whip over you for the slightest off topic transgression. And this is a sewing discussion forum. If we can't have fun on a sewing discussion forum, how in the world will we be able to convince the younger generation that sewing is fun?! Being whacked upside the head for going off topic here is the equivalent in my mind to those old teachers that would smack the kids hands with rulers if they made a mistake. How are you supposed to do better once someone has hurt your hand with a ruler? Never made sense to me.

   I will have to tell hubby that pranged equals plane crash.

   Gail

2. 
   JunkQueen | Jun 12, 2009 06:51pm | #7

   I love the English language. I was not familiar with "prang", although I knew immediately the meaning in the context of your reply! Anyway, I looked it up in my trusty Webster's Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language -- how I long to own The Oxford English Dictionary (a 20-volume set of wonderful books) -- and there it was! Thank you for introducing me to a new word (for me).

3. 
   gailete | Jun 12, 2009 08:18pm | #8

   We love looking up words too, but I haven't either been able to procure the Oxford set! I did however pick up a complete 2006 encyclopedia set at the library book sale on Wednesday for $10!! I also got some nifty sewing books, including ones that are historical/reference in scope on lace, etc. I love to read even more than I love to sew.

   Gail

4. 
   Stillsewing | Jun 14, 2009 09:59pm | #11

   We would use "prang" or "pranged" on a regular basis over here, particularly to describe a small car accident. Incidentally I ran a spell check (as I always do) and it rejected both prang and pranged so I presume that neither figure in American English!!!

5. 
   JunkQueen | Jun 14, 2009 10:41pm | #12

   According to my Webster's, it is English Slang. I really like the word, because it is so inherently descriptive. I feel the same way about a word that just may be one coined by a friend (and co-worker back before I retired). Defugalty. He used it to describe a disagreement -- as in: There was defugalty over which course would be best. I had tried to find the word, for a precise definition, in all my resources and could not. Finally I asked him about the spelling which he didn't know, and he couldn't tell me from whence the word came. We are both curious about the English language, so we had a good laugh over it. That said, I use the word because I like it. I'll certainly be using prang also. I love this forum........

3. 
   ThreadKoe | Jun 13, 2009 12:16am | #9

   Do you still have your manual? does it have an exploded view of your machine? sometimes it shows where those parts go if you look carefully. I cannot find anything anywhere to help you further, and I have really looked. sorry. Cathy

4. 
   Teaf5 | Jun 13, 2009 03:30am | #10

   Can you post a photo of the whole bobbin case area?  That might give us some essential clues.

   The little clip and the spring-loaded screw suggest that this part either has something to do with tensioning the bobbin thread, or it allows the bobbin case cover to snap in place.

   One way to check is to put an empty bobbin into the case, thread the needle, and then "walk" the machine through a few stitches by hand so that you can watch how the mechanisms work.  Sometimes seeing it in action--slowly--gives you a clue.

   My hubby, also a mechanic, used to joke about the spare parts they'd end up with after rebuilding an engine--and the engine would work fine even without them--so the mechanics claimed them as symbols of their expertise.

   A lot of machine manuals with exploded views are available online.  Sears offers them for free and has a search feature that lets you put in your Kenmore model number for the correct manual.

1. 
   NotASewer | Jun 23, 2009 10:24pm | #14

   Hi,

   I so appreciate all of your replies and help.  However after much trial and error, I finally figured out where that little "do-hicky" (metal clip) went, lol.  I put it back together and it worked EXCEPT now it makes a bad "clicking" sound when I try to sew.  Anyhow...my husband bought me a brand new machine (Singer) that does just about everything!  Since having it I am teaching myself to sew, again with trial and error. 8-)  Thanks to everyone who had an input!

   NotASewer

1. 
   ohiostar | Jun 25, 2009 07:35am | #15

   Ah! nothing improves sewing self taught or otherwise, like a (new) or good running machine. Congratulations on your new machine, and we want to see pictures of your projects when you can!
   jann

5. 
   ljb2115 | Jun 16, 2009 06:59pm | #13

   Get to a "qualified" old-time sewing machine repairman.  The machine may need to be re-timed.  When I say qualified, look for someone who has a stand-alone shop who specialises in sewing machine repair.  Most "repairmen" these days just replace circuit boards and the like and you will need someone who knows the machine.