I am having a terrible time sewing through several layers on trim on pockets that I attach to the front of tote bags. I sell these totes and need a polished, professional look. When I bought this machine, I was told it could sew through anything. I have just bent three needles in the last hour trying to sew a pocket onto the tote bag. My needle plate has many, many strike marks on it. I have also tried using the bulk accessory tool (suggested to use when hemming denim jeans) and that hasn't made any difference. What could the problem be?

Instructions are not available separate from the pattern.

Um, this is the sewing machine category...

Hi, Putting hooped items onto the machine can bump a presser foot and bend it. a strap/handle, on a tote bag can catch and bend a presser foot.
These are intricate machines, and do require trained technicians to service them from time to time. Always have your machine serviced at a authorized repair center.
Cheers,
Embroidery Services
San Diego, CA

Hi, Putting hooped items onto the machine can bump a presser foot and bend it. a strap/handle on a tote bag can catch and bend a presser foot.
These are intricate machines, and do require trained technicians to service them from time to time. Always have your machine serviced at a authorized repair center.
Cheers,
Embroidery Services
San Diego, CA

This is the Sewing Machine section of FixYa.
The link below shows lots of Crocheted Puff Stitch, with needle(s).

Google

You could contact Simplicity and see if they can help.

or find a free diaper bag pattern on line and use as a guide.

bags arent too difficilt, usually need to interface well, attach pockets, straps, then sew lining to top edge wrong side to wrong side, leaving a bit of the lining or side seam open so you can get inside to attach lining seam allowances to bag seam allowances to hold together.


Simplicity 5527 Diaper Bag in Three Sizes

Dressmaker Portable Sewing Machine Model 998B Supplies Accessories Tote

have you got the little silver arm with a gap in it (see photo above mounted over the needle bar? This is essential as the movement of the needle bar going up and down is driving the blades in this attachment.
The walking foot attachment for sewing machines works the same way, you need to place the little arm over the needle bar to make this aftermarket accessory work as its not driven by the sewing machine motor, purely by the movement of the needle bar.

Saying that, I would be suprised if this attachment cut heavy weight fabric or several layers well, like many things made to imitate a purpose built machine (serger) there is no substitute for the real thing. It might be fine to just trim the fabric loose threads off a fabric edge but also you would need to watch that the trimmed bits are going somewhere and not getting into the seam or your machine. On a serger, the blades are working right beside a vertical drop off with a waste tray below and there is a lot of lint and fibres trimmed which quickly builds up. With this attachment, you'd have to manually ensure that the trimmed fibres are swept out of the way.

I hope this helps you to get it working though - 4 thumbs up if so. :-)

I found it on Ebay and also at http://www.ioffer.com/i/Simplicity-Pattern-9000-Bag-Tote-Sling-Messenger-Cell-148239733.

Good luck!

The needle might not have been fully seated and tightened down - or vibrated loose and dropped down a bit and got hit by the bobbin shuttle. My mom used to soap or wax her needles (lower by hand into a candle or bar of Ivory) to sew stuff like DUCK, Burlap or thick denim.
Try thisusing a new needle (they're cheap) but be SURE that needle is all the way up into the carrier ;-)