Stitching the pieces together
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Meece....as an avid knitter myself, don't forget project bags for her Unless she's able to work on just one knitting project at a time that is. The bags can be any size, shape etc. they just help and are easy to grab on the way out the door or to keep the "car project" in. And I too love the snowflakes. I haven't crocheted one in years.....takes me back it does.
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Could you ladies give me some advice? I sewed quite a bit years ago. Made a lot of my own clothes as a teenager. I want to learn how to quilt. I am terribly exasperated. My folks bought me an inexpensive Sears sewing machine a few years ago. I was going to use it to make a simple curtain and I CANNOT get the thing threaded and the tension adjusted correctly. I can't figure out what I am doing wrong. I am following the threading diagram in the instructions. It would cost as much to take it to someone & have it adjusted as it cost and I can't afford another machine. I also can't think of anyone I know who sews. Ideas?
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Hi, your user id suggests you are in Dallas. There should be a TON of quilt shops. They will have classes and women who would love to help you out. Go visit one and explain the issue with your machine. I bet if you tote it with you a friendly quilter will help you get the machine threaded and more.
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Also, if you watch, Walmart has a very nice Brother machine for less than $100 and last year, I picked up one of these for $50 for a niece. It was on sale. It is a great machine.
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Thank you for the suggestions. There is a quilt store close & I would love to take their beginning class. I wondered if someone there would take pity on me. Ridiculous that a brand new machine is unuseable. I have never had this much difficulty with one.
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Quilters are a great group of women who love to help. Take the class and get to know some of them. We have a quilt guild here as well and its wonderful. Give them a call and I would be shocked if nobody wants to help you with your machine.
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Meece - I'm not a knitter, but my DD is. She made me some of nicest chemo caps and lovely scarves with some yummy silk yarn. I'm pretty sure my DD would be thrilled to get a gift of some really special (expensive) yarn that she wouldn't normally buy. Or a gift card from a yarn shop or Joanne's.
My current project is quilting printed world maps for grandkids. Not any creative skills in use here, but DDs requested them for their kids. I've got about 20 lap sized quilt tops ready to quilt for The Painted Turtle. After Christmas I'll get them all quilted up and then make more. Am I crazy to have a goal of 100 of these lap quilts? DH thinks so.
Admiring all those snowflakes ladies.
Jan
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Melissa, there are a couple of things you can check. Do you have the manual? It should have a trouble-shooting section, if not try these tips;
- Make sure the needle isn't in backwards!!! The flat part at the top should be to the back.
- Make sure the thread is not old, it will shred like heck!! Put it in the freezer for a couple of hours and try again.
- Make sure you have included ALL the little notches you have to tuck the thread behind, there is normally one just above the needle...
- Tension should normally be at 3 or there abouts.
- Make sure your feed dogs are up. Quilters lower them to do free-motion and someone may have lowered yours.
- Try a NEW needle. Needles get spurs on them which shred the thread. And don't buy cheap thread!!! You get what you pay for!
- Make sure any settings (like stitch length) are completely locked in and not halfway to a symbol
- Make sure you have the bobbin in the right way. Most bobbins when you hold them up should make a P shape with the loose thread coming off the left-hand side. Try it that way, if not turn the bobbin over.
- Make sure there is not a build-up of fuzz underneath the bobbin holder, take the holder out and use a Q-tip (do NOT blow!!)
I truly hope some of these help you get on track. I have made a "Best of Show" quilt on a machine that was only a couple of hundred dollars. It's NOT the machine, it's the driver!! When you get higher priced machines you get bells and whistles that are nice to have, but not necessary. You will be fine! Let us know....
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15 hours ago lvtwoqlt wrote:
Also the Amish in their quilts always make a 'mistake' in one block. They call it their humility block since we cannot make anything perfect, only God can.
LOVE THIS!!!
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Hi Melissa and all you wonderful creative women here ...
I was thinking I wanted to learn to quilt too after reading much of this thread (enjoying all the pics of everything - Meece, just WOW for all the sewing for the wedding and blogs from others and pics here - i'm so impressed!!!), and I also made lots of my clothes as a teen. I looked up 'quilting lessons' on YouTube ... there are tons there! It made me wonder if there is any video of threading your particular machine on there (you might not have to drag your machine out to the store or class). Type in your type and model and put the word threading after it, maybe there will be something! Love all of Barbe's helpful hints. Canadian hugs to all, Patti
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The bobbin on my new machine is completely backwards from the old one. And they are the same brand. I've also had the needle in backwards problem. Hope you can solve the problem soon.
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Thanks for all the great suggestions. Maybe it is the thread being old. I am using the manual diagram to thread the machine. The machine/needle etc. are all brand new and have never been used. That is what drives me nuts. A never used sewing machine that I can't get to work. I remember how to sew.
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Melissa, I am the member of a local quilt guild and we help each other with any problems. We have a 'show and ask' as part of our meeting, we can show and tell about our new projects or show and ask if we have problems with anything. We have helped solve problems like; my dog chewed a hole in my finished quilt, how do hide the hole (applique a group of hearts around the top) and my machine is not working right. My MIL has asked me to help her with her machine, she had removed the bobbin area (not just the case) and couldn't get it back in properly.
projects bags: I keep several bags handy with various crocheting/quilting projects in them ready to grab and go. In addition to the snowflakes, I crochet cotton yarn chemo caps for the local wig bank. Each bag has it's own small bag with essential items; small scissors and needles for finishing.
Sheila
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Welcome, Patti and Melissa. Great advice here.
Barb, I wish you were my neighbor. You probably wouldn't be so thrilled because I'd be knocking on your door all the time for advice and help. I'll just knock at your virtual door right here.
So, here's a question (actually a several), and only by writing it after all these years, am I really thinking of solutions.
How long do you use a machine needle before you replace it? How do you know it has served it's life? How do you know what size needle is in your machine? (can you read the writing on them? I can't)
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Most of the needles are colour coded. Google that info. The non-needle tip will be blue, green, etc. That tells you what type of needle is in (jeans, etc). Some say to change the needle often, but I don't. I use it until I stat to get crappy uneven stitches, then I use my own tip and change it!! You'll have to use a magnifier to see the size of needle. If you've been sewing satins and don't have big holes, then you are using a small needle. I try to keep my needles in the case they came in and that has their size on it. I normally use 70/90 which is really 70's, 80's and 90's. That is an average size and good for all that I do. I keep a jeans needle on hand for really thick projects. It punches a pretty big hole so be careful!
And Meece, I wish I lived beside you, too! I'd love a sewing buddy that's closer...sigh.
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Meece, Someone wrote into Threads Magazine to say they purchased a new apple-shaped pin cushion and marked needle sizes with permanent marker. Then when they need to change needles, they put the used one in the proper quadrant. I think they had also marked it for number of times used as well. Sounded like a great idea, but haven't tried it myself. The writer probably sews quite often and uses different fabrics.
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I also embroider & crochet, although I haven't done much of either in a while. I have a pair of pillow cases with a pansy border that I really need to get back to & finish one of these days.
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MelissaDallas - I bought a brand-new Brother machine at Costco for $189. It retailed for $400. Since I was going to use it for learning how to make quilts, it didn't matter how much it cost.
So the first day of class, I showed up with my shiny new machine, and as my classmates whipped out their projects and started to sew, there I was sweating and cursing and trying to thread my machine using the automatic needle threader. No matter what I did, I couldn't get it to work. Finally, a woman at my table took pity on me and came over and did it for me. I finally learned how to do it myself!
As for the tension and other issues, I found that sometimes I just had to take everything out of the machine - bobbin included - and start over. Sometimes missing the tiniest step would throw everything off. And setting the tension to anything other than the factory settings? Forget it! I just left them where they were.
(Oh yeah, half the time now, I sew on my mom's old Singer 301 that I found in her garage. Apparently it's a collectible! And a workhorse....)
Sheila - Love the idea of project bags!!! Grab & go!!!
Meece - Because I am such a slow learner, and never finish anything, I just figured my needle was fine. But I took a free-motion quilting class this summer, and the instructor insisted that we put in new needles. In fact, she watched while we did it to make sure.
barbe - You mentioned a jeans needle. I tried to hem a pair of track pants for my DH, and I had a lot of trouble on the side seams. My friends said there was some kind of tool you can use for sewing over thick seams...do you know what that's called? And is a jeans needle called a "Jeans Needle" ?
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Blessings - Hi there, Yes a jeans needle is called a jeans needle. And the thingy that helps sew over a really thick seam can be found at a well stocked quilt store and/or a sewing machine shop. I don't have one, but I've seen them. It's just a little piece of shaped plastic and shouldn't cost more than a couple of dollars.
And a couple of other points that are really important: clean the machine with every bobbin refill and (sorry) change your needle often. You can learn about what type as well as size of needle to use on the internet.
Recently a friend called me on my cell phone while I was sitting in the ladies' room in Target! She couldn't get her new sewing machine to work! Well, that was interesting!!!!!! Turns out she didn't have the flat part of the needle facing to the back.
Happy sewing Janice
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I haven't used my sewing machine in 25 years. Having 3 boys didn't help much. My DH bought my Singer in Hong Kong on one of his Navy deployments. He stowed it somewhere on the destroyer..anyhow it was a workdog and just kept going..I do wonder if it stll works..almost 50 years old.
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Blessings, another way to sew thick seams is that some of the machines (Janome) have a red "lock" button on the back of some of their feet that will hold the foot up in the highest position but allow the machine to still sew. You can't have the pressure foot up and still sew, so you have to lower it. I would normally start on the highest part and sew off it, rather than up to it. There is a gadget, as mentioned, but I don't have it as I use my way. So on normal pant hems, I'd do it in two parts.
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I have my mother's sewing machine that I learned to sew on as a teenager and I am 59 so it is old...wish my girls or granddaughters were interested in sewing....and it is just a front and back one...dont need all the fancy stitches.....
Melissa, did you figure it out!!!
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Thanks, JAN69 !
SoCalLisa - My mom's Singer is a model 301 - called the "big brother" to the lighter 221 (Featherweight). It was made in either 1950 or 1951. you might take a look at your Singer and see what model it is. You may be the envy of quilters everywhere!
Thanks, barbe - I don't have that presser foot adjustment on my Brother machine. If I recall correctly, I think I did the hem like you described...sewed the thickest part first, then the rest (after I messed up the first leg
) Next time I'm in the quilt shop, I'll look for one of those plastic doohickeys... I have a collection of cheap gadgets! Hi, blondiex46 - Sometimes all ya need is back and forth!!!
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I have been decorating cookies with royal icing today, and I also made homemade Marshmallows & dipped them in homemade caramel. Those were really difficult to execute and they didn't come out very pretty, but they sure taste good.
I have all my package wrapping gear out on my crafts table so the sewing is going to have to wait until next week. There is no place to set up the machine right now. Also need to pick up a new spool of thread.
That is a whole other subject. You used to be able to pick up basics like thread everywhere. Now nobody carries things like that. Will have to go miles to a Joann or Walmart.0 -
I have one of the thingies that is used to sew across seams when hemming jeans, I think it was called a 'jean-a-ma-jig' or something like that. I tried using it but had troubles, my mom used a piece of cardboard that was folded up to help going over the seams.
My mom has one of the Singer Feather-weight machines that she takes to quilting classes but sews at home on her antique Singer or White (can't remember which brand) treadle (non-electric) machine. It sews a beautiful straight seam.
Sheila
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Barbe I've checked both email addresses and can't find your pic. Want to send it again to my gmail account?
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Wow!!! You ladies have been busy! Love the snowflakes. I used to make them and also angels, but that was when my hands would do what I told them to do :-( I mostly do machine quilting, embroidery and In The Hoop projects now. I have an old Kenmore machine that is from around 1950-52 that sews like a dream the threading was easy then, but the tension adjustment is a nightmare. Fortunately my DH sold them and he can always get it set just fine for me whenever I drag it out. It is one heavy machine!
I now have a BabyLock Ellisimo that I love, love, love. Everything on it is easy to do. I have added 3 updates to it and is like the newer Ellisimo Gold that is now available. It also is very heavy (I cannot even budge it on the sewing table). So I have a small BabyLock Sofia2 that I take to classes and teach my grandchildren how to sew on.
When I can figure out how to post picture from my MacBook I will post some of my stuff. Posting from FaceBook does not work since I use the secure FB website (starts with https://) and won't let met copy a link that everyone can see on another site.
Hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas with family and friends. AJ0 -
Here is another angel that I finished. I did put some glitter on it because the one who wanted this asked for the glitter. She came in my office last Monday and asked if I could get one done before Christmas. She really wanted one to give to her mother.
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Ivtwoqlt that little angel is lovely!!
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This looks like my gadget for going over seams.
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