The Sewing Room

flea72

cuddles123 wrote: »

Quick question re sewing machines.

If I sew anything other than cotton, the material snarls up in the feed dogs.
I have setting for stitch length and width, and foot pressure.
Which should I alter, and which way?

ok, what fabric are you trying to sew, as all fabrics need different handling

tbh, ive never had to alter the foot pressure on my machine, and ive sewn with most fabrics

how is it getting caught in the feed dogs? you only usually have that problem with long pile fabrics, like fur. or do you mean the fabrics getting pulled down into the bobbin case? if so, it could be due to poor quality thread, wrongly threaded bobbin, or maybe your bobbin tension needs loosening off

F

23rdspiral

Sorry, almost forgot to post what i'd come in here for....

Hey Kandi, guess what?.... i've finished that quilt! yes really!!

embarasingly it's been 7 years in the making but there was a big break...

~ it was begun when living with the in-laws-to-be, at least 7 years ago, when i knew nothing really of sewing and wanted a 'let me have quiet' project. it is from 'Quick Quilts in a Weekend'. oh yes the ironry.
~ it was put away when we logged with friends, and then we moved and i begun and finished a 2.5yr Masters degree, and somehow finished it's top.
~ I then began working professionally and returned to sewing but smaller projects.
~ last autumn when nan was very ill it came out and i figured out finally how to add the backing and binding and it was easier than i'd thought.
~then i just needed to find 80 small white buttons to 'tie quilt' and finish it according to the pattern. i found 40 i liked and yesterday began to sew them on alternate corners of each square. not wanting to put it away again, i gave in and simply tied the opposing corners. it is now finished according to the pattern...

...however, i think i'd like to practice quilting techniques on it's panels so i dont think i'll wash for crinkles just yet...

xxvickixx

Kandi that cushion is beautiful, you really have a great flair for artistic things, not bad for a number cruncher!
Hart lovely things, I especially love the gingham heart, it's very sweet. I'm really liking all things red gingham atm.

I've been busy making new lavender hearts for my nan as I decided that after a bit of practice that I should do some better ones for her. I'll keep the dodgy ones for me! I also made her a card with matching fabric on it and a wedding card with the fabric from their hearts on that too.

I also covered a box with some floral knapkins that I'm now using to store my ribbons but I think I need a bigger box for them really as I'm going to my mums this week and intend to raid her collection!

xxvickixx

23rdSpiral that quilt is lovely, I really am in awe of everyone who has finished their quilts, I daren't start one as I know I'd lose interest.

danables

Hello all I have made an ironing board cover and posted it to my blog today (includes the link)http://drinkingfabric.blogspot.com/ . 23rd spiral I love your sock creature its adorable! Im in the mood for making another monkey- where did you get those socks? I have so many socks still to use that came in packs but they are ones Iv used before..anyone interested in a sock swop?!!

Love the pillow Kandi- Iv posted on your blog and thankyou also for the tips, much appreciated!

hart44- Iv written about feet on my blog today sewingmachines direct were fab with telling me what was suitable for my machine and I ended up ordering all the ones they recommended, I cnat praise them highly enough.

cuddles123

flea72 wrote: »

ok, what fabric are you trying to sew, as all fabrics need different handling

tbh, ive never had to alter the foot pressure on my machine, and ive sewn with most fabrics

how is it getting caught in the feed dogs? you only usually have that problem with long pile fabrics, like fur. or do you mean the fabrics getting pulled down into the bobbin case? if so, it could be due to poor quality thread, wrongly threaded bobbin, or maybe your bobbin tension needs loosening off

F

Thanks - was light towelling, but have had the same problem with stretchy materials.
I am using polyester thread, have checked the bobbin and tension, so think it must be the material.

Will keep playing with it.

Loving all the makes on here - very inspiring :j

sethsgran

Are you using a stretch stitch setting on your machine?

flea72

cuddles123 wrote: »

Thanks - was light towelling, but have had the same problem with stretchy materials.
I am using polyester thread, have checked the bobbin and tension, so think it must be the material.

Will keep playing with it.

Loving all the makes on here - very inspiring :j

ok, towelling is usually best sewn with something like a denim needle. for stretch fabric you will need a ballpoint needle

if the tension is wrong you either end up with snapped threads, or loopy stitches, it doesnt normally make the fabric get stuck in the feed dogs

what do you mean when you say you have checked the bobbin? do you mean just that its threaded right? it could be that the tension wasnt right, when it was wound, so maybe try respooling

have you given the machine a good clean? dust in the bobbin case, can also cause the needle to bend or not flow freely. have you also tried a new needle, as even one that is slightly bent will cause problems

does the fabric get caught from the first stitch, or have you managed to sew a bit, and then it jams?

what brand of thread are you using?

F

cuddles123

flea72 wrote: »

ok, towelling is usually best sewn with something like a denim needle. for stretch fabric you will need a ballpoint needle

if the tension is wrong you either end up with snapped threads, or loopy stitches, it doesnt normally make the fabric get stuck in the feed dogs

what do you mean when you say you have checked the bobbin? do you mean just that its threaded right? it could be that the tension wasnt right, when it was wound, so maybe try respooling

have you given the machine a good clean? dust in the bobbin case, can also cause the needle to bend or not flow freely. have you also tried a new needle, as even one that is slightly bent will cause problems

does the fabric get caught from the first stitch, or have you managed to sew a bit, and then it jams?

what brand of thread are you using?

F

It will sew for about 12" before it starts to snag.
Have checked the bobbin tension and its OK.
Have to strip it down every time this happens, so the bobbin case and housing are clean.

Haven't checked the needle, but its fine on cotton, and I'm using a zig zag stitch.
Tension is fine for the 12" then the fabric seems to just jam and the needle goes up and down but fabric stays still. When I free it, there is a ball of thread underneath and through the feed dogs which have snagged the fabric.
I am using polyester thread by Korbond.

The last machine I used was an old hand Singer which would sew anything with the same stitch and needle - leather, denim, velvet etc so I'm sure its me that has a setting wrong. Just not sure which one.:mad:

Wee_Jo

Hello everyone!

Wow! What amazing, beautiful things you have created I am just venturing into the sewing world - I have my first lesson with a good friend of mine, who has kindly offered to teach me to sew, on Friday and I'm really looking forward to it!

It will take me a (long) time to get up to the standard where I can make beautiful cushions/quilts/clothes the way a lot of you can but it's certainly inspirational!

Anyway, just thought I'd give a wave :wave:

Jo