Abigail - are you using the same bobbin in both machines? If the bobbin is not wound evenly, it can come out uneven as you sew and therefore be intermittently loose/tight.
Could it be the thread I am using? Im using a different thread and fabric at the moment, but its not happening quite as much. Its happened a little but nothing like before.
Hi gals. Thought I'd come and join the thread seeing as I got the urge to drag out my poor sewing machine the other week and take her for a whirl.
I am a complete rookie sewer. I know my basics of my machine but that's about it. It's been YouTube and blog tutorials and a lot of cussing while I learn as I go lol
So far I've made some pretty easy baby knot hats, a couple of swaddling blankets, some muslin wraps and burp cloths. If I don't look to close they look fine.
Just wondering how everyone else learnt to sew? From a family member? School? Took a class? Winged it and learnt as you went? I'm thinking of taking a sewing class this year so I can actually do it properly, as I really enjoy it and a few friends have asked about my blankies but I don't feel right making them for others when they are so not professional
Freya - I learned to sew before I ever started school. Mum used to make all our clothing as kids, and she taught us.
Abigail - I would suggest that your most likely culprit is your thread tension; either the upper thread or the bobbin tension is set incorrectly for the thickness of material and the type of stitch you are using. You will need to adjust that to the right tension and the problem should resolve. Otherwise, quality of thread could be a factor (cheap thread will do that), or it could be you have lint or thread stuck somewhere in the bobbin casing or housing - you may need to take the plate off and pull it all out and give it a clean.
I've got so many different projects on the go at once, I really need to learn to finish one thing at a time before starting another! lol My latest passion in the sewing arena is definitely quilting though. I love it. I am about to start a lightweight rag quilt for my bed. This time, instead of basic square patchwork, I am going to do a design on it - I'm thinking a giant lone star in the middle. It is going to be flannel on the topside and cotton on the bottom, but I have yet to decide whether or not I am going to use batting inside it.If I do use batting, it will be bamboo batting.
I have managed to spend way to much money in spotlight and other sewing shops lately. I have such a fettish for fabric, and it is hard not to indulge, I am actually selling one or two of my babycarriers to fund some more purchases (to do this quilt I am planning). :eek: (those who know me will understand just how big a deal that is. ). I actually had thoughts of chopping up the wraps and using them, but I couldn't bring myself to do it and I can buy alot more fabric with the money from selling them, then there is in the carriers themselves.
Last edited by misty; January 6th, 2013 at 11:31 PM.
My mum did sew, but I don't remember her teaching me. Mum doing crafty things made her agro, so really was not pleasant, also she must have done most of it at night.
School taught us in home ec for year 7 & 8. For some reason I did not continue, but I did some sewing at home, just learning from following the pattern instructions. I learnt a lot more about sewing when we started the medieval reenactment, as others would show me how to make historical outfits, I would get tips about sewing from them.
My Mum is very uncrafty, but her Mum was very skilled. I did sewing at school, and a short Spotlight dressmaking course (which was great for learning how to adjust patterns) and the rest is self taught. On-line tutorials are great, but i learnt most of mine from making baby clothes. They don't take that much material so not too expensive if you stuff up.
Thanks guys. Ive worked out that machine number one is fine one you adjust the tension accordingly. Still needs to go for a service as I know at least one part need replacing on her. Just scared of the cost.
The second machine Im a little miffed about. Its definitely the upper tension. I put the bobbin into machine two (after working out I needed to adjust tension - my bad) and volia no issue, but machine two is still having issues. No matter if you do 0 - 9 it all ended up the same. So Im thinking she needs to get a good service and clean out and hopefully that will be all it is and not the upper tension plates broken.
Obviously Im still learning lmao! Started at school and then self taught - and now BB taught hehe. Google is thy friend My aunt is a fabulous quilter, Im far to embarrassed to ask her anything though.
The upper tension plates on my machine need to be serviced and fixed - the tension doesn't hold steady. Given that the machie is 10years old and never had a service, that is unsurprising.
Tension is one of the hardest to get sorted when it goes wrong. I sew on a 1954 singer, and have an excellent ongoing relationship with the service guy at my local Janome shop!
I learnt from Mum, and then did some at school, but then it's just a matter of tackling different projects and following patterns, utube instructions, etc. My latest gig is sewing sunhats.
Well, I managed to send $200 today, mostly at spotlight, and some at HobbySew. I bought my DD1 an Elna Sewing machine for her 7th birthday, and I got suplies for making my rag quilt. Sewing is so expensive, it cost $57 just for the batting. So now I have everything to get started, but I'm going to hold off for a bit until I finish some of my other projects. Tonight I'm planning on actual quilting my little patchwork quilt - FX I have no more issues with my sewing machine, I might have to pull it apart and give it a proper clean out before I get started.
Well I managed to stuff up my new rotary cutter by using it with a metal ruler. :/ stupid. So tomorrow I'm going out to spend 'more' money on a new ruler and a new blade. Good one Melissa.
Honestly, I've looked at material online (ALOT), but at the end of the day its usally cheaper for me to find stuff in spotlight or lincraft or hobbysew (particularly when they have sales like now) and buy it there instead - but it would depend onn how good a selection your local shops have I guess, mine have a fairly good range. It amazes me how much some of these materials go for online. Having said that, it depends what you are getting. Precut materials (ie, Moda charm packs, layer cakes, desert rolls, etc) can be much cheaper online. My favourite places for those are Fabric Buzz and Oz Quilts.
Re: General chat thread for BB girls who like sewing
does anyone in her crossstitch? im looking for a skien of DMC 032. its described as pearl. but every shop ive been to doesnt even have it on their stocklist or know if it exists. can anyone help?
I tend to source my DMC from the US as they have everything. I do bulk buy though. Best one I have found is 1-2-3 Stitch. They have all the threads I have ever needed.
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and I can buy alot more fabric with the money from selling them, then there is in the carriers themselves.
Still needs to go for a service as I know at least one part need replacing on her. Just scared of the cost.
I only got half a metre of each fabric, it went pretty far!
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