Well, I admit to being ambitious! It's 1:30pm and I've written the draft of a new one person play, submitted a letter for publication, swept and mopped the kitchen floor, washed one load of laundry (other in the washer), took out recycling, did the dishes, went out and picked up bagels and a sewing machine to repair, and started preparing one of my plays for publication. Still lots to do though.
Sandra - sometimes it’s the thread. I’ve found that the really slick (almost polished feeling) polyester thread balls up like crazy - especially on certain fabrics. Changing the needle is a great idea too. Sometimes the tautness of the thread as it’s wound on the bobbin affects the feed - I’ve had a problem with that when I’ve stopped (then started again) the auto-fill bobbin feature. Oh My . . . Great that you’re persistent and a problem-solver!
Thanks for this, Robin! I generally use Gutermann thread, but was using a different brand (I think it's cotton) for the color. I'm switching back to Gutermann all-purpose, and using a pre-filled bobbin. Hopefully that, plus a new needle, will solve my problem! This morning I threatened to just add ribbon ties and tell my daughter she can use those instead of a zipper. Ha. (I didn't tell her this, it's just a joke.)
Oh I sympathize with a day when putting a zipper in is 'not in the stars' so to speak! I have been there. I have also been there when everything goes perfectly the first try and wondered what my problem was before!?! Here are a few things I now do to help myself with 'The Zipper!' Because it often requires matching thread, I pay particular attention to inserting the bobbin correctly. Most of the time this is automatic and no problem. But every once in a while I get the thread going in the wrong direction. And of course it gets all snarled under the needle plate and a lot of swearing takes place! lol.. The next thing I do is check that I am using the correct needle, because it needs to be sharp and strong enough to go through the zipper tape. Surprising what a difference the right weight needle can make and well worth putting a new needle in for the job. And lastly, I hand baste the zipper in place and check to be sure zipper will be where I want it and open and close correctly. Hand basting goes quickly and can truly make machine sewing the zipper in place much easier. I baste with a singe thread in long stitches a little to the side of where the machine stitching is meant to be. If you should stitch on the basting thread, it usually is not hard to remove it. I feel silly detailing all of this when I see all of the wonderful jackets and other garments you have created Sandra. :-) May putting the zipper in, be in your stars!
I never even THOUGHT of using a new needle! I'll definitely try that. I've been using this same needle for a while. Thank you so much. My bobbin was in properly, but I'd had an issue winding it, and I think that's what was tripping me up. Still, I'm definitely putting in a new needle.
BTW - I have been enjoying some simple and very easy yoga videos from Jo Hutton. Here is one that might ease any shoulder tension and who knows, might bring relief from your migraines. Very easy and with a happy presentation! :-)
I am always so ambitious about what I will accomplish in summer and I always fall short. So impressed with your skills.
I don't do 1/10th of what I THINK I can do. But thanks!
Same, but I think being ambitious is what gets that ten percent done.
Well, I admit to being ambitious! It's 1:30pm and I've written the draft of a new one person play, submitted a letter for publication, swept and mopped the kitchen floor, washed one load of laundry (other in the washer), took out recycling, did the dishes, went out and picked up bagels and a sewing machine to repair, and started preparing one of my plays for publication. Still lots to do though.
Sandra - sometimes it’s the thread. I’ve found that the really slick (almost polished feeling) polyester thread balls up like crazy - especially on certain fabrics. Changing the needle is a great idea too. Sometimes the tautness of the thread as it’s wound on the bobbin affects the feed - I’ve had a problem with that when I’ve stopped (then started again) the auto-fill bobbin feature. Oh My . . . Great that you’re persistent and a problem-solver!
Thanks for this, Robin! I generally use Gutermann thread, but was using a different brand (I think it's cotton) for the color. I'm switching back to Gutermann all-purpose, and using a pre-filled bobbin. Hopefully that, plus a new needle, will solve my problem! This morning I threatened to just add ribbon ties and tell my daughter she can use those instead of a zipper. Ha. (I didn't tell her this, it's just a joke.)
Oh I sympathize with a day when putting a zipper in is 'not in the stars' so to speak! I have been there. I have also been there when everything goes perfectly the first try and wondered what my problem was before!?! Here are a few things I now do to help myself with 'The Zipper!' Because it often requires matching thread, I pay particular attention to inserting the bobbin correctly. Most of the time this is automatic and no problem. But every once in a while I get the thread going in the wrong direction. And of course it gets all snarled under the needle plate and a lot of swearing takes place! lol.. The next thing I do is check that I am using the correct needle, because it needs to be sharp and strong enough to go through the zipper tape. Surprising what a difference the right weight needle can make and well worth putting a new needle in for the job. And lastly, I hand baste the zipper in place and check to be sure zipper will be where I want it and open and close correctly. Hand basting goes quickly and can truly make machine sewing the zipper in place much easier. I baste with a singe thread in long stitches a little to the side of where the machine stitching is meant to be. If you should stitch on the basting thread, it usually is not hard to remove it. I feel silly detailing all of this when I see all of the wonderful jackets and other garments you have created Sandra. :-) May putting the zipper in, be in your stars!
I never even THOUGHT of using a new needle! I'll definitely try that. I've been using this same needle for a while. Thank you so much. My bobbin was in properly, but I'd had an issue winding it, and I think that's what was tripping me up. Still, I'm definitely putting in a new needle.
Good luck!
BTW - I have been enjoying some simple and very easy yoga videos from Jo Hutton. Here is one that might ease any shoulder tension and who knows, might bring relief from your migraines. Very easy and with a happy presentation! :-)
https://happyyoga.substack.com/p/a-simple-move-for-shoulder-mobility?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=2697818&post_id=171195459&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=true&r=2l04ge&triedRedirect=true&utm_medium=email