As requested, a place for us to ask for help and advice from other stitchers and to show the things we make.
Over to you.:-D
OK - have tried on cotton and it's behaving, so must be the stretchy material that is the culprit.
BUT I'm not convinced I have the tension right.
Back looks and feels OK, but front feels 'risen up'.
Altering top tension isn't a problem, but bottom tension I have to take the spool holder out and alter a screw.
Any idea which needs changing and which way?
BUT I'm not convinced I have the tension right.
Back looks and feels OK, but front feels 'risen up'.
Altering top tension isn't a problem, but bottom tension I have to take the spool holder out and alter a screw.
Any idea which needs changing and which way?
What thread are you using? Are you sewing on a single thickness of cotton fabric or double?
Just sewing single thickness at the moment.
Thread is polyester.
Thread is polyester.
Try double thickness as that's what you will be sewing to make things. You will probably find the tension ok then. I have never ever had to change the bobbin tension on a machine unless I have had very thick stuff in the bobbin for reverse work. I use polyester thread & it's fine.
I had to slacken the lower tension as it was very tight when I first tried it and didn't run free.
I'm just concerned that I've altered it too much.
I'm just concerned that I've altered it too much.
Well if you have moved it already perhaps that's the problem. I have never had to adjust the bobbin tension as they are factory set for normal threads. Just turn the screw a tiny bit at a time & test on double fabric.
Maggie what are the craft fairs like round your area??
byt the end of the year/beginning of next year id like to have my own craft stall :)
byt the end of the year/beginning of next year id like to have my own craft stall :)
I have never done well at craft fairs myself. People do though with the smaller items. Lots & lots of competition though! To be honest I am not sure where they are being held these days. Weymouth doesn't have one. There might be some in Dorchester. Have a Google.:-)
Wow this thread's been busy 😄
Jac that looks a nice machine for a good price, Brother is a good make as Maggie has already said.
I have an old Toyota (nearly 20 years I think!) and a new Necchi which I love
Learning different fabrics will often need the tension adjusting slightly, you will get used to your machine and get a feel for what you need with what your sewing but that comes with experience and getting to know your machine, have fun :-D
Jac that looks a nice machine for a good price, Brother is a good make as Maggie has already said.
I have an old Toyota (nearly 20 years I think!) and a new Necchi which I love
Learning different fabrics will often need the tension adjusting slightly, you will get used to your machine and get a feel for what you need with what your sewing but that comes with experience and getting to know your machine, have fun :-D
Thanks CCC
Quick question - if the bottom stitching is uneven and a bit loopy, should I tighten the lower tension or slacken it?
Quick question - if the bottom stitching is uneven and a bit loopy, should I tighten the lower tension or slacken it?
Have just googled and think I have sorted it 😄
All advice seems to be to have the top tension on 5, but my machine seems happy at 3 ;)
All advice seems to be to have the top tension on 5, but my machine seems happy at 3 ;)
They do vary. Mine has auto tension so I only loosen it for sewing with silk or metalic threads. You just need to see what yours is happy at. |Make notes in a notebook or your machine manual.:-)
General rule of thumb. If your top thread pulls through & shows on the back tighten top tension. If the bobbin thread is pulled through & shows on the front loosen the top tension. Do it in tiny turns. Try sewing with two contrasting colours in bobbin & on top to get it right.:-)
It was top tension too slack Maggie.
Have set it at 3.
Now have to decide what to make.
Another quick question 😉
When doing patchwork, do you reverse at the beginning and end of each seam?
Have set it at 3.
Now have to decide what to make.
Another quick question 😉
When doing patchwork, do you reverse at the beginning and end of each seam?
No I don't bother. I have my stitch length at about 2.2/2.4.That might not make sense for your machine though! lol Remember to press not iron your pieces so as not to distort them.:-D
Do you mean with a cloth between the fabric and the iron Maggie?
I have 4 rows of 5 squares ready for the next stage, so have sat down to consult the books before joining them together;)
I have 4 rows of 5 squares ready for the next stage, so have sat down to consult the books before joining them together;)
No need for a cloth. Just don't push it about with the iron.:-) Press the seams in opposite directions & the blocks will 'nestle' together & your corners will meet.
So press each seam or each row in opposite directions?
One row in one direction & the next in the other direction. Then you aren't sewing over bumps of thick material. :-)
