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You got any tips?
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Posted by barb_roselover_in (My Page) on Tue, Dec 29, 09 at 19:30
| Seems to me like I go weeks without questions and then I am hit with several at once. I get so irritated because it seems like all I do is change thread, needles and bobbins. I am thinking of taking my daughter's old sewing machine and keeping a light or dark thread so that I don't have to keep doing this. Mostly, it is because I have to hem my slacks and they are always a different color. I have tried that thread that is supposed to just blend in but I have trouble with it because it seems to be so stiff and does not wind right on the bobbin. What do you other ladies do,and do you change needles everytime you are working on something different? I have trouble threading mine anyway--the threader does not work right on mine (it is a Kenmore Embroidery one) and I seem to be standing on my head every time to get it done. - Barb |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: You got any tips?
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I do change thread and bobbins fairly often, and I hate it too. When I do repairs, hems and such, I try to gather everything together that can get by with the same color of thread(cream or off-white will work for a lot of whites, tans and yellow for instance). Then do another batch with similar shades. I usually use a size 14 needle unless I'm sewing on denim or knits, then I use a 16 or ball-point.
Have you ever tried using one of those little wire thingies for threading hand-sewing needles? I haven't tried one but I always think of those when my(Kenmore)threader is giving me grief. I have to get the needle positioned just right or it won't work. HTH |
RE: You got any tips?
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| Thanks, noinwi. I try to organize colors too, and for a while I was able to do that. When my husband was living, he lost so much weight that I was constantly having to alter his pants and just let my stuff go. I am catching up now, and I don't have that much of one color, and it seems that I have to change bobbins because of it being visible on the other side. That is the size I usually use---a size 14, but it says you shouldn't keep using the same needle like we used to. I have tried the little wire thingies. They work but not on the sewing machine. I have trouble getting my fingers cocked right to get the thread in when the threader takes a notion not to work on the Kenmore. It just seems that I'm in a hurry when I need to sew and it takes so much time. Thanks again for your comments. I guess I just like to gripe, with no remedy in sight. - Barb |
RE: You got any tips?
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I do usually change the needle to match the type of fabric I am using, I use mostly 11 and 14 some for wovens, ballpoints for knits. Use size larger if needed.
Have you ever tried using a Dental floss treader? I use them on my serger needles and my old machine that does not have auto threader. They have a thin plastic stem with a loop on the end.
Also if you have long tweezers they can help you aim better to hit the hole of the needle.
I use the invisible thread in the needle, not always in the bobbin, find on some fabrics it tends to pull hem stitching if it snagged. Usually I try and match the color on the bobbin, but it is personal preference, LOL think I may have a little OCD, not really, just fussy... |
RE: You got any tips?
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| This is something that aparrently a lot of people know but I didn't. I've always put the tread in my mouth to wet it in order to get it into the needle. The other day my DIL told me that her mom wets the needle hole itself. I tried it and it worked the first time and every time since. I was thrilled since my eyes aren't so good any more. |
RE: You got any tips?
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For threading, Hold a business card behind the needle that is a contrasting color to your thread and it will let you see the needle hole and the thread.
Kathy G in MI |
RE: You got any tips?
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| Thanks for the last tips. I did not know about moistning the needle itself. Thank you so much. kathyg - that is exactly what I have been doing, but with this Kenmore embroidery machine, you have to stand on your head to accomplish this. There are surely easier models to thread. I can't remember having this trouble when I took this in school. Of course, there is some age difference (there is a smirk on my face, of course). Thanks again. Barb |
RE: You got any tips?
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| If I am sewing something that will use two different colors of thread on it, I will set up two machines and have the different color in each machine. I have several sewing machines and can do that. I like the idea of wetting the needle, I will try that tip. Sue |
RE: You got any tips?
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| Marilyn_sue - Why do you have so many sewing machines? It is odd that I thought I should buy another--perhaps second-hand and keep that for hems, mending, altering, etc. and keep the Kenmore embroidery machine for the current project. Is that what some of the others do? I don't quilt or do crafts.- Barb |
RE: You got any tips?
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| Oh, I just love machines I guess. I will have to count them one day. They were not all bought new and some were given to me because I just like them. I have a nice old treadle sewing machine my son gave me and it works. It's cabinet folds up and has doors on the front. I have an old Singer 99K I gave $5.00 for and it sews really well. If it weren't so late at night I would go in and count. Will do that one of these days. I have a large bedroom that is now my sewing room. Sue |
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