What size is that needle?
October 15th, 2006
Keep a small magnifying glass next to your machine and you will be able to read the size off any machine needle once it’s outside its packaging.
Using Metallic Threads
October 15th, 2006
Avoid frustration with metallic threads by:
- Lowering your top tension
- Using either a Metallica or Topstitch needle (these have larger eyes and are less likely to produce shredding)
- Lubricate your thread spool with a few rows of “Sewer’s Aid”, which is liquid silicone. It will help the metallic thread flow more smoothly through the machine parts and should not “gum up†your machine.
- Use a smooth thread in your bobbin, like lingerie thread or bobbin fill thread, and this will not “grab at” the metallic thread like a furry cotton thread would, and this thereby reduces your risk of thread shredding.
Toss those bad needles!
October 15th, 2006
Don’t ever be frugal about throwing out your machine needles. They can easily develop nicks or become bent and your quilted stitches will suffer!
Checking tension
October 15th, 2006
Keep a small “throw away†quilt sandwich by your machine at all times and use this sandwich to check your tension every time that you change either your top thread or your bobbin thread. In this way, you avoid having to tear out your stitches on the quilt you care about because the tension is not balanced.
Practicing with Sandwiches
October 15th, 2006
When you sit down to learn a new quilt design, practice on a small sandwich, (i.e. 9 in x 12 in). This is small enough that you won’t need to put any effort into wrestling with a large bulky sandwich, and you can put all your effort into learning to stitch the new motif. On top of that, once you’ve finished the stitching, you can trim it down to 8 x 11 and keep your sandwiches in a notebook to remember all your great motif ideas for the future!
