In the last post, we talked about ways that thread nests can be solved from a user point of view. Today, I’m getting into the slightly more technical ways that the nests happen and how to deal with them, or when to take it in for service.
Continue reading Out of the nest – Ditching the Thread nests part 2
One of the most common issues that people bring machines to me for is tension.
The thing about it is that – in most cases – the tension issues are really not something that I need to address as a technician . Don’t get me wrong, there are some legitimate issues – mis-assembled tensioners or severely clogged up tensioners – to name a couple. Continue reading Fly little nestling – Ditching the Thread nests part 1
I received an email from Roger about a month or so ago that asked for clarification about one of the posts I made last year. The post in question is Common Thread – Evaluating the Real cost of thread
Did I mention that I love hearing from readers? Even if it’s questioning what I’ve written, I enjoy the conversation. 🙂 Feel free to comment below or drop me a line. I always answer, even if it’s not right away because I’m perpetually behind on email.
The question Roger asked made me realize that I might have been guilty of a little thread “geek speak”. He emailed me to ask what I meant by “cross wound” or “stack wound” thread. The two other questions I also inferred from that question were “what’s the difference and what does it mean to me?” 🙂 
Continue reading Standing at a Crossroads – Thread: Cross Wound vs Stack Wound
Happy 2014 everyone! I’ve been fairly absent for a bit here. First, trying to get Ryan’s Christmas present finished. I almost made it on time! Then catching up on the corporate books. I don’t recommend a 5 month absence from those. Ugh.
At the end of it all, he got his gift before New Year’s Eve, which considering all of the hurdles I cleared to do it, and the fact that I started it WAY too late, I’m accepting of.
I’m told that the significant other is often the last one to get a quilt. Not in Ryan’s case. He actually managed to get the second ever quilt I’ve made.
Continue reading It’s for you – not me – and other lessons learned
Ergonomics Part 2: In the last article, we discussed why we need to pay attention to ergonomics. Now I’d like to talk about some of the ways we can do this.
Most of the time, it’s little changes that we can make that are inexpensive, or even free. Sometimes we can trade cost for a little sweat equity.
If you’re having trouble putting your finger on the cause(s) of your ergonomic pain, I suggest that you have a helper take a photo of you when you’re working at the machine(s) and then you can review your posture. You’d be amazed at what you can pick out from a photo.
Continue reading High Enough – Ergonomics in your sewing room
Ergonomics Part 1: (This post ended up far longer than I’d intended (yeah, shocking, I know!), so I will split it into 2, and offer you part 2 tomorrow.)
Lately, I’ve noticed that I hunch a lot when I sew. This is on the longarm or at the domestic machines. The result of this is that I “hurt” and I can’t sew for long periods of time. So I thought I’d talk today a little about ergonomics, both at the stand up and sit down types of machines and your cutting table. Continue reading Back in the Saddle – Take care of your back
The day I went to post bail for Lucey, it happened – riiiiiippppp. Oh No! My favorite jeans! I’ve long since passed the age (and lost the figure) where I feel like I can get away with wearing ripped jeans, but patched jeans, especially form fitting ones are so uncomfortable. I’ve used every sort of patch I can think of and they all leave a bump where they are and seem to chafe a little. The best one to date though was a scrap of batik fabric.
The longer I quilt, the less I seem to be willing to “sew” – and that definitely includes darning – but not having an unlimited clothing budget means I don’t get to just throw out what has fallen apart at the seams or self destructed somewhere other than a seam.
Today, I want to talk about how to make darning a little less “horrible” for us quilters.
Ready? Pretend you’re Continue reading Bad Seamstress Blues – Patchless darning is the same as free motion
You may have noticed in the previous post about tension that we didn’t even test sew the machine.
Yet. We will test sew it, but not just yet. You see what I’m trying to do is get the machine to a point where it’s in the ballpark first, then the rest is just small tweaks. The goal is to help you rule out the big problems, the ones that require repair, or in drastic situations, possibly a trip to the sewing machine spa.
Consider this statement:
Tension too tight on the top can also be tension too loose on the bottom. Top Tension too tight does not automatically mean bottom tension is too loose.Tension too loose on the top can also be tension too tight on the bottom. Top Tension too loose does not automatically mean bottom tension is too tight. Continue reading Bobbin’ Along – bobbin tension
A few weeks ago, I attended the Festival of Quilts in Edmonton. The quilts were breathtaking. For a newbie like me, possibly a little intimidating too. I know I should be inspired by them and I think I was to a large degree but there was definitely a note of intimidation there too. I must keep reminding myself that I’m new to this. I can count the time I’ve been quilting in months, not years.
While I was there, I took advantage of the fact that there were vendors there I wouldn’t normally see, and snooped like crazy. I am really proud of myself, I managed to make it out of there for less than $60, with two books and a handful of business cards for companies I may have to be in touch with. Continue reading You’re the Inspiration – Seeing it in everything
Possibly the most common reason a machine ends up on my bench is for tension. Usually bird’s nests. The thing is easily 80% of the time, there’s nothing really wrong with the machine that a repair person needs to look at it. Sometimes it’s basic maintenance, sometimes it’s because someone told you at some point “DON’T YOU TOUCH THAT! EVER!”
I’m sure that the people who’ve said that meant well, but today I’m going to show you how to manage that dial properly and what to do when it’s not proper. Continue reading Fragile Tension – Tension does not have to equal stress (Updated with a video)
