Sergers: Built to Run
DID YOU KNOW sergers are built to be run at full pedal-to-the-metal speed?
With some sergers sewing up to 1500 stitches a minute, they can sew almost twice as fast as a regular home sewing machine. Using a serger on your next set of main construction seams of a handbag, pillow, dust ruffle, garment, fleece blanket, knit shirt or bridle vail you can start counting the hours of sewing time you will save.
Years ago, the inside seams of quality garments were constructed and covered with hand sewn bias. Though this technique of encasing the raw edges was beautiful it took hours to complete. These days, many garments we wear and hand bags we make are not even lined! This is the perfect time to own and use a serger!
© 2007 SewSara, Sioux Falls, SD. All Rights Reserved.
How Much Thread do I Need for This Project?
We often are asked how much thread it takes to quilt a quilt. It depends on the size of the quilt and the type of quilting to be done. The most thread we seen used in a quilt is 20,000 yds. (10,000 yds. of monofiliment invisible thread in the bobbin and 10,000 yards of Nature Colors on top). This quilt is a beautiful thread painting entitled “Precious Water” by Hollis Chatelain and won Best of Show in Houston in 2004. Everyone’s technique is different so the following yardage numbers are only averages. Of course it is possible to use much more or much less thread. These numbers are for the top thread only. Double them if you use the same thread for the bobbin.
The three sets of numbers following the quilt size represent Light Quilting/Medium Quilting/Heavy Quilting.
Crib size:200 yds./400 yds./600 yds.
Twin size: 400 yds./800 yds./1,200 yds.
Queen size: 600 yds./1,100 yds./1,600 yds.
King size: 700 yds./1,300 yds./2,000 yds.
Special thanks goes to Bob at Superior Threads and our own thread guy, Steve.
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© 2007 SewSara, Sioux Falls, SD. All Rights Reserved.
Unhappy Machine?
Has your sewing machine ever growled at you? You start a new seam and the stitches are forming like normal on the top of the fabric, but the sound the machine is making is not the smooth purring sound you are used to. So you keep going – - -a few more stitches – - – nope, something is not right. When you remove the fabric from the machine you discover large loops on the back side one for each stitch! Yikes! Most people think something must be wrong with the bobbin or the bobbin thread. NOT SO! This often found culprit comes when the TOP thread is not properly placed in the top tension.
One of a couple things will trigger this unruly problem. 1. The machine was threaded with the presser foot in the down position. This closes the top tension disks and will not let the thread down between the disks. 2. The top thread tension disks have accumulated linty-leftovers from fuzzy thread and/or dust which can sometimes push the thread out of the tension disks during the sewing process.
To know if the thread has been properly placed down in the top tension disks, try this simple test:
After threading the needle, gently pull the thread. When the foot it up the thread will pull through smoothly. Continue to pull the thread through the needle while lowering the presser foot. If the threading of the tension disks is correct, the thread will appear much tighter and will gently pull the needle to one side. (Similar to how a fishing poll starts to bend when a fish has been hooked)! If the thread continues to pull through the needle smoothly when the presser foot is down, double check the threading or maybe it is time for a sewing machine spa day at Heirloom Creations.
© 2007 SewSara, Sioux Falls, SD. All Rights Reserved.
Fasturn
Starting in this week’s e-mail, “SEW WISE with Sara” will be a weekly segment almost like a “mini- Sewtopia”! Join us each week for advise and suggestions for new and easier ways to approach your next sewing project.
Have you ever inserted a pencil into a narrow fabric tube in hopes of turning the fabric right side out? Then the pencil is not long enough, gets stuck in a narrow area and you have to start all over again! Yuck! Next time try a FASTURN. This unique tool is a hollow brass cylinder with a specially designed wire hook to make turning fabric tubes fun, fast and easy! One can even magically fill fabric tubes with cord, batting or wire at the same time the fabric tubes are being turned. Fabric tubes are easily sewn into and onto quilts, vests, dolls, accessories, crafts, embellishments, and fabric weaving. FASTURN sets includes six cylinders ranging in size from 1/8″ to 3/4″ in diameter, with three different sized wire hooks.
© 2007 SewSara, Sioux Falls, SD. All Rights Reserved.