| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| farmmom22 |
Posted - Nov 17 2008 : 9:00:14 PM
I need serious help! I can't sew anything but a straight line on my sewing machine, and it's driving me nuts. I sit down and think I'm really gonna do it this time and then I just get fed up. When I start to sew a curve(if thats what you call it) I get all out of whack! I can't seem to stay on the pattern line and the stitches end up like a full inch away from it. Are there any hints to make this easier before I just give up?
I don't know if this is one of the reasons, but I am left handed so of course I do everything backwards! Please help!
Best farm wishes |
| 15 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| debinmtns |
Posted - Nov 19 2008 : 4:26:59 PM
If your thread too tight if its the top thread pullin its the bottom tension it the bottom hread is the top tension. I know it does not make sense but thats the way it work. Quilter use the edge of the foot to sew straight lines. They have 1/4 inch feet and sometime they can move the needle to get their 5/8 inch or 1/2 inch and still use the edge of the foot. Good Luck.
debinmtns #63
http://www.handcraftedncreated.blogspot.com
http://www.abunchofcountryswappingals.blogspot.com |
| eskimobirdlady |
Posted - Nov 19 2008 : 4:09:11 PM
jami, that is such a great way to explain it! practice makes perfect with anything you do! shorter stitches make easier turning imho. going sloow also helps alot! i have a tendency to have a lead foot when sewing or driving lol. most of the timme i do very small items like ornaments by hand but then finding a place to put up my sewing machine in here just isnt possible. i have to sew sitting on the floor using my knee to control the pedal! when i had the time and the space i sewed every evening after work! it helped that i worked in a fabric store and got a huge discount on fabric lol. i used to make the model garments so my daughter had tons of beautiful clothes! those were free, all i had to do is to hang them up in the store for 6 weeks and the materials were free! peace connie in alaska |
| City_Chick |
Posted - Nov 19 2008 : 08:10:29 AM
Jami what a great analogy!
Tammy last year I made a crazy curve quilt for our quilt store mystery bag contest. So I know how you feel. The shorter stitch length does help a lot but most of all go slow and be patient. After you rip it out a few times so you can redo it you will be a pro!
Christina
Farmgirl Sister #195
http://justacitychick.blogspot.com/
Although no one can go back and make a brand new start; anyone can start from now
and make a brand new end.
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| Jami |
Posted - Nov 19 2008 : 07:59:40 AM
I can liken sewing to learning to drive a car...anticipate the corners and curves but not too much ahead of time as you'll run off the road if you turn too soon. Too late and you run across the center line into the other "lane". If it's a sharp curve you slow way down...if a gradual curve you ease along and if you're making a turn onto a new road you stop and reposition everything and start again. And easy on the gas pedal or things can get way out of control.
On the stitch length issue and small turned items, the shorter stitch length is preferable, probably 10-12 stitches per inch at least.
I know it's hard but try to be patient with yourself. It really is like learning to drive a car...remember when your parents would let you only drive the backroads until you were ready for town or the freeway? It's the same kind of thing with the sewing machine...you're building skills with each "drive".
I'm a leftie too by the way.
Jami in WA
Farmgirl Sister #266
http://woolyinwashington.wordpress.com/
http://farmhouseflair.etsy.com |
| Sitnalta |
Posted - Nov 18 2008 : 9:27:46 PM
nope trust me..lol.. you r not the only one lol even my three year old has no probs telling me her pillows have bumps...hehe
Jessie
Farmgirl Sister #235
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| farmmom22 |
Posted - Nov 18 2008 : 8:35:15 PM
Jessie, I'm right there with ya sister! Glad to hear I'm not the only one making a mess out of my sewing projects!
Best farm wishes |
| Sitnalta |
Posted - Nov 18 2008 : 6:32:03 PM
heh! I am here to say YOU ARE NOT ALONE! unfortunately, my problem is not my machine or anything. I just can't seem to get those curves when sewing on a machine to work. I end up with puckers and half straight half bent lines and all whatnots. So, even though, Im no help in solving your problems, I thought Id offer up encouragement and say maybe we should start a support group..Well call it Dreaming of Sewing Curvy" or something. LOL
Best of luck and hope you find a good solution! :)HUGS
Jessie
Farmgirl Sister #235
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| mikesgirl |
Posted - Nov 18 2008 : 6:10:16 PM
I was going to say the same thing connie did - practice is probably just the best thing - or if you can find an experienced sewer to come sit and watch you and tell you if there's anything obviously wrong.
Farmgirl Sister #98
Check out my new online store
http://www.shopthefrontier.com/VFstore/index.php?manufacturers_id=79&osCsid=6be4b25bf9555031c6e2e86bbde23dba |
| farmmom22 |
Posted - Nov 18 2008 : 5:52:22 PM
Thanks girls for all the help. My machine was serviced not that long ago, so I'm thinking that's not the problem. I'm gonna try some different stitch lengths and practice on the paper. But I have a question about stitch lengths, Will the longer stitches hold together as well if I'm making dolls or ornaments after I turn them and stuff them? Lord help me!
Best farm wishes |
| K-Falls Farmgirl |
Posted - Nov 18 2008 : 1:40:44 PM
Connie has a good idea. Take it slow.. Practice may be all you need...
http://www.k-fallsfarmgirl.blogspot.com/
Cheryl #309
Farm girl sister
Enjoy the little things in life....someday you'll look back and realize they were the big things. |
| K-Falls Farmgirl |
Posted - Nov 18 2008 : 1:39:43 PM
Tammy, Has your machine been serviced in awhile? Mine sat for a while & I used it for a few projects, put it away .. The tension was screwy and There was fuzz inside. I just had mine done and what a difference it made..Are there any sewing machine shops where you can take a sewing class using your machine?
http://www.k-fallsfarmgirl.blogspot.com/
Cheryl #309
Farm girl sister
Enjoy the little things in life....someday you'll look back and realize they were the big things. |
| oldfashioned girl |
Posted - Nov 18 2008 : 10:19:11 AM
Tammy, One thing that I found very helpful for sewing curves is to shorten your stitch length! I am left handed also and sometimes you just have to adapt! Another thing that may help is to hold the fabric down with one hand in front and the other in back and go slow! I hope this helps!
Monica
farmgirls rule!
www.justducky48.etsy.com |
| gramadinah |
Posted - Nov 18 2008 : 10:06:51 AM
I have taken chalk or a pencil or any thing that will wash out and marked the fabric. You may have the tension to tight. You can do it one stitch at a time needle down in fabric and pick up the foot adjust the fabric and go that way. I sadly am not great at curves either but found that if I attempt with a longer stitch length it helps and go slowwwwwwwwwww. I also have attacked them for both direction on either sides of fabric go stright to the curve get to the top remove the fabric and turn over and got stright and got to top of curve again I have also sewn them by hand Basting and that helped too.
Keep trying you will get it.
Diana
Farmgirl Sister #273 |
| Jami |
Posted - Nov 18 2008 : 08:15:56 AM
Not sure if this is helpful or not but I keep my eye on the thread guide and not the needle or the foot. This keeps me guiding the fabric "true". The thread guide is the markings on the right and left side on the needle plate. Mine is metric which is a pain...but I measure over to the width of seam I am working and mentally make a note of which mark this equals to and then keep my fabric edge right on that line. I speed up and slow down according to doing a curve or straight line to keep on the mark.
You may have a feeding problem with your feed dogs. It might not be "you."
Jami in WA
Farmgirl Sister #266
http://woolyinwashington.wordpress.com/
http://farmhouseflair.etsy.com |
| eskimobirdlady |
Posted - Nov 18 2008 : 12:37:29 AM
rammy, way back when i was in jr high they tought us how to sew lines and curves using paper and no thread. start with marking straight lines on a sheet then go to large curves and when you are feeling good about doing them make tighter curves and crooked lines. use your pressure foot as a guage or use the little lines that are usually on the throat plate. you can also put tape on the plate to use as a guide. hope this helps! peace connie in alaska |
