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Stitching & Crafting Room:  I need sewing help  |
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pnickols
True Blue Farmgirl
808 Posts
Patricia
Parma
Ohio
808 Posts |
 Posted - Jul 14 2010 : 4:03:30 PM
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| I am replacing trim on my flag corps girls uniforms for this year. They are black knit dance dresses and I am putting on confetti dot material and sequins. my problem is my machine which normally sews thru anything, it's snapping needles and breaking the thread! what am I doing wrong ! I have 5 done and have 12 to go. Help please ! |
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knittingmom
True Blue Farmgirl
665 Posts
AnneMarie
Edmonton
Alberta
Canada
665 Posts |
Posted - Jul 14 2010 : 4:11:21 PM
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Hmmm, maybe call your sewing centre or fabric store and ask if they have stronger needles. You may need something that will go through material such as denim and go with a heavier thread.
"There is no foot so small that it cannot leave an imprint on this world" |
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JojoNH
True Blue Farmgirl
1984 Posts
Joanna
Dunbarton
New Hampshire
USA
1984 Posts |
Posted - Jul 14 2010 : 4:34:51 PM
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Are you able to post a picture of your trim that your adding to the uniforms? If you can, I may be able to help. . . it is either the needle, stitch your using or a combination of the two. However, I would need to see the trim to really give you the advise your needing.
Joanna #566
"Keeping Traditions Alive A Stitch At A Time"
JojoNH
http://www.etsy.com/shop/CountryCents
http://CountryCents.Blogspot.com
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pnickols
True Blue Farmgirl
808 Posts
Patricia
Parma
Ohio
808 Posts |
Posted - Jul 14 2010 : 4:49:40 PM
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I would really appreciate any help, Hopefully you can see the trim on these pics |
Edited by - pnickols on Jul 14 2010 4:51:03 PM |
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JojoNH
True Blue Farmgirl
1984 Posts
Joanna
Dunbarton
New Hampshire
USA
1984 Posts |
Posted - Jul 15 2010 : 05:18:52 AM
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Okay, first question, is the wide piece that looks silver a stretch fabric? I think that one requires a needle for knits, also, you will need to lengthen your stitches from what your use to using to a longer one. It will help to also use a walking foot and go slow. . which is easier said than done ( voice of experience here..hate sewing slow!)
For the red trim, a stronger needle such as one for denium might be a solution and I would be attaching with a zigzag stitch, adjust the width so that you can attach either straight down the middle without catching the sequins or on each side of the trim, again so it will zigzag over the sequins instead of through them.
Hope that helps, it's hard to describe something that we "automatically" do. . . if you still need help let me know
Joanna #566
"Keeping Traditions Alive A Stitch At A Time"
JojoNH
http://www.etsy.com/shop/CountryCents
http://CountryCents.Blogspot.com
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jill skane
True Blue Farmgirl
853 Posts
jill lillian
stacyville
maine
USA
853 Posts |
Posted - Jul 15 2010 : 05:28:49 AM
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I use to make all my daughters gymnastics leotards and also her dance costumes, it was aggravating when I had a problem, I found that the stretch material I did have to use a zig zag stitch. I had two machines at the time for some reason one would do good on stretch and the other. It could have been a tension situation.
jill |
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nitere
True Blue Farmgirl
482 Posts
Amy
Hickory
NC
USA
482 Posts |
Posted - Jul 15 2010 : 06:25:01 AM
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I agree with the others about making sure you have the correct needle gauge. Also, does your machine automatically adjust tension? If not, you may need to play around with that.
Farmgirl Sister #37
http://www.buraellen.blogspot.com |
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pnickols
True Blue Farmgirl
808 Posts
Patricia
Parma
Ohio
808 Posts |
Posted - Jul 15 2010 : 06:53:24 AM
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| Thanks ! Joanna, yes the silver is stretch, I find it helps to go slower but I think I do need a different needle, it seems to be harder to sew than the red trim. I will take your advice and thanks so much everyone for helping me !! |
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DaisyFarm
True Blue Farmgirl
1646 Posts
Diane
Victoria
BC
Canada
1646 Posts |
Posted - Jul 15 2010 : 09:44:08 AM
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I made 30 lined dresses out of that sequin dot fabric...YUK! I had to use a needle for stretch fabric and pin like crazy to keep it feeding evenly. Eventually they all got done and looked really pretty, but I would never want to do that again!
Sequins can be machine sewn on. Do yourself a huge favor and buy a rolling foot and a longer stitch length like Joanna suggested. They aren't too expensive and will save you tremendous grief!
Looking at your photos brings back a lot of memories. I did costuming for 20 years...can't say that I miss it much though! :)
Di
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pnickols
True Blue Farmgirl
808 Posts
Patricia
Parma
Ohio
808 Posts |
Posted - Jul 15 2010 : 4:10:51 PM
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| Diane, thanks, I needed to save some money by not buying new uniforms. our district is making them pay to be in marching band as it is. I just didn't realize what a chore this would be ! |
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JojoNH
True Blue Farmgirl
1984 Posts
Joanna
Dunbarton
New Hampshire
USA
1984 Posts |
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Hallie
Video Sister
79 Posts
Hallie
Pullman
WA
USA
79 Posts |
Posted - Jul 16 2010 : 2:57:44 PM
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I agree with the ladies who suggested changing the needle. But also be sure you have the needle aligned correctly! I spent over an hour fussing with tension last weekend when I was breaking thread. I had just changed the needle and sure I checked that first, but I was thinking: "I've been sewing for years I think I know how to insert a needle! " Well, apparently...
Also, I'd check the little groove on the side of the needle and make sure that the thread has room to lie in it -- if you've chosen the right needle and thread pair it should. It's amazing how little things like that can make a difference, not that I speak from experience! 
Best of luck with the uniforms. I hope your girls love them!
In sewing solidarity,
Hallie
Sister #1112
www.maryjanesfarm.tv |
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pnickols
True Blue Farmgirl
808 Posts
Patricia
Parma
Ohio
808 Posts |
Posted - Jul 16 2010 : 3:08:00 PM
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| thanks Hallie and everyone for the much needed advice :) |
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Stitching & Crafting Room: I need sewing help |
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I need sewing help
