Sew What’s Up Presents
The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was
retired in August 2007. It is being provided by
“Sew What’s Up,”
which serves as the new home for many members of “Sew What’s New.”
From: giftedhands
Date: 09-30-2004, 01:39 PM (1 of 14)
I tried to sew with a twin needle, but the thread became "all jumbled" on the back side of the material. I don't know what I'm doing wrong since I've been told that you can use a double needle on any machine. HELP!!! 
|
User: giftedhands
Member since: 09-30-2004 Total posts: 3 |
From: dmoses
Date: 09-30-2004, 02:49 PM (2 of 14)
|
Hi Giftedhands, Welcome to the SWN discussion forum.  I'm not sure what would cause the problem you have. Check the bobbin area for lint, little pieces of thread, etc, and make sure the bobbin is in correctly. Are the top threads running smoothly when you sew? They should be threaded through the machine separately, and sometimes it helps if one of them is kept out of the final thread guide. Good luck. I hope you find a solution, soon. Take care,
Donna |
User: dmoses
Member since: 02-22-2002 Total posts: 964 
|
From: bunzino
Date: 09-30-2004, 03:16 PM (3 of 14)
|
Hi gifted, Have you ever sewn w a double needle before? Many machines are very particular about the way this should be threaded. Does your instruction book help? If not, what kind of machine do you have? Maybe someone here has the same and can guide you. One hint I use is that the spools should be unwinding in opposite directions of ea other (one colckwise, one counter-clockwise). Also, try a single needle of the same size and type (ie ballpoint, universal) to make sure that's working. nancy |
User: bunzino
Member since: 08-16-2002 Total posts: 119 |
From: giftedhands
Date: 09-30-2004, 04:20 PM (4 of 14)
| Thanks for the replies and the welcome. No, I've never sewn with a twin needle before. My manual doesn't have instructions for sewing with a twin needle. I have a Singer Izek..the machine that has the Gameboy attachment (mistake in buying this hunk of junk, but that's another topic.) I actually didn't know that both threads could be wound through the machine. I wound one through the machine, and the other I "rigged" which means there was no tension on the thread. That may be my problem. |
User: giftedhands
Member since: 09-30-2004 Total posts: 3 |
From: bunzino
Date: 09-30-2004, 05:55 PM (5 of 14)
|
Gifted, I hate to say this, but you do have a HOJ there. Before you try a twin needle, make sure the hole in the plate will accomodate it. If it does zig-zag, then it wil take the closer-toghether twin needles. They come in a few widths. If your machine doesn't have a second spool pin, you can improvise w a drinking straw on your pin and both spools on the straw. You definitely will need tension on both threads. Why are you trying to twin needle or should I say what are you trying to accomplish? With that kind of machine, it just might be easier to run a line of stitches twice!! nancy |
User: bunzino
Member since: 08-16-2002 Total posts: 119 |
From: duelingneedles
Date: 09-30-2004, 07:17 PM (6 of 14)
|
hi -- i do alot of pin tucking with twin needles -- they do come in various widths so you have to play with them to get the desired design you want -- my singer manual has instructions for it i thread the machine the same way for the left and right needle but on the very last step catching the thread before actually putting the thread thru the needle i put the left needle thread thru the standard loop and the right needle thread goes thru the front of the needle bar where there is already a little lip for it to run thru your izek may not have the capability of using a twin needle -- but both threads need tension all the way to the threaded needle part -- if you get them both threaded and start stitching a sample -- and only one thread catches maybe your machine is not able to use it -- in order for a twin needle to work you have to make sure to put the right zigzag plate in so it has a big enough hole for both needles to move up and down on a side note -- never use big designs with twin needles -- never use your reverse button -- and always go slow to medium for your speed -- it takes a little longer for one bobbin thread to catch 2 top threads i hope that helps -- once you can get it figured out its a piece of cake with so many different things you can do with it stitchin' up a storm
"T" |
User: duelingneedles
Member since: 11-09-2003 Total posts: 11 
|
From: diayag
Date: 09-30-2004, 08:41 PM (7 of 14)
| Any machine should be able to run twin needles. The only qualifier should be how wide the hole is, and any zigzag should have a wide enough hole for most twin needles. (I've used them on a 25 year old Kenmore) It may NOT have enough width to do a zigzag or other wide design with double needles. The lack of tension was certainly the problem but slow speed is crucial as well. If you are trying to make a straight line, or a design with the twin needle, you may find there is a strong tendency to get pin tucks whether you want them or not, owing to the bobbin having to pull the two top threads together. It helps to stabilize, with a tear away or dissolvable stabilizer, even a piece of paper, something to help keep the fabric flat. |
User: diayag
Member since: 01-10-2003 Total posts: 10 |
From: grammyC
Date: 09-30-2004, 08:56 PM (8 of 14)
| Does your machine have a "setting" for using a twin needle? If this isn't activated, I think it will cause the thread to jam. |
User: grammyC
Member since: 07-17-2003 Total posts: 8 |
From: duelingneedles
Date: 09-30-2004, 09:31 PM (9 of 14)
|
the only thing the manual says for mine is that i have to turn the machine totally off and put the needle in and then turn it back on and then i can pick straight zigzag or a limited amt of designs that are built in
stitchin' up a storm
"T" |
User: duelingneedles
Member since: 11-09-2003 Total posts: 11
|
From: paroper
Date: 10-01-2004, 10:22 AM (10 of 14)
|
I don't think that I knew that you could zig zag (not to mention fancy stitches) with twin needles. There is such a limited amount of space in most machines for those things to move. Some machines don't even have a 5mm zig zag plate. That would really limit the amount the needle would swing unless your needle stays stationary and the feed dog moves the material back and forth (as some do).
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: MaryW
Date: 10-01-2004, 11:43 AM (11 of 14)
|
Yes, you can zig zag with some double needles. It all depends on the machine. With my Pfaff I have to make sure the threading is right. One thread goes on one side of the tension disc, the other on the other side. Is this a possibility with yours? The threads are easily tangled, they have to stay separate. MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
|
From: bunzino
Date: 10-01-2004, 06:24 PM (12 of 14)
|
You don't need a special setting for twin needles. You are probably going to sew a straight stitch. I have a 30 yr old Kenmore and a 7 yr old Viking Lily (computerizedJ). Neither requires any special "setting" for twin needles nor do they require turning off and on. But it's worth a try. Where are you at w all this advice? nancy |
User: bunzino
Member since: 08-16-2002 Total posts: 119 |
From: Debzy
Date: 10-02-2004, 04:52 AM (13 of 14)
|
hi gifted, did i hear right - your singer has a gameboy attachment?? |
User: Debzy
Member since: 06-02-2003 Total posts: 71 |
From: giftedhands
Date: 10-04-2004, 10:50 AM (14 of 14)
Yes, you heard (read) right, a GameBoy attachement. There is a cartridge that contains all of the stiches. You have a good bit of flexibility with the stitch length and width. You can also save stiches, stitch combinations, and letters/words for embroidery. Don't let all of this info fool you though, it's still a HOJ. 
|
User: giftedhands
Member since: 09-30-2004 Total posts: 3 |
Visit Sew What’s Up for the latest sewing and quilting tips and discussions.
This page was originally located on Sew What’s New (www.sew-whats-new.com) at http://www.sew-whats-new.com/vb/archive/index.php/t-13800.html
Sew What’s Up is hosted by ZenSoft