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From: wp88
Date: 06-10-2005, 02:14 PM (1 of 10)
| I am making a pair of jeans which the pattern requires quite a lot of overstitiching to the edges. No problem doing that but I keep forgetting to put the machine back to straight stitch and bang goes another jean needle. What reminders if any do most people use as in my normal sewing I use straight stitch most of the time, not switching. |
User: wp88
Member since: 03-28-2005 Total posts: 35 |
From: esrun3
Date: 06-10-2005, 04:38 PM (2 of 10)
|
Does your machine revert back if you switch off the machine and turn it back on? I have a Singer 9940 and if I turn it off and back on it turns back into straight stitch so maybe if yours does that you could make a point of turning off the machine as you move from area to area? Of course, I guess if you could remember to turn the machine off you'd remember to switch the stitch back to a straight stitch, huh? How about doing as much of the straight stitching you can before you start zig zagging? Sorry, not really a lot of help, I guess 
Lyn
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User: esrun3
Member since: 12-02-2004 Total posts: 2345 |
From: June Harlow
Date: 06-10-2005, 07:35 PM (3 of 10)
|
If I understand you correctly, you're switching your foot back to a straight stitch foot and forgetting to change the machine setting to straight stitch ? On my mechanical machine I try to get in the habit of settting it back to straight stitch before I close down for the night, but I can see where it'd be easy to forget and get in trouble
June ~
"If only I could find that missing pattern piece!" June sews on a Pfaff 1209 and a Babylock 5180 serger |
User: June Harlow
Member since: 05-30-2005 Total posts: 100 
|
From: Dorriebelle
Date: 06-10-2005, 08:01 PM (4 of 10)
|
Only way I remember to switch stuff is to go away for a minute for a soda or bathroom break at the end of a task group and come back. I trained myself to always look at all the machine's settings whenever I sit down. It's a pain, but taking fairly frequent breaks actually helps keep me interested - I want to get back to it ! I've started training m'self to spin the wheel one rotation before any sewing, which helps me remember when I'm going from the straight-sew foot to the zig-zag - I was always breakin' needles ! Of course training takes time - I still forget to store the machine with the foot down on some fabric at the end of a project, and I've been in training for that six months ! Sorry I'm not more help ! DB, Timey Tell seamstress extraordinaire. |
User: Dorriebelle
Member since: 06-05-2005 Total posts: 15 
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From: Hogmami
Date: 06-10-2005, 08:14 PM (5 of 10)
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Try putting a post it note on the front of the machine when you are using the zig zag. That always helps me.
Carolyn
Michigan |
User: Hogmami
Member since: 09-30-2004 Total posts: 800 
|
From: cclebl
Date: 06-13-2005, 01:41 PM (6 of 10)
diddo on the posted note....that's what I do... 
Carolyn
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User: cclebl
Member since: 04-25-2005 Total posts: 27 |
From: Sparky
Date: 06-13-2005, 04:02 PM (7 of 10)
|
I don't understand... you change the foot to do zig zag stitch? Then change it again for straight stitch? My machine didn't even come with a straight stitch foot. I just use the zig zag foot all the time. Well, unless I'm using a zipper foot or something. I forget to change back from zig zag to straight stitch all the time, but no harm's done - just a couple of zig zag stitches to rip out. Sparky
|
User: Sparky
Member since: 03-13-2005 Total posts: 94 |
From: June Harlow
Date: 06-13-2005, 05:55 PM (8 of 10)
|
hi Sparky: Some machines come with a straight stitch needleplate (it has a hole in it instead of a wide slot) and a straight stitch foot (hole instead of a wide slot). The advantage of using a straight stitch foot and/or needleplate is that the stitches are neater, and on fine fabric, the fabric doesn't buckle under the needleplate while it's being stitched. To the casual sewer it's an ever so slight difference, but for discriminating folks it's worth the extra effort of changing things
June ~
"If only I could find that missing pattern piece!" June sews on a Pfaff 1209 and a Babylock 5180 serger |
User: June Harlow
Member since: 05-30-2005 Total posts: 100
|
From: Sparky
Date: 06-14-2005, 11:36 AM (9 of 10)
|
hi Sparky: Some machines come with a straight stitch needleplate (it has a hole in it instead of a wide slot) and a straight stitch foot (hole instead of a wide slot). The advantage of using a straight stitch foot and/or needleplate is that the stitches are neater, and on fine fabric, the fabric doesn't buckle under the needleplate while it's being stitched. To the casual sewer it's an ever so slight difference, but for discriminating folks it's worth the extra effort of changing things Makes sense. Thanks for explaining. Sparky
|
User: Sparky
Member since: 03-13-2005 Total posts: 94 |
From: wp88
Date: 06-15-2005, 05:11 AM (10 of 10)
|
Many thanks for your replies, I think the postit notes is the answer, although now I am trying to be more careful as well. I think getting into a routine as well may help but it was when following the pattern and then doing the next step without thinking what setting the machine was on. Thank you again for suggestions, this site is so very helpful and I for one appreciate all the good advice and suggestions. Bill |
User: wp88
Member since: 03-28-2005 Total posts: 35 |
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