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: Magot
Date: 07-24-2005, 11:29 AM (1 of 19)
|
I am about to cut out and sew a knit top - crossover at the front, little cap sleeves - perfect for summer hols starting next week so I have little time to get this done. I understand to use a stretch stitch (the little lightning zig zag) and the pattern says to top stirch the hems using a twin needle which gives a nice stretchy stich being as though it is a zig zag on the bottom. Saturday saw me in town buying a twin needle - but I have never used these before. I have a Janome 6125 (quilters companion) and search through the manual as I have I can find no information on useing a twin needle.....so I have no idea what stitch to program. There is a doodad in the drawer underneath which allows you to have another spool of thread plonked on the top of the machine - but how do you thread it? Do the two threads just follow the same thread path separating at the needle? Do I use a basic zig zag stitch and by some magic jiggery pokery does it manage the stitch? Or am I attempting to do something that my machine doesn't know what to do? Advice please, I want to sew tomorrow. love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us Cells a Speciality DNA to order. |
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002 Total posts: 3626 
|
From: luv2sew
Date: 07-24-2005, 03:03 PM (2 of 19)
|
Jan: I have a Bernina 930 so don't know if your machine will thread the same. Begin w/the R spool in place and thread coming off from the front of the spool, thread to the R of the tension disc. Thread all channels and the right needle. Put spool on left spindle w/thread coming off from the back of the spool. Let this thread lay to the left of the tension disc. Thread all channels. (This may differ from your machine) Guide the second thread under the small metal flange on the front of machine and under the thread guide on the needle bar. Thread left needle. (threads need to be kept separated) Bring bobbin thread up and have all threads under the presser foot and to the back. Hope this helps. Luv2sew Luv2sew
An act of kindness is never wasted!! |
User: luv2sew
Member since: 05-21-2004 Total posts: 174 
|
From: Magot
Date: 07-24-2005, 03:24 PM (3 of 19)
|
Thanks for the threading advice - do I sew with a zig zag the size of the distance apart of the needles? that would seem to make sense.
love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us Cells a Speciality DNA to order. |
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002 Total posts: 3626
|
From: sewmuchfun
Date: 07-24-2005, 03:36 PM (4 of 19)
|
I believe you sew a straight stitch... or the lightning zigzag.. I wouldn't do a very wide zigzag with the twin needles... Hope this helps M Marilyn
Sewforme Stashaway |
User: sewmuchfun
Member since: 07-22-2005 Total posts: 67 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 07-24-2005, 04:37 PM (5 of 19)
|
Jan -- On my machine I thread both threads the same, separating them to either side of the tension disks then back together again. If you want two lines of straight stitches, set a straight stitch. If you want two lines of zig zag (or other fancy stitch) set it for that stitch. The bobbin will zig zag like on the under side. I just made a pair of pants with several rows of decorative stitches -- straight, zig zag and a couple other fancy stitches -- with white thread on black fabric. They looked great. The bobbin will zig zag like on the under side. Why aren't you using that serger on the knit. You are going to lose your SWOGM title. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: Skye
Date: 07-24-2005, 06:09 PM (6 of 19)
|
Hi Jan, Twin needles come in a few different widths I like the 2.5 or 3mm on light knits. For top stitching I have always just used straight stitch. Now for a stitch with a bit more stretch you can hand wind wooly nylon onto your bobbin. SOmetimes you may have to alter your upper tensions (loosen off) if you get a ridge forming. I have an Elna 6005 and I just pull the two threads thru the thread path together until I get to the needle and then hook one to the L and R then thread the needle. In my old machine where I can actually see the tension discs I have to put the threads either side of the disc otherwise it doesn't work well. To add to your confusion you know that you can get a triple needle - now that's some fun for dcorative effects too. Have fun Skye |
User: Skye
Member since: 09-28-2000 Total posts: 233 |
From: Magot
Date: 07-24-2005, 07:39 PM (7 of 19)
Thanks people, I think I know where I am going now - Dorothy - I will be using the serger, of course - this is for the decorative topstitching - I don't have a true cover stitch on my model. Beside I have to make all those useless threads that Mary wants us to keep... 
love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us Cells a Speciality DNA to order. |
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002 Total posts: 3626
|
From: DorothyL
Date: 07-25-2005, 07:59 AM (8 of 19)
|
Jan I have a whole pot full of useless threads Mary wants us to keep! I think she is getting a kickback from the thread companies. If you are going to do decorative stitching with the twin needles try a couple different stitches on scrap before you settle for a straight stitch. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: MaryW
Date: 07-25-2005, 08:46 AM (9 of 19)
A kickback from the thread companies. LOL. Wishful thinking my dear. 
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
|
From: Magot
Date: 07-25-2005, 10:16 AM (10 of 19)
|
Woohooo, it's all working! I am become a queen of topstitching! (you will have noticed of course that I am not prone to hyperbole) rats - got to stop sewing to buy food - stupid body! love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us Cells a Speciality DNA to order. |
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002 Total posts: 3626
|
From: luv2sew
Date: 07-26-2005, 07:35 AM (11 of 19)
|
Jan, It is wonderful and I am happy that it all worked out for you. You deserve to crow! Get that food to keep up the strength for topstitcing. lol Have a good day. Luv2sew Luv2sew
An act of kindness is never wasted!! |
User: luv2sew
Member since: 05-21-2004 Total posts: 174
|
From: Magot
Date: 07-26-2005, 07:59 AM (12 of 19)
|
...bear in mind that while I am exhaulting in my skills - these garments are actually fit to be worn on the beach and drop ice cream down rather than be seen anywhere important. There are serious errors but it is all a learning process and I haven't tried working with knits/serging/top stitiching before. So my t shirts will do for stomping over the wild moors hidden under a jumper but not quite up to scratch for showing off to the world. Pity fabric is so expensive...I'd do it all again and make less errors this time. The cleavage on one t shirt threatened to expose my navel, the other the neckline is decidedly drunk.... who cares, no one is judging me, and I had fun! I think a better fabric choice would have helped but I was desperate to sew and bought the only jersey to be found...polyester/lycra mix. Pass me a choc ice, I need to disguise a mistake.... love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us Cells a Speciality DNA to order. |
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002 Total posts: 3626
|
From: Skye
Date: 07-26-2005, 04:35 PM (13 of 19)
|
Great experience is the greatest teacher I often use the clear elastic in my knit top neck lines serge it onto the wrong side and fold over then top stitch down - helps it to lay flat and stops it from stretching. I also use the elastic in the shoulder seams has a stabliser Have fun Skye |
User: Skye
Member since: 09-28-2000 Total posts: 233 |
From: Magot
Date: 07-26-2005, 04:45 PM (14 of 19)
|
I stablised the shoulder seams Skye, learnt that from reading on the site. It had a self binding on the neckline - you cannot buy the rib stuff anywhere and it has stretched a bit when I topstitched it. I have never seen the elastic for sale anywhere. I am gong to have to get me a good online source.
love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us Cells a Speciality DNA to order. |
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002 Total posts: 3626
|
From: bren
Date: 07-27-2005, 04:34 AM (15 of 19)
Glad you posted this Question Jan ...now I will try my twin needle out...I had no idea how to use it ...Thanks Ladies 
Bren:
Don't let anyone ...Live Rent Free In Your Head |
User: bren
Member since: 11-30-2002 Total posts: 489 
|
From: Magot
Date: 07-27-2005, 06:04 AM (16 of 19)
|
It's magic Bren,you'll love it.
love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us Cells a Speciality DNA to order. |
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002 Total posts: 3626
|
From: joni lowe
Date: 07-27-2005, 10:00 PM (17 of 19)
Probably a foolish question, (most of mine are!!) but what does the twin needle use for bobbin thread? I have never used a twin needle, and was pondering this question just the other night. Does the one bobbin service both needles? If so, HOW??? 
|
User: joni lowe
Member since: 03-29-2005 Total posts: 75 |
From: Skye
Date: 07-27-2005, 10:10 PM (18 of 19)
|
All questions are valid. When using the twin or triple needle the bobbin thread zigzags. Dont ask me how it actually does it tho' Skye |
User: Skye
Member since: 09-28-2000 Total posts: 233 |
From: Magot
Date: 07-28-2005, 02:36 AM (19 of 19)
|
It's magic. (resort of the ignorant when faced with no other explanation) I was confused by that too but somehow the machine cheerfully zigzags at the back between the two topstitches which remain the same length as each other. It is alltogether strange and fey. Try it it's fun. love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us Cells a Speciality DNA to order. |
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002 Total posts: 3626
|
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-16467.html
Sew What’s Up is hosted by ZenSoft