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From: 1*sewer
Date: 10-08-2005, 01:02 AM (1 of 18)
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Hello guy's this is my first time leaving a thread in this forum, but, you all have previously helped me so much in the Machine Talk Forum (Thanks Again!). Well this is just an update. I was finally able to get over the initial fear of my sewing machine. I was able to sit down and wind my first bobbin, which didn't come out perfect but I was still excited. I was also able to thread my machine and stitch my first stitch after figuring out that I hand to have my bobbin situated so that it would turn clockwise (this eliminated the little nest of thread that I was getting in my bobbin case! Finally the loop of thread appeared! :whacky   That's about as far as I have gotten, but, looking forward to more. My first project possibly would be baby polar fleece blanky's or scarfs considering the cold months ahead (After reading the thread regarding the difficulties of fleece in another forum this may not be a good idea for a beginner's project, but, we'll see!). Still waiting to take my first "get to know my machine class", but, I may have to reschedule due to conflict in hubby's work schedule and class date (I need him to watch our little one). So until then, I am waiting on taking the basic beginner's sewing class until I am more familiar with my machine.Just updating you all! Thanks again for being so kind to me!!!!!!!! 
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User: 1*sewer
Member since: 09-09-2005 Total posts: 27 |
From: LadySloPokes
Date: 10-08-2005, 08:39 AM (2 of 18)
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Congrats on the new machine!!! I'm so glad you found something that you like and will something that you'll be able to work with for many years to come. Oh How I Hate Waiting!!!!  Here you are with a brand new toy, and you have to wait for a class to learn how to use it! I was the same way last Christmas, but since I couldn't wait until after the first of the year, I grabbed some scrap fabric and just started playing with it. The bobbin winding was pretty much the same as my previous machine, but all those new stitches---wowsers, I just couldn't wait to test them.  It's very easy to understand your reluctance to try to go any further without some sort of professional guidance, but take heart--you'll be flying through new sewing projects in no time at all!!! Good Luck and keep us posted!
Cookie
LadySlo...yes am I, but hey, I'm gettin' there! Are you sure it's supposed to look like this?! Proud owner of Singer Quantum Decor 7322 & Singer Quantum Futura CE 200.. "A balanced diet is having chocolate in both hands!" |
User: LadySloPokes
Member since: 08-15-2005 Total posts: 198 
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From: DorothyL
Date: 10-08-2005, 09:03 AM (3 of 18)
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How fancy is that machine? I couldn't find the number on the Pfaff website but I have a Pfaff sewing machine and a Pfaff serger and both are user friendly. Get yourself some cheap fabric and go girl. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: soverysewey
Date: 10-09-2005, 01:04 AM (4 of 18)
| I have the same Pfaff 7570 and found it easy to learn. Read the manual and just try different things in there.I could never wait for a lesson..too impatient! |
User: soverysewey
Member since: 12-19-2003 Total posts: 56 |
From: bridesmom
Date: 10-10-2005, 09:04 PM (5 of 18)
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I totally agree, many of us are self taught. And you have this fantastic group of women to get help from if you get stuck. Go get some cheap fabric, find an easy pattern and go for it. You can do it.
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
From: plrlegal
Date: 10-11-2005, 11:10 PM (6 of 18)
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1*sewer: I have a Pfaff Quilt Expression and it was really easy to learn. Of course, I have been sewing for a lot of years. After you threaded your 7570, did you set the top thread tension. If it is still set on 0, you will get loopy stitches and bird nests down in the bobbin area. Also, be sure you have your machine threaded properly as in make sure the thread is in the thread take up level (that is the silver lever that you see going up and down). I put a newly filled bobbin in my machine last night, started sewing (you don't have to unthread my machine to wind a bobbin) and suddenly, I would have thread nests. I fussed and fumed at the machine for about 20 minutes before I noticed that the thread was not in the take up lever. Fixed that and voila!!! the machine stitched right along. Set down with your manual in front of you and learn to use that machine. Pfaffs are user friendly and I have found their manuals are really good or at least the one with my 2044 is. Patsy Patsy
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User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 10-12-2005, 08:37 AM (7 of 18)
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You may also get a nest above the bobbin if you thread the machine with the presser foot down. I'm usually very careful about that because the thread doesn't get between the tension plates but one time I didn't lift the foot and ended up calling the repair shop. She had me re-thread the machine from the spool on and it worked fine. It always works fine. I love my Pfaff sewing machine but still have a love/hate relationship with my Pfaff serger. They are certainly workhorses and I couldn't live without that extra foot now that I've had one. I'm sure you will be very happy with yours. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: MartySews
Date: 10-12-2005, 04:18 PM (8 of 18)
I now have the 7570 and love it. It does everything I want it to do without hardly a moment's trouble. Did you get the embroidery unit and software with your machine? It takes one's sewing to a whole different level. On my 7570 I have sewn silk, fleece, cotton, polyester, satin, knits, and velveteen fabrics. No problems whatsover. Just remember to use the right needle and the correct presser foot. I love the built-in "info" section as it tells you just what tension is needed, presser foot, and settings. Can you tell that I just love  my machine. Happy Stitching!Marty It takes one moment to change a life.
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User: MartySews
Member since: 02-23-2003 Total posts: 504 
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From: 1*sewer
Date: 10-13-2005, 04:29 AM (9 of 18)
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Thanks everyone for all of your advice and encouragement! I think that the reason why I had a little nest in the bobbin area is because my bobbin was turning counterclockwise instead of clockwise and therefore I had to switch it around. You know, MartySews I am glad you mentioned the info section because I am having problems with the tension. I was sewing on some silk material trying to serge the ends and it was not working. First of all it pulled too tight and it poked holes. I changed the presser foot to the blind Stitch Foot No. 3 and played with the tension and it helped a little. Still had holes though. A friend said that maybe I was using the wrong needle and I think maybe my tension was off or the wrong type of thread or something. Boy was I frustrated! Then, I tried a decorative stitch on a piece of denim and it just didn't look all that great (now that I am sitting here typing this I am starting to think that maybe I didn't use the right foot for this also, duh 1*sewer!). I do know that I must be doing something wrong.  I'm actually thinking about going to my dealer because the Pfaff truck is coming and seeing if I could exchange for a previously loved Pfaff 2140 that has auto-tension plus a few extras of course like the creative assistant but I don't know how much different it is from the 7570 info button (the price has to be right though my 30 days to exchange is almost up and I don't want to pay too much more (already paid $2080) right now they want $2900 for the 2140 but they say when the truck comes it should be a better deal). But, either way I'm ready to make something! I just need a little extra help with tension and presser feet for different types of fabrics and maybe this creative assistant may help or maybe not! We'll see!I think I will also try to just get an easy pattern instead of trying my own ideas because since I haven't had any sewing experience I do need a little direction. I do know that I am ready to accomplish a project and I thought that I was trying something simple. All I wanted to do was take a square of silk or satin, serge the ends, and attach lace trimming all around (at church we call these lap scarfs). Isn't this simple! I have so many ideas about what I want to make, but, it's starting to sink in. Nothing is overnight, everything is one step at a time and it's all a learning process. I'm okay with that lesson. Again, Thank You so much for your readiness to help me!!
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User: 1*sewer
Member since: 09-09-2005 Total posts: 27 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 10-13-2005, 08:00 AM (10 of 18)
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I have a pencil mark on my tension dial for my regular tension -- which I rarely have to change. It's a bit higher than what the manual suggests. And on my serger I did the same for the stitch width because I like that better just a little wider than the manual calls for on most things. It takes a while to get to know your machine and its little idiosyncrasies. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: 1*sewer
Date: 10-14-2005, 11:47 AM (11 of 18)
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I am going to keep my machine because I know that it's a good machine! I've been reading some of the other forums and I know that I am the problem not the machine. I just have to take the time to get to know it as you have said DorothyL. I'm going to take it for another spin today, once baby is night night. I'm going to check out some of the free sewing lessons on-line that you all have been suggesting to others in the other forums too! Thanks a BUNCH!
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User: 1*sewer
Member since: 09-09-2005 Total posts: 27 |
From: toadusew
Date: 10-14-2005, 02:55 PM (12 of 18)
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1*sewer, don't forget that Sandra Betzina has some great books out there regarding the correct needles and presser feet for different fabrics. I have her book More Fabric Savvy and love it! (I also have the original Fabric Savvy). These 2 books have helped me many times when sewing different fabrics--especially those I'm not as familiar with as others. Happy Sewing! |
User: toadusew
Member since: 01-08-2005 Total posts: 369 |
From: bridesmom
Date: 10-14-2005, 05:03 PM (13 of 18)
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#1sewer - not to discourage you at all but starting out on a silky or satin fabric would have made me throw the machine out the door! I had een sewing for a number of years before my first attempt at satin and organza and it took a lot of test sewing to get it where I wanted it before starting the dress. Try starting with cottons, or fleece, much simpler. You could still do the lap scarf in a very fine lineny cotton and do the lace trim on that.
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
From: 1*sewer
Date: 10-15-2005, 01:00 AM (14 of 18)
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You know I did forget to look at that book toadusew and I do recall you mentioning it when I first came to this site. Thanks for reminding me! I am going to try to look for it. Also, thanks bridesmom for the advice on a different material for my lap scarf because today I was trying to overcast my edges again and I was going BANANAS!  I felt stuck because that's a project that I would really like to accomplish and it seemed simple enough in the beginning. So question, is that material called a particular type of cotton or do I need to just go and feel the various cottons out there? I have been thinking about the fleece too because of the cold months for scarfs, blankets etc, but, in another forum I read about the different problems with fleece such as the graining and it overstretching and rolling(I think that "graining lines" was the term used can't remember). But, I think that I will try it still.Thanks for all the support!!
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User: 1*sewer
Member since: 09-09-2005 Total posts: 27 |
From: bridesmom
Date: 10-15-2005, 07:13 AM (15 of 18)
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There's a really nice cotton called dobby shirting I think, and any nice cotton for blouses would work. Fleece is not that bad to sew with, in fact you don't have to finish any edges, so its quite nice. I'm a fabric feeler, I have to like how it feels, you can feel the quality in a fabric when you feel it I think. Can I ask what a lap scarf is used for??
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 10-15-2005, 08:45 AM (16 of 18)
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If you keep that walking foot down and sew a wide seam the silky stuff really won't be much of a problem on that Pfaff. I guess I wouldn't say the same about overcasting an edge on silky stuff because I tried it yesterday and phooey -- just gave up. Of course it was a doll shirt for a 16" doll so I was working with a tiny piece. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: 1*sewer
Date: 10-15-2005, 11:56 AM (17 of 18)
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Hello again! To answer your question bridesmom regarding the scarf, it is used to place on your lap to cover your knees while sitting in church. Sometimes when I buy suits for church when standing the skirt comes down to mid-knee level or right at top of the knee level, however, when you sit the skirt rises and sometimes when you place your bible on your lap that kind of mess with the skirt area also. As a result, I use a lap scarf to cover that area so that I may sit more comfortably in church. Thanks for the tip on that fabric. I'm going to go check it out. Can I get it at JoAnn''s Fabric Store or should I go to a designer fabric store. Is it expensive? Hey DorothyL I'm giving up that silky stuff too! At least for right now I am. Too hard! 
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User: 1*sewer
Member since: 09-09-2005 Total posts: 27 |
From: bridesmom
Date: 10-16-2005, 04:20 AM (18 of 18)
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You should be able to pick some up at Joann's. The one in Bellingham has quite a nice selection of fabric, but I have no idea what the others around the country are like.
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
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