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From: Lilli
Date: 01-23-2006, 10:57 AM (1 of 17)
| Hi. I am trying to hem sheer curtains and the end result is puckering and the top fold doesn't match with the end seam. I tried to adjust the tension. I have a great Bernina sewing machine. Is there a specific foot for this? My mom said try tear away basting. Has anyone had any luck with that idea or do you have other tricks? I am new to the forum. Thanks! Lilli |
User: Lilli
Member since: 01-19-2006 Total posts: 3 |
From: paroper
Date: 01-23-2006, 11:18 AM (2 of 17)
|
You might try adjusting your presser foot too. It may be holding the fabric down too tight. Which machine do you have? My 200 has an adjustment on the left end (a pretty good size circle button) that you can turn. Some machines have a stem looking thing on the top that is usually pressed in but will move up and down. I'd have to go look at the 1530 to see where its adjustment is. I just take the 1530 for granted and make adjustments as I need them. I adjust the 200 more often because I use it when I do thick towels. You might also try a walking foot (pretty expensive for a Bernina) or a Teflon foot which is still expensive but I think it is about half the price of the walking foot. There are several uses for both feet. The Bernina's walking foot can be used for zig zag stitches. Some brands do not recommend their foot for zig zag. The teflon foot looks like a standard foot but has teflon coating. They can be used interchangably in some cases. Walking feet are very nice in quilting. 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: HeyJudee
Date: 01-23-2006, 08:38 PM (3 of 17)
|
Don't know if this helps, but here is an article that Julie wrote about sewing a blouse using sheer fabric. She mentions things about the type of needle and thread to use... http://sew-whats-new.com/CMS/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=142 TTFN from
Judy |
User: HeyJudee
Member since: 01-25-2005 Total posts: 1366 
|
From: bridesmom
Date: 01-23-2006, 11:29 PM (4 of 17)
|
I made some sheers for my girlfriend and before I sewed up the top or the hem I pressed the hem/top really well made sure I had it all nice and even, then I used a wash away fusible heming strip - I'm having an air bubble moment, I can't think of the name of it. Then I sewed the fabric with a long stitch and a very fine needle. I have a Pfaff and it has a built in differential feed which really helps to.
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
From: carman
Date: 01-23-2006, 11:40 PM (5 of 17)
| i made some sheers a few weeks ago and used the a tip from a drapery maker and it worked like a dream, use a basting stitch almost, that is what they use and when you look at professional drapes that is what is done, and NO puckering in the end. hope it works for you, i used the basting stitch all the way around as well |
User: carman
Member since: 04-17-2000 Total posts: 692 
|
From: LauraM62
Date: 01-24-2006, 08:13 AM (6 of 17)
|
I made an over dress in sheer fabric for my #2 dd last spring. I not only read Julie's help, but also info from Sandra Betzina. Besides having a small needle, I used a 9, I also used a very long narrow zig-zag as suggested by Sandra. Another suggestion I found worked wonderful was using plain old tissue paper between the fabric & the machine. The tissue paper came off very easily after I was done, but kept the machine from over pulling the sheer fabric.
LauraM
SW Indiana If everyone cared and nobody cried; If everyone loved and nobody lied; If everyone shared and swallowed their pride; Then we'd see the day when nobody died --'If Everyone Cared' by Nickelback |
User: LauraM62
Member since: 08-10-2003 Total posts: 246 
|
From: AndreaSews
Date: 01-24-2006, 08:09 PM (7 of 17)
|
The tissue paper works like a dream. I don't enjoy the extra step of tearing it away afterward, but the technique does help, doesn't it? Another couple of hints that helped me with the same problem (and ultimately let me quit with the tissue paper step): 1) pull out the manual and clean and oil the machine and start with a fresh needle too. 2) There's a needle plate that helps with very lightweight fabrics: The "straight stitch needle plate." It has just one small hole for the needle to go into, which helps to prevent the needle from dragging the "flimsy" cloth down into the bobbin area. If the cloth gets tugged down there, it's bound to pucker and make a mess. The dealer can get this for you.
Andrea
|
User: AndreaSews
Member since: 02-18-2005 Total posts: 1007 
|
From: Lilli
Date: 01-24-2006, 11:32 PM (8 of 17)
| Thanks for the tips. I have a Bernina 1080 (It's about 9 years old). |
User: Lilli
Member since: 01-19-2006 Total posts: 3 |
From: paroper
Date: 01-24-2006, 11:44 PM (9 of 17)
|
That's a great machine!!!
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: mozeyrn
Date: 01-25-2006, 09:51 AM (10 of 17)
|
I feel really silly asking this but...........is the tissue paper technique using the kind of tissue paper that would be in gift boxes? I'm sure it's not the Kleenex type of tissue paper. I'm sorry if my question left some eyes rolling but I probably am going to have to do some home decor stuff when we move and would like to get the right picture in my mind. Thank you! - Maureen.
Learning something new with every stitch!! Kenmore 16231000 |
User: mozeyrn
Member since: 11-29-2005 Total posts: 349 |
From: LauraM62
Date: 01-25-2006, 10:07 AM (11 of 17)
Not a silly question really, I thought about it after I posted that some may wonder what kind of tissue paper. It is the gift type tissue paper, something you would wrap a sweater/top in a gift box or use to fill those gift bags we now use when we don't want to wrap presents  . I bought a big package just for my sewing notions supply in the gift wrapping section of my local Wal-Mart for under $5.
LauraM
SW Indiana If everyone cared and nobody cried; If everyone loved and nobody lied; If everyone shared and swallowed their pride; Then we'd see the day when nobody died --'If Everyone Cared' by Nickelback |
User: LauraM62
Member since: 08-10-2003 Total posts: 246
|
From: paroper
Date: 01-25-2006, 10:11 AM (12 of 17)
|
In the "early" days, before there were a lot of embroidery stabilizers, we used tissue paper and typing paper for a lot of things when we were sewing.
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: LauraM62
Date: 01-25-2006, 10:14 AM (13 of 17)
|
Andrea - yes the tissue paper worked wonderful for me! As did the tip with the stitch type & length. I too used a new needle, and had cleaned-oiled the machine prior to starting (often a habit when starting new projects for me). But I have to ask what type of machine you have? I don't think I've seen any kind of different plate for my machine - but it isn't a top-of-line machine. One of my down the road ideas-wishes better sewing machine, just because I can or want to - mine works like a champ - but gives DH ideas for gifts
LauraM
SW Indiana If everyone cared and nobody cried; If everyone loved and nobody lied; If everyone shared and swallowed their pride; Then we'd see the day when nobody died --'If Everyone Cared' by Nickelback |
User: LauraM62
Member since: 08-10-2003 Total posts: 246
|
From: paroper
Date: 01-25-2006, 10:34 AM (14 of 17)
|
Bernia does make straight stitch plates for their machines. As far as I know, they make them for all models. I thought that most of the Bernina feet/accessories were interchangable (could be wrong.) Just check with your dealer. They may not keep them in stock.
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: AndreaSews
Date: 01-25-2006, 02:33 PM (15 of 17)
|
Laura M, I have a low-end Brother that I bought at Costco about 8 yrs ago, and with one phone call to a Brother dealer, I was able to locate the straight stitch plate for my machine. I think it's true they're interchangeable, within-brand. If you ever come acorss a catolog of accessories, you might be as surprised as I was to see all that's available. Funny thing--all I do is look. I seem to do pretty well with the small handful of things that came in the box when I bought the machine.
Andrea
|
User: AndreaSews
Member since: 02-18-2005 Total posts: 1007
|
From: paroper
Date: 01-25-2006, 03:29 PM (16 of 17)
|
http://www.berninausa.com/browse.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302025019&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474395181831&CONTENT%3C%3Ecnt_id=10134198673322698&bmUID=1138220874517
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: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 01-25-2006, 05:41 PM (17 of 17)
|
LauraM When you need more tissue paper, see if you can find a "Dollar Tree" store.. They sell a pack of white tissue paper with 40 Sheets and of course everythings a dollar there.. Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
|
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