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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: PaulineG
Date: 01-27-2007, 04:27 PM (1 of 2)
Got some lovely embroidered organza to make a wrap for myself the other day. I was planning to sew a straight stitch around the outside and then zigzag over the top. Unfortunately a lot of the time when I try this on other fabrics I get a pucker around the zigzag - usually its in a place where it doesn't bother me but this time it will.

I've been told that using a microtex needle will solve this problem - has anybody had much experience with them?

Also should I loosen my top tension a bit? And how will organza behave - do I need to watch for slipping or anything?
Pauline
User: PaulineG
Member since: 09-08-2006
Total posts: 901
From: paroper
Date: 01-27-2007, 05:26 PM (2 of 2)
I use Microtex needles on anything that is fine and delicate. Yes it should help, perhaps eliminate your problem. Try the needle on a scrap. You may need to slightly lengthen the stitch and or adjust the top tension slightly.

Microtex is the Schmentz name for their sharp needles but they seem to really make a huge difference with some fabrics...fine linings, fine cottons, etc.

In actuallity, sharps were pretty much the standard for many years. Ball points were introduced with the thought that they would "push" aside the fibers in knitted fabrics, rather than spit the fibers. Ball needles are rather blunt. People complained about the nuisence of switching back and forth between sharps to ball to sharps, so a universal needle was introduced as a compromise so that people could pretty much sew with the same needle all the time. Universal needles are commonly used by most people for everything but they do no where as nice a job as sharps on woven fabrics and are rarely the best needle for most jobs. There just isn't a compromise for the best. The Microtex needles have a very fine point and may actually be a little finer than the run of the mill sharp, I don't know. I use Schmentz needles in my machines so I like to keep a nice storehouse of Microtex on hand.
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
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