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From: Dee Dee Warren
Date: 06-22-2007, 11:43 AM (1 of 7)
How can I improve my topstitching skills? I try to be careful etc ad nauseum but it always comes out not so hot. 
Xena the Sewing Princess ~ I have many skills
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User: Dee Dee Warren
Member since: 04-25-2006 Total posts: 49 
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From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 06-22-2007, 05:24 PM (2 of 7)
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Xena, Look in your accessories and see if you have an edge stitching foot.. On another thread in this same column, I just wrote about discovering this tool by accident and how great it works.. It has a little guide that goes down the edge or down the seam and it makes all the stitches just beautiful and of course evenly spaced on the edge or right beside the seam line if you are using it to embellish a seam, and not the edge of a collar or other items.. Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
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From: blackie
Date: 06-22-2007, 07:12 PM (3 of 7)
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Similar to what Libby is writing about - I bought a stitch-in-the-ditch foot for a few bucks - a blade that goes right down the middle. This is for stitching in the seamline, but if you can move your needle position that works well too (so the "blade" moves down the border of the pocket or wherever). http://sewingmachine221sale.bizland.com/store/media/ditchP60706.gif The other tip - slow down! Very accurate topstitching shouldn't be done as fast as other seams. I for one think topstitching usually looks good even if it's not "perfect". see the mundane life of a housewife.
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User: blackie
Member since: 03-31-2004 Total posts: 594 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 06-23-2007, 09:38 AM (4 of 7)
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I read an article once where the author suggests if you are a little put off by your top stitching go look at ready to wear -- even the more pricey stuff -- and you will see even that is off a bit. If you are top stitching near the edge you can use your foot for a guide, running the edge of your foot or some mark on the foot along the edge of the fabric. I bought an edge guide for $6. It screws in behind the needle and can be adjusted to ride along a guide a couple inches from the needle. Or you could chalk mark a line to sew along. Top stitching happens to be one of the few things in life I do fairly well. The real secret is, like Kelly said, slow down and concentrate. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 06-23-2007, 03:54 PM (5 of 7)
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Blackie, The foot I'm talking about looks exactly like that picture.. ! ! But it will not stitch "in the ditch" on my machine.. I have to experiment and find the way to move my needle again.. Its not in my manual, but I did it once by adjusting stitch width or length and I have to find out which !! Its been so long ago that I have forgotten.. My close vision is no longer good enough to stay in the ditch.. My arms are too short at my age, you know.. LOL..Even with my reading glasses I have to pay very close attention to my fabric and needle when I'm sewing.. Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022
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From: Dee Dee Warren
Date: 06-24-2007, 11:30 AM (6 of 7)
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Thanks guys! I will try to find one of those feet. I get some really cool feet on ebay actually. My newest purchase was a teflon foot, doesn't drag on sticky fabrics.
Xena the Sewing Princess ~ I have many skills
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User: Dee Dee Warren
Member since: 04-25-2006 Total posts: 49
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From: LegalDealer
Date: 06-27-2007, 09:44 PM (7 of 7)
| You could also try your blind hem foot. I use it and move my needle over for perfect edgestiching. |
User: LegalDealer
Member since: 10-19-2006 Total posts: 27 
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