Help! Steam-a-Seam Question
11-12-2012, 05:35 AM
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Palm Bay, Florida
Posts: 696
I did an entire McKenna Ryan quilt with steam a steam lite without any problems and machine blanket stitched EVERY piece. It HAS to be something else. Put some PURE mineral oil on your thread(instead of SewersAid) and, yes, use a sharp or better yet, a topstitch needle. Just use a paint brush and brush the oil on the whole spool. It will NOT hurt any of your machine or gum anything up. Good luck.
11-12-2012, 05:39 AM
#14
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: PA
Posts: 2,879
I use Steam a Seam Lite 2 all the time and have never had any problems with it. I've never had skipped stitches or had gummed up needles. It's always been a delight to work with. I've never worked with Heat-n-Bond before, so I don't know how that works, so I can't compare the two. I'm so sorry you are having trouble with your applique. Did you try a new needle? New thread and new thread in your bobbin?
I applique all the time and that's all I ever use, so I'm trying to figure out what else could be the problem.
I applique all the time and that's all I ever use, so I'm trying to figure out what else could be the problem.
11-12-2012, 07:48 AM
#17
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Bosque County, Texas
Posts: 2,709
[QUOTEJust use a paint brush and brush the oil on the whole spool. It will NOT hurt any of your machine or gum anything up. Good luck.[/QUOTE]
My dealer told me that using machine oil ANYWHERE , including on the needle since it will bring a minisicule amount of oil into the bobbin area, for any reason will void the warrenty on my Brother and Babylock computerized machines. They are not to be oiled, have the needle oiled, etc. They work totally differently than a mechanical machine and he told me to just throw away all my machine oil, etc.
My dealer told me that using machine oil ANYWHERE , including on the needle since it will bring a minisicule amount of oil into the bobbin area, for any reason will void the warrenty on my Brother and Babylock computerized machines. They are not to be oiled, have the needle oiled, etc. They work totally differently than a mechanical machine and he told me to just throw away all my machine oil, etc.
11-12-2012, 07:56 AM
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Sunny AZ
Posts: 570
I use Light Steam a Seam all the time and have never had a problem. Try a sharp needle or even a small jeans needle. I have used Heat n Bond and didn't like it because it seemed heavier and too gummy. You may come to love Light Steam a Seam.
11-12-2012, 08:01 AM
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 976
I have had it gum on my needle. I kept a tiny bottle with a good fitting lid filled with fabric scraps and alcohol and wiped the needle down.
I have since used up the steam a seam lite and wont buy it again...really don't like the two sides of paper. Much prefer heat and bond lite...didn't know Joann's stopped carrying it! I wonder if you could get it at Joanns online?
I have since used up the steam a seam lite and wont buy it again...really don't like the two sides of paper. Much prefer heat and bond lite...didn't know Joann's stopped carrying it! I wonder if you could get it at Joanns online?
11-12-2012, 01:21 PM
#20
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Littlefield, TX, USA
Posts: 1,077
This may help, it's worked for me for satin stitching. Lay a strip of wax paper over the area you need to zigzag on & stitch on the wax paper...this puts a thin coat of wax on the needle, that comes off in the fabric...but it prevents any glue build up (clean your needle first). I got the idea from a website for embroidery by machine.
The person was embroidering on velvet...and had to use sticky back stabilizer...as you don't want to hoop vlevet...the wax paper also made a good topper for her embroidery. I decided to try it on an appliqued top...and it worked. Just be careful pulling the paper off the zigzag.
The person was embroidering on velvet...and had to use sticky back stabilizer...as you don't want to hoop vlevet...the wax paper also made a good topper for her embroidery. I decided to try it on an appliqued top...and it worked. Just be careful pulling the paper off the zigzag.
All,
I've done just a few applique projects and have really enjoyed it until now. I normally use Heat-n-Bond and do a zig zag stitch on the edges, but Joann Fabrics no longer carries Heat-n-Bond, so I bought Steam a Seam Lite instead. I noticed the zig zag stitches are skipping so there are large spaces in between stitches. I changed sewing machines, and it is happening with both. This didn't happen on my first block, so I am fairly sure it is the steam a seam gumming up the needle. Has anyone else had this problem and if so, what can I do? I have already ironed the shapes to the blocks, so I will have to start over and cut everything out again if this problem can't be corrected. Appreciate whatever input you can provide...Angie
I've done just a few applique projects and have really enjoyed it until now. I normally use Heat-n-Bond and do a zig zag stitch on the edges, but Joann Fabrics no longer carries Heat-n-Bond, so I bought Steam a Seam Lite instead. I noticed the zig zag stitches are skipping so there are large spaces in between stitches. I changed sewing machines, and it is happening with both. This didn't happen on my first block, so I am fairly sure it is the steam a seam gumming up the needle. Has anyone else had this problem and if so, what can I do? I have already ironed the shapes to the blocks, so I will have to start over and cut everything out again if this problem can't be corrected. Appreciate whatever input you can provide...Angie
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