Overlock Fear
05-07-2011, 02:27 PM
#72
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,667
I just started sewing about a year ago. I took a class and took my sewing machine out of the box. It is a Janome Harmony or Memory Craft 5700. I had bought it on eBay (new, in the box) and was scared to use it. I remembered trying to sew as a teen and I couldn't control the gas pedal, lol, Nothing but problems. But, I digress. When I started hanging out in the classes I said I wanted to learn to sew because I wanted to make T-shirts and nightgowns out of stretchy material (I've since learned it's called "knit") I was told sergers work great for that. So I checked out the model my sewing teacher recommended: http://www.amazon.com/Brother-1034D-...L?pageNumber=2
I saw it got great reviews. I mentioned it to hubby and he bought it as a surprise for me (I had told him I needed to learn to sew first.) at costco.com and it was only $175.00. I took a serger class with her. Much of the class was spent trying to get another student's Babylock to thread right.
To make a long story short (oh, too late). It is easy to thread, the diagram is right there. I learned you can use dental floss loops to get the upper to go under the lower, or however that goes, while threading.
Bottom line. I serged a pillowcase and a cover for the serger and have not used it since. I am scared too!
I agree being mechanically inclined would help. My hubby is a mechanic. I showed him how to thread it way back when and asked him to remember.
I saw it got great reviews. I mentioned it to hubby and he bought it as a surprise for me (I had told him I needed to learn to sew first.) at costco.com and it was only $175.00. I took a serger class with her. Much of the class was spent trying to get another student's Babylock to thread right.
To make a long story short (oh, too late). It is easy to thread, the diagram is right there. I learned you can use dental floss loops to get the upper to go under the lower, or however that goes, while threading.
Bottom line. I serged a pillowcase and a cover for the serger and have not used it since. I am scared too!
I agree being mechanically inclined would help. My hubby is a mechanic. I showed him how to thread it way back when and asked him to remember.
05-07-2011, 02:30 PM
#73
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 4,648
Take a deep breath and slowly blow out.... relax
they aren't that terrifying...
1. Are there color on the tension knobs?
Yes? Is there a coordinating colored line or dots at each thread point? Yes? .... follow the colored lines or dots... = machine threaded.
NO?= open the manual and start with the far right thread and make your own dots with nail polish (bright hideous colors so they don't blend in ) after the polish has dried, follow your dots.
they aren't that terrifying...
1. Are there color on the tension knobs?
Yes? Is there a coordinating colored line or dots at each thread point? Yes? .... follow the colored lines or dots... = machine threaded.
NO?= open the manual and start with the far right thread and make your own dots with nail polish (bright hideous colors so they don't blend in ) after the polish has dried, follow your dots.
05-07-2011, 04:12 PM
#74
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Posts: 3,453
I've owned a Singer over locker for about 27 years. Don't be intimidated. It's only a machine and comes with an off button.
Have to admit mine doesn't get a lot of use these days but quilts don't need over locking. Still I do use it for the drawstring bags I make for a charity if the fabric will fray, and also on the occasional garment I still make.
Have to admit mine doesn't get a lot of use these days but quilts don't need over locking. Still I do use it for the drawstring bags I make for a charity if the fabric will fray, and also on the occasional garment I still make.
05-08-2011, 04:35 AM
#79
Super Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Louisiana
Posts: 6,764
Originally Posted by QuiltswithConvicts
Hint: when you need to change out the thread for a different color, don't pull the threads out. Instead, cut them right above the cone. Put the new color cones in place & tie the ends of the old color & the new color with a half-hitch knot. Pull on the other ends of the old color until you get to a needle or any other place where the little knot won't go through. Cut the threads apart & thread that remaining place. Makes threading soooo much easier.
05-08-2011, 07:12 PM
#80
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Port Ludlow, WA
Posts: 1,379
A serger is a must if you sew garments. It cuts down on allot of the sewing. The tutorials sound good but some of the sewing machine shops give workshops. You will love this if you can overcome the fear of it.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
dollclothes
General Chit-Chat (non-quilting talk)
7
03-18-2011 03:55 PM
