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Post by zed on Aug 27, 2016 12:58:49 GMT
I went to take my glasses off the other day and realised I wasn't wearing them on my face so went to take them off my head, but they weren't there either. I must have looked an idiot searching my head.
Lyn, I still haven't tried free-motion, but one question occured to me the other day when I forgot to drop the foot before sewing and made a mess on the back, does it affect tension? Should you have a play around on spare felt first? And while I'm asking, is the lower the number the looser the tension? And does thread thickness affect it?
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Post by lyn on Aug 27, 2016 14:27:12 GMT
Hiya Zed - On our old Berninas we don't have to touch the tension at all. We have it the same for ordinary sewing as for free motion stitching on felt. Also we don't have numbers for tension, it's just - or +. However, according to this expert on youtube, the lower the number on the upper tension, the looser the thread. sewing machine tensionYou would adjust the tension though for effects e.g. if you wanted the bobbin thread to show or if you wanted loopy stitches on top. I would say have a go with your machine on a scrap piece of felt to answer the tension question, but before you alter your tension make a note of the number that you are using now so that you can go back to it. The thread thickness will determine what size needle to use - here's a useful explanation... Quote: "Thread should pass easily through eye of needleHow smoothly the thread pulls though the needle's eye is also a factor in producing even, regular stitches. So if you have trouble threading the needle and problems with the stitches, the thread and needle aren't matched correctly. Lay your thread in the needle's front groove; it should "snuggle" in."...taken from this website: sewing machine needlesIt's easier to move the felt around under the needle if it's backed with stabiliser (either pinned or ironed on). Remember to set the stitch length to 0, and to thread your machine with the presser foot lever up then lower it before you begin to stitch to avoid thread spaghetti.
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Post by koffipot on Aug 28, 2016 5:42:08 GMT
Zed - I often change the tension for FMS, it just depends on the thickness of the fabric. The smaller the number the greater the tension. If the thread snaps or the bobbin thread shows on top, then loosen it, if it loops on the back then tighten it. The upper and lower threads should loop together within the thickness of the fabric.
My old Bernina has a red line on "4" which is the most commonly required tension.
Don't forget to drop the feed dogs and as Lyn says, drop the foot and set the stitch length to "0".
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Post by lyn on Aug 28, 2016 9:21:04 GMT
I've had my old Bernina for years Judith, and I wrote above that I only had "+ and -", not numbers, but when you said your old Bernina had numbers, I had to go check my machine in case I was going doolally. Oh dear, having recently seen lots of machines with numbers for tension, I realise that my machine is more basic than I had previously thought! It would be good if I could buy a clear plastic darning/embroidery foot but I haven't managed to find one that fits the old models - have you seen any? Here's a quick snap of my guesswork tension indicator (it's only a tiddly 5kb file so I hope it's ok). I have to turn the wheel on the top of the machine to move the +/- left or right.
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Post by koffipot on Aug 28, 2016 12:04:12 GMT
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Post by lyn on Aug 28, 2016 13:42:21 GMT
Thanks Judith. I have two darning feet - one is like a closed ring and the other is like a closed ring with a little bit cut out at the front. The latter gives a better view but when stitching on textured felt it can easily dig into and catch fibres/fabrics on its "claws" during manoeuvring so I rarely use it. I'd love a clear one like this... link...but in the description it clearly states "This foot does not fit old mechanical Bernina machines including Bernina 1008" - my Bernina is an 801 and was manufactured in 1981.
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Post by koffipot on Aug 28, 2016 19:07:09 GMT
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Post by lyn on Aug 28, 2016 19:54:11 GMT
Thank you Judith. It may in the US now ... but it will soon be in the UK ... I've bought it!
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Post by Shepherdess on Aug 28, 2016 21:23:53 GMT
On my machine you do not put the foot down. It's a pfaff It has a half way position and it doesn't touch the fabric which makes me wonder why I need a special foot and not just take the foot off.
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Post by lyn on Aug 28, 2016 22:16:12 GMT
On my machine you do not put the foot down. It's a pfaff It has a half way position and it doesn't touch the fabric which makes me wonder why I need a special foot and not just take the foot off. Some people do FMS without a foot, but having the foot does help to prevent stitching your finger to your design and it stops the felt from lifting as the needle withdraws.
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Post by jwugg on Aug 29, 2016 5:57:58 GMT
That half way position might work. I first bought a generic 'fits all machines' cheap foot from Ebay & had horrible trouble, just couldn't get the hang of free-motion at all. Then I tried with the foot off (putting the foot lever down when there isn't one on is a tricky habit to get into!Lowering the foot engages the tension so is essential) & it did work a little better but not good. I got a lot of movement & looping & broken needles.
Once I'd bought a proper darning foot for my machine I could suddenly do Free-motion, yeehaa! Then it's all about practice. Love it now & I'm not even complaining its a metal whole ring type.
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Post by zed on Aug 29, 2016 15:55:10 GMT
Thanks a lot everyone I will have to look for a darning foot.
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Post by MTRuth on Aug 29, 2016 22:24:17 GMT
Yes, the darning foot makes it work easily.
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