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Post by MTRuth on Jan 15, 2016 13:12:19 GMT
The "paper" was water soluble fabric.
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Post by Pandagirl on Jan 15, 2016 16:12:24 GMT
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mwes
Full Member
Posts: 79
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Post by mwes on Jan 15, 2016 23:16:48 GMT
Thank you all!
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mwes
Full Member
Posts: 79
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Post by mwes on Jan 16, 2016 0:51:20 GMT
Thanks for the encouragement; I got the ebook and I guess it is just that I am completely new to the sewing machine that made me hesitate. But I really liked the link that you provided and it helps me feel like I can do it.
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Post by Pandagirl on Jan 16, 2016 1:57:55 GMT
Since you're new to sewing Mary, perhaps you should start out sewing straight lines with the foot before proceeding to free motion. It's important to have some confidence with the machine before doing the unusual. :-). I recently made some small pillowcases. It's a simple task, but would be good practice when you're starting out. It's been soooo long since I started sewing I guess I've forgotten how daunting it can be. I'm sure there are plenty of hiw tos out there to help you get started. Good luck!
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mwes
Full Member
Posts: 79
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Post by mwes on Jan 16, 2016 4:20:11 GMT
Good advice. Thanks.
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Post by blythwhimsies on Apr 2, 2016 10:56:36 GMT
I'm also having a go at this stitching to create a bowl as I have a gorgeous piece of hand-dyed felt that I don't know what else to do with! However...... my machine seems quite happy stitching with the normal foot on, but the thread breaks so often when I go free motion, I just give up! I'm using a King Tut variegated thread. Will I be able to achieve the same shaping using the normal foot on my machine? I've done two rounds and it is very slightly shaped. If anyone can shed some light on why my threads break so often with the free motion I'd love to know as it's frustrating the *$&! out of me right now.
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Post by jwugg on Apr 2, 2016 11:43:18 GMT
Hi Marian, I'm still learning free-motion too, but with more practising I'm breaking thread less often. Put your foot down fast & move your hands slowly, is what I keep reading! Often the thread (or even the needle) breaks because the machine's not going fast enough for the movement, so the thread does not have time to come out of the plate straight & snags on the edge. Lots & lots of practice needed, so my advice is to take your posh variegated thread out, use some basic thread & & a test piece of felt & let's keep trying!
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Post by MTRuth on Apr 2, 2016 14:14:21 GMT
Have you changed your needle lately? What size and type of needle are you using? It makes a difference depending on the thread you use. Have you tried a metallic needle? It's made for metallic threads but has a wider opening and the opening is flared differently.
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Post by blythwhimsies on Apr 3, 2016 16:15:21 GMT
Ruth I did break a needle recently and put in a replacement. The one I have now is a 75/11 all-purpose needle. I can needle felt quite happily in relatively straight lines and even did some flowers quite recently. It's when the thread crosses itself ie when I go over an area that has already been stitched that I tend to get the problems.
I may also have been going too slowly with the machine and too quickly with my hands as Jill suggested, trying to steer in circles!
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Post by Teri Berry on Apr 3, 2016 19:23:40 GMT
Not sure if this will help any but I recently started attending a dress making class and the tutor said most of her students have had issues with the hemline klasse brand of needles, apparently they are notorious for skipping stitches and breaking the thread... The only brand she recommends are smetz
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Post by lyn on Apr 3, 2016 20:39:06 GMT
I'm also having a go at this stitching to create a bowl as I have a gorgeous piece of hand-dyed felt that I don't know what else to do with! However...... my machine seems quite happy stitching with the normal foot on, but the thread breaks so often when I go free motion, I just give up! I'm using a King Tut variegated thread. Will I be able to achieve the same shaping using the normal foot on my machine? I've done two rounds and it is very slightly shaped. If anyone can shed some light on why my threads break so often with the free motion I'd love to know as it's frustrating the *$&! out of me right now. In theory you should be able to make this bowl using a regular presser foot because you're really just stitching a straight line. You only need to gently guide the felt so that you travel in a spiral and not in a circle. I think it will be more difficult to get the messiness of the overlapping lines, but what do you have to lose by trying? If you're worried about messing up a pretty piece of felt, try it out with a coloured thread that you have plenty of and a piece of scrap felt. The stitching does need to be quite dense (and in this instance Annie used several different colours): I hope the thread breaking will cease after a bit of practice. I've used several brands of needles and I haven't found one better than another (however, I haven't tried the Hemline Klasse, and after Teri's post, I don't think I will!).
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Post by Pandagirl on Apr 3, 2016 23:22:14 GMT
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Post by blythwhimsies on Apr 4, 2016 8:31:13 GMT
I did try with the normal presser foot and had a happy few minutes going round and around getting dizzy. The bowl shape didn't really form very much and perhaps I needed a bit more density of stitching. Anyway, I gave up and got the modpodge out and shaped it over a shallow glass dish. I will have another go sometime soon though. My needles come from China and are unbranded! Attachments:
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Post by lyn on Apr 4, 2016 10:18:49 GMT
Oh it's so pretty! Can you post a photo of it 'modpodged'?
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