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Brother 1034D fabric & needle question Will my little bro protest thick towel material?
reetsi Beginner Member since 4/21/12 Posts: 62	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 9/16/12 12:08 PM Hi guys, the technician at my shop mentioned that a terry cloth cover would be ideal for my sewing machine. I have a towel, a serger, and a itch to experiment with this idea. I read in other threads that while the 1034 is a solid machine for its price, pushing it to extremes is not a good idea. Would serging a towel together be extreme? The towel is cheap (thanks Ikea) 100% cotton, so it isn't thick. Still, it is a towel and putting two layers of it through my machine gives me pause. What do you guys think? If my little brother can handle it, what needles would you recommend? THANKS! -- Edited on 9/16/12 12:09 PM --
hazelnut   Beginner USA Member since 1/7/09 Posts: 2286	Login to reply to this post In reply to reetsi << Like this post Date: 9/16/12 1:57 PM I haven't sewn 2 towels ends together, but I have serged through various thickness's of towels with the 1034D with no problems. In fact, yesterday I made DH 3 smaller golf towels out of one huge golf towel he recently got, and that terry was quite thick, looped on one side and fuzzy/furry on the other (made a lot of lint)! I even forgot to change the needles from the ones I had in there from serging thin rayon (they were size 80/12's) and had no problems. I'd use a 90/14 needle for the towel seams and serge along one end first to test the stitching and then go from there. If I'm uncertain about what I'm putting under the knife I hand-turn the knob for the first inch or so to see how it cuts and moves the fabric, rather than just giving it the "gas", so to speak. I avoid many jams that way. Personally, I think if the towel isn't very thick and bulky you should have no problem - and I'm one of those people who tries not to overstress my serger if I can help it. Make sure you vacuum it out from all the *fluff* when you're finished too - I think keeping it clean goes a long way to not having problems and jams too (and oiling once a month or so, depending on use). Good luck and have fun. ps - You may need to adjust your presser foot pressure for the thickness too. -- Edited on 9/16/12 2:06 PM --
homewerk   Advanced Beginner MD USA Member since 10/2/07 Posts: 90	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 9/16/12 2:04 PM I've serged 12 oz, "spa quality," terry velour (looped on one side and velvet on the other) on my Brother 1034D. I used the standard needle. It serged nicely but I did turn the hand wheel a couple of times to get the knife cutting. Once it was going I maintained a moderate steady stitch. Once underway it serged through additional layers crossing seams. I've also used it to trim old towels (cutting through the tough selvidge layer side seam before starting stitching). Serging terry creates LOTS of lint so be prepared. Serging 2 layers of IKEA terry cloth shouldn't hurt the machine. What are you planning to make? ------ Becky (I'm homewerk on Pinterest too!) Babylock Elizabeth, Pfaff 2030, Brother 1034D Serger, Babylock Coverstitch, Grandmother's 1931 Singer 15-91, 1956 Singer Slant-O-Matic 401A, 1954 Elna Supermatic I love my toys!
Marie367   Intermediate OH USA Member since 5/28/11 Posts: 1343	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 9/16/12 2:56 PM I would make sure to have the 14's in the serger and sharp knives. I think I may need to replace my knives as they don't seem as sharp as they used to be. I might not serge over the towel ends if they have already been sewn down. I am inclined to take it easy on my machines and not push them to their limits which is probably why my old Kenmore is still going strong after 30+ years. Bath towels make nice coverups for people too; I made alot of those when I was younger and my children were younger. Towels tend to sew up pretty easily if you cut off the seams. -- Edited on 9/16/12 2:57 PM --
reetsi Beginner Member since 4/21/12 Posts: 62	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 9/16/12 5:07 PM Thanks a bunch guys! This info will certainly help. I figured a sewing machine cover should be a good beginner's project. My sewing machine doesn't care if there's too much ease. I'll post the final project when it's done!
minggiddylooloo   Intermediate VA USA Member since 5/17/05 Posts: 1793	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 9/18/12 3:33 PM What about just using the overlock feature and disengaging the knife? The lint should be considerably less. With the larger needles it shouldn't be a problem for the Brother. ------ I'm finally a blogger! sewming.blogspot.com
reetsi Beginner Member since 4/21/12 Posts: 62	Login to reply to this post In reply to minggiddylooloo << Like this post Date: 9/18/12 11:52 PM Thanks for the good idea! I'll keep that in mind!

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