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Moderated by EleanorSews
Posted on: 8/8/06 9:55 PM ET
Hi y'all,
This may be a silly question, but is there a way to estimate how much thread you will need for a particular project?
Also, what to do when you only have a little thread left on the bobbin? Stop and rewind, or try to finish a seam or something in order to use it all up? Thanks!
This may be a silly question, but is there a way to estimate how much thread you will need for a particular project?
Also, what to do when you only have a little thread left on the bobbin? Stop and rewind, or try to finish a seam or something in order to use it all up? Thanks!
Posted on: 8/9/06 8:16 AM ET
In reply to afternoon_sun
Oh, you'll figger this out as you get more experience but generally, for a blouse: I fill the bobbin "8 layers", 8 times for the feeder to transferse the bobbin. For a dress, I do 12 times.
I let the thread run out before I refill.
j.
I let the thread run out before I refill.
j.
Posted on: 8/9/06 8:28 AM ET
In reply to afternoon_sun
It depends on the project. For my regular pants, one bobbin is enough. If there is any topstitching/edgestitching (any other extra stitching), two bobbins. For jackets, two bobbins. When in doubt, two bobbins. (you can always use up scrap bobbin thread on muslins when you need contrasting color).
I like to buy the large spools of Metrosene Plus (1000m = 1094yds) so there's never a problem. I just wind my bobbins before starting the project, and don't change the bobbin until it runs out. In my machine, the bobbin isn't visible so I don't know it's low unless the machine beeps, and then I know I have just enough to finish the seam, then put in new bobbin.
I like to buy the large spools of Metrosene Plus (1000m = 1094yds) so there's never a problem. I just wind my bobbins before starting the project, and don't change the bobbin until it runs out. In my machine, the bobbin isn't visible so I don't know it's low unless the machine beeps, and then I know I have just enough to finish the seam, then put in new bobbin.
Posted on: 8/9/06 9:02 AM ET
In reply to afternoon_sun
I've long since concluded there is no such thing as too much thread or too many pre-wound bobbins. A bigger spool doesn't cost that much extra and I'd rather have a bobbin left over than have to stop mid seam to rethread and wind another.
I also find I make a lot of stuff in similar colors, having learned what flatters me and trying to make things that coordinate. So, the thread will be used. Now I just have to remember what thread I have at home when I fabric shop. I'm accumulating too many spools of similar enough color that I could have used the remaining thread on an old spool and skipped the new one.
And you can never have too much white and black thread.
------
I also find I make a lot of stuff in similar colors, having learned what flatters me and trying to make things that coordinate. So, the thread will be used. Now I just have to remember what thread I have at home when I fabric shop. I'm accumulating too many spools of similar enough color that I could have used the remaining thread on an old spool and skipped the new one.
And you can never have too much white and black thread.
------
Buy the best and you only cry once.
Posted on: 8/9/06 9:32 AM ET
Most projects can be finished with a small spool of thread and one or two bobbins. If there's a lot of topstitching or a lot of seams, or if you're making a couple of items (top and pants), go for the larger spool and wind two bobbins. Personally, I always buy the larger size if I can find it. With all the quilting I do, I can always use up the extra thread when I'm piecing, where the color doesn't have to match exactly. I also wind two bobbins unless it's a very simple garment.
Posted on: 8/9/06 10:13 AM ET
And just so you have a full range of opinions, while Jadamo and Saashka let their bobbins run out before refilling, I don't. While I'm sewing, I regularly peek at my bobbin. If it's low, I change it. I can't stand for my bobbin to run out mid-seam or worse, in the middle of topstitching a seam. Very quickly, you'll develop an "inner timer" for how long the bobbin will last.
A quick way to de-thread a bobbin low on thread: pull out 1ft of thread from the bobbin; put the bobbin in a drawer; close the drawer (not tightly); using both hands, pull the thread thru the closed drawer until the bobbin is empty. The bobbin will spin and hop around inside the drawer, but will suffer no damage. Takes seconds.
Kate
A quick way to de-thread a bobbin low on thread: pull out 1ft of thread from the bobbin; put the bobbin in a drawer; close the drawer (not tightly); using both hands, pull the thread thru the closed drawer until the bobbin is empty. The bobbin will spin and hop around inside the drawer, but will suffer no damage. Takes seconds.
Kate
Posted on: 8/9/06 10:35 PM ET
My pfaff has a low bobbin indicator light to let me know I don't have far to sew, usually can finish a longish seam or a couple shorties. As far a bobbins, NOTHING makes me more irritated than to stop in the middle of a project to wind bobbins. I always start with 2 unless it is a really small project. I often use a natural white or black cotton in the bobbin and only worry about matching exactly if the stitching is going to be obvious. In white or black I wind 3 at a time. I find bobbin winding one of the MOST unrewarding tasks in sewing.
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