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Member since 7/16/07
Posts: 30023
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Posted on: 1/8/08 0:58 AM ET
I've been sewing some stretch woven fabric -- cotton or cotton blend with a bit more lycra than it needs. When I prewashed it, it became a bit dense and heavy to use for a buttoned shirt, so I'm using it for a simple top. I'm almost finished, but the machine (well, bobbin thread) has jammed numerous times, and once there was wild looping on the bobbin thread. People here seem to have varying recommendations for the type of stitch and needle to use with stretch wovens, so I decided to pick an approach to try, and have been using a sharp size 11 needle with a very small zigzag stitch (regular stitch length). I'm happy with the (almost) end result, but I need to learn how to do this properly. Thanks!!
-- Edited on 1/8/08 0:59 AM --
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my shield and my very great reward ~ Gen. 15:1

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
If you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid. ~ Albert Einstein

People have a way of becoming what you encourage them to be, not what you nag them to be. ~ Scudder N. Parker
  
Member since 3/19/06
Posts: 3847
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Posted on: 1/8/08 7:42 AM ET
deleted
-- Edited on 4/2/08 5:47 PM --
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http://blog.sew-classic.com/
www.Sew-Classic.com
  
Member since 12/28/04
Posts: 13915
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Posted on: 1/8/08 9:11 AM ET
In reply to Vintage Joan
I have to say that this happens to me once in a while, why I never know. But, I sew on another fabric to see if it is only the fabric I am sewing on. I rethread the machine, change the needle and try it all on a different piece of fabric. I would also think about using a different needle. If you have no stretch in the length I would not use a zig zag. But, that shouldn't cause your problem. Go up to an 80/12 needle and maybe try a stretch needle if it has that much stretch in it.
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www.nancyksews.blogspot.com
  
Member since 7/16/07
Posts: 30023
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Posted on: 1/8/08 10:57 AM ET
In reply to SewClassic
Thanks for the link -- very helpful. I threaded the machine the same way I always do, so maybe I need to clean out the bobbin area a bit. I'll try a larger needle, too. I'm not sure how much stretching the seam will have to do -- I seem to have made the top a tad on the loose side (although the fit is great), so there may not be a lot of pulling going on. I guess next time I'll experiment a bit more first. Thanks!!
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my shield and my very great reward ~ Gen. 15:1

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
If you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid. ~ Albert Einstein

People have a way of becoming what you encourage them to be, not what you nag them to be. ~ Scudder N. Parker
  
Member since 7/16/07
Posts: 30023
Send Message
Posted on: 1/8/08 11:07 AM ET
In reply to Nancy K
Hi -- thanks for your help. I did a lot of needle rethreading during this little project. The thread for some reason pulled out of the needle a few times, even though I gave it lots of length to start out with. ...Really annoying. I didn't try changing the needle itself, so I have a feeling that's one of the problems -- I'll try that next.
Quote:
If you have no stretch in the length I would not use a zig zag. But, that shouldn't cause your problem.

I'll stick with the zigzag at this point, since the top is almost finished, but this is good advice for next time. Thanks!

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my shield and my very great reward ~ Gen. 15:1

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
If you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid. ~ Albert Einstein

People have a way of becoming what you encourage them to be, not what you nag them to be. ~ Scudder N. Parker
  
Member since 1/18/07
Posts: 7
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Posted on: 1/9/08 5:00 AM ET
The thread collecting around the bobbin is caused by the upper thread in most cases. When the needle lowers, the thread passes around the bobbin and unless there's something tight to pull the thread back up again it just stays there and another loop is left each time the needle goes down into the machine. The most common cause is us, the ones using the machine . This is why it happens sometimes and not others. When we thread the machine we often do it without thinking and occasionally the thread won't slot right into the tension as it needs to. The thread is then too loose and the needle takes a loop and leaves it around the bobbin. Lifting the presser foot every time before you thread is the best way to deal with it and there's also a way to check if it's threaded ok. When the machine is fully threaded the presser foot can be lowered, pull the needle thread through the needle and it should feel very tight, to the point where you can almost see the needle bending. If it's tight it's ok to sew, if not unthread the top thread and try again.
  
Member since 7/16/07
Posts: 30023
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Posted on: 1/9/08 12:08 PM ET
In reply to Desanne
Thank you! I'll definitely check this.
------
my shield and my very great reward ~ Gen. 15:1

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
If you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid. ~ Albert Einstein

People have a way of becoming what you encourage them to be, not what you nag them to be. ~ Scudder N. Parker
  
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