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Member since 12/1/08
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Posted on: 1/11/10 3:44 PM ET
Hi

I'm trying to use a twin needle on my machine (janome Memory Craft 3500) and I'm having problems with the threads getting stuck and jamming. I've used the same type of threads, unwinding in opposite directions and tried loosening the upper tension but have had no success. The user guide doesn't mention using a twin needle so I'm beginning to wonder if this machine can't do it. Any ideas would be appreciated.

If I tell you that I'm trying to sew thin jersey and this is my first time using such fabric you'll understand my frustration

Thanks for your help
K
  
Member since 1/1/10
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Posted on: 1/12/10 0:31 AM ET
I just got a twin needle last Saturday for my MC3500. The woman who owns the shop I got it from said that any machine that can zigzag can sew with a twin needle. I got a Schmetz stretch twin 130/705 h-s zwi 2.5mm width. She warned me not to use one too wide (eg. 4mm) on a fine knit or it would pucker. She suggested if it was puckering or not stitching right to use tissue paper underneath where you are sewing. Tissue paper or even toilet paper although not the soft stuff (her words!!) You have to be able to tear the paper away afterwards. I'm making a t-shirt and the twin needle did work. I just threaded the second thread through the usual way and didn't worry about tension and/or direction (clockwise or counter-clockwise). It worked well when I tested it and the hem on the arms looked good but the hem at the bottom of the t-shirt has stretch so I'm going to try to adjust the side seams and re-do the hem. Also, I found that when I started stitching at the edge of the fabric it would bunches up and jam. Start sewing a little bit in (say 2mm) and it will sew smoothly. I was a bit annoyed with my Janome MC3500 manual because as you say it has no mention of twin needles. Nor does the Janome website. The woman at the shop who helped me is a Janome dealer and knows her stuff. Good luck. Hope this helps.
-- Edited on 1/12/10 0:52 AM --
  
Member since 5/16/07
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Posted on: 1/12/10 0:35 AM ET
In reply to KarenSewsAgain
I've used a twin needle on my Janome Memorycraft 3500 with no problems.

Where are your spools of thread e.g. one on the spool spin and the other on the additional spool spin post that you put in the top of the machine?

Are you threading both threads through at the same time?

The jersey will probably tunnel at first and then you adjust your tension but you should be able to get two rows of stitching.

Hope this helps.
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Sharon
Sydney, Australia
http://petiteandsewing.com/
  
Member since 2/2/04
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Posted on: 1/12/10 3:20 AM ET
You might be having problems because the fabric is a light weight knit. Try using stabilizer under the fabric. Tissue paper might work.
  
Member since 12/1/08
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Posted on: 1/12/10 3:42 PM ET
Thanks for your suggestions - I seem to have progessed - a little. I looked closer and saw that the right hand thread has a hook just above the needle. I also sewed using a medium weight cotton just to eliminate the problems associated with stretch fabrics ( I think this is what's called learning to walk before you run!) This sewed up ok so I then tried sewing 2 thicknesses of jersey with a piece of the cotton underneath. Clearly you were right to suggest that it needs stabilising - I'll be using tissue paper as I don't have any of that type of loo roll that you mentioned!

However......on closer inspection I can see that occasionally the lower thread has failed to catch one of the upper threads and so I get a double length stitch on top. Underneath the bottom thread doesn't seem to be much of a ziz-zag - instead it looks like the upper threads are being pulled down. I tried increasing the upper tension but this made no difference. This was the same even on the cotton fabric so I'm a bit stumped here. Do you do anything special with the 2nd thread directly from the spool or does it follow the main thread exactly? I'm using a 2mm needle.

I can see a huge learning curve here but I'm all out of ideas and I'm impatient to make a jersey top.

I'm amazed that the t-shirt was ever invented - how on earth did they do it?!
  
Member since 1/9/05
Posts: 3570
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Posted on: 1/18/10 2:44 AM ET
Have you tried a different twin needle? It sounds to me like the one you're using now is either blunt or bent. It is skipping stitches which usually means needle problems. Could it have bent when you had your original problems?
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Alison in suburbia - Sydney Australia
aka Bag Yoda
My sewing blog: http://nosilasews.blogspot.com/

My machines: Janome MC6700P, Janome MC6600P, Janome MC8000, Janome MC4900QC, Janome MC3500 (inherited from my mother), Husqvarna Rose, Janome My Excel 18W, Janome 534D & 2 x 634D overlockers, Janome Coverpro 1000CPX.
  
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Posted on: 1/20/10 7:49 AM ET
In reply to goosegreen
You could be right. I was wondering about the needle as originally I thought it was new but it may be one that I've used before on my old machine. I'll buy and try a new one and hopefully that'll fix it. Thanks for your suggestion - it's good when someone else confirms what I'm thinking - I feel like I've actually learnt something!

K
  
Member since 2/9/04
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Posted on: 1/23/10 12:09 PM ET
In reply to KarenSewsAgain
If they make them, you may need a twin needle that is a 'jersey' or knits/ballpoint type needle. That can often cure skipped stitches.
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iPad's auto-correct is my enema.
  
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Member since 4/8/07
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Posted on: 1/23/10 1:05 PM ET
In reply to Doris W. in TN
Twin needles for knits exist. Klasse manufactures stretch twin needles in sizes 2.5 and 4 mm.
  
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Posted on: 1/23/10 5:21 PM ET
In reply to Lynnelle
That's good to know. I jusst checked and Schmetz makes one, too.
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iPad's auto-correct is my enema.
  
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