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Posted on: 9/4/11 2:08 PM ET
I recently had the opportunity to check out two CS machines - a Babylock, which did the long-stitch mentioned above, and a Janome 1000 cpx which did the normal flat, elongated skipped stitches that I've seen demonstrated in pictures.
In the case of the Janome, the owner fiddled with the threading a bit and then sewed another 4-inch strip which looked fine. The owner couldn't show me anything more since he admitted he didn't really know about sewing with a CS. With the Babylock, the salesperson folded over some twill and then sewed perpendicular up to and across the folded-over seam (demonstrating sewing over a thick seam), and you could see that the stitching which stretched-over from the flat fabric onto the hump was twice as long and quite loose, but not missing a section of thread underneath like the Janome's skipped stitches did. So is the elongated jumped stitch normal for the BL or any CS when going from one height to the next? The only info I found while searching around the web is to pound down or cut seam intersections, but nothing showed this particular detail. I'm asking since their floor model is on sale right now (Babylock) and not that much more $$ than the Janome (which is full price). Thanks
-- Edited on 9/4/11 2:10 PM --
In the case of the Janome, the owner fiddled with the threading a bit and then sewed another 4-inch strip which looked fine. The owner couldn't show me anything more since he admitted he didn't really know about sewing with a CS. With the Babylock, the salesperson folded over some twill and then sewed perpendicular up to and across the folded-over seam (demonstrating sewing over a thick seam), and you could see that the stitching which stretched-over from the flat fabric onto the hump was twice as long and quite loose, but not missing a section of thread underneath like the Janome's skipped stitches did. So is the elongated jumped stitch normal for the BL or any CS when going from one height to the next? The only info I found while searching around the web is to pound down or cut seam intersections, but nothing showed this particular detail. I'm asking since their floor model is on sale right now (Babylock) and not that much more $$ than the Janome (which is full price). Thanks

-- Edited on 9/4/11 2:10 PM --
Posted on: 9/4/11 2:39 PM ET
In reply to hazelnut
The cure for the skipped stitches is to mark the hem fold and snip it. Press the seam allowance on the hem in the opposite direction from the direction you pressed the rest of the seam. It works. Just be careful not to snip the seam stitching.
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www.nancyksews.blogspot.com
Posted on: 9/4/11 3:03 PM ET
In reply to Nancy K
Thanks NancyK,
Am I interpreting your response correctly to mean that a long, loose stitch over the hump is considered a "skipped stitch" and is normal for any CS machine when going from low to high seams unless you perform the "cure"?
Am I interpreting your response correctly to mean that a long, loose stitch over the hump is considered a "skipped stitch" and is normal for any CS machine when going from low to high seams unless you perform the "cure"?
Posted on: 9/4/11 3:04 PM ET
In reply to hazelnut
Quote: hazelnut
So is the elongated jumped stitch normal for the BL
So is the elongated jumped stitch normal for the BL
No. Just slow down a little when you get to a change in fabric height to allow the presser foot to adjust, and be sure the fabric is feeding evenly and not pooled in your lap or hanging off the edge of the table.
ETA: I'm wearing the skirt below today. It was one of the first projects I used my BLCS to make, 7 years ago. It's denim, and the seam intersections are thick. All the stitches are the same length, before-during-after the "lump."

-- Edited on 9/4/11 3:07 PM --
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"I base my fashion sense on what doesn't itch." — Gilda Radner
http://stitchesandseams.blogspot.com
"I base my fashion sense on what doesn't itch." — Gilda Radner
http://stitchesandseams.blogspot.com
Posted on: 9/4/11 3:43 PM ET
In reply to Debbie Cook
Thanks Debbie. The salesperson used a 6-8" square of twill fabric and she demonstrated sewing over the folded hump - I didn't actually sew it myself, but I did get to stitch on 2 types of stretchy knit samples and those stitches were fine.
ETA: Do you find it difficult to sew necklines and sleeves w/o a free arm on the BL?
-- Edited on 9/4/11 3:46 PM --
ETA: Do you find it difficult to sew necklines and sleeves w/o a free arm on the BL?
-- Edited on 9/4/11 3:46 PM --
Posted on: 9/4/11 8:19 PM ET
In reply to hazelnut
Quote: hazelnut
ETA: Do you find it difficult to sew necklines and sleeves w/o a free arm on the BL?
ETA: Do you find it difficult to sew necklines and sleeves w/o a free arm on the BL?
I don't know if any of the CS machines have a free arm. The necklines & sleeves are normally CSed in the flat first.
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iPad's auto-correct is my enema.
Posted on: 9/4/11 9:15 PM ET
In reply to Doris W. in TN
I'm pretty sure the Janome had a free arm, but.......
Quote:
The necklines & sleeves are normally CSed in the flat first.
...I sure hope this isn't the case. That wouldn't work for me - the ends of my hem seams never match up when the seams are joined. I always have to even them up and trim areas off before turning the hems up. Oh boy.... well, thanks for letting me know in advance. The necklines & sleeves are normally CSed in the flat first.
Posted on: 9/4/11 9:19 PM ET
In reply to Doris W. in TN
Quote: Doris W. in TN
I don't know if any of the CS machines have a free arm.
I don't know if any of the CS machines have a free arm.
The Janomes have free arm.
Quote: Doris W. in TN
The necklines & sleeves are normally CSed in the flat first.
The necklines & sleeves are normally CSed in the flat first.
I disagree. If you do that, you end up with the underarm seam showing where the pre-sewn hems meet. For binding, I will do the neckline flat, with one shoulder open, and then sew the shoulder. But on flat neckbands, I don't do them flat.
It's just as easy to turn the sleeve (or whatever) inside-out and then CS from the right side.
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"I base my fashion sense on what doesn't itch." — Gilda Radner
http://stitchesandseams.blogspot.com
"I base my fashion sense on what doesn't itch." — Gilda Radner
http://stitchesandseams.blogspot.com
Posted on: 9/4/11 10:07 PM ET
I have the Janome 900 CP and I use a "hump jumper" set up for the thick seams. I find the Jean-a-ma-Jig I use on the sewing machine is a little too thick for the coverstitch so I use a little point turner/sewing gauge that came with a book several years ago. It's the perfect thickness to use on the coverstitch and was the end of the skipped stitches.
I sew all my sleeves and pant hems in the round on my coverstitch -- as Debbie says just turn them inside out and stitch in the round.
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I sew all my sleeves and pant hems in the round on my coverstitch -- as Debbie says just turn them inside out and stitch in the round.
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Sheila
"sewing very slowly to fill an empty closet"
Stash Tally: net +46.375 yds (2014 to 2020); net +48.0 (2021); net +57.125 (2022); net +109.875 (2023)- Stash Tally 2024: 77.5 yds out/90.375 yds in (net + 12.875 yds)
2025 Stash Busting:
0 yds sewn (as of 01/01/25)
0 yds purchased/received (as of 01/01/25)
"sewing very slowly to fill an empty closet"
Stash Tally: net +46.375 yds (2014 to 2020); net +48.0 (2021); net +57.125 (2022); net +109.875 (2023)- Stash Tally 2024: 77.5 yds out/90.375 yds in (net + 12.875 yds)
2025 Stash Busting:
0 yds sewn (as of 01/01/25)
0 yds purchased/received (as of 01/01/25)
Posted on: 9/5/11 8:38 AM ET
If you found a BLCS for the price of a Janome, buy it. It's a great machine and if stitches are skipping it probably has more to do with inexperience of the salesperson.
Only my opinion. You can't go wrong.
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Only my opinion. You can't go wrong.
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Barb
"I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." Thomas Edison
"I not only use all the brains I have, but all I can borrow." Woodrow Wilson
"I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." Thomas Edison
"I not only use all the brains I have, but all I can borrow." Woodrow Wilson
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