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Moderated by EleanorSews
Posted on: 7/25/05 10:36 AM ET
I've checked out a library book, Speed Sewing, and it has a photo of a machine outfitted with two needles. It mentions that you can do that, but do you have to have a special machine for that? Does it need two bobbins?
Posted on: 7/25/05 10:43 AM ET
The twin needle is two needles mounted on one shank. They use two spools on top and only one bobbin. I generally use the narrower twins. If you want to use the wider ones make sure they a little narrower than your widest zigzag stitch.
Posted on: 7/25/05 11:50 AM ET
Some older machines (the Elna supermatic for one) had a special attachment that allowed you to put in 2 needles, I imagine beacuse the twin needles that Gigi referes to wern't available when these machines were made (the '50's). I don't know if there are any more modern machiones which work like this. I sometimes wish there were - some of those twin needles are a) expensive and b) difficult to get hold of.
Jennifer
Jennifer
Posted on: 7/25/05 7:27 PM ET
In reply to jenniferpa
Yes, I noticed that some of the twin needles I would use are kind of expensive. What I'm wondering is... and forgive me if this is an obvious answer, but ...Would you get about the same amount of projects out of the twin needles as from a regular needle? Cause I change needles about every 2 projects, sometimes more.
???
Cheri
???
Cheri
Posted on: 7/25/05 7:31 PM ET
Cheri, considering that they are generally only used for hems and maybe a little topstitching, a twin needle should last for several garments. I usually change my machine needle with every garment but will use the twin for 4 to 6 garments. Stock up on those babies when JoAnn's has 50% off the notions wall! It's much less painful that way.
Posted on: 7/26/05 4:06 AM ET
In reply to Phisch
What the heck are you guys sewing that your needles need replacing so often?!? You sew over pins and hit them? Newer machines are touchier? Machine needles are poor quality nowadays? [I have a big supply of needles, from the 70s when my machine was new] Needles should last longer than just a few projects!
Phisch...the twin needle puts two rows of topstitching perfectly parallel to each other on top of your fabric, and on the bottom is a zigzag stitch.
These are made in different sizes and widths [spacing between the two needles], AND are made for woven fabrics or knits.
Here's a photo of a twin needle so you'll know what they look like.
Twin Needle
-- Edited on 7/26/05 5:18 AM --
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Phisch...the twin needle puts two rows of topstitching perfectly parallel to each other on top of your fabric, and on the bottom is a zigzag stitch.
These are made in different sizes and widths [spacing between the two needles], AND are made for woven fabrics or knits.
Here's a photo of a twin needle so you'll know what they look like.
Twin Needle
-- Edited on 7/26/05 5:18 AM --
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Ardis
the lefthanded daughter of a lefthanded mother
the lefthanded daughter of a lefthanded mother
Posted on: 7/26/05 7:51 AM ET
Needles are cheap - I just prefer to change mine every project. Think of how many stitches are in each garment - that's how many times the needle is going through the fabric. I'd rather change the needle often than wait until it becomes damaged or dull.
-- Edited on 7/26/05 9:58 AM --
-- Edited on 7/26/05 9:58 AM --
Posted on: 7/26/05 11:21 AM ET
So this is something I can go to Joann's for. I am on my way to get a zipper so I will check this out. I thought it was some special thing to attach to the shank part.
No special bobbins, right? Just the needle?
There are some shirts that I'd like to convert from long-sleeved to short-sleeved and they're knits so this is probably what that special needle is meant for.
I have changed my needle probably twice over a few projects. What I've done sometimes is let the machine run too fast and sew over a couple of pins
I am not sure, though, if the occassional blip I have is due to the tension or needles...I'm still chugging along and learning this old machine.
No special bobbins, right? Just the needle?
There are some shirts that I'd like to convert from long-sleeved to short-sleeved and they're knits so this is probably what that special needle is meant for.
I have changed my needle probably twice over a few projects. What I've done sometimes is let the machine run too fast and sew over a couple of pins
I am not sure, though, if the occassional blip I have is due to the tension or needles...I'm still chugging along and learning this old machine.
Posted on: 7/26/05 11:25 AM ET
I like to use Woolly Nylon on my bobbin. It is a stretchy, textured thread. It will give your hems extra give. I generally have my students hand-wind it but I wind it by machine very slowly without any tension. If you stretch it during winding it won't work.
I also keep a separate bobbin case with a loosened tension to use with the Woolly. You may not need that so you'll want to do a quick test first.
Woolly Nylon is available at JoAnn's as well - it comes on a cone.
Also, know that the wider the twin needle the more apt you are to have some tunnelling between the needles (a ridge). I usually use the 2.5mm and the 3.0mm even though I have wider ones.
I also keep a separate bobbin case with a loosened tension to use with the Woolly. You may not need that so you'll want to do a quick test first.
Woolly Nylon is available at JoAnn's as well - it comes on a cone.
Also, know that the wider the twin needle the more apt you are to have some tunnelling between the needles (a ridge). I usually use the 2.5mm and the 3.0mm even though I have wider ones.
Posted on: 7/26/05 11:31 AM ET
How should I get rid of my used sewing needles? I currently have them stuck by size in a tomato pin cushion. I do not know how to get rid of them.
Just drop them in my waste basket, and hope I don't have to empty the thing on the floor to look for something I was *not* supposed to throw out? (can you say OUCH?)
Carol
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Just drop them in my waste basket, and hope I don't have to empty the thing on the floor to look for something I was *not* supposed to throw out? (can you say OUCH?)
Carol
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Currently working on a boys quilt. Sized 40 x 40 inches. It has chickens, chicken eggs, cows, fish, sea life, afield with water, Dachshunds, mini sailboats, and many colorful other fabrics. The blocks are a 4 x 4 finished size, so many of them are needed.
This my 4th quilt in 7 months.
Bernina 630, Bernina embroidery module, Pfaff 2036, Bernina 1200DA serger, Unique Sewing Cabinet 450L
Gardening info: zone 8 standard map and zone 6 Sunset map
This my 4th quilt in 7 months.
Bernina 630, Bernina embroidery module, Pfaff 2036, Bernina 1200DA serger, Unique Sewing Cabinet 450L
Gardening info: zone 8 standard map and zone 6 Sunset map
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