31 Jan 2011

Futile Attempts

Ok, here is the problem. I am still trying to get used to my sewing machine. Man, they are complicated. And all the ironing I have to do now, never had to when sewing by hand. But I am getting there.

Tried making a purse yesterday and failed. Tried again today and it looks much better.

Here is the failed attempt (I'll show you the semi-successful one another day)


















Now a few questions for you experienced sewists.

- Do I have to backstitch all the time? Or how do I make sure the seam doesn't come apart? I want to try some strip piecing and am worried the seams won't hold when I cut the blocks.

- Am thinking of getting a walking foot. Can I use it for piecing and normal sewing too or do I have to change feet all the time?

Will have more questions when they occur to me. Any advice is welcome.

Love, Nadine

3 comments:

  1. Hi
    those machines can be tricky. For pieceing just set your stitch length a bit shorter...then you don't have to back stitch and things will hold together just fine. When I am joining long rows of blocks I back stitch at the beginning and the end of the row just to be safe. I don't care for pieceing with a walking foot because they are a bit cumbersome. I always use a walking foot for the quilting and for putting on the binding. Hope that helps.

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  2. I agree with the previous post. Short stitch length (2-2.5) If the last stich on the block is going to be in the seam of something else, I don't backstitch. If it's at the edge of the quilt, or you're going to fuss with it a lot, then a back stitch might be helpful. Although I've been known to do a few inches of regular sewing with the walking foot, mine is not marked for 1/4" so the seam width varies too much.

    Now that you've fought with the machine, you can see why I'm back to doing hand piecing ;)

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  3. It looks like you just sewed too close to the edge? sewing over zippers is always fun. You'll get it.

    I don't have too much problem with pieces coming apart...and sometimes I trim off the backstitch anyway. I say a walking foot is nice for thick layers, but I really like the 1/4" foot...it keeps my sewing seams for quilts super easy!

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