How to not waste the thread at the end of the bobbin? (Update, more questions post #15) - Page 2

[limabean]

Originally Posted by ms.shell

my experience doesn't agree with this. i just got a new machine that has a lot of embroidery stitches on it, and i have been playing around with these. it seems to me that if you are doing embroidery, where there are so many holes punched in your fabric, and then the thread is built up thicker than with regular stitching, that this will easily distort your fabric, or worse, cause the embroidered section to rip away from the rest of the fabric. or the holes at the edges of the embroidery seem to stretch, leaving visible holes in the fabric at the edges of the embroidery. i concluded pretty quickly that stabilizer IS necessary for embroidery, especially on finer fabrics. It really seems to me to make a big difference....i ruined something with thick embroidery on lawn before i figured out i need to use stabilizer behind the embroidery.

i can't tell if there is any difference between "stabilizer" and "interfacing," though. i think it is pretty much the same thing with different names for different applications.....so i have used interfacing instead of stabilizer plenty of times- i always have some of that around.

It sounds like you're talking about using stabilizer while you're embroidering though. I'm talking about something applied after the embroidery is all finished, like when you buy an embroidered onesie and there's a piece of intact interfacing (not sure if I'm using that word correctly -- it's some sort of thin white fabric) covering the embroidery stitches on the inside of the garment.

The embroidery I'm doing is on really sturdy fabric and it's just a bit of hand-embroidered back-stitches -- no satin stitches or anything that would put zillions of holes in the fabric and compromise its integrity. So I'm not using a stabilizer as I stitch and it's going fine, I'm just wondering if I'm supposed to put that piece over the inside stitches when I'm through.

[ms.shell]

Originally Posted by limabean

It sounds like you're talking about using stabilizer while you're embroidering though. I'm talking about something applied after the embroidery is all finished, like when you buy an embroidered onesie and there's a piece of intact interfacing (not sure if I'm using that word correctly -- it's some sort of thin white fabric) covering the embroidery stitches on the inside of the garment.

oh, i see, sorry. I have never noticed that before. i guess it makes sense, especially on a baby, but like others have said, isn't necessary.

[sunnysandiegan]

Originally Posted by sewchris2642

And that little bit of fact is important. Ask a dressmaker, a quilter, a crafter, and a fiber artist the same sewing questions and you can get 4 different answers. All of which could be equally correct.

ABSOLUTELY!!!!

[LZP]

. sorry, double post!

[LZP]

Originally Posted by limabean

That's a really good idea. I can't wait for Christmas so I can ask for stuff like that. And a bigger sewing basket, and a larger cutting mat (I'm using my 12x12-inch scrapbooking mat for cutting and it's driving me crazy).

Re: the bobbin thread, like PPs I check it periodically, especially before a long stitch like on the edge of a blanket when using a contrasting color thread from the fabric. you do get a sense for when it will run out. IME, I use way less bobbin thread than I think I will! a patchwork baby blanket 60"x60" that's turned and topstitched usually only uses 1-1.5 full bobbins, depending on the zigzag I use on the top stitch.

RE: cutting mat- I gave up on that a while ago, and now just cut on my sewing table - which is a very sturdy plastic table from BJs. It's 6' long with folding legs. it becomes a dinner table during outdoor parties! my mom uses a similar table that's 4' since she has a smaller space. we just cut right on the surface with the rotary cutter. soooo much easier than cut, reposition, cut, reposition, cut..... ha! If I had an expensive rotary cutter, or if the one I had required expensive replacement blades, I might feel differently. but I've had the same one for 3 years and probably 100 projects and that first blade is still going strong!

and the machine accessories is a GREAT idea for the christmas list!!

[sapphire_chan]

If you're careful about which side will show, you can pretty much always use a light colored thread in your bobbin.

[sapphire_chan]

Originally Posted by sunnysandiegan

). These all work in my sewing machine. I attend classes frequently (free in my city)

We officially need a jealous smiley. could be "green with envy" but looks too sad to properly convey how happy I am that you have such a thing available to you while at the same time wishing it existed here.

[sunnysandiegan]

Believe me, I am very grateful for the opportunity!

It is a state program where certain education centers are reimbursed by the state for teaching job skills. The sewing / quilting classes qualify (along with many others) because one can get a related job after learning these skills. Dance and exercise classes, for example, through the same facilities are paid classes because they are not 'vocational'. In addition to 'vocational' classes, the parenting classes (some are fun, some are court-mandated) and older adult classes are also free. Those are only free (for all enrolled students) if a certain percentage of students qualify, but anyone can attend.

[cristeen]

For the bobbin, honestly I never pay attention to it. I should learn to though. When I run out, I run out. And then I wind a new one and go back to where it ended. The only time it's every really been a problem though was when doing fancy stitches, and I couldn't line it up correctly to start again. But since I've only ever used fancy stitches on 3 projects, it's not a big item on my radar. With straight stitching, it's just not a concern for me.