What's the problem?

[Poddi]

My sewing machine has big problem with thick fabrics. OK, last week I was altering some jeans and I understand how it could be difficult to get through a few layers of denim. Yesterday I was sewing fleece and the machine seemed to make a stiff, clunky noise when it's 3 layers of fleece or more as well. Is it too much to expect from a residential sewing machine? Or did I do something wrong? I used size 16 needle for denim and 14 for fleece.

Does anybody have some tricks for sewing layers of fabric? You know those seams and edges can be so thick, it's hard to even put them between the feed dogs and presser foot, not to talk about sewing through them smoothly. They frequently get stuck and won't move forward. What should I do?

[Persephone]

Heh, when you figure it out, let me know! I'm a pretty new sewer too,and I just tried to sew through 3 or 4 layer of denim, and my machine rebelled. Did the same thing yours did. (Come to think of it, mine's a Kenmore too.) So, I hope someone has the answer!

[Kari_mom]

There are some tricks in hemming denim, it can be tough. First of all, try using asize 16 jeans needle instead of the machine needle that you usually use. Jean needles are sharper than universal needles that most people sew with day in and day out. Check your owners manual and see if you can reduce presser foot pressure too, this can help the fabric move under the foot more easily.

Fabric stores carry a gold thread that is a little thicker for topstitching on jeans that you can use. Otherwise you can use regular gold thread or navy is pretty common as well.

It can be helpful to cut away a portion of the flat-felled seam when you turn the hem under. Usually to hem, you turn the edge up, then turn it up again. By cutting away some of the really thick leg seam that is flat-felled, you reduce bulk. Or just zig-zag the edge then turn it up once. Not as ready-to-wear, but easier to sew.

My machine came with an accessory that looks like this:jean thing-a-ma-jig It is a piece of plastic that slides under the presser foot to raise it up to the level of the big seam hump. You use it at the beginning of your stitching, and put it right next to the thick seam with the needle in the middle. Put your presser foot lever back down first then just stitch right off it and keep going. If you don't have this gadget, a piece of folded cardboard will also work. If you don't use something, you will get funky stitches around the seam. If you need to use it while you are sewing, you can stop, raise the presser foot, slide the thing-a-ma-jig under the presser foot, put the foot back down and keep sewing.

If your machine balks in the beginning, try turning the hand wheel a bit to help it start without using the foot pedal, then give it a little juice and hopefully it will be fine.

Last hint. If you have a free arm, now is the time to use it.

Another last hint. Unfinished hems are really 'in' right now, I have to confess that I am wearing a pair of jeans I just chopped off and I am letting them fray.

Good luck, I hope this helps.