Threads
Metallic
I have not used Madiera Metallic, but I have used the Robinson Anton and
the Sulky with no problem. In fact with less problem than on my other
machines. I did try Sulky " Sliver " one time and had a problem and no
time to experiment so I don't know whether it will work or not.
However, today as I was embroidering, I got a tangled mess on the under
side and discovered that my upper thread had not caught behind the
take-up lever on top of the machine. Since the metallic is so light it
is easy for it to miss the hook. Could that have been your problem? The
way I check it is to thread to the needle and then hold the thread and
turn the handwheel and see if the thread is being pulled back by the
take-up.
Also, on my other machine the metallic thread works best if I use a
Metallica needle or Schmetz Metallic needle.
While on this subject I have found that if I use the Schmetz blue jean
needle in size 10 or 12 for woven fabrics I have less " gagging " by the
machine. I haven't tried these needles on knits. Also for those of you
looking for Organ needles, Janome (New Home) needles are organ and their
top-stitch needles work great for embroidery because of the larger eye.
Lois
Yes, I have used rayon in my bobbin. Also, sometimes I use regular sewing cotton or polyester if I need a color that I don't have in rayon. Girls, you're missing the boat if you don't try it. It gives it a whole new dimension. " Try it you'll like it. " Some things I really don't want the high shine, so I use regular sewing thread. It depends on what you intend the item for.
Sue Hager
Following the chat about using different threads in the bobbin...and I
thought I'd also let you know about my method of winding the cassette
bobbins....
I bought the Criswell lace designs and really wanted a matching bottom
thread - didn't want white bits in my pretty pink lace! I simply wound
some ordinary plastic bobbins with the matching rayon thread and used them in place of the pre-wound ones I normally use. No problems - I didn't have to mess with the tension or anything.
Gill (in Gloucestershire, England)
I find that the metallic threads work best on my Perfect Partner on the
left spool (furthest from the upward arm) and rayon works best on the
right. But ALWAYS, always, always use a thread net or something around the thread to keep it feeding smoothly. Hope this helps.
Sue Hager
I use 14 size needles on things like denim or canvas. And 11 on
everything else. Ballpoint on knits and sharps on woven. Nope, I haven't
needed to use the metallic needles. And I use a LOT of metallic threads.
Mostly Madeira, and haven't had trouble with them unraveling when using
thread nets. I use the tamers on rayon, but nets on metallics.
Sue
Weight of threads used in unknown designs
unknown asks:
Forgot to ask one more thing --is there any way to tell what
weight thread a downloaded design (or any stock design) is digitized for
(if not stated) without stitching out (or " trying " to)? I waste more
thread!
I always zoom into the satin stitch and measure the distance between 10
stitches. If it measures larger than 3.00mm I use 40 wt. For fill
stitch, the process is virtually identical, but you need to measure 20
rows of stitches to get the right value. If the result is less than
4.00mm than you can use 60wt. otherwise 40wt. is recommended.
Willy Pichler
Thread shedding
I understand that one of the reasons for thread shedding at the
needle is that the needle isn't creating a big enough hole for itself and the thread to go through each stitch, and the thread suffers in the
squeeze! Don't know if that's right, but it sounds logical, at least.
Gill
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