Little tidbits of my life

Sewing Tips from Stitches by Teresa

I have been having a wonderful peaceful evening alone just reading blogs and enjoying this site.  It occurred to me that something I often look for on the web is sewing tips and quilting tips.  I used to have a home business named Stitches by Teresa.  I had to close it due to health problems.  However, I still enjoy the hobby when I am able.  I have noticed that many sites want us to pay for even the quick helpful hints.  I would like to add some tips for FREE from time to time as I think of them. 

My tip for today relates to choosing the right thread to use in your sewing machine.  Besides deciding whether to use cotton, or polysheen, or whatever, I always hold the spool up to a light and look at the thread.  If I see much fuzz from the sideview, then I know that this will likely cause alot of fuzz in my machine.  This leads to extra maintenance.  SO I will avoid this thread.  NOTE:  I ALWAYS clean my machine after every project.  This will help keep the machine in top shape between professional maintenance "check-ups".  I do quite a bit of machine embroidery, so poly-sheen is definitely my friend.  However, I always use a heavier weight thread in my bobbin than on top.  Maybe a 55 or 60 bobbin wt and a 30, 40 or 50 wt on top...Depending on machine model, your machine will work best with whatever brand of thread is suggested by the manufacturer.  I use Brother sewing/embroidery/quilting machines and my machine is VERY particular in what threads it likes vs. what threads it will spit back at me in protest.  I also like to use www.superiorthreads.com for some lovely quilting threads.  This site also has helpful pages to educate folks on choices for their particular machine, or for particular projects.  The spools are huge and if you know someone who can purchase wholesale, this will save quite a bit of money.

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06:43, Wednesday, February 20, 2008 .. Posted by farmgal35

Thanks for sharing your tips. I remember one time when I was working for Corbins,LTD, a men`s suit factory. I was kicking out certain bundles of suit jackets. I was even kicking them out from some of the seamtresses that had been doing the job for over 15 years. We could not figure out what was wrong. Why they were having some much trouble. Too much fullness and pulling. Well come to find out it was some new material they had just got in and wasn`t use to. So after a few days, they changed to a more light weight thread and smaller needle. Made a huge change. So type of thead and needle size can make a difference. For me it was a learning experience.

Edited by farmgal35 on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 at 05:44

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10:44, Wednesday, February 20, 2008 .. Posted by gabbie427

I wish I had this post last night! LOL I sent hubby to Wal-Mart to pick up thread, and easy task for me, but not for him. I was on the phone with him for 10 minutes leading him through the fabric department to the threads and then picking out the correct one for my machine. LOL

Question: You clean your machine after each project. How do you clean yours???

God's Blessings,
Amy Jo