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  1. #1
    Senior Member Living the Highlife's Avatar
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    Calling upon the Thread injector Experts

    To all thread injector experts, I am still relatively new to the DIY realm, but i'm always trying to make things perfect. I'm having trouble with finishing off a double seamed stitch. Apparently, when I'm trying to get the fabric to close to the edge, the needle will actually push the fabric down into where the bobbin case is and I end up with a mess of thread and a ruined project. I guess my question is, how close do you all normally get to the end of you fabric with stitches, hemmed or not? I do have seam allowances, but I guess I'm trying to make it look too pretty.

    Thanks fellas
    Corey Miller

    "Some ships are designed to sink… others require our assistance."

  2. #2
    Senior Member Ramblinrev's Avatar
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    This is a very common problem beginners have. You are not alone. I usually line the edge of the fabric up with the back of the presser foot. Go forward a few stitches, back up past the seam allowance and then forward to finish the line. Use the sharpest needles you can. Unless you are using knits or things like nano-see-um bug net do not use a ball point needle.

    As far as looks are concerned... remember in gear making all the edges are usually finished off so the seam allowance is, for the most part, hidden. So don't sweat the stuff that isn't going to show.
    I may be slow... But I sure am gimpy.

    "Bless you child, when you set out to thread a needle don't hold the thread still and fetch the needle up to it; hold the needle still and poke the thread at it; that's the way a woman most always does, but a man always does t'other way."
    Mrs. Loftus to Huck Finn

    We Don't Sew... We Make Gear! video series

    Important thread injector guidelines especially for Newbies

    Bobbin Tension - A Personal Viewpoint

  3. #3
    Senior Member PuckerFactor's Avatar
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    In addition to making sure you have a sharp needle (good rule of thumb is new project -> new needle, within reason), using a smaller needle could help. For the lighter stuff, 1.1 or 1.9, I'll usually use an 11 or 12.
    Another trick I figured out (it's probably an age-old seamstress trick) is to start an inch or so in from the edge, then back out to the edge, then proceed to do my stitch line. Makes it easier to get things going.
    Also, when you're doing a line close to the edge, it helps to keep tension on the front and back, so things aren't as loose and able to be punched down into the bobbin. Just don't hold things back, or you'll bog things down and end up with a bent or broken needle. Just enough to keep things flat and even. Once you get to know how fast things go through, it becomes second nature.

    Hope that helps,
    PF
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  4. #4
    Senior Member Rain Man's Avatar
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    Exclamation

    Quote Originally Posted by HamptonHanger View Post
    Apparently, when I'm trying to get the fabric to close to the edge, the needle will actually push the fabric down into where the bobbin case is and I end up with a mess of thread and a ruined project.
    I have been known to cut up a paper grocery sack and put it under my fabric. Needle sews right through it, but it holds the fabric up. And afterward, it's easy to tear it right off, as the stitch line is a perforation.

    Rain Man

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    "You can stand tall without standing on someone. You can be a victor without having victims." --Harriet Woods

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  5. #5
    Senior Member Living the Highlife's Avatar
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    Sounds good fellas. Once I ended up getting a sharper needle and taking ramblinrevs advice, things started going pretty smooth. Although just getting this thread injector, I have to get used it to get better. The electric foot is giving me problems. Every time I press on it a little bit it barely threads a little, I press it again, it takes off to light speed. Any thoughts?
    Corey Miller

    "Some ships are designed to sink… others require our assistance."

  6. #6
    Senior Member cwford's Avatar
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    I had the same problem with my foot pedal. I mounted it to the inside of the table right next to my knee. So now all I have to do is lean my knee against it. For me it's much easier to control that way.

  7. #7
    Senior Member easyriver's Avatar
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    I used to have the same problem when stitching close to the edge. My new machine has an "offset" stitch (maybe not the right name) where the needle is actually shifted to the left so that there is more material under the foot, and held in place much better. Might want to check to see if your machine has this capability.

  8. #8
    Senior Member Living the Highlife's Avatar
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    good thought easyriver. i do believe my injector does have that capability
    Corey Miller

    "Some ships are designed to sink… others require our assistance."

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