| Subject | Date Asked | Expert |
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| fabrics | 9/4/2008 | Sharon Vogel |
Q: I am hoping to start sewing my own dishtowels, and I do not know what kind of fabric I should use. ...
A: The choice of fabric really depends on how you plan to use the dishtowels. Are they to be ...
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| jovanni gown | 9/4/2008 | Sharon Vogel |
Q: i bought a jovani gown that is spaghetti straps and sweetheart neckline. the problem is i have 34 ...
A: After looking at the dress (the one I saw was black with a pink tie and zebra looking skirt), I do ...
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| Feed dog control on Kenmore 158-13160 | 9/4/2008 | Bill Eaton |
Q: On this machine there is a feed dog control lever. It does not move. I don't have a manual. I can ...
A: The control and levers are probably just stuck from lack of use. Oil the parts well and let it sit ...
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| taffetta | 9/3/2008 | Sharon Vogel |
Q: I am sewing a dress out of taffetta and I've noticed the seams look a little puckery. They seem to ...
A: I don't think that the puckering is quite normal for taffeta. You might try using a slightly longer ...
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| Horse & jockey pattern | 9/2/2008 | Jenna McAuliffe |
Q: This is an all in one costume for one person. the horse bit sits around the middle of the person ...
A: great to hear from a fellow kiwi! I've been thinking about your costume and did a little research ...
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| bohemian decor | 9/2/2008 | Karen Erickson |
Q: I am moving upstairs in a house i share with a roomie. I will have 2 rooms up there and decided on a ...
A: Well if you don't want to sew, don't have the time, or want to take the time you can use a great ...
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| horse & jockey pattern | 9/2/2008 | Jenna McAuliffe |
Q: This is an all in one costume for one person. the horse bit sits around the middle of the person ...
A: great to hear from a fellow kiwi! I've been thinking about your costume and did a little research ...
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| White(?) portable - shuttle race | 9/2/2008 | Bill Eaton |
Q: early 1970's portable model, sold in Canada, Hudsons Bay as a Baycrest. Cannot get the bobbin thread ...
A: Chances are the needle is either bent or not in the machine right. Could be also that the needle is ...
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| 1970's White(?) portable - shuttle race | 9/2/2008 | Terry |
Q: I cannot get machine to pick up bobbin thread in the shuttle race. Cannot see any damage, but dont ...
A: Could be a broken hook drive gear. Not knowing if the bobbin loads from the front or side...hard to ...
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| lining an A line sleeveless dress | 9/2/2008 | Jenna McAuliffe |
Q: I have attempted to fully line an A Line sleeveless pinafore, have sewn around the neckline, ...
A: The lining won't turn in the right way with the neck and armholes stitched - it's all a big jigsaw ...
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| thread coming out of needle | 9/1/2008 | Sharon Vogel |
Q: why is it when I start to sew, the thread goes down and when it comes back up it is out of the ...
A: First, check to see if you are threading your machine correctly. How much thread do you pull back ...
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| thread catches | 9/1/2008 | Jenna McAuliffe |
Q: the thread catches underneat the plate after a couple stitches, the needle is hard to pull back up ...
A: There are a few things which could cause the thread to catch where it is. The first thing to do ...
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| bedskirt | 9/1/2008 | Karen Erickson |
Q: I'm trying to make a tailored pleated bedskirt with split corners. I am confused on how to split ...
A: Sorry I am working a deadline, and have not gotten back to you. A photo would answer many ...
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| singer commercial grade machine | 9/1/2008 | Bill Eaton |
Q: I have been looking at a singer commercial grade machine and have come up with 2 similiar models. ...
A: Sorry, but I know nothing of this machine. The machines they are now calling 'commercial grade' are ...
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| Singer 513 | 9/1/2008 | Bill Eaton |
Q: The material does not feed material while sewing or in reverse. I've tried changing stitch length, ...
A: I can't remember if this machine has the dropping feed dogs, but I don't think so. Be sure that the ...
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| bedskirt | 8/31/2008 | Karen Erickson |
Q: I'm trying to make a tailored pleated bedskirt with split corners. I am confused on how to split ...
A: Just received your questions... Hope I can help... Is this for yourself? What are you working ...
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| Fabric Not Moving | 8/31/2008 | Sharon Vogel |
Q: I have a machine that is set a the widest stitch, bobbin threated properly, top threaded properly, ...
A: Some machines have a switch that lowers the feeddogs. Check your manual or just examine the machine ...
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| Bobbin Thread | 8/31/2008 | Terry |
Q: I have a Singer Model 756. When I sew the front thread produces nice even stitches the bobbin ...
A: Normally looping underneath is a top tension related item. Try the general tips page I have at: ...
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| bobbin thread gathers | 8/31/2008 | Bill Eaton |
Q: I have a Singer Model 756 sewing machine. When I sew the from stitch is perfectly uniform but the ...
A: The Singer 756 has the 'newer' type upper tension control, so be sure it is set correctly. Also the ...
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| Boxing Trunks | 8/30/2008 | Sharon Vogel |
Q: Im starting my own business and im trying to make boxing trunks for a few boxers i know and ...
A: I knew you were gonna ask me that! The robe was not for an actual boxer but for my brother who was ...
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| Singer Futura 900 Sewing Machine | 8/30/2008 | Terry |
Q: My Futura 900 is (I think) around 1965. The little clip that holds down the bobbin when you need to ...
A: Sounds like the bobbin winder lever, found on this page of my site: ...
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| Boxing Trunks | 8/30/2008 | Sharon Vogel |
Q: Im starting my own business and im trying to make boxing trunks for a few boxers i know and ...
A: This is a new question and I have never sewn boxing trunks either. I did make a hooded satin boxer ...
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| Boxing Trunks | 8/30/2008 | Jenna McAuliffe |
Q: Im starting my own business and im trying to make boxing trunks for a few boxers i know and ...
A: Wow ambition - great to see! I've had a look for boxing trunk patterns as well, with no luck. Best ...
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| bobbin on model 648 | 8/29/2008 | Terry |
Q: I have a Singer touch & Sew model 648. I can't seem to wind the bobbin. I've followed all the ...
A: Do things spin around counter clockwise in the bobbin area... Perhaps it has a broken gear now...but ...
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| Repair or replace - bobbin problems | 8/29/2008 | Bill Eaton |
Q: I have a Singer Touch & Sew II, model 755, which was a gift in 1976. The bobbin case seems to be ...
A: I am not as familiar with the 700 series Singers as some because they were made after my time with ...
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| vintage singer/ #k75745 | 8/28/2008 | Terry |
Q: can't get the needle and the bobber thread to form a locking stich,after running the fabric through ...
A: Bill, Need model number...fast... Normally on older machines, and depending on "model" number, and ...
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| waistbands | 8/28/2008 | Vinette de Phillipe |
Q: I'm trying to make a waistband like a pair of nurses pants that have seams sown into the fabric, ...
A: I was not thinking of elastic thread, but of the waistline elastic made for stitching on to the ...
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| touch and sew 756 | 8/27/2008 | Terry |
Q: I have had this machine for 25 years and just got it tuned up....I used it the other day and it ...
A: I would double check threading of the top tension. It can be a source of problems, due to interior ...
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| Connecting foot pedal to Singer 201-2 | 8/27/2008 | Bill Eaton |
Q: I recently purchased an old Singer 201-2, circa 1940. The seller warranted that the machine was in ...
A: This is rather difficult to explain via email. If you will send me your email address I will send ...
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| Can't get singer Zig-Zag Model 620 bobbin case in | 8/27/2008 | Bill Eaton |
Q: I bought a Singer Zig-Zag Model 620 from a garage sale. It works great but sometime back while ...
A: You probably don't have the bobbin case in properly seated by the black position bracket. Here is a ...
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| Making lined drapes | 8/27/2008 | Claudia Buchanan |
Q: I have two windows that measures 34 1/2" wide by 60" long. My fabric is 52" wide. If I cut the ...
A: Barbara, I did understand, I own a professional drapery workroom and we sew custom draperies so my ...
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| Making lined drapes | 8/26/2008 | Claudia Buchanan |
Q: I have two windows that measures 34 1/2" wide by 60" long. My fabric is 52" wide. If I cut the ...
A: Barbara, The minimum fullness would be 2.25 times fullness for your panels. If you use a 1/2 width ...
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| waistbands | 8/26/2008 | Vinette de Phillipe |
Q: I'm trying to make a waistband like a pair of nurses pants that have seams sown into the fabric, ...
A: There exists an elastic that you can stitch thru for waistbands. Another method is to use narrow ...
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| Stiching problem | 8/25/2008 | Sharon Vogel |
Q: I am having a problem with the stitches of my sewing, the stiches on the back of the fabric are way ...
A: I would like for you to completely unthread your machine and remove the bobbin case (if it isn't a ...
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| Singer Genie 354 | 8/25/2008 | Bill Eaton |
Q: I got the sewing machine from my aunt who said it worked perfect. BUT she hasn't used it in years. I ...
A: I believe your problem may be that the machine is not threaded right. Also, possibly the needle may ...
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| upholstery machine will not pick up the stitches | 8/24/2008 | Terry |
Q: Just wanted to let you know the update on my machine. I finally realized I HAD THE NEEDLE IN WRONG. ...
A: Sometimes suggesting the needle is in backwards doesn't always come out just right, and not sure why ...
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| Singer 401A Model | 8/24/2008 | Claudia Buchanan |
Q: I have recently pulled out my mother's Singer 401A sewing machine. Taken it to a repairman & had it ...
A: Donna, I have 3 401A machines and I love the old work horse machines. They never let you down. ...
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| hemming pants | 8/24/2008 | Vinette de Phillipe |
Q: I always have to hem up my pants since I am on the short side. How do I know to what length to hem ...
A: you put the pants on and have a friend mark where you want the new hem to be. or you get a pair ...
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| Singer 534 Stylist | 8/23/2008 | Terry |
Q: The feed dogs on my stylist do not move the material. They are above the throat plate but they do ...
A: Glad to have help. Only thing that really remains...is the feed system still now in time with the ...
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| Sewing Stretch and Non-Stretch fabrics together | 8/23/2008 | Sharon Vogel |
Q: How can I sew stretch fabrics and non-stretch fabrics together? Every time I pin the two together ...
A: The optimal solution to your problem is a walking foot for your machine, but there may not be one ...
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