The Sewing Place

My first sewing machine

BrendaP

Re: My first sewing machine
« Reply #30 on: April 22, 2017, 17:51:16 PM »
You are right in thinking that fluffy threads are not good for a machine.

Gütermann Sew All is probably the easiest to obtain of the good quality threads - smooth and it's good for most general sewing.  Other good brands include Superior Threads  and Presencia

Some people get on well with Coats Moon, but it's actually quite a bit thicker than Gütermann Sew All and quite fluffy when you look at the two together.

Rayon threads are made for embroidery and are not strong enough for sewing seams.  For most general sewing a polyester thread (such as Gütemann Sew All) is what you need.  If you are sewing 100% cotton then use a cotton thread size 50/3.  Thicker cotton threads, 40/3 or 30/3, are for top stitching or machine quilting.
Brenda.  My machines are: Corona, a 1953 Singer 201K-3, Caroline, a 1940 Singer 201K-3, Thirza, 1949 Singer 221K, Azilia, 1957 Singer 201K-MK2 and Vera, a Husqvarna 350 SewEasy about 20 years old. Also Bernina 1150 overlocker and Elna 444 Coverstitcher.
http://paternoster.orpheusweb.co.

BrendaP

Re: My first sewing machine
« Reply #31 on: April 22, 2017, 17:56:27 PM »
I know about Gütermann, but can't find it in my country online). I've been looking at this one: https://www.macculloch-wallis.co.uk/p/9505-1000/coats-duet-polyester-threads/coats/coats-duet-polyester-tk100-1000m but I have no idea if it's good or not.
Which country are you in? - there's nothing in your forum profile.

Coats Duet is a good brand.
Brenda.  My machines are: Corona, a 1953 Singer 201K-3, Caroline, a 1940 Singer 201K-3, Thirza, 1949 Singer 221K, Azilia, 1957 Singer 201K-MK2 and Vera, a Husqvarna 350 SewEasy about 20 years old. Also Bernina 1150 overlocker and Elna 444 Coverstitcher.
http://paternoster.orpheusweb.co.

Merfreak

Re: My first sewing machine
« Reply #32 on: April 22, 2017, 21:53:31 PM »
Thank you for replies. I'm from Slovenia and wasn't able to find Gütermann online in my country, I would probably have to order it from Austria or Germany... I guess I'm going to give coats duet a try then... I knew there were different thicknesses of threads but didn't know you might need different ones for different thicknesses of a certain material (ex.: cotton)... This sounds complicated. :/ I guess that's something I will learn eventually with practice.

I know on a pack of needles it says what thickness they are for and in the manual it says roughly for which material which size is for, but what about threads? Does it say on the thread what thickness it is? How do I determine if it will be too thick or too thin for a particular material? What about when you're hemming clothing and you get 3 or 4 layers of fabric, do you have to change the needle and thread or not? This is so confusing to me, I have no idea what is considered thick and what thin in terms of layering fabric.

BrendaP

Re: My first sewing machine
« Reply #33 on: April 22, 2017, 22:12:26 PM »
As a beginner sewist use size 100 polyester thread in the needle and in the bobbin.  That will be good for most things.  On the MacCulloch and Wallis website it's the ones listed as TK100. 

The TK30 is for heavy duty and topstitching heavy fabrics.
(Size numbers for polyester threads and cotton threads are different)


Brenda.  My machines are: Corona, a 1953 Singer 201K-3, Caroline, a 1940 Singer 201K-3, Thirza, 1949 Singer 221K, Azilia, 1957 Singer 201K-MK2 and Vera, a Husqvarna 350 SewEasy about 20 years old. Also Bernina 1150 overlocker and Elna 444 Coverstitcher.
http://paternoster.orpheusweb.co.

BrendaP

Re: My first sewing machine
« Reply #34 on: April 22, 2017, 22:14:16 PM »
In most cases you can use the same size needle for the whole garment, you don't need to change it between sewing seams and sewing a hem.
Brenda.  My machines are: Corona, a 1953 Singer 201K-3, Caroline, a 1940 Singer 201K-3, Thirza, 1949 Singer 221K, Azilia, 1957 Singer 201K-MK2 and Vera, a Husqvarna 350 SewEasy about 20 years old. Also Bernina 1150 overlocker and Elna 444 Coverstitcher.
http://paternoster.orpheusweb.co.

Merfreak

Re: My first sewing machine
« Reply #35 on: April 23, 2017, 08:10:46 AM »
@BrendaP Thank you so much you've been extremely helpful!

Thanks to everyone else as well :)

UttaRetch

Re: My first sewing machine
« Reply #36 on: April 23, 2017, 10:03:43 AM »
Some people get on well with Coats Moon, but it's actually quite a bit thicker than Gütermann Sew All and quite fluffy when you look at the two together.

 0_0   0_0  I often buy my thread from hobby market stalls and some of the reels are fuzzy, but my main supply is from my local fabric shop and the stand for the Coats Moon is just by the till.

DementedFairy

Re: My first sewing machine
« Reply #37 on: April 23, 2017, 10:28:59 AM »
Apart from a couple of reels of Gutermans that I bought when hand sewing the extremely delicate silk chiffon sleeves on the wife's wedding dress, I have always just grabbed whatever thread I find at the market, or use the freebies given away with some machines.
I de-lint the machines fairly frequently, and no one's ever died from it...
C'est moi!

UttaRetch

Re: My first sewing machine
« Reply #38 on: April 23, 2017, 11:27:18 AM »
Apart from a couple of reels of Gutermans that I bought when hand sewing the extremely delicate silk chiffon sleeves on the wife's wedding dress, I have always just grabbed whatever thread I find at the market ...

Precisely.  My sewing is 'bog standard' so no need for unnecessary expense.  I have even been known to buy those fuzzy reels.   0_0

KayK

Re: My first sewing machine
« Reply #39 on: April 23, 2017, 17:46:28 PM »
I use Moon thread too - for some reason I never have any problems with it, in the needle or in the bobbin.......but yes, I do quite a bit of de-fluffing!   I even use it in the overlocker!
I have learnt by my mistakes: Sewing machines now are Bernina 720, Bernina 1008, Bernina 801 from 1981, Brother overlocker, ancient but works well

Merfreak

Re: My first sewing machine
« Reply #40 on: April 24, 2017, 09:32:14 AM »
How does one de-lint properly? Like it's described in the instruction manual or do you actually have to take whole case off? And, how often is it optimal to de-lint?

Deafoldbat

Re: My first sewing machine
« Reply #41 on: April 24, 2017, 19:48:46 PM »
Do what it says in the instruction book.

If you have the machine serviced from time to time, they will open it up and do the innards - there should be no reason for you to try major surgery. Try to resist the temptation to blow the fluff away - you'll just blow some of it further in where the lint brush won't reach it.

KayK

Re: My first sewing machine
« Reply #42 on: April 24, 2017, 20:22:33 PM »
i find a thin, long bristled paintbrush that is slightly damp, works wonders!
I have learnt by my mistakes: Sewing machines now are Bernina 720, Bernina 1008, Bernina 801 from 1981, Brother overlocker, ancient but works well

Deafoldbat

Re: My first sewing machine
« Reply #43 on: April 25, 2017, 11:27:43 AM »
Quote
i find a thin, long bristled paintbrush that is slightly damp, works wonders!

But disconnect the machine first!

Merfreak

Re: My first sewing machine
« Reply #44 on: April 26, 2017, 08:32:09 AM »
Okay, thanks for all the tips! :D