My long open ended zip finally turned up today - but it's a bit odd.  The top end, instead of having metal "stops" on each side has what appears to be melted lumps of transparent plastic over the last few teeth, which is also a bit rough in a couple of places.  This also means that the zip doesn't sit flat when fully closed, so it's a bit rubbish.
Fortunately, I need to shorten it by about an inch or so anyway, and have a little kit of metal stops I can put on, so it doesn't actually matter.
Anyone else come across any like this?

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I keep wondering if I need some for trimming off fabric/leather/vinyl when machine embroidering.

I can't really understand what they do, so I've just looked at two youtube thingies, and in one they have the big blade over the fabric that's being kept, and in the other they have the big blade over the fabric that's being cut off.  Confused?  Very!!

I've looked at them and I think from the pics, there are some that have the big blade bent up 90°  and some are flat - is that right?  And why??

Signed, Confused from Lincolnshire 

Any ideas on how to finish the neck on this mesh top please? 
The bias binding isn't working however I fold it.  Have I done it wrong? 


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That's a nice snappy name isn't it? 
It arrived this morning, it's very beautiful    Apparently the 19e was first made in 1938, but I don't know how old this particular one is.  This is the Special Edition as it has a knob at the back to change from normal zig-zag to three-step or blind hem stitch.

I sat down to try it, and soon found some snags.  The stitch length knob was really stiff to turn, and the reverse button didn't seem to work.  When I tried to stitch, the fabric didn't move.  Oh dear!

After a bit of thought, I worked out that the stitch length knob and reverse knob must both be stuck with hardened old grease, so a bit of googling found how/where to access the mechanism.  It took a long time (most of the afternoon) with the isopropanol (rubbing alcohol), cotton buds, and sewing machine oil, and then pliers, to free off the stitch length, but the reverse button was still stuck in.  A bit more research showed the precise bits to wiggle and push, and now it's free. 

I've even sewed the bias binding round the insides of the brown leather wash bag that never got hand sewn.  The design  of the machine is just perfect for awkward items, as there isn't much machine to the left of the needle, both above it and beside it.  Also it just glides over multiple layers of denim without missing a beat, it's fab.  Even has a really nifty knob that makes it just go slowly if you need it to.

It's just what I needed 

My Fabrics currently have 30% off their french terry - but it's still £8.10 a metre.  I suppose that's not bad these days though.

I finally got a new swimsuit that fits, but the cups were made for someone at least twice my size  so in my infinite wisdom I decided it couldn't be that hard to replace them with the cups from an old swimsuit.
It worked, but I had to hand sew a little bit, and the rest is a right mess - but looks fine from the outside and it fits.

And yes, it does have bright pink hearts and skulls on it - even if you've not got it, you can still flaunt it. 

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I may be wanting the impossible, but here goes anyway 

I'm wondering if there is a machine (at a sensible price if possible) that is a free arm with hardly any "arm" to the left of the needle if you see what I mean.  I think it would be really useful for sewing bags etc.

I did spot an old Singer 320k (which looks gorgeous too) but it's still got about an inch and a half of arm on the left, and ones I've seen are around £500, so probably too much for something that will only be used occasionally.

I've also seen industrial types, but I can't spend that sort of money!

Anyone got any ideas please?  Or am I asking the impossible?

Just putting these on here for @Bill

I made them a few years ago.

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