The Sewing Place

Show Posts

This section allows you to view all posts made by this member. Note that you can only see posts made in areas you currently have access to.


Topics - KayK

Pages: [1] 2 3
1
  [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]     Drat, darn and all other words necessary.  I have started to make a quilt/wall hanging which has monstera leaves appliquéd on.  All nicely layered, ready to go.  The instructions are to free motion the leaves, and stipple the rest.  Take quilt to machine, and there is NO WAY is it possible to free motion around the leaves!  The quilt is so heavy I can't move it, despite using a slider and virtually no pressure on the foot.  I have made such a terrible job of the first leaf I have had to patiently un-pick the stitching - something I never do!  (and I used to teach free motion!).  Stitching unpicked, damp sprayed and re-ironed to get rid of stitch holes (that worked). 

Do I either take the wadding out, stitch just using the cotton backing and use it as such (the main fabric is a plain linen) or, I can have a lesson on a long arm quilter on a frame, and then hire it to do the rest?

I am unbelievably peeved!
 
I'll see if I can attach a pic, but for some unknown reason, I sometimes can't!

If it doesn't happen this is it:https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/575897871114215656/

2
For Sale, Wanted & Free to a good home / Bernina 1008 for sale
« on: January 17, 2024, 17:58:08 PM »
I  haven't had it very long, but have decided to sell my Bernina 1008 - the last of the mechanical machines made by Bernina in Switzerland - it was manufactured in 2020. It comes with a full set of accessories, foot pedal, instruction book, extra large free motion foot, cover, table and I also have a perspex insert for a Horn table.  It is in excellent condition all bar a little chip in the paintwork, works like a dream.  Only selling as I downsized house and not much more room to store stuff!

I love a mechanical machine - so I am keeping my Bernina 801 to take to classes.

I'd like £650 (ono) for it, but will post free!  [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]  

3
Sewing Machines / Getting on my own nerves!
« on: October 30, 2023, 16:50:30 PM »
I wish I could settle.  I am getting on my own nerves again.  I sold my Bernina 540 as I really didn't like the 9mm feed dogs and it's one or two odd habits.  I replaced it with a mechanical Bernina 1008, which performs beautifully.  However, little Miss Picky here is missing some things the old one did!  I am seriously missing the needle up/down feature, instead having to hand wheel to get needle in right place, I can't adjust the foot pressure, which has caused a bit of sticking and skidding of fabric, and I am missing the knee lift (can't be retro-fitted on this model).

I am a regular PIA and I wish I could get something I really like!

4
For Sale, Wanted & Free to a good home / Bernina B540 for sale £1400
« on: August 22, 2023, 11:56:32 AM »
Hello all.  I have given myself a stern talking to and telling off regarding sewing machines.  Bearing in mind I do Patchwork, quilting and textile art (mainly free motion stitching), and have slowly come to realise I only use the straight stitch function and zig zag, this machine is purely wasted on me!  I bought it from Sewing Machine World Online (sewing machine steve) in June 2022.  It comes with the full 'Barbie' wardrobe of accessories, and the following extras:
Straight stitch plate
4 extra bobbins (one has gone walkabout)
No.15 free motion foot
No.97 1/4" piecing foot
No.39C transparent embroidery foot
No.10 Toptstitch/stitch in the ditch foot
There is also an acrylic insert for a Horn elements table if required.
I have all the original packaging and has been registered with Bernina for their 7 year warranty.

And.......oh boy!  Have I had some interesting scams from Facebook marketplace!

5
Vintage Machines / Bernina 801
« on: September 23, 2022, 12:20:16 PM »
Oh boy, what a machine!  I was looking for a mostly mechanical, solid older machine, and on Facebook Marketplace was a dear little Bernina 801 that looked fabulous, and was a good price - and best of all was in the next village to stepdaughter!  Went and had a look, & was pristine.  The lady that was selling it told me it was her mum's, who now was in a care home suffering from dementia, & that she had loved the machine and really looked after it.  Home it came with me, and what an absolute delight!  After a wee bit of oil it runs like a Rolls Royce, smooth and quiet.  As free motion is my 'thing' I have spent a lot of time doing this - great - as it isn't computerised it lets me use it without a foot (keeping fingers out of the way) and sews without any fuss at all!.

This little dear is now going to be my 'take to classes' machine!

6
For Sale, Wanted & Free to a good home / Janome 6700P for sale
« on: May 15, 2022, 12:32:20 PM »
I have decided to sell my Janome 6700P.  It is just under a year old and has been very well cared for and always cleaned and oiled after every use, runs almost silently.  This machine has three different needle plates, and has an accufeed system.
Take a look here!
The extras I purchased are:
HP2 accufeed foot
Couching foot
Blue dot bobbin case for free motion
10 extra bobbins
I have all the original packaging, and am happy to deliver with 40-ish miles of Bury St Edmunds for fuel costs, otherwise will go Parcel Force at purchasers cost.
I would like £1100.
Just to add I have this for sale on Facebook Market place and have received 3 scams!

7
Sewing Machines / Potential electronic problems!
« on: February 26, 2022, 16:29:25 PM »
Well damn and blast and blow.  The Bernina B380 I bought last week is playing games.  I stitched all the patterns, buttonholes etc and everything fine.  I took it to class this week, fine.  I have been stitching at home all week, mostly free motion, once again, fine. Then.........it did about 20 stitches and stopped.  All still 'alight' but nothing working.  Changed foot pedal, nothing.  Changed power lead, nothing but the display lights on, can't change stitch, nowt.  Turn it on and off again, about 15 stitches, stop.  Whatever stitch you choose when it turns back on again, it will do 10-15 stitches and then stop.  I have checked and cleared the memory as well.  There is nothing 'mechanical' stoping it - I have checked for odd threads/fluff etc.  So, I am guessing it's something electronic.  I did read on site somewhere to switch it off for about 3 hours and turn it on again?

I have to say I am somewhat miffed as I've only had it a week, and it was absolutely fine!

Ideas anyone before I take it to be fixed?

8
Sewing Machines / Bernina from eBay!
« on: February 20, 2022, 11:32:35 AM »
After the demise of my little Bernina Activa, which I loved, I had a search on eBay/Facebook Marketplace/Gumtree for a similar one, and found a Bernina B380 for sale - all looked good, the walking foot had not been unpacked, many of the items were still in their plastic bags.  The seller said he was selling it on behalf of his wife, who had barely used it.  It arrived, in its original box, with all its bits and pieces.  I had a good search all over it and found a small piece of orange thread jammed round the bobbin hook.  When starting it up it sewed dreadfully - loops all over the place.  My heart sank until I found a 6inch piece of thread jammed through the tension disks! Removed this and all went perfectly!  I have a feeling his wife couldn't fathom out what was wrong and just abandoned it! 

Still, a bargain for me, but I was still a bit annoyed!  I have emailed the seller to let him know this - the funny thing was there was a whole load of feet belonging to either a Brother or Janome machine, plus iPhone charger and a set square!

9
The Haberdashery / Machine needles!
« on: June 28, 2021, 11:37:45 AM »
I have used Schmetz brand needles for a long time with no problems, all types, all sizes.  I am now the very happy owner of a Janome 6700MCP, and decided to try the own brand needles that came with it.  Everyone, without fail, has fallen out at some time during the sewing, despite my pretty decent tightening regime!  I have gone back to my Schmetz needles with nary a glitch!  There must be a tiny discrepancy on width is all I can think!

I read on some forum somewhere (not here!) that Janome machines should only use Janome needles.......but I am guessing this is just a bit of sales spin! However, I am not going to use them ever again!

Anyone else had needle problems?

10
Hello folks - I have decided to sell (or having my arm twisted behind my back!) my Bernina 475QE which I bought last May.  I have bought a replacement machine with a much longer arm, which suits my needs for now and for the future  - however DH, who 'lent' me the money for the new purchase is cribbing a bit!

It comes with all the accessories as listed on the Bernina site, and I have included the straight stitch plate, which works brilliantly with the 1/4" piecing foot. This also has the walking foot with three soles - I note the some dealers don't include it in the sale any more.  I love the jumbo bobbin and its general quality.  I shall be sad to see it go, but finances must. 

It has been registered with the Bernina for the 7 year guarantee, the caveat being that it is serviced every three years.  The only thing I will remark on, is that it needs oiling a lot, but have noticed this comment on several sites that the big bobbin machines all need this.

I really do not want to post it, I have all it's original packaging, and am prepared to deliver within a 40 mile radius or so at fuel cost.

I would like £1050 or very near offer - it is pristine!

11
Embroidery and Embellishment / Free motion embroidery
« on: February 23, 2021, 13:59:24 PM »
Just a little sample of free motion embroidery wot I have been playing with!

12
Your Favourite Suppliers / Sewing Machines Direct (SMD)
« on: February 17, 2021, 18:05:15 PM »
Sewing Machines Direct get a big thumbs up for me - I like to do a lot of free motion embroidery, and am very heavy on the thread - I have used Simthread before, and was quite happy with its performance and price.  I saw SMD were selling it, so I ordered 7 various reels online yesterday afternoon, and couldn't believe they arrived in the post the morning!

I might just have to order some more.........(£1.39 for 1000m reels) whereas 1000m of 'Glide' thread is £4 per reel!  Have used both and not much to choose between them (apart from price!!)

13
Sewing Machines / Babylock Sewing Machines?
« on: January 30, 2021, 20:40:05 PM »
Somebody has bound to have answered this question before:

Are Babylock sewing machines available in the UK, and if not, why?  I know they sell Overlockers, Coverstitchers and Embellishers -

Its only that I was watching a Bargello quilt tutorial on YouTube yesterday, and the demonstrator was using an enormous Babylock Jazz - 12" throat space and in the US costs around $700 - which was amazing!  I seem to think that I have heard an urban rumour that the machines are very similar/same as Brother?

14
Vintage Machines / Singer Touch and Sew720
« on: November 06, 2020, 14:03:43 PM »
OOO I've gone and done it again!  Saw a locally advertised Singer Touch and Sew for sale for £60, and it appeared to be pristine - well, I took a punt on it and it is like brand new (its 51).  I bought it from a lady whose elderly mother had 'given up' sewing, but from the look of it, she had never started!  Some of the accessories were unopened in their original packing, and everything works a treat.  I am more than impressed with the chainstitch option, makes a lovely attractive stitch on the underside.   The feet and accessories are beautifully made and heavy.  It was one of the last Singer models to be made in West Germany.  It does have a few 'nylon' cogs in it , but these have hardly been touched!

Lots of playing and one happy customer - however I will say I had one years ago and it was a right mare!

15
Tech Know How / How to add a link?
« on: September 01, 2020, 17:06:48 PM »
It must be somewhere! I wanted to add a link to a picture of an item found on Amazon, and don't know how to do it!  My usual copy & paste method gave me a whole load of gobbledegook, not the nice little emboldened like that others managed to do!

All help gratefully accepted, and am using a MacBook if that's any different?

Pages: [1] 2 3