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Messages - Helen M

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@Elnnina Even with a free arm on my coverstitch machine I find it easier to turn the sleeve inside out and somehow get the foot to sit on top of the right side without stretching the sleeve too much. Usually the sleeve opening is too small for the free arm!

Hope that makes sense!

2
Sewalongs and Competitions / Re: Weekly Sewing Club Wednesdays 2-4pm
« on: March 22, 2024, 14:11:04 PM »
@Elnnina I find a narrow strip on iron on interfacing placed on one of the shoulder seams (I do it on the back one) is sufficient to stop any stretching on a knit fabric. It's also softer against the skin than clear elastic. I have some rolls of Sewkeys tape that I bought in the US, but just cutting a strip is as easy. I also don't find shoulder seams stretch that much if I'm honest.

3
Sewalongs and Competitions / Re: Weekly Sewing Club Tuesdays 2-4pm
« on: March 19, 2024, 17:34:36 PM »
Have finally got the elastic attached to the palazzo pants and anchored at the 4 seam points. Have just the hem to measure and sew. These have taken the longest time to make up for some reason.....

4
Sewalongs and Competitions / Re: Weekly Sewing Club Tuesdays 2-4pm
« on: March 12, 2024, 19:28:48 PM »
I had hoped to be here but had a long telephone meeting with accountant and it was too late to start sewing after that. I'm also waiting for some knit elastic that I had to order. I had plenty white and navy but it's black ponte and the waist isn't enclosed. It's attached at one edge and folded over, and I know it would only be me who would see it but the perfectionist took over........ If it's not the right type I'll have to use the navy one. Maybe it will arrive tomorrow.

5
Technical Help / Re: bias wrinkles with photo, finally
« on: March 10, 2024, 11:02:15 AM »
Maybe your right shoulder is lower than your left so maybe lifting that would help. Other wise i think maybe the pattern needs a tuck between the armhole and waistline. Is it the same on the front or back only?

Looking again at photo your left shoulder blade seems more prominent than the right so that could be where the problem lies. Our bodies are not the same on both sides. Are you right or left handed?

6
Sewing Machines / Re: Help please for this singer!
« on: March 07, 2024, 15:51:57 PM »
It's all so confusing about different brands isn't it. I'm almost certain my Brother Lock 730D was made by Viking Husqvana as a year or so later when I was helping the owner of where we used to stay in Florida look for a serger we saw a Viking identical to mine which I'd had for a year at the time. The extra feet were identical too.

I also remember the J Lewis' Brother sales person saying at the time that of the 3 or 4 different models she thought mine was the better one. 35 years on I think she may have been right as I'm still using it. It was an early diff feed model.

7
Overlockers & Coverstitchers / Re: New overlocker tips
« on: March 03, 2024, 10:35:26 AM »
@Helen M my Atelier 7 (sewing machine, not overlocker) is computerised, but can still be altered if need be. I don't know if overlockers have those features.

Yes they are, I have a Janome computerised sewing machine that I rarely use, one of the reasons being that once you switch them off any alteration you've made reverts to the 'pre set'. So if you haven't finished your sewing you need to start all over again changing everything once again which I find annoying.

From memory, with the overlocker you set it for the type of fabric and weight. I don't think you can generalize with fabric as sometimes an almost identical fabric will demand different settings. Over the years I've found I don't often have to move my settings and often only one needs doing so easier to do if and when.

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Overlockers & Coverstitchers / Re: New overlocker tips
« on: March 02, 2024, 13:47:51 PM »
I'll just throw one more angle into the equasion. Do you want a computerised one or not?

I did use a Huskylock 936(?) a few times but I personally find I like to 'tinker' with the stitch length/width settings myself as it can vary so much for each fabric that you use. So I'd go for manual one everytime.

9
Overlockers & Coverstitchers / Re: New overlocker tips
« on: March 01, 2024, 18:45:47 PM »
Brothers use regular needles as well, if that's any help.

10
Overlockers & Coverstitchers / Re: New overlocker tips
« on: February 29, 2024, 15:18:51 PM »
I believe Brothers are one of the easiest to thread. I used a Janome at a class and much preferred my Brother to the one they had.

Which one do you have at the moment @realale?

11
Sewalongs and Competitions / Re: Weekly Sewing Club Wednesdays 2-4pm
« on: February 28, 2024, 17:30:10 PM »
Started to sew up my previously cut out black ponte SA Palazzo pants. The days are getting longer so easier to sew for a bit longer!

I said these would probably be the last pair of these I make for a while but depending on how this fabric works out (different supplier from the previous ones), I may order some camel as I think they would be good for spring into a coolish summer.

12
Hi, I'm new... / Re: Hi, I’ve just joined the forum.
« on: February 23, 2024, 17:20:53 PM »
Hi Helen, nice to find another petite too. Do you use many petite patterns?

I just tend to shorten rather than use specific petite patterns. I'm long waisted so it's mainly waist-hip and skirt/trouser lengths. I also have short arms so they need doing, and to add to that I have square shoulders, so need to make that adjustment as well. I only realised that about 10 years ago and it's been amazing how much the internet has helped in sewing.

13
Hi, I'm new... / Re: Hi, I’ve just joined the forum.
« on: February 23, 2024, 13:03:36 PM »
Hello @Clduk and welcome from another petite (5'1") who can't find things to fit! Hope you'll enjoy the forum.

14
Sewing Machines / Re: Smallish good sewing machines ideas
« on: February 20, 2024, 17:42:30 PM »
If a meteorite landed on my 5024 today I'd be off to John Lewis immediately to get the exact same machine.. then I'd repair the meteorite damage to the roof.

I would do the same @Tamnymore!

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Sewing Machines / Re: Smallish good sewing machines ideas
« on: February 20, 2024, 13:02:50 PM »
If you are looking for a mechanical one @Celia I'd say this one is good. It's been around under various names for many years.

https://www.johnlewis.com/janome-excel-decor-5024-sewing-machine/p231340607

I have the 18 stitch version and I've seen them described as workhorses by several people.

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