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Messages - Mamashep

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1
Overlockers & Coverstitchers / Re: New overlocker tips
« on: March 02, 2024, 14:03:50 PM »
I have a Babylock Evolution, fantastic machine, so easy to thread. 8-threads, functions that I will probably never use. I bought it ONLY because it came up second hand, and it was at a very affordable price.  I had a Babylock Eclipse, but wanted to get a 5-thread Babylock but this came up first.  The new price was around £1999 when I bought it, and I would never have paid that, but I do love it. The price of these latest ones is absolutely ridiculous, for home sewing machines, even though I could afford it I would never dream of spending that much on one.

2
Alterations Advice Please / Re: Mending a tear
« on: February 15, 2024, 15:45:16 PM »
I fixed a jacket with an L-shaped tear last week. It was waterproof, so could not use interfacing. I ended up using the inside pocket and fabric glue to strengthen it, then did a 3-step zig-zag over the tear to make sure the edges were well fixed down, and would not catch. The owner (grandaughter's dad) was absolutely delighted when he got it back, grandaughter came in and said "granny, my dad said you are a genius"

3
In the wardrobe / Re: Cutting singularly or double?
« on: February 01, 2024, 19:42:01 PM »
I sometimes cut some parts double, then open up the fabric and cut others singly, if I think that will work better. It all depends on the fabric and pattern.

4
Embroidery Machines / Re: Elvistoo's new owner - finding her way
« on: December 03, 2023, 18:35:53 PM »
Polycotton embroiders better with a sticky stabilizer, hoop stabilizer, then stick fabric to stabilizer, then slide a piece of tearaway or cutaway underneath. You can also use regular stabilizer and temporary spray adhesive, but this can make the hoops sticky, and I find sticky stabilizer much less hassle

5
A Good Yarn / Re: 4.25mm knitting needles
« on: November 19, 2023, 15:04:01 PM »
Bamboo needles are much grippier than metal needles and that might affect your tension.
Not all of them! I bought a pair that were smooth and wonderful to knit with, tension was exactly the same as metal, I loved them. So decided to buy a whole set of these, which turned out to be much rougher, and not at all nice to knit with. I have not tried the new bamboo ones yet. but have had a look and they are very very smooth and look like they have been polished. They were more expensive, so perhaps there are different qualities of bamboo needles, like the metal ones. I just wish knitpro did 4.25mm, I love their needles.

6
In the wardrobe / Re: Oversized hooded sweatshirt/fleece
« on: November 16, 2023, 19:58:27 PM »
I made 3 from the DIBY free pattern last year for grandaughters. Easy enough to make but what a blooming mess the fleece made, I was covered, machines were covered, sewing room was covered, and I was finding pink tufts in the oddest places for weeks.

7
A Good Yarn / Re: 4.25mm knitting needles
« on: November 15, 2023, 15:48:26 PM »
I got a pair of Bamboo ones from Ebay. that look like they are decent quality.

8
A Good Yarn / Re: 4.25mm knitting needles
« on: November 15, 2023, 15:47:24 PM »
@Bumblebuncher @Mamashep Do they still do metric and imperial knitting needle guages?  I have one from years ago and it's very handy for converting one to the nearest equivalent in the other system.  Would be worth getting one if they do and taking it with you on your charity shop expedition.

I have these, but 4.25mm seems to be US sizes, and have never been available here as far as I know, until now.

9
A Good Yarn / Re: 4.25mm knitting needles
« on: November 15, 2023, 15:46:23 PM »
Wool Warehouse have got Sirdar metal ones in two lengths.

That's what I bought, the quality is pretty  poor, which I did not expect from Sirdar.

10
A Good Yarn / 4.25mm knitting needles
« on: November 13, 2023, 17:55:39 PM »
4.00mm is too tight, 4,5mm too loose, so I thought what I really needed is 4.25mm needles. These are as rare as hen's teeth. I found Patons rose gold ones online, so ordered 2 pairs, as I always manage to lose 1 needle. They arrived, one pair totally useless as they have a burr on the point,  so will have to try to file that one down at some point. The other pair, have gone very rough at the points after 1 childs garment. I have ordered a bamboo pair from Amazon, to see if they are any better. I just wondered if anyone had found any other brand in 4.25mm needles, and if so where?

11
Sewing Machines / Re: Getting on my own nerves!
« on: November 12, 2023, 14:22:24 PM »
I know exactly what you mean. I had a Pfaff 1475CD back in the day, which was a brilliant machine, but getting on a bit. So, I sold it to upgrade, and adealer put me off newer Pfaffs telling me they were rubbish, and that I would be better with Janome. Janome machines were OK, but despite going through 3 or 4, I did not love any of them. I always regretted getting rid of my old Pfaff. I went into local dealers during Covid to enquire about the newer Pfaffs, and was told they were good machines, maybe not quite as good as the 1475CD, but still very good machines. I later found out the dealer I had originally asked did not sell Pfaff machines at that time. Unfortunately new Pfaff machines were order only and taking months, but he had a second hand QE4 at a bargain price, so I thought it would be a good way to try a newer Pfaff. I realised it was the Pfaff IDT that no other machine could match up to - I found the Janome walking foot system bulky and clunky. It just felt right, and had all the features I had missed. I went in at a later date to look at a newer machine, and came out with another second hand one, a Performance 5 with a full set of feet and attachments. i then for nostalgia's sake ended up with a 7550 and a 1475CD, and still like the older ones. After many years chopping and changing machines, and overlockers etc, I have finally got a selection of machines that I love.  I had at one point downgraded from 8 machines, but it seems 8 is the magic number, as I am now back to 8. I son;t need them all, but I do love them all.

12
Sewing Machines / Re: Are you brand hooked
« on: July 08, 2021, 00:46:57 AM »
Im not sure how brand loyal I am but the first machine I chose myself was a Pfaff, as was the second. I was then told by a dealer that Janome were better, and was persuaded to buy one. It was ok, but I always regretted selling my Pfaff1475CD to buy it. I've since tried Brother, and Husqvarna, and other Janome modles, but whilst they worked well, there was always just something missing.  A while ago, I realised the thing I was missing was the Pfaff IDT. I happened to visit the dealers to look at Pfaffs, and picked up a refurbished  QE4, and immediately felt at home with it. I then bought a 7550, and recently decided to sell Mm Janome 8900QCP and with the  proceeds decided to buy a new Pfaff. I visited the dealers, but there were no new Pfaffs available, although he had a very nice (like new condition) Performance 5, which came with lots of accessories, and a decent warranty, so it came home with me. Ive also just bought a 1475, which is on it's way to me, and should be here in the next few days. It was a pure nostalgia purchase, just because it was probably the best machine I have ever owned. I will probably have to move on at least one of the machines, as I really do not need all of them. It has taken me many years to realise that for sewing machines, my heart belongs to Pfaffs. Overlockers my preference is definitely Babylock. My Cover stitch is Janome, and my Embroidery machine is Brother.

13
For Sale, Wanted & Free to a good home / 50 mixed sewing threads
« on: May 04, 2021, 18:16:50 PM »
The destash continues. I've got way too many threads, so have some bags of 50 mixed reels for £25.00 Inc p&p. There are lots of browns, beiges, greens, with a few each of reds, pinks, purples, blues, yellows. There are no black or white. They are all decent threads, mostly coats. There may be a few heavier weight threads, and some are 200 or 500m reels

14
For Sale, Wanted & Free to a good home / Re: Janome 8900qcp
« on: May 04, 2021, 18:10:10 PM »
Now sold

15
No longer available

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