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Messages - Renegade Sewist

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31
A Good Yarn / Re: Fruit Garden
« on: June 29, 2023, 23:12:48 PM »
@Acorn what about some thin cotton fingerless gloves? You'll likely need to cut the fingers off yourself. The lightweight gloves they use at quilt shows or examining artwork would probably be perfect. That should significantly reduce itching.

32
Sewing Machines / Re: My new toy.......again!
« on: June 29, 2023, 22:35:55 PM »
 :devil: then read it again, more slowly, with purpose. Besides, it'll save you any more unpicking today.

I think it's your impulsiveness. You are eager to get to the fun parts. Easy to skip over some of the boring details.

Me, I collect and read dictionaries etc.

33
Sewing Machines / Re: My new toy.......again!
« on: June 29, 2023, 21:50:06 PM »
I have read it and it does indeed say that but it can't actually be done @Diane
I can't find any instruction to do so either.
Choosing a straight stitch and moving the dial which you would think only moves the needle only turns straight stitch into a zig zag.

Hello @Bill . Miss Manual here.  :loveit:  That actually is the instruction. It shows you where the two dedicated buttons on, smack dab in the middle of the tower part of the machine and tells you left arrow moves the needle left, right arrow moves the arrow right. It was the first page of the actual manual content, after all the warnings and threats of injury, etc.

Methinks you zipped right past it, not being one to read the boring parts.

And how do I know this? Because I read the beginning of your manual.

BTW, did you actually do the exercises in the workbook? And test stitches for everything. OK, maybe not all the decorative stitches. If you do all the exercises it will catapult your skills at fully utilizing this machine.

I took a masterclass at the local Bernina dealership mega store March of 20, just pre covid, on using their top of the line overlocker. I'll never be able to afford one but it was a free class, I managed to get a seat and this place always provides wonderful snacks. Plus it was taught by the top Bernina national educator in the US so who could resist. Brand new machine, all set up, tools laid out, workbooks and a stack of collated fabric swatches in order for our sample books. Plus an assistant in case we needed help with threading. Bill , that educator had us making samples for at least two hours of our three and a half hour class. I learned so much doing the workbook and samples. At least 80% of it applies to my cheapie Singer overlocker.

I miss the olden days where we bought from the local dealer and they included some classes with your purchase.


read the manual...again.

34
Sewing Machines / Re: My new toy.......again!
« on: June 29, 2023, 12:16:35 PM »
Has anyone mentioned that it may help to read the manual??  Read it properly?  (Runs for cover...)


 :laughing:

It might have been mentioned... :ninja:

35
Sewing Machines / Re: My new toy.......again!
« on: June 29, 2023, 12:06:42 PM »
Pardon me @Bill , why do you need to sew through 9 layers of poly canvas or anything else. Hmm?

OK. You say you've read the manual but honestly it sounds more like you skimmed through it. We need reading for comprehension here. Very important. Like you being certain the needle position can't be changed. The B77 has a workbook available, free. Those are designed to have you learn your machine. Or you could do what I tell everyone to do. Get the manual out, whatever form you're using and go through it with the machine in front of you. First you take your time and read the manual. Then for your second read through, or your third, you go item by item and familiarize yourself with the machine. You get out some suitable fabric and you test sew every stitch, in the order presented in the manual. You learn how to read the screen and do all the little changes and adjustments available. Like the needle positions.

If you really want to get on with the machine and use it to full advantage of it's abilities, without possibly damaging it, you really need to take the time to understand it. And it does take a little time.

Now back to that canvas. What on earth are you trying to make that has 9 layers being sewn together?

36
Sewing Machines / Re: My new toy.......again!
« on: June 28, 2023, 16:32:27 PM »
Burt Reynolds claimed his first victim last night.

@Bill methinks you might be projecting there just a bit Mister.  ><

Mom's 1970s at the time top or near top of the line Viking was advertised to be able to sew through ⅛" thick wood. I still have the print ad. It wasn't the first project I tried. No. I read the manual. Just because some online reviewer successfully abused the machine doesn't mean it's a work horse. The B77 is more of a thoroughbred, not a plow horse.

Somewhere along the line when you were learning to tinker didn't someone try to teach you the old axiom "use the right tool for the job"? Were you napping?

BTW, the Viking could sew through the wood.  :loveit:

When Burt shuddered did he also scream? That's what my Brother Se400 does. Very unnerving it was. First time we were out in public, at the quilt shop.

37
Sewing Machines / Re: My new toy.......again!
« on: June 28, 2023, 10:09:08 AM »
@Bill , it's more like trust us, we know what you're doing.  ;) Your reputation precedes you here.  :laughing:


38
Sewing Machines / Re: My new toy.......again!
« on: June 28, 2023, 01:37:59 AM »
Oh please tell us you removed all the packing before you switched her on.  :facepalm:

In a soft whisper: read the manual....

39
Sewing Machines / Re: My new toy.......again!
« on: June 27, 2023, 16:27:49 PM »
Yep. A quick look and there is a manual, quick start guide and a 42 page workbook all available free online to download or print.

I use the online version for my machine manual. Occasionally I've misplaced the paper one. Digital is handy. You certainly don't need to print it.

40
Sewing Machines / Re: My new toy.......again!
« on: June 27, 2023, 16:23:15 PM »
I believe I have to download the manual for this one so na na na na naaaaaa  :laughing:

That means it's a PDF and you can read it online. Pfffft.  :dance:

41
Sewing Machines / Re: My new toy.......again!
« on: June 27, 2023, 14:56:57 PM »
@Bill , for the love of sewing machines please read the manual before you do anything else.

The Manual Bill. That thick papery thing that they included. The one that tells you how to properly interact with this particular machine.

It's probably available online. You could read it while you wait. No, seriously. People do read them. Highly advised. Avoids lots of headaches.

You're not going to read it are you? Not betting money on this one.  :)

42
Sewing Machines / Re: Feed dogs playing up ( or down!)
« on: June 26, 2023, 17:36:55 PM »
Hand embroidery.  ;)

43
A Good Yarn / Re: Fruit Garden
« on: June 26, 2023, 17:34:34 PM »
I have just bought the yarn (cotton/acrylic blend) to make Jane Crowfoot's Fruit Garden blanket.  I've had the book for a while, although the pattern is now available online I believe.



It's not exactly any of the colourways shown, but will have a background of dark and light blue.

I blame Wool Warehouse for having a sale... I think I may be crazy, and this may be one of those lifetime projects... cheer me on, please!!

@Acorn that's gorgeous!  Are you insane?  I can't imagine. What kind of yarn are you using? Fiber I mean. The original choices for it was a wool/acrylic blend or a cotton/bamboo.

My crochet skills are limited. Grandmother taught me how to crochet those cute little raised roses so my brain instantly related to this pattern.

44
Wowie that's beautiful @Marniesews . Well done!

45
Technical Help / Re: Will you take me by the hand?
« on: June 21, 2023, 10:22:54 AM »
..... and whilst its a good idea to wash fabric first, I've never found that viscose has shrunk.

 :scream: it shrinks like the dickens.

@Iminei , first, breathe. Viscose (rayon) is just a little more flexible than quilting cotton and has a smoother surface which makes it seem slippery. It's lovely to sew. Just use a press cloth and not as hot an iron as your cottons.

Remember you are the one who said they are really slippery so you've gotten related answers. Peeps are assuming the worst from this fabric in response.

*It can shrink, up to 25%, usually about 8-10%. Lesser if you only use cold water and line dry, more if you prewash in hot and ever might use a dryer. I make a practice of torturing all my fabric before I sew. It prevents bad surprises later and I don't need to baby anything later.

*The Abakan lady must be a quilter. It's pretty common in my area to clip off the corners of cotton before you wash it. I learned it from an old quilter. It also lets you know if fabric is prewashed or not. I clip off the corners and wash almost every fabric I bring home, unless it's on a bolt. Clipping the corners reduces fraying in that it only frays one row before it reaches the end of the crosswise weave. It can't keep raveling on and on. It isn't really enough for viscose which does enjoy fraying. I'd zigzag the ends together.

*yes, it can be a bit slithery but not always. It needs supporting or it can wiggle off grain. Garments hang better on us if we keep the grain line consistent. The left & right legs of your trousers will mirror each other and the lengthwise grain will usually go with the length of the pant leg.

*You need to support the fabric by not letting it hang off your machine, so use the extension table, the bigger the better. While cutting out use a big table, don't let any fabric hang off the edges. If it's too long, the fabric, accordion fold the excess at one end. I use a big board to press it and Best Press to give it a little more body.

* I've not needed my walking foot but it's a good option. I sew viscose pretty much like I sew cotton. You might want to pin every 4-6 inches on your first seam or two. Adjust from there to your comfort level. Since it's new to you I'd suggest taking some of your scraps after you've cut your garment and do some practice seams, buttonholes if needed, etc.

*Take puzzler up on her offer of overlocking. It keeps your seams pretty. Otherwise get friendly with the overlocking stitch on your machine. It takes forever compared to an overlocker and isn't quite as nice but you simply must finish the seams with viscose. French seams are a good option to use where possible.

* Keep breathing.

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