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Messages - queenratty

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Overlockers & Coverstitchers / Re: Coverstitch - skipping stitches underneath

« on: October 30, 2021, 13:46:08 PM »

Quote from: Kad on October 30, 2021, 12:57:51 PM

I don't use the Wonder Tape but just plain, old fashioned, tacking. I tack about 3/8" away from the intended coverstitching line and can then sew the hem without stopping. This works for sleeve hems too as the machine has a free arm facility.

The one thing I'm learning is that there are no shortcuts if you want a good finish. I'll definitely make the effort to tack my hems. I tried the webbing and I ran into problems. Thank you.

Overlockers & Coverstitchers / Re: Coverstitch - skipping stitches underneath

« on: October 30, 2021, 12:55:45 PM »

Everyone's help has been brilliant. Thank you!

I seem to have got to the bottom of the problems:

To play safe, I need to make sure I change the needle according to the fabric.

That little tension spring thing is mega sensitive and I need to use it more often and more carefully.

I need to sew at a consistent and decent speed without stopping and starting - basting or tape can help.

Hem the garments before sewing them at the seams if I want to avoid sewing on the round. That way I can take a run-up on a scrap piece of fabric.

Your help has been really appreciated. Thank you, again!

Overlockers & Coverstitchers / Re: Coverstitch - skipping stitches underneath

« on: October 29, 2021, 12:04:43 PM »

Quote from: BrendaP on October 28, 2021, 17:04:08 PM

Standard needles means 130/705H and not ELx705 which is what a lot of overlockers use.

You should still vary the size (thickness) according to the weight of the fabric. 80/12 or 90/14 will be right for most fabrics. Also stretch or ball point needles might be better for jersey fabric rather than sharps.

Lots of needle info at
https://www.coats.com/en/information-hub/Basic-needle-parts

I'll take a look at the Coats site. Thank you. Your replies have also helped me see that I need to pay more attention to needles on the coverstitch. I'm precious about them with my Janome sewing machine, but not so much with this machine. I need to change my ways!

Tunnelling can usually be reduced by reducing the tensions (especially on the looper thread) and by using a strip of suitable interfacing inside the seam allowance.

Overlockers & Coverstitchers / Re: Coverstitch - skipping stitches underneath

« on: October 29, 2021, 12:02:23 PM »

Quote from: So Chic on October 28, 2021, 11:30:16 AM

I would try starting to stitch on a small piece of spare material and then going to the main fabric, and if I get tunnelling I try to stitch slowly. Have you tried adjusting the tension? There's a lot of info on YouTube re coverstitching.

I tried it on a scrap piece of the fabric and it seemed okay, but then I was sewing on the round so hard to start straight on the gament. I've been on YouTube but it's a deluge of info that takes a while to sift through. Apologies if this is a daft question.

Overlockers & Coverstitchers / Re: Coverstitch - skipping stitches underneath

« on: October 29, 2021, 12:00:41 PM »

Quote from: Kad on October 28, 2021, 12:01:14 PM

Skipping stitches is probably a needle problem .
- are the needles matched to your fabric? This machine takes standard sewing machine needles, so you should use the same type/size as when constructing.
- are the needles in good nick?
Finally, is the machine threaded correctly?

I will try matching the needles. I took 'standard sewing machine needle (130/705H or #90)' to mean just a normal woven stitch needle. Thank you

Overlockers & Coverstitchers / Re: Coverstitch - skipping stitches underneath

« on: October 29, 2021, 11:12:35 AM »

Quote from: Ploshkin on October 28, 2021, 14:04:21 PM

I've only ever used my coverstitch with the needles it came with.
Is it skipping in the middle of a straight run or just on thick bits like going over seams?
If it's doing it on a straight run are you stitching without stopping or are you being hesitant and stopping and starting. I recall reading that a c/s is much more likely to skip stitches if you keep stopping and starting.

Yes, I do stop and start. A lot! This is normally in the middle of a straight run. It's while I'm adjusting the stretchy fabric so that it lies flat and doesn't wrinkle. I also try go at a snails' pace so the speed is constantly fluctuating. That seems to be the only way I can be accurate. My machine came with bog-standard needles so I've never bothered putting any different in it. I might try other needles just as to see. Thank you.

Overlockers & Coverstitchers / Re: Coverstitch - skipping stitches underneath

« on: October 28, 2021, 12:34:36 PM »

Right....

I'll try the tension. That sounds like a good plan.

I interpreted the instructions (that I read ages ago) to mean that I always needed to use a standard needle. I haven't been changing the needle type to match the fabric.

Two rookie lessons. Thank you!

Overlockers & Coverstitchers / Coverstitch - skipping stitches underneath

« on: October 28, 2021, 11:06:00 AM »

Hi peeps. I hope you're well.

I have a Brother Coverstitch CV3550 which is my first step into the coverstitch world.

I'm having a couple of issues:

1. When I first start stitching, I get a bit of a tunnel. Is there a simple fix?

2. Sometimes it isn't looping properly underneath and this seems to get worse if I remove the centre needle, even though I don't have it threaded up and have never used it to stitch. I only use the two outer threads. Is there something simple that I'm missing?

Thank you so much!

Rachel

Hi, I'm new... / Thanks for Accepting Me!

« on: October 28, 2021, 10:54:43 AM »

Hi peeps.

Thank you so much for accepting me onto this forum. I hope I can contribute and I look forward to receiving your pearls of wisdom.

Rachel

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