Got a Husqevarna!

I went to Sew Simple in Philip, Canberra, that someone recommended last
week. Heaps of 2nd hand machines, but ended up going with a
mildly-computerised husquevarna. They reckoned it's easy to use, and it
didn't have heaps of embroidry stiches (didn't want that stuff). They're
servicing it now (included in price) and I get it next week.

Thanks for all the advice about what to buy!

--
ant
Don't try to reply to my email addy:
I'm borrowing that of the latest
scammer/spammer

ant wrote:
I went to Sew Simple in Philip, Canberra, that someone recommended last
week. Heaps of 2nd hand machines, but ended up going with a
mildly-computerised husquevarna. They reckoned it's easy to use, and it
didn't have heaps of embroidry stiches (didn't want that stuff). They're
servicing it now (included in price) and I get it next week.

Thanks for all the advice about what to buy!

Yippeee! You'll love it. Been in love with my Lily 550 (240 stitch
patterns plus other insanity!) for 9 years.

--
Kate XXXXXX R.C.T.Q Madame Chef des Trolls
Lady Catherine, Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttons
http://www.katedicey.co.uk
Click on Kate's Pages and explore!

Kate XXXXXX wrote:

Yippeee! You'll love it. Been in love with my Lily 550 (240 stitch
patterns plus other insanity!) for 9 years.

They reckoned it was all metal inside (not plastic), and was easy to use
(not aggressive like our old Singer). The lady in particular (it's a family
business) had some useful observations to make. So I reckon I might be able
to learn to sew actual things from scratch on this. I hope it does nice
blind hemming. The Bernina is OK but a bit sketchy on some fabrics. Since
these wider-legged trousers came out, taking up hems on them is a total
pain sewing by hand. It takes forever!

--
ant
Don't try to reply to my email addy:
I'm borrowing that of the latest
scammer/spammer

ant wrote:
Kate XXXXXX wrote:

Yippeee! You'll love it. Been in love with my Lily 550 (240 stitch
patterns plus other insanity!) for 9 years.

They reckoned it was all metal inside (not plastic), and was easy to use
(not aggressive like our old Singer). The lady in particular (it's a family
business) had some useful observations to make. So I reckon I might be able
to learn to sew actual things from scratch on this. I hope it does nice
blind hemming. The Bernina is OK but a bit sketchy on some fabrics. Since
these wider-legged trousers came out, taking up hems on them is a total
pain sewing by hand. It takes forever!

Mine does superb blind hemming. It takes a bit of practice, but it
really works. There's a tutorial in The Learning Zone on my web site.

--
Kate XXXXXX R.C.T.Q Madame Chef des Trolls
Lady Catherine, Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttons
http://www.katedicey.co.uk
Click on Kate's Pages and explore!

Kate XXXXXX wrote:
ant wrote:
I hope it does nice blind hemming. The Bernina is OK but a bit
sketchy on some fabrics. Since these wider-legged trousers came
out, taking up hems on them is a total pain sewing by hand. It
takes forever!
Mine does superb blind hemming. It takes a bit of practice, but it
really works. There's a tutorial in The Learning Zone on my web site.

I've been experimenting with stitch lengths, which seems to help. But on
stretchy fabrics, so far it's been a bit brutal so I've gone back to the
good old needle and thread. I've done a LOT of hand sewing these past many
years. For some things, it's unbeatable.


--
ant
Don't try to reply to my email addy:
I'm borrowing that of the latest
scammer/spammer

IMS wrote:
Are you using a needle designed for knits, along with setting up the
machine for knits? Makes a big difference.....

-Irene

On Tue, 30 Oct 2007 22:16:36 +1100, "ant" wrote:

I've been experimenting with stitch lengths, which seems to help. But on
stretchy fabrics, so far it's been a bit brutal so I've gone back to the
good old needle and thread. I've done a LOT of hand sewing these past many
years. For some things, it's unbeatable.

And take a look at the tutorial on my web site. There are two blind hem
stitches and you want the one with little zigzags in between the
sideways 'pecks' that catch the top fabric.

--
Kate XXXXXX R.C.T.Q Madame Chef des Trolls
Lady Catherine, Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttons
http://www.katedicey.co.uk
Click on Kate's Pages and explore!

Kate XXXXXX wrote:

And take a look at the tutorial on my web site. There are two blind
hem stitches and you want the one with little zigzags in between the
sideways 'pecks' that catch the top fabric.

Interesting stuff. The bernina uses a special foot, and all you have to do
is keep the loose bit up against the fold. it does do a long zig zag type
stitch, with a long zag to grab the thread. But it tends to be a bit obvious
with the "blind" stitch. In the end, hand sewing is better, unless you match
the thread exactly.

Great site, by the way! There's a LOT there.

--
ant
Don't try to reply to my email addy:
I'm borrowing that of the latest
scammer/spammer

ant wrote:
Kate XXXXXX wrote:

And take a look at the tutorial on my web site. There are two blind
hem stitches and you want the one with little zigzags in between the
sideways 'pecks' that catch the top fabric.

Interesting stuff. The bernina uses a special foot, and all you have to do
is keep the loose bit up against the fold. it does do a long zig zag type
stitch, with a long zag to grab the thread. But it tends to be a bit obvious
with the "blind" stitch. In the end, hand sewing is better, unless you match
the thread exactly.

Great site, by the way! There's a LOT there.

Sometimes hand stitching is also very satisfying. Sometimes there is
nothing more relaxing than sitting with a needle and thread and doing a
hem the old fashion way. I love to hand hem. Which BTW escapes my DH
completely. He figures that if I have a machine I should sew things
that way and that way only. My comeback is usually would you use a
chainsaw when a hand saw works better.
Juno

ant wrote:
Kate XXXXXX wrote:

And take a look at the tutorial on my web site. There are two blind
hem stitches and you want the one with little zigzags in between the
sideways 'pecks' that catch the top fabric.

Interesting stuff. The bernina uses a special foot, and all you have to do
is keep the loose bit up against the fold. it does do a long zig zag type
stitch, with a long zag to grab the thread. But it tends to be a bit obvious
with the "blind" stitch. In the end, hand sewing is better, unless you match
the thread exactly.

Between the foot, the needle position, and the stitch width adjustment,
you should be able to set the machine up to take a couple of threads and
no more out of the outside fabric of the hem, along the fold. It does
take a bit of practice, but it can be done, even on knits. It's
invisible on the outside when adjusted correctly. I can do it on my
Bernina 1005. Just keep practicing and take it slowly.

Great site, by the way! There's a LOT there.

Thanks!



--
Kate XXXXXX R.C.T.Q Madame Chef des Trolls
Lady Catherine, Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttons
http://www.katedicey.co.uk
Click on Kate's Pages and explore!

Juno wrote:
ant wrote:
Kate XXXXXX wrote:

And take a look at the tutorial on my web site. There are two blind
hem stitches and you want the one with little zigzags in between the
sideways 'pecks' that catch the top fabric.

Interesting stuff. The bernina uses a special foot, and all you have
to do is keep the loose bit up against the fold. it does do a long zig
zag type stitch, with a long zag to grab the thread. But it tends to
be a bit obvious with the "blind" stitch. In the end, hand sewing is
better, unless you match the thread exactly.

Great site, by the way! There's a LOT there.

Sometimes hand stitching is also very satisfying. Sometimes there is
nothing more relaxing than sitting with a needle and thread and doing a
hem the old fashion way. I love to hand hem. Which BTW escapes my DH
completely. He figures that if I have a machine I should sew things
that way and that way only. My comeback is usually would you use a
chainsaw when a hand saw works better.
Juno

Or a spanner where a screwdriver is a handier option?

I too like hand stitching hems on some things.

--
Kate XXXXXX R.C.T.Q Madame Chef des Trolls
Lady Catherine, Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttons
http://www.katedicey.co.uk
Click on Kate's Pages and explore!