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#11
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I don't often get the knots and tangles, but I do get the needle eye
cutting through the thread (which tends to be Gutterman or Mettler (haven't checked if I've spelt those right!). I don't sew with long threads so this is doubly annoying. I use good quality needles, with the gold dipped eyes which are supposed not to cut - but they do! -- Sally at the Seaside~~~~~~~ http://community.webshots.com/user/sallyswin On Mon, 22 Aug 2005 00:43:38 GMT, "dogmom" wrote: I hope the dogs don't step on the needle that I threw across the room (followed shortly by my glasses) when my Coats and Clark's all-purpose thread tangled and knotted for the 2nd time in 5 minutes while I was stealthily sewing binding on a WUH for DH, tryin' to get it done before he suddenly emerged from a nap. It's knot fair! My nerves are frayed! Seems whether sewing binding or just hemming a skirt my thread (always AP Coats/Clark, using the smallest needle I can thread--is that part of the problem?) tangles every 6 - 8 stitch; the end is frayed so I keep cutting it off (are my scissors dull?) and after a while I think I should maybe--no! no housework. But it is really annoying! I've been trying to get used to a new pair of glasses, too--progressive lenses, so I"m switching between them and 2 other pairs which means after a while I can't see s*** with nothin'! Never did find that needle. Advice as always greatly appreciated. Dogmom |
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#12
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Amen, thank God for beeswax! I used to have the same problem with
knotting and breaking, even on short pieces of thread. Then I read a "tip" somewhere about using your old leftover bars of bath soap and that worked wonders until I treated myself to a beeswax block! I still have a few leftover slivers of bath soap bars in a ziploc bag in my travel sewing kit so that when I take a project "to go" - I don't have to worry about losing my wonderful beeswax block. And the soap seems to help keep my fingertips from getting so sore so fast, it makes them just a tad sticky (easier to grip the needle) and coats them, which seems to add some "padding" LOL. And, like someone else mentioned, if I have gotten my thread a little too long, or know that one certain length of thread will finish off what I am working on - I just hold the piece up, let the thread dangle and unwind and go on from there. Hugs and offering DS's metal detector to find that missing needle, Tina |
#13
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One of the Murphy's Laws for Quilters is that men have magnetic feet-
send your hubby walking around the room in his barefeet and he WILL find that needle for you! On the knotting thread troubles, I vote with shorter lengths of thread and untwisting it a bit at every stitch- or two. Good luck, dear! Leslie & The Furbabies in MO. |
#14
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Howdy!
Use HANDquilting thread; you only need one strand, not doubled thru' the needle. Ideal for hems and bindings, quilt piecing ad yo-yos. Use a SHORTer piece of thread, about 10"-12", less chance of it tangling. Works for me; YMMV; I've only been doing this for 40+ yrs. g Ramgop/Sandy-- p.s. took me 3 days to adjust to the progressive lenses this summer "dogmom" wrote in message ... I hope the dogs don't step on the needle that I threw across the room (followed shortly by my glasses) when my Coats and Clark's all-purpose thread tangled and knotted for the 2nd time in 5 minutes while I was stealthily sewing binding on a WUH for DH, tryin' to get it done before he suddenly emerged from a nap. It's knot fair! My nerves are frayed! Seems whether sewing binding or just hemming a skirt my thread (always AP Coats/Clark, using the smallest needle I can thread--is that part of the problem?) tangles every 6 - 8 stitch; the end is frayed so I keep cutting it off (are my scissors dull?) and after a while I think I should maybe--no! no housework. But it is really annoying! I've been trying to get used to a new pair of glasses, too--progressive lenses, so I"m switching between them and 2 other pairs which means after a while I can't see s*** with nothin'! Never did find that needle. Advice as always greatly appreciated. Dogmom |
#15
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Amy:
About those eyeglasses. Part of the problem might be that you are switching back and forth. It would probably be easier to just stick to the new glasses. If you still have problems, go back to the optical shop and get them checked. The transition area might be too high or too low for you. I switched to no line (aka progressive) bifocals and love 'em. It took me about 3 or 4 hours to feel really okay. But then, I adjusted to the old style bifocals rapidly too. YMMV. Hugs, PAT dogmom wrote: It's knot fair! My nerves are frayed! Seems whether sewing binding or just hemming a skirt my thread (always AP Coats/Clark, using the smallest needle I can thread--is that part of the problem?) tangles every 6 - 8 stitch; the end is frayed so I keep cutting it off (are my scissors dull?) and after a while I think I should maybe--no! no housework. But it is really annoying! I've been trying to get used to a new pair of glasses, too--progressive lenses, so I"m switching between them and 2 other pairs which means after a while I can't see s*** with nothin'! Never did find that needle. Advice as always greatly appreciated. Dogmom |
#16
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On Mon, 22 Aug 2005 00:43:38 GMT, "dogmom"
wrote: I hope the dogs don't step on the needle that I threw across the room (followed shortly by my glasses) when my Coats and Clark's all-purpose thread tangled and knotted for the 2nd time in 5 minutes while I was stealthily sewing binding on a WUH for DH, tryin' to get it done before he suddenly emerged from a nap. It's knot fair! My nerves are frayed! Seems whether sewing binding or just hemming a skirt my thread (always AP Coats/Clark, using the smallest needle I can thread--is that part of the problem?) tangles every 6 - 8 stitch; the end is frayed so I keep cutting it off (are my scissors dull?) and after a while I think I should maybe--no! no housework. But it is really annoying! I've been trying to get used to a new pair of glasses, too--progressive lenses, so I"m switching between them and 2 other pairs which means after a while I can't see s*** with nothin'! Never did find that needle. Advice as always greatly appreciated. Dogmom Everyone else mentioned letting the thread untwist by dangling the needle, using thread conditioners like beeswax or Thread Heaven, shorter thread lengths, and different needles. All good things. I have one other thing to add. Slow down. I always end up with knots whenever I am trying to stitch quickly or if I am agitated or overly excited, be it sewing or embroidery. This has always been such a common happening for so many ladies through out the ages that one embroidery pattern book from the 16th or 17th century (not sure which at the moment) mentions to only stitch when one is calm and able to take the time necessary to produce nice stitches to avoid problems while stitching and to have the best possible craftsmanship. Since reading that I have realized that it is true for any stitching, not just embroidery, and I don't hurry myself so much. I tend to get less knots and more importantly prick myself less when stitching. I really hate having to stop working on something to apply bandages, find the misplaced scissors, unknot my thread, or rip it out and start over. I've found doing all those things makes me slower than if I had taken my time in the first place and I end up upset about it to boot so I try to avoid it all by doing it the easy slow way. Perhaps you could try again when your DH is away from home so you can take more time and not be excited by the idea that you are trying hard to stealthily stitch nearly right under his nose. Debra in VA See my quilts at http://community.webshots.com/user/debplayshere |
#17
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Um, try using a better quality thread. I use Mettler cotton thread and
*never* have this problem as long as I remember to give the needle a twist every few stitches. No beeswax, no Thread Heaven. dogmom wrote: I hope the dogs don't step on the needle that I threw across the room (followed shortly by my glasses) when my Coats and Clark's all-purpose thread tangled and knotted for the 2nd time in 5 minutes while I was stealthily sewing binding on a WUH for DH, tryin' to get it done before he suddenly emerged from a nap. It's knot fair! My nerves are frayed! Seems whether sewing binding or just hemming a skirt my thread (always AP Coats/Clark, using the smallest needle I can thread--is that part of the problem?) tangles every 6 - 8 stitch; the end is frayed so I keep cutting it off (are my scissors dull?) and after a while I think I should maybe--no! no housework. But it is really annoying! I've been trying to get used to a new pair of glasses, too--progressive lenses, so I"m switching between them and 2 other pairs which means after a while I can't see s*** with nothin'! Never did find that needle. Advice as always greatly appreciated. Dogmom -- the black rose Research Associate in the Field of Child Development and Human Relations http://community.webshots.com/user/blackrosequilts 2005 BOMs: http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/blackrosequilts/my_photos -------- __o ----- -\. -------- __o --- ( )/ ( ) ---- -\. -------------------- ( )/ ( ) ----------------------------------------- |
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