Troubleshoot.
The most asked question in Classes…
“When am I supposed to change my needle?”
Using sewing machine in class, there are undoubtedly hiccups along the way, clunking, loopy stitches..the first thing I ask is when did you last change your needle!
Well I have official recommendation from Schmetz themselves in the video link..Here
Machine needles should be replaced after a maximum sewing time of 8 hours. Replace needles more frequently when sewing synthetic fabric, appliqués or machine embroidery. This will avoid skipped stitches, fabric pulls and frayed threads. Machine needles are designed to break or shear off for the protection of the sewing machine hook mechanism, bobbin case, presser foot, or needle plate. If a needle bends or burrs, do not sew with it. When a machine needle breaks, it is a warning to check the following: ~The needle type and size is correct? ~Is the thread too thick or unsuitable for the needle size and application? ~Is the upper thread feeding freely? ~Are the thread tensions set too tight? ~Does the machine need cleaning? ~Is the correct presser foot fitted? ~Is the correct sewing technique being used? ~Is the fabric being pulled, pushed or dragged during sewing? ~Twin needles usually break due to excessive heat build up. Reduce speeds and avoid prolonged usage.
Thread breakage can be caused by resistance of thread going through the needle eye/size. A good rule of thumb is that thread should not take up more than 1/2 the space of or in the needle eye depending on thread texture. Thread a needle in your hand and let the needle slide down over the length of the thread. If there is too much resistance, it may show up as broken thread due to heat built up in higher speed sewing and/or just restriction and resistance in the needle eye which can cause thread to shred and break. There can be many more reasons for thread shredding and breaking, other than just matching correct needle eye size to thread size.
The needle is not a permanent machine part. Needles get dull from use. Needles are meant to be changed. Clues to Changing the Needle – Shredding or broken threads – – Skipped stitches – – Puckered or damaged fabrics – – Wiggly squiggly seams – – Popping, clicking or clunking sound –
Schmetz German-made sewing machine needles have been made to the highest quality since 1851.
Only Schmetz provides sewers worldwide with the consistent quality that sews the perfect stitch every time.
While other companies attach fancy names to discounted cheap needle products, Schmetz pursues an active development and research program aimed at continually improving the performance of its needles ensuring that Schmetz sewing machine needles with consistently pull through the demands of the most challenging sewing applications and projects.
Some people don’t realize that the sewing machine needle is the most important element in the stitch forming process.
Many needle companies wish they could match the amount of time, detail and quality of material that does into making every high quality Schmetz needle.
In terms of sewing satisfaction, the price of using cheap discounted needles always exceeds the cost of the purchase!
Using the correct needles for every different sewing applications makes all the difference to your sewing!
Suitable for Singer, Brother, Janome, Frister + Rossmann, Bernina, Pfaff, Elna, Jaguar, Quilting Club, Husqvarna and all other household sewing machine brands.
With a huge range including Universal (Regular), Jersey / Ball Point, Stretch, Jeans / Denim, Leather, Quilting, Embroidery, Overlock, Metallic, Hemstitch / Wing, Topstitch, Quick Threading / Handicap / Easythread, Microtex, Double Eye, Spring, Twin, Triple etc.
So don’t fret.. change your needle!
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Here is a 2018 Textile Christmas Montage 🙂
How to get to and enjoy a Quilt Show :)
It was the week end of October 24th and I had a child free Sunday! So.. I decided to jump in the car early & drive up to the famous Autumn Quilt show in Malvern run by Grosvenor Shows. This is a note of how to get to a quilt show>
1. Check the date.. And organise the route and time you need to get up the night before!
2. Early Start. Wave bye to your home town & hit the road with a flask, flapjack & sweets in the car to avoid expensive service station prices!
3. A cuppa on arrival.. The gorgeous Malvern Hills .
4. Follow the Arrows!4 The jolly car park attendants will guide you the right way .. Just follow the signs 🙂
5. When approaching the ticket hut, you will be met by the lovely Pete..on the left, & (I want to say Jack Ass.. but he’s just got married & is a responsible Dad too..) Jonny :-O….
6 .. Purchase your ticket.. (This is Roger .. top boss!) To save money you can purchase tickets on line. The next Quilt Festival at Malvern is in the Spring. Thursday 19th to Sunday 22nd May 2016. 10:00am – 5:00pm.
7. I caught the other Roger out here at the entrance.. Feel the excitement as you pick up the buzzy atmosphere of colourful stalls and other excited Quilters!
8. Malvern Quilt show is held in Severn Exhibition Hall, Three Counties Showground. Its a great venue. The next Quilt show held here is in May.. even bigger & brighter!
What I love about Malvern show is the cosy atmosphere and its not so big you get lost & feel you’ve missed something, yet a day goes by so quick!
This was my favourite quilt in the exhibition. The detail was exquisite & hours of work I hate to think. Thank you Jacqueline Martin from Lancashire.
All the petals were cut out & machine appliquéd individually. Then the machine quilting added for shading detail & texture on the back ground. Lovely work.
There is plenty to do. I signed up for a ‘Gelli Printing’ workshop with Kate Andre. She was amazing fitting all her great knowledge into an hour. Great results from all in the class.
To book a class at Malvern show there is a separate room with samples & times of the workshops throughout the shows duration. I booked 2 with Kate. Gellli Printing & thermofax printing. But there were lots more.
The last layer for this little gelli print sample. Really cool.
Great things to do with leaves & stencils too. Amazing how the strangest of colour combinations often work the best.
The other class I did was thermofax printing, which is similar to silk screen printing.
Love the way you can build up depth by overlaying colours. Check out Kates web site by clicking on the photo.
Well. nearly time to go home. A quick look round again for some bargains & inspiration.. which is not too difficult.. my head is spinning!
This is Geoff Rosenbergs stall. He is famous for getting hold of the more unusual textures & textiles of superb quality. There was some wool cloth I really took a fancy to. rrp u£30 mt.. Geoff’s Price £10!! He was on his own all week end, as his daughter who usually helps out couldn’t be there. If I’d have known earlier Geoff, I’d have mucked in. His stall always has a long queue!
Travel to a Quilt Show however you wish!
With all that excitement I want to get home & start sewing.. But watch out for those speed cameras on the way!
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Paint Pot Storage Solution ..
My sister passed on an old shelf that my nephew used to keep his fossil collection on…
A first coat of ‘off white’ emulation paint is applied.
I knew I wanted a colourful frame, but couldn’t decide what.. so hung it in place to get an idea.
As i was storing my ‘Stewart Gill‘ paints, of course I had to decorate it with their products!!
I chose Green, Blue, and Hot Pink from the ‘TrueColour collection. And at the bottom I used scrumptious Violet from the Colourise collection. I blended the colours towards the corners to get a nice graduation.
Not satisfied with just a plain painted boarder .. I decided to ink up a rubber stamp with Cerisanctum, Constantine, & Fra Angelica from the amazing glitzy Byzantia range.
Here is a close up.. Ideal storage for your paints & rubber stamp blocks 🙂
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Final stages and finishing ‘Simple Life’ Quilt
Pinning double edge binding on with
Quilting Pins by Clover
I cut this binding at 3″ & stitched a seam allowance using the edge of the walking foot.
The binding is pressed raw edges together before pinning onto the right side of the quilt. I usually join enough strips together to fit all around the quilt, so folding it round the corner finished at 45 degrees is neat.
This photo shows the binding on the last stage, bringing the folded edge over to the back & then machining.
Finished Quilt!
I used minkee at the top on the back of the quilt for extra comfort.
The appliquéd bunting is also done with Minky, it’s great because it doesn’t fray!
The label ..!
*Happy Quilting* •• Becca ••
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Tackling my ‘Un Finished Pile’!!
This sweet quilt was patched with Riley Blake’s The simple life collection. And minkee bunting to add a bit of detail.
Still Avaliable 🙂
http://www.beccasfabriclarder.com/search.php?search_query=simple+life
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Open Day with a Christmas Spirit
Come and join us for our Christmas Open Day.
Saturday 30th November
9am-5pm
Lots of special offers & some clearance fabrics.
You will have a few hours left to make an advent calendar.. Offer £5 a Panel.!
Beccas creative life & work :- 