rockandroller
Posts: 2
Joined: 11/28/2011
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Just moved out to the country, and need to sew draperies and clothing! Bought a Kenmore machine, ( http://www.sears.ca/product/ke...ne/620-000018598-16765 - got it on sale) but havent opened the box yet. Next trip into town, we'll need to buy some thread, don't have any clue what to use for what... I'm guessing nylon thread for the draperies (medium-heavy cotton plaids) and 'jeans thread' for hemming jeans (saw some today at the local wal-mart) - but whats the story with "general-purpose thread" (polyester coated polyester)?? Is regular cotton thread any good for use in a sewing machine? I seem to recall you have to use certain needles for certain tasks... pretty fuzzy about the details!! Gonna crack open the box tomorrow and read the manual, but my wife has never sewn before and I haven't ever done it either - I watched my Mom do it now and then on her Bernina (30-40 years back!).
All advice would be greatly appreciated :-)
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digimad
Posts: 3674
Joined: 08/30/2007
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If you're sewing drapes tc, a standard 40 weight general purpose polyester thrad is fine. Its not as linty as cotton, can withstand exposure to sunlight, isnt damged as quickly by insects as cotton, and launders wll without shrinkage. You can use it on cotton fabrics, synthetics, in fact most things.
Get yourselves some cheapo fabric, 1 or 2 yards, and spend time practising to use the machine. Learn just how much pressure to put on the foot pedal, stitching slowly, moderately and quickly. Learn how to guide the fabric accurately. Stitch each stitch on the machine, try the various feet they need, and READ the manual. Learn how to fill the bobbins, change the feet, change the needle, thread the machine correctly.
Most machine problems are down to the users, so spend tim getting to know the machine, its manual, bedding it in, before you tackle the drapes. Best get a book as well, if your making drapes from a Plaid, you need to know how to match patterns, attach linigs, attach headings, nothing like having a an extra helper in the shape of a decent sewing book.
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digimad
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11/28/2011 11:56 PM
