Grab Some Knit Fabric and Stitch up a Fall Wardrobe!

 

Even Feed Foot

Planning on sewing some of those fall knits---the ones that look so good, are so comfy, and stretch to fit? If you have one of the Husqvarna Viking model sewing machines, like the Designer Ruby Deluxe or the Designer Diamond Deluxe then all you need to do is look to your built in sewing advisor for advice. Program in knit as your fabric and your built in sewing advisor will pick the stitch and let you know what foot and needle to use. If you're not lucky enough to have the built in sewing advisor, never fear! With a bit of know-how you too can stitch knit fabrics like a pro.

Knits are fabrics that are looped together rather than woven. Knits are stretchy and require seams that stretch too. Seams that are not stitched especially for knits will not give and are more prone to break than stretch.

The first thing to consider when stitching knits is your needle. There are special needles made for stitching knits. The sewing machine needles specifically for knits have a special scarf that helps them through the knit without pulling and stretching the fabric. This special scarf also prevents missed stitches. Keep a supply of stretch needles on hand in different sizes so that you'll have the correct needle for any project.

Then you'll need to consult the owner's manual for your machine on the recommended stitch for knits. A regular zigzag stitch will usually work, but as machines have become more sophisticated the machine manufacturers have included other suitable stitches to help you make your seams in knits perfect. Be sure to review the recommended foot to use with your machine's recommended stitch.

Stitch a sample using a scrap of fabric from your project. Adjust the width and length of the stitch if necessary. Be sure that your fabric sample isn't puckering. If you're still having problems consider purchasing an Even Feed Foot for your machine. An Even Feed Foot helps beginners and experienced sewers alike feed all sorts of fabric through their machine evenly and uniformly.

So don't be afraid to grab some knit fabric and a pattern made for knits and add some wonderfully comfy clothes for that fall wardrobe!

Select Notions on Sale Now

Congratulations to all our new Designer Diamond Deluxe owners. If you haven't taken advantage of the Diamond deal hurry in. Our stock is almost gone. And don't forget to take advantage of the sale on select notions to go with your new machines---20% off!

And speaking of notions and aftermarket sewing machine accessories, you're probably wondering what you're going to need to go with your new embroidery machines. Here are a few items to consider:

• Stabilizer---Now is the time to stock up on a variety of stabilizers so that you'll have the correct one available for any project that you want to do this fall and holiday season. Whether you're monogramming gift towels, stitching an heirloom quilt, or creating that gorgeous holiday door decoration, you'll want to start your project with the correct stabilizer. Stop by our website and consider all the choices, then come into the store and take advantage of our sale. Not sure which stabilizer to use for your project? Come see us! Our experts are always here to help.

•  Needles---Be sure to change your needle often and make sure that you are using the correct needle for your project. If you own a Diamond, your machine will tell you which needle is the best for your project. Make sure you have a variety of needles on hand for trouble free sewing. View some of the choices available here. 

• Feet, feet, feet. Some of us need just a little bit more help keeping our stitches straight, our seams stitched evenly, and our quilts sandwiches unbubbled---and there's a foot to help you no matter what issues you're experiencing. As you're learning to sew and use your machine having an additional aid can take a project to spectacular. Try an aftermarket foot for your machine. We recommend the new interchangeable even feed foot to assist you in your holiday projects.     

Come see us for quality thread, extra bobbins, and quality embroidery designs that stitch out beautifully each and every time. And with 20% off select notions, there isn't a better time than now to stock up and get what you'll need to finish all those holiday gifts and decorations.

Sewing Machine Issues? Try this...

The other day I was sewing out an embroidery design on a piece of ribbon that I was going to attach to a quilt as a label. All of the sudden, half way through stitching out the design my normally well behaved machine gave a clunking noise and, after stopping the stitching, and examining my project I found a birds nest that could have accommodated an ostrich underneath my project.

So, as many of us who enjoy sewing, I started the process of troubleshooting. I first checked the threading---making sure that the thread hadn't become caught coming off the spool or come out of the lifter arm on the topside. I examined the bobbin thread and made sure that it was properly threaded and flowing out of where it should be.

Then I examined the needle and realized I hadn't changed out the needle from a large quilting project that I'd worked on last. Well, no wonder my poor machine was experiencing technical difficulties! Not only was the needle the wrong kind for my current project, but the needle was dull from all that quilting. I changed to an embroidery needle of the proper sized for the close woven ribbon and had no other problems after that.

Today's sewing machines do wonderful things. And they are very sophisticated and designed to work with the tools we have available today. That means that a home sewing enthusiast needs to brush up on the needles and feet that are available and when and how to use them.

Vintage machines like Grandma and Mom used could, and often did, go years on the same needle. (Although running on the same needle for years is not something I would recommend---those poor machines are not at their best with an old, dull needle.) In fact quite frequently we have customers come into the sewing center and brag that the same needle has been in the machine for years. But the modern machines that handle tension control and automatic adjustments for you need to have good sharp needles that should be swapped out after each project, sooner for those large quilting projects.

And today's needle assortments come in all sizes for all different uses. We have specialized needles not only for embroidery, but for delicates, denim, stretch knits, quilting, and others. Each of these needle types have a special design making them a solution for their designated purpose. For example, a Microtex needle has a specially designed tiny, sharp point to get through those delicate, sheer fabrics---a solution that wasn't available to Grandma's vintage machine.

So if you're having issues with your machine, after checking the threading, try another needle.  Head over  to our website to check out all the types of needles we have available. Come see us in the store to stock up so you'll have plenty of needles on hand for your next sewing projects.

Tip of the Week

Curious about the different types of sewing machine needles and why you would ever step past that package of assorted size Universals?

Here are the top needles and the particulars on why and how they make different jobs easier, more efficient, and give better, professional results:

• Universal needles---the good old stand by. For general purpose sewing these guys are great. Different sizes handle different weights of fabric.These are the needles that handle most sewing jobs but for special situations, when the stitches don't exactly turn out as planned read on.
• Topstitch needle---Did you ever need to thread heavier thread into your machine, whether for decorative topstitching or a speciality, heavy seam. The Topstitch needle has a big eye for that big thread---making it easier to use for this kind of project than that trusty Universal.
• Embroidery needles are used for that delicate embroidery work. Embroidery threads can be more delicate than all purpose thread. To protect your embroidery thread and project the Embroidery needle has a special scarf (the part of the needle that interacts with the bobbin to form the stitch), a bigger eye, and a rounded point.
• Denim needle---while that heavy duty Universal may work just fine for some projects, you may want to include a package of Denim needles in your sewing supplies. Denim needles are super sharp to go through those heavy fabrics---canvas too. A Denim needle simply won't be shoved aside by heavy fibers!
• Quilting needles---sure you can quilt with a heavier Universal, but for some real help for both you and your machine, try a quilting needle. A quilting needle, with it's specially shaped point and ballpoint will absolutely glide through all those layers---even if you decide on a 10 layer quilt.
•  Stretch needle---if you have one kind of  needle besides your Universal/Embroidery needles , grab a package of stretch needles. Stretch fabrics need special handling for good results. These needles have a special scarf that grabs on and eliminates pesky missed stitches. Stretch needles can help out in a pinch with both genuine and synthetic leathers too.
• Ballpoint needles handle specialty knits with ease. With their special ball points they stitch through those knits without snagging the fabric; keeping the stitches and fabric beautiful.
• Leather needles are the best for leathers. Super sharp ---they were made just for this job.

Still curious? There are many great resources on the internet to answer any sewing question that may be needling you. Here are just a few:

• Husqvarna's Accessory Guide
• About. com's Sewing Parts of a needle
• Singer Sewing's Scoop on needles