Bobbin Thread for Embroidery

Today's machines do so many wonderful things, especially those wonderful machines that do embroidery. Sometimes optimal results require a bit of tweaking.

Starting out with a quality digitized design is the first step to obtaining great results. Installing a fresh, sharp embroidery needle of the correct size for your project is very important. Also using the correct stabilizer is imperative.

Then there is the thread. For projects where the back isn't going to be the same as the front, it is best to use a bobbin thread made specifically for bobbin embroidery applications. Bobbin threads are lightweight so more thread fits on the bobbin and that means less bobbin filling and swapping in the middle of your project. And bobbin threads reduce bulk so your design isn't a wedge of thread sitting on your fabric.

We carry good quality bobbin threads and can recommend an appropriate thread for your project. Threads come in cotton, polyester, and filament polyester(nylon).  No matter what thread you choose, you should run a design test and adjust your tension accordingly to insure that your project turns out perfect.

Join us for a Class!

This summer is just getting better with all the great new classes we have in the works. In this post we'd like to highlight a couple that you do not want to miss---the first is on July 23rd and is the Double Diamond Tote class. This bag features the double diamond technique on the front along with a decorative twisted handle. The bag is large enough to accommodate a whole market day of purchases! What a lovely gift it would make if you're planning on getting started on your holiday gift sewing early this year.

The other class that everyone is looking forward to is the Wildflower Embroidered Quilt class. This is a Smith Street design and features all those lovely wildflowers you find in Michigan woods and meadows. You can almost smell the beautiful Tiger Lilies, Jack in the Pulpits, and Trilliums. Join us beginning in August for this really outstanding project. View our whole class project here. And don't forget to finish those unfinished projects and get them in for credit! 

 

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.

Father's Day is less than a month away and even if you have a Dad who has everything, there's still time to sew something that will thrill and surprise Dad. Here are just a few suggestions and even some patterns to help you get started.

• For Dads who golf how about an embroidered golfing towel? Golf club covers are fast easy. Put all your pent up creativity to work.

• Does your Dad cook? A chef's hat and apron for that barbecue might be just the thing he needs. Get a handy pattern here. While you're at it stop by the sewing center for some Insul-Bright so you can make Dad a couple of grill mitts to match.
• For Dads who hunt and fish a slip for a gun or fishing pole comes in handy. For the fishing pole try reclaiming an old pair of jeans. Cut the jeans in half, so that you have two separate leg portions. Sew up the waist of the jeans, add a Velcro or zipper closure on the seat and a tape measure down the side for measuring all those whales that Dad is going to catch once he has that lucky fishing pole tote. Here's a how to on the gun sleeve. (We recommend that you use your embroidery machine for embellishments) 
• Then there's the Dad with all the gadgets. But can he really ever have enough gadget totes? He'll need one for that phone, one for the tablet, and another for that laptop. No problem, with your sewing machine you've go all those gadgets covered. And don't forget to create some snazzy labels for all those bags. The Sewing Center has lots of in the hoop embroidery software specifically designed for the Dad in your life.   
• For those Dads that like to nap a lap quilt can be made in a day. I know; sounds unbelievable but we've got some designs that can be cut, pieced, and quilted in a day. I didn't think I could put together a quilt in a day either but a recent trip to the sewing center proved me wrong. I'm thinking of using some of the family photo's to make a memorable quilt that can keep Dad warm. And a nice cozy pillow, maybe with a monogram to make Dad a personal gift that is really as special as he is.

I'm going to get out the sewing machine right now and get started. Less than one month to go to make Dad something special and so many ideas to chose from. Come into the sewing center and gather your supplies.

Spice up those gifts with Embroidery designs

Notion of Note

Looks like a hair clip doesn't it? But this handy little notion is a special clip that can help you hold the different layers of a quilt together or hold the extra fabric on an embroidery project out of the way.

So simple. So reasonably priced. Come in to see us for this handy notable notion today.

Select Hoops on Sale Now through May 16th

Special on select in stock embroidery hoops! A whopping 25% off. But hurry ---only while current stock lasts and/or through May 16th.