amitymamaThe Attachment Parenting Community

BonaDea · 04-19-2003, 04:30 AM

:deep breath:

My next sewing step it the twin needle.

I've got 8 pairs of pants, 6 tops and 2 skirts all serged and waiting for the twin needle.

Any last min advice?

Ok, so it may be 18 hrs before I sew but so what?

Please note the last time I tried twin needles I broke 2 in no time flat. This time I bought 3 and I'm hoping I don't go breaking them in no time flat.

Thank you.

Note: I did search the board for twin needles and double needles and came up with some great information but I thought I'd ask one more time just to make sure no ones favorite hints are left out of my brain for tackling this project successfully.

pmjmomma · 04-19-2003, 09:10 AM

I've never done this, and am hoping to soon, so I thought I'd piggy back a question of my own in here. . .

You use 2 spools of thread for a twin needle, right? Where do you put it? is there an attachment to buy? and how do you thread the machine?

BonaDea · 04-19-2003, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by pmjmomma
You use 2 spools of thread for a twin needle, right?
Where do you put it?
is there an attachment to buy?
and how do you thread the machine?

Yes.

Mine machine has 2 spools. Someone mentioned in another post that they put theirs in a cup/mug behind the machine.

Attachment to buy? aside from the twin needle I don't think so. But please note some machine have a throat plate that is too small for a double needle to pass through. One source calls those "darning plates" it is just enough room for a single straight stich to pass through. Just something to note and to be aware of.

From my reading here you thread the machine normally but you pass the thread through opposit sides of the tension disks and the thread on the left goes through the left needle and the thread on the right goes through the right needle.

Scarlet · 04-19-2003, 11:10 AM

opposite sides of the tension disks???

I reduced my tensions and set the stitch to straight and in the middle *g*

BonaDea · 04-19-2003, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Scarlet
opposite sides of the tension disks???

I reduced my tensions and set the stitch to straight and in the middle *g*

Morning

I don't have a "center" on my tension disks but a left and a right side. Must be a difference in machine.

Excellent point about the "straight stich"!!! I'd let that slip my mind.

Whew. Good thing I'm finishing up on another "woven" project before I changed needles.

snugbug · 04-19-2003, 11:46 AM

*warning its early and my grammar is going to be bad*

My machine is opposite sides too

When i first tried a twin needle I broke three in the course of hemming 3 shirts and that was paying retail ($6!!!) for the needles, I was so mad

Here's why,
1- I chose to start and stop on a seam lump, now I go and inch or two before or after and I go slower over seams

2-because I'm scared now of forgetting a setting or something I always take the first stitch or two with the hand wheeel, just to be sure I;m not set on something that might break

3- going in reverse sometimes killled the needle. Because you have 2 needles that need to hit the fabric at the same time at the same angle that are only anchored in one spot you just need to be a bit more careful. Again I go a little slower or use the handwheel when going in reverse (which is rare since most things are in a circle and you can go over the first stitches in a forward fashion)

4- didn't break needles but here's another bit of advise. I thought that the zig zag on hte back 'needed' to straddle the raw edge. However since you are sewing from the front you can't see the edge. I used to pin about every inch and measure perfectly so that when i was following a seam guide on the top I'd be right on, worked most of the time (knits get slightly smaller when pulled and so if I wasn't perfect inevitably I'd miss spots). Then I started pinning less often and sewing with a lesser seam allowance by 1/8" (example pin up one inch but use the 7/8" guide), with the small variable in pinning and the slight pull of the knit it was always close enough----to perfect. Now I've been informed by Allison that I shouldn't be pinning, just get a feel for the amount to turn with my hands and go.....I'll be trying this next time

Sarah

Ariane · 04-19-2003, 09:47 PM

I don't know if it's something I'm doing wrong, but my twin-needled hems often started unraveling. Now what I do is leave a few inches of thread at the beginning and end of the seam, then I pull the top threads to the wrong side (easy, just have to pull on the bobbin thread and fetch the threads with a needle), and make a knot. It does take more time but at least now my hems hold up well over time.

BonaDea · 04-20-2003, 12:06 AM

Sarah
Thanks for taking the time to post all of that, it was very helpful.
In hind sight I think my prior experience was a failure for many of the reasons you listed. Granted it took your list for me to realize that.

Ariane
What kind of fabric are the seams unraveling on?
I'm using knits and I thought that they didn't unravel. Granted I don't think that was noted in this tread so hopefully that is not an issue in this case. I hope. If it is I'm going to go back to serging and heming.

BonaDea · 04-20-2003, 12:47 AM

What I learned about twin needles today. Via this board, this post, and my experience.

go slow

don't start on bumps

don't back stich unless you must

tension does not have to be cranked down or up. 3 works for me 8 for Cami. each machine is different.

make sure you have enough thread on hand for the process.

matching your bobbin thread to your serger thread is a very forgiving way to do this.

matching your thread to the predomint color in the fabric is more forgiving for the learning curve than a contrasting color.

Allison's fold over and go by feel method (I know someone else said they do this also) takes practice but it is leapes and bounds better than anything I can think of

twin needles look great!!!

I'm in love and have no more fear of double needles.

Thank You to all memebers of this board who have ever posted on this issue.

snugbug · 04-20-2003, 01:49 AM

I'm glad the fears are gone Jenn

I always love how you wrap up your thoughts for us rather than leave us hanging....

WTG,
Sarah