So, in my last post I admitted to purchasing the MO-1000. In reading through the manual, there was a new-to-me stitch which I have had to investigate uses. The stitch is a 3-thread super stretch. For it to work, you have to have a stretch thread in the lower looper. I think the thread that I had was a polyarn and it worked fine in creating the stitch. Regular thread did nothing for this stitch except create an ugly stitch with lots of loops. All the remaining stitches on the machine are straight forward, typical stitches that you find on a serger. Due to sickness, I have not had time to push this machine yet but I'm ready to start using it.
Back to the 3-thread super stretch. I sent a plea to the Juki serger list and didn't get a reply other than it's a 3-thread stitch and wouldn't be good for clothing. Of course, my thought is that is what it was designed for. What else do you use stretch fabric for? So, I'm going to plan on making a knit top in the near future to test this stitch. I'm not pushing too hard. The worst spots for stretching will be the sleeves and the neck. The hem will have to be done on the sewing machine unless I get creative and use a flatlock somehow.
I searched the internet for information on the 3-thread super stretch which lead me to Serger Pepper and the Serger Stitches Cheat Sheet. The cheat sheet states that this stitch is for swimwear, leotards,..... Doesn't it sound like it would work for leggings or yoga pants or whatever knit garment your thinking about? This is the only site that I could find that references this particular stitch.
Now, are you interested in the differences in the 3-thread super stitch verses any other 3-thread stitch? Most 3-thread stitches require either the left or right needle and both loopers. The three thread super stretch requires both needles and the lower looper. This does require that you machine have the ability to block the upper looper. It makes me wonder if any machine that has this ability can create this stitch.
What are your thoughts on this stitch? Have you tried it? If so, how did it work out? Hopefully, I will get to share the results from my test soon, I'm trying to figure out what I did with the pattern that I was working on.
Happy Stitching!
Monday, October 31, 2016
Monday, October 24, 2016
Next Round of Serger Testing....
Over the weekend, my husband and I took a road trip to Ohio for me to look at additional sergers. The place that I went to had two of three sergers that I was wanting to look at. The machines I wanted to look at were the Juki MO-654de, the Juki MO-655, and the Juki MO-1000. Unfortunately, the MO-655 was sold before I arrived. So, I played with the Juki MO-1000, the Juki MO-654de, and the MO-114D. As far as I could tell, the MO-654de and the 114D were the same animal in a different box. All three machines performed well with the variety of fabric that I took with me to play with. The fabric that I took was a denim, a heavy fleece, a tightly woven home decor fabric, quilt weight fabric, a super stretchy polyester knit, a cotton knit, a light weight cotton. I think that is it.
Since all three machines performed well with very little adjustments, I decided to re-thread the all three of the machines. This is something that must be relatively easy to do. I did not expect any of the machines to be difficult to thread. I can thread the 936 with ease and it has a very complicated threading path. The MO-654de and the 114D are identical inside. What I found a little difficult with both of these machines was the upper knife placement. It was far easier to thread the needles with the upper knife flipped out of the way. With both of these machines, I felt like I had fat fingers and needed to use the tweezer to accomplish the threading (I did this on the 936 also). Threading the M-1000 was a breeze. The upper knife placement was in a different spot (more like the 936). It mostly threads itself. All you need to do is put the threads in the right spots and it will thread it's own loopers. This machine as a manual needle threader, also.
I ended up being the most comfortable with the 114D and the MO-1000. I have no doubt that this was because some of the features are similar to the 936.
After some consideration, I did make a decision and it was:
I was really interested in the air threading. If I were younger I would have definitely purchased the 114D. Having the machine thread the loopers is so much easier on the old eyes. Ok, I am fully aware that I took the easy way out with this.
I have no doubt that I will miss all the electronic on the 936 but hopefully, I love this serger too.
Next, I will go through my at home testing.
Happy Stitching!
Since all three machines performed well with very little adjustments, I decided to re-thread the all three of the machines. This is something that must be relatively easy to do. I did not expect any of the machines to be difficult to thread. I can thread the 936 with ease and it has a very complicated threading path. The MO-654de and the 114D are identical inside. What I found a little difficult with both of these machines was the upper knife placement. It was far easier to thread the needles with the upper knife flipped out of the way. With both of these machines, I felt like I had fat fingers and needed to use the tweezer to accomplish the threading (I did this on the 936 also). Threading the M-1000 was a breeze. The upper knife placement was in a different spot (more like the 936). It mostly threads itself. All you need to do is put the threads in the right spots and it will thread it's own loopers. This machine as a manual needle threader, also.
I ended up being the most comfortable with the 114D and the MO-1000. I have no doubt that this was because some of the features are similar to the 936.
After some consideration, I did make a decision and it was:
I was really interested in the air threading. If I were younger I would have definitely purchased the 114D. Having the machine thread the loopers is so much easier on the old eyes. Ok, I am fully aware that I took the easy way out with this.
I have no doubt that I will miss all the electronic on the 936 but hopefully, I love this serger too.
Next, I will go through my at home testing.
Happy Stitching!
Wednesday, October 12, 2016
When Do You Add Edge Stitches?....
So, I have finally started the T-shirt project that I talked about in this knitting post. It has taken a couple of starts to get it going because it is oh, so easy to drop stitches. Sometimes you can pick up those stitches and sometimes you can't. Anyway, once I got started and made it through the first section, I realized that I didn't know if I should have added edge stitches. Eeek! Off to the net to see if I can find anything about edge stitches and when to use them. I could find information on the various types of edge stitches but I couldn't find anything that told when to add an edge stitch or if edge stitches should always be added.
Off to my trusty little library. It may be small but I do own some fairly good books. I found "The Knitter's Book of Finishing Techniques" by Nancie N Wiseman. This is not a book I have reached for often. I am sure I read through it when I got it and then put it on my shelf for future reference. Low and behold there is a whole chapter on edge stitches or selvages. After reading her explanation of edge stitches and when to use them, I have decided that for this project I'm not going to need them. After all, my project is a straight stockinette stitch and it wants the edges to roll. Well, at least on the hem edges.
So what are edge stitches or selvages used for? They control the edge of the knitted fabric and also give you additional stitches to create a seam if you're project needs it. If you were knitting a scarf, an edge stitch would assist with getting the edges to lay flat. If you were knitting a sweater with beautiful motifs or designs on it, the edge stitches would be added to prevent a disruption of the pattern by adding additional stitches for the seam. Sounds easy enough, doesn't it?
So, if anyone has any additional information on the use of edge stitches. Please send me the information so I can learn more. At this point, my project is only about 3" long. I would rather do another start than find out at the end that I should have added the edges stitches.
Happy Stitching!
Off to my trusty little library. It may be small but I do own some fairly good books. I found "The Knitter's Book of Finishing Techniques" by Nancie N Wiseman. This is not a book I have reached for often. I am sure I read through it when I got it and then put it on my shelf for future reference. Low and behold there is a whole chapter on edge stitches or selvages. After reading her explanation of edge stitches and when to use them, I have decided that for this project I'm not going to need them. After all, my project is a straight stockinette stitch and it wants the edges to roll. Well, at least on the hem edges.
So what are edge stitches or selvages used for? They control the edge of the knitted fabric and also give you additional stitches to create a seam if you're project needs it. If you were knitting a scarf, an edge stitch would assist with getting the edges to lay flat. If you were knitting a sweater with beautiful motifs or designs on it, the edge stitches would be added to prevent a disruption of the pattern by adding additional stitches for the seam. Sounds easy enough, doesn't it?
So, if anyone has any additional information on the use of edge stitches. Please send me the information so I can learn more. At this point, my project is only about 3" long. I would rather do another start than find out at the end that I should have added the edges stitches.
Happy Stitching!
Friday, October 7, 2016
It's Good to be Home Again...
I spent the past week visiting with my parents. It was so very nice to see them again. I don't usually visit in the fall but this was my chance and I took it. I even got to fly instead of drive. How lucky am I? It just happen to turn out that it cost the same between the two options. So I flew knowing I would get to spend a couple of extra days with family. Before I left, I ordered a few things so I could get started on some projects upon my return. Here's my purchases:
I purchased three sizes (2.75mm, 3.00mm, 3.25mm) of the Pony knitting needles from Deramores in the UK. I have purchased from them in the past and was pleased with their prompt service. Now, I'm ready to start my next project from the Wilder by Kim Hargreaves book. This is the first time I've used these brand of needle. I hope that I like them.
I also decided to purchase some fabric and try to carve out some "me" sewing time for a few tops. Here are my purchases:
I hope I'm not deceiving myself about getting sewing done. I feel like all I have worked on this entire year has been quilts and it's time to do something whether I have a serger or not. I hope I can still do a satisfactory edge finish. I know once long ago I was able to sew just fine without a serger. Almost forgot, all the fabric is from fabric.com.
Happy Stitching!
I purchased three sizes (2.75mm, 3.00mm, 3.25mm) of the Pony knitting needles from Deramores in the UK. I have purchased from them in the past and was pleased with their prompt service. Now, I'm ready to start my next project from the Wilder by Kim Hargreaves book. This is the first time I've used these brand of needle. I hope that I like them.
I also decided to purchase some fabric and try to carve out some "me" sewing time for a few tops. Here are my purchases:
I hope I'm not deceiving myself about getting sewing done. I feel like all I have worked on this entire year has been quilts and it's time to do something whether I have a serger or not. I hope I can still do a satisfactory edge finish. I know once long ago I was able to sew just fine without a serger. Almost forgot, all the fabric is from fabric.com.
Happy Stitching!
Thursday, October 6, 2016
First Serger Test...
A couple of weeks ago, my sewing buddy and I went to the local Babylock dealer to look at the Eclipse DX:
It took a bit to get anyone's attention when we arrived at the shop but I was patient because I really wanted to look at this machine. Finally, a salesperson broke away from a one-on-one sewing lesson to see what we needed. I explained that I wanted to look at the Eclipse DX. Of course, it turned out that the machine was missing the manual, the power supply, and the foot pedal. Yes, this made it a challenge but the salesperson finally located the power supply and the foot pedal.
I had brought a baggie of fabric to test the stitching with. It was a fair selection of fabrics - denim, quilting weight cotton, home dec cotton, stretchy knit, and fleece. On the heavy fabrics and the knits, the stitching was pretty much perfect. However the quilting weight cotton and the home dec cotton, the stitching didn't seem quite right and I was unable to adjust the needle tensions to correct. I'm willing to admit that this could have been a user issue. There was no manual available to check the tension settings and I'm really spoiled with having an electronic display.
Then, I decided to re-thread the machine. This turned into a major challenge and we waited for the salesperson to return. I'm not sure that the salesperson appreciated the fact that I had cut all the threads so I could thread the machine myself but she did finally explain to me what I needed to do. Once I understood the procedure, it was pretty easy. The hardest part of threading the loopers was getting enough thread into the hole with enough slack to thread the machine. I was amazed that the machine could thread the loopers 100%. I did miss the fact that this machine also had a needle threader. I had this machine threaded in less than 5 minutes on the first try.
This machine was very pricey. This particular dealer had the machine listed ~$2500. If you had a trade=in, the price was about ~$1100. I'm not sure about the price even with the looper threading and the needle threaders.
I have located another dealer about 2 hours away that carries both of the Juki models that I'm interested in seeing and carries the Babylock machines. I suspect that the Juki MO-1000 is a twin of the Eclipse DX. It would be very nice to see all three machines and test them at the same time.
I really think hands on playing with the machines is the only way to go. If I can't thread the machine or adjust the tensions by myself, I won't use the machine when I get home. I'm still wondering just a little bit if I'm going to miss having the electronic display or having a free arm.
Have you used this particular machine? I would love to hear about the pros and cons.
Happy Stitching!
It took a bit to get anyone's attention when we arrived at the shop but I was patient because I really wanted to look at this machine. Finally, a salesperson broke away from a one-on-one sewing lesson to see what we needed. I explained that I wanted to look at the Eclipse DX. Of course, it turned out that the machine was missing the manual, the power supply, and the foot pedal. Yes, this made it a challenge but the salesperson finally located the power supply and the foot pedal.
I had brought a baggie of fabric to test the stitching with. It was a fair selection of fabrics - denim, quilting weight cotton, home dec cotton, stretchy knit, and fleece. On the heavy fabrics and the knits, the stitching was pretty much perfect. However the quilting weight cotton and the home dec cotton, the stitching didn't seem quite right and I was unable to adjust the needle tensions to correct. I'm willing to admit that this could have been a user issue. There was no manual available to check the tension settings and I'm really spoiled with having an electronic display.
Then, I decided to re-thread the machine. This turned into a major challenge and we waited for the salesperson to return. I'm not sure that the salesperson appreciated the fact that I had cut all the threads so I could thread the machine myself but she did finally explain to me what I needed to do. Once I understood the procedure, it was pretty easy. The hardest part of threading the loopers was getting enough thread into the hole with enough slack to thread the machine. I was amazed that the machine could thread the loopers 100%. I did miss the fact that this machine also had a needle threader. I had this machine threaded in less than 5 minutes on the first try.
This machine was very pricey. This particular dealer had the machine listed ~$2500. If you had a trade=in, the price was about ~$1100. I'm not sure about the price even with the looper threading and the needle threaders.
I have located another dealer about 2 hours away that carries both of the Juki models that I'm interested in seeing and carries the Babylock machines. I suspect that the Juki MO-1000 is a twin of the Eclipse DX. It would be very nice to see all three machines and test them at the same time.
I really think hands on playing with the machines is the only way to go. If I can't thread the machine or adjust the tensions by myself, I won't use the machine when I get home. I'm still wondering just a little bit if I'm going to miss having the electronic display or having a free arm.
Have you used this particular machine? I would love to hear about the pros and cons.
Happy Stitching!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)