What is a Bobbin Thread?

What is Bobbin Thread?

A bobbin thread is not the thread that is often used in a bobbin. Most often, the thread used in the upper threading and the bobbin of a sewing machine is the same. A bobbin thread is a very lightweight thread. This type of thread is the thread used for machine embroidery or basting. It allows the back of the applique or the design to be less dense than the front design. It works best and helpful when you are embroidering a light weight fabric.  This prevents the dense embroidery to be more dense and rigid than the fabric and keeps it more pliable than it would be with regular thread in the bobbin. When used for machine basting, in many instances,  it can be left in rather than fighting to remove the basting. This thread is more delicate thread than your regular sewing thread. Since bobbin thread is a thinner thread, it will not be as over powering as regular weight sewing thread. A machine blind stitch sewn with bobbin thread on shear fabric can be much more invisible than if it is sewn with regular thread. Definition of Terms Bobbin. A bobbin is a spindle or cylinder, with or without flanges, on which yarn,or thread is wound. As used in spinning, weaving, knitting, sewing, or lacemaking, the bobbin provides temporary or permanent storage for yarn and may be made of plastic, metal, bone or wood.    

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Sewing Machine Repair: Tension Problems

Sewing Machine Tension Problems?

When a sewing machine gets into trouble, most people would think that the problem is with the machine tension. However, most often, you do not mess with tension settings or tension disks. If true tension adjustments are required, the best help you can get is your machine manual for adjusting the tension settings of your machine.

Tension Disks:

Tensions disks control the amount of pressure applied to the thread for an even feed to the machine needle causing an evenly formed stitch. Always have the presser foot raised when threading the sewing machine so that the disks are not engaged and are open to accept the thread.

Adjusting Machine Tension:

Sewing machine tension is adjusted when the bobbin and upper thread is not even on both sides of the fabric. When sewing two layers of fabric the intersection of the bobbin and upper thread should be between the two layers of fabric.

Righty Tighty Lefty Lucy:

"Righty Tighty, Lefty Lucy" refers to turning the adjustment to the right to tighten the upper thread tension and turning the adjustment to the left to make the upper thread tension looser.  

Care of Tension Disks:

• Refer to your sewing machine manual when you need help so as appropriate steps can be taken.
• Clean the disks with a soft brush to prevent dust and lint from building up between the disks.
• Always check for a loose thread stuck in the tension disks when adjustments are not making a difference.

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Bobbin Thread Bunching, Looping and Tangling

Sewing Machine Repair: Bunching, Looping and Tangling Bobbin Thread

One of the sewing machine troubles that you can deal with at home is when you just want to sew and  the machine produces looping, tangling and and a bird's nest on the bobbin side of the fabric. Most people would put the blame to the bobbin but it's not often the culprit! The looping bobbin thread is usually caused by the upper threading of the sewing machine. Here are some of the tips to help you out with Bobbin Thread Bunching, Looping and Tangling.

1. Always thread the sewing machine with the presser foot up. When the presser foot is down, the tension is engaged and it will not allow the thread to seat properly.
2. Re-thread the sewing machine making sure the thread is passing through every thread guide on its way to the sewing machine needle.
3. Change the sewing machine needle if you still have a looping bobbin thread. Be sure you are using the proper sewing machine needle for the fabric you are sewing and the job at hand.

Sewing Machine Repair: Basic Maintenance

Basic Sewing Machine Maintenance

A sewing machine is always part of a tailor's life. Therefore, it is necessary that it is kept good so as to have longer life and give longer service. But how do you do basic maintenance of your sewing machine or do sewing machine repair?

Refer to your sewing machine manual

Your sewing machine manual is your best friend when it comes to troubleshooting your machine. Make sure that you secure your copy so that you can easily find it when you need it.

Unplug Your Machine When cleaning your machine for maintenance, make sure that you unplug your machine. This is for your own safety and to prevent damage to your machine.  

Sewing Machine Oil

 If you are not familiar with sewing machine oil, this type of oil is a clear white oil.  Oiling the machine lubricates your moving parts to prevent wear. It also reduce the risk of rust. Rust forms rapidly with any dampness, even just the humidity in the air. Surface rust can act just like loose sand granule in your machine, and create excess wear.  

Loose Screws It is best that while you are oiling your machine, you also tighten the loose screws that you come across with. Set screws which usually require hex key wrenches, should only be adjusted by a repair person unless you have a complete understanding of the timing of your sewing machine.  

Wires

You should always be watching for wear signs on wires but while you’re cleaning your machine, take the time to honestly inspect the wires.  

Other references for Sewing Machine Repair

How To: Clean/Oil Your Sewing Machine | Make It and Love It   How expensive is that sewing machine check up you get? Servicing a machine seems so expensive to me, at least $100. They did say my inexpensive machine was worth servicing, because it was not made of plastic and ...  

 

Uses of Silk Velvet

All velvet fabrics can be dyed effectively with deep colors. Dark shades are preferred because it can highlight the rich pile of the fabric. Most often, silk/rayon blend velvet is used for flowing dresses and evening wear which emphasize its soft drape. Meanwhile, synthetic velvet made completely of acetate or rayon is less expensive and easier to care for and is often substituted for a silk/rayon blend. This type of velvet can be used for all types of soft garments. For both home decorating and clothing, cotton velvet is the most suitable. Vests, skirts, blazers and coats can be made from cotton velvet. It's also used for costumes. The durability of cotton velvet also makes it ideal for home furnishings. Sumptuous bed coverings, upholstery, draperies and cushions can be made from cotton velvet.    

How to Clean Silk Velvet?

Silk Velvet: Cleaning

Aside from being an expensive fabric, many people are hesitant to buy velvet fabric because of the cleaning method you need to use. But for synthetic and cotton velvet, you can clean it yourself. However, silk velvet needs to be dry cleaned.

Other References for Cleaning Silk Velvet

How to Revive a Silk Velvet Dress | Cleaning Guides

Cory asked: How do I clean a silk velvet dress? There are a few small spots where the velvet is flattened, but when I run my finger over it from the back...



Maintenance of knowledge of different fabrics evening dress

Some dry cleaner through steaming and polished to the small villi stand up again, silk velvet is most responsive, but you can not try it yourself. Food or beverage is not avoidable, the children will get the clothes on their own ...

How to Sew Silk Velvet?

Silk velvet is an expensive fabric you may find difficult to deal with. Stretching and size distortion are possible if careful handling and basting aren't part of the construction of the garment. Spray glues will probably stain the silk so these products should be avoided.

In each step of construction make sure the fabric is supported by laying it on a table or desk. Holding the fabric in in your lap just doesn't work as the velvet will stretch and become distorted. Using very fine pins, pin the fabric and hand baste then machine baste. Make sure your machine and the area to the left of it is flush so that you are not getting drag. Check your stitches, make any corrections, then stitch. An added tip is to use different colored thread for the machine basting so you can easily see what stitches to remove.

Tips for Sewing Velvet Fabric

by ehow.com


When pinning velvet fabric in preparation for sewing, place pins in seam lines to avoid leaving marks. Seams should be stitched in the direction of the nap whenever possible. When pressing seams, do not place a hot iron directly on either side of the velvet fabric. An iron applied directly will permanently crush the pile. Instead, apply steam to the velvet or use a special ironing board known as a needle board. Practice using the needle board on a scrap of velvet to make sure the pile is not damaged.