Random question abt machine sewing technique

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Random question abt machine sewing technique

1lesmel
Déc 16, 2020, 6:28 pm

As I have been quilting away, I started to wonder about how others handle their thread spool while sewing on a machine.

I was taught to keep the spool loose enough to spin; but as I have developed my own sewing style, I've found I get better tension & feed by keeping the spool firmly pinned so that the thread unwinds instead of the spool unwinding.

This doesn't work for all spools; but I definitely have noticed a difference for some (like Coats & Clark) spools.

Do you have a preference for your spools? Do you use the larger cones? What about spool stands?

2genesisdiem
Déc 17, 2020, 12:34 am

I'm not sure that I understand. My spool sits on a little rod at the top of the machine, the thread goes to the left through a metal loop, front through another metal loop, and then down to the needle? When the machine runs, the spool rotates constantly but it doesn't bobble around?

Or are you talking about the bobbin on the underside? I often have problems with the size not fitting properly and it wobbles around and makes a mess of threads?

I really hope someone else can help!

3dudes22
Déc 17, 2020, 5:55 am

>1 lesmel: - When I bought my Bernina years ago, the place I bought it had a couple of classes on the techniques and how to do different things. They told us that the thread should wind off the spool, so to keep the holder tight to the spool. (This was different than other machines I've used where the spool moved.) I think it works great that way. I usually use Mettler thread and small or large spools but not cones.

4scaifea
Déc 17, 2020, 7:34 am

>1 lesmel: >3 dudes22: Same. I keep my spool holder snug to the spool and let the thread unwind without the spool moving. Works pretty good. It's a different story on my serger, of course, since the spools stand upright on their spokes, but they still don't move and the threads unwind off them. So I think that's the way it's generally supposed to work?

5PawsforThought
Déc 17, 2020, 10:12 am

The spool on my machine is just standing on a spoke, like Amber describes her serger. Never had a problem with the tension on the thread (only thread problem is the underside, but that's a different matter).
I remember the machines at school were ones you had to secure with a plastic bit, but I can't say I thought it was any better - the machine I have is supreme to the school ones.

6lesmel
Déc 17, 2020, 4:19 pm

>2 genesisdiem: My Bernina has a horizontal spindle and a vertical spindle. The horizontal spindle is where I keep the spool tight and let the thread unwind rather than the spool spinning.

>3 dudes22:, >4 scaifea:, >5 PawsforThought: I'm fascinated to learn this is more common than I realized.

The interwebs says stacked spools (e.g. Coats & Clark) should be used vertically and cross-wound spools (e.g. Gutermann) should be used horizontally with a tight spool cap. Also, the interwebs says counter-clockwise spin is ideal for vertical orientation. YMMV, of course.

7SassyLassy
Déc 17, 2020, 4:26 pm

>6 lesmel: Didn't know that about the difference in spool types - fascinating. My Pfaff has both spindles, but since I only use Gutermann in it, I use the horizontal, which was just luck. I use C & C for mending from a supply of older thread.

I have only a vertical spindle on my elderly Singer, but it is so tough it can deal with anything, although I rarely use it.

I do find that depending on the size of the spool, the cap size needs to be changed accordingly, and as you say, it should be snug, otherwise there will be problems with the tension.

8PawsforThought
Déc 17, 2020, 4:27 pm

>6 lesmel: What model Bernina do you have? A newer ones, I'm assuming? I have a Bernina too, which is nearly the same age as me (definitely over 30) and it only has a vertical spindle. (On which I've used all different types of spools because I use what I can easily get hold of.) And if I tried putting it so it spun clockwise the thread would get stuck in the mechanism for threading bobbins.

Sewing machines are endlessly fascinating and so incredibly varied. It's a science all of its own.

9genesisdiem
Déc 17, 2020, 4:35 pm

>6 lesmel: >8 PawsforThought: This explains so much! I'm not sure I've ever seen a machine with a horizontal spindle. Now I'm going to google myself silly looking at all the models of machines. :D

also, the spindle on one of my machines has a little spring arm thingie. So when you slide the spool on it, it compresses and then releases to press against the inside and hold it in place, but not too tight. I think it just keeps it from bobbling around. Maybe it helps with fitting spools that might be non-standard sized? I don't use that machine often so I've never really thought about it. The one on my main machine just raises and lowers to get taller for taller spools but it's just a plain rod.

I love learning new things!

10dudes22
Déc 17, 2020, 6:04 pm

I should have said in my earlier post that my Bernina has both a horizontal and vertical spindle. I use the horizontal for sewing and I only use the vertical to wind my bobbins.

>6 lesmel: - That's interesting about C&C. I only use C&C (from an old stash of thread) when I'm desperate and don't have the right color of Mettler. I think that's also a cross-wound spool.

11scaifea
Déc 18, 2020, 7:22 am

My Viking has just one spindle, but it can be adjusted to either horizontal or vertical. I always use it horizontally, though. Maybe I should pay more attention!

12lesmel
Déc 18, 2020, 7:48 am

>8 PawsforThought: Aurora 440 QE. It's weird that this was marketed as "quilters edition" when it is by far an embroidery dynamo. There are 180 stitches programmed into the computer. Those stitches can then be programmed into memory in infinite combinations. Then there's the entire embroidery add-on.

I have to take a look at Mom's Bernina (which is probably as old as if not older than me) when I go home this weekend. Hers is a workhorse; it scares me to death to sew on her machine because it's REALLY powerful. I'm pretty sure she has the classic vertical spindle.

13PawsforThought
Déc 18, 2020, 10:07 am

>12 lesmel: That is weird that they marketed it for quilting. Obviously an embroidery machine. I have a Brother machine that can do quite a lot of embroidery (nothing like yours) but I still have it in the box because I don't like it. I prefer the "old workhorse" type like the Bernina. I've never sewn machine embroidery in my life and I can't imagine a situation were I would so it's not the right thing for me. I want a machine that lets be sew "regular stitches" and do it well. And hopefully never die on me.

14dudes22
Déc 18, 2020, 10:22 am

My Bernina has a lot of decorative stitches - although I wouldn't call it an embroidery machine. My complaint about them is that you're limited in the width that you can make them. I had thought one time about using them in my quilting, but they just don't show up enough. I could get some kind of embroidery attachment to do that, but I'm not sure the cost is worth it. I wish they had had machines like this when I was younger - I might have considered it.

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