Issue 25 September 2019
Hello Everyone,
The end of Summer is upon us, goodbye August and Hello September!
September is one of the best months of the year because it is a great mixture of both summer and fall. The summer flowers are still blooming bright but the leaves on the trees are starting to turn into the rich golden colors of autumn. September days are still warm like those of summer but the nights are cool enough to curl up with a quilt. Planning for the winter ahead is something all quilters do in the fall - we would hate to be caught in an Indiana snowstorm without something to work on. As quilters we tend to gather our projects like farmers bringing in the end of summer harvest, quilters visit quilt shops to harvest cotton bundles to get us through the winter. Some of us harvest cotton year-round though - we are just extra prepared! However you plan to spend your end of summer and the beginning of fall, we hope you take in the beauty of the season, harvest what you can and enjoy the fruits of your labor this coming winter may they be fruits, vegetables or fabric.
Come see the harvest we have for you at our next First Friday of the Month Demonstration Day September 6 at 10:30 am (Doors open at 10:00am) “Leaf it to Us” to show you all the Leaf inspired quilty treasures you can make to welcome Fall. It’s Free! Come Join Us!
May All Your Stitches Be Sweet,
Joan
We have a full calendar of classes for September!
You can link to our September Calendar Here!
A Machine Minute
General Maintenance and proper technique are critical for optimum performance of your sewing machine and project outcome.
Having a Bad Bobbin Day?
A properly wound bobbin is the foundation of a good stitch, yet bobbin winding is just one of those things that every quilter and sewist does nearly automatically, without much thought, it just needs to get done so we can keep sewing.
1) Use the correct bobbin for your machine. Just because they look nearly identical does not mean they are. Slight differences in geometry and size can greatly impact how the bobbin, bobbin case and hook race work together. They were designed as a mechanical team and for best results, keep the team together.
2) When preparing to wind your bobbin, follow your thread sequence and be certain that your thread is fully contacting the bobbin winding tension disk.
3) If you are using a machine without the easy winding system, be sure to pull your thread through the hole in the bobbin. Hold this thread tail as you begin to wind the bobbin. After several revolutions, cut the thread tail near the bobbin.
4) When winding a bobbin - Slow Down! The speed at which you wind your bobbin can impact its quality. Winding a bobbin at a fast speed is not best practice. In fact, running a bobbin at very high speeds can introduce unintended twists and variable tension within the bobbin that can negatively impact stitch performance. The goal when winding a bobbin is consistent tension and uniformity of the wind. A moderate speed is best when winding a bobbin.
5) Bobbins do not last forever. Especially true of the plastic bobbins, they wear, they can develop burrs and over time they can impact performance. Most new bobbins are very inexpensive and will last through many uses, just not indefinitely.
6) Do not overfill your bobbins. Do not be tempted to sew as long as you can with one bobbin. Exceeding the maximum fill of a bobbin (which is generally just shy of the outer edge) can cause non-uniform winding, variable tension and risk unintended thread droop within the bobbin case. None of which will help your stitches. Do not be tempted to run one color on top of another within a bobbin. This type of frugality eventually produces poor stitches and disappointing project outcomes.
7) Be sure to Install your bobbins so they spin in the correct direction. If you are unsure on how your bobbin is to be oriented, consult your sewing machine owner’s manual or check with your favorite quilt shop!
8) A properly wound bobbin will look smooth with even layering. The finished bobbin will feel firm and will not feel spongy.
Follow these steps and you will always have a ‘Good Bobbin Day’
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1585 South Calumet Road Chesterton, IN 46304
219.250.5942
www.sweetstitchesquiltshop.com
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