Phew! The last gift is done. I find myself being a very cautious sewer given that my Pfaff is so unpredictable. I carefully weigh choices such as changing the bobbin thread because last time I did I spent about an hour before the machine finally ran normally. So while I decided to 'risk' metallic thread on top because it really was what would look best, I kept the light blue bobbin thread that was already in from a previous project. With a regularly functioning machine I would have used the same metallic in the bobbin. I also chose a straight stitch instead of anything fancy because I've encountered problems there as well, and conveniently, the fabric that I chose doesn't fray so needs no satin edging and since it is also stretchy, I could make the cover in one piece instead of the usual three. Any timesaving is much appreciated because inevitably something does go wrong and make the project take longer. This time was no exception. When I pinned the inner flaps, I forgot that to have the metallic thread show on the cover's outside, I would need to flip it so that the pins and inner flaps were on the underside and not visable to me as I sewed. Somehow, one of the flaps curled back on itself when I sewed it -unsightly. I picked it out and resewed and it happened again! At that point I considered leaving it and telling my sister who is receiving the gift that it serves as a reminder not to be too attached to perfection - a sentiment I think she would appreciate. But I did unpick and resew with the help of a little glue stick to make sure it didn't happen again. In my experience, cutting corners does not work - yet I seem to be a slow learner in that regard. Next time I would also do the regular three pieces for the cover and use a stabilizer to back them, as I prefer a straight edge for the book as opposed to the slightly floppy edges. All of this is a reminder to me that I need a reliable machine.
3 comments:
Boy, Yvonne, I feel your pain with that Pfaff! I too have struggled with metallic threads and would not even try to put it in the bobbin. One spool was so awful I finally threw it out. Just a waste of money.
It must really depend on what sewing machine you have. I've used metallic thread with my old Janome and all went well. With the Pfaff other threads are just as likely to give trouble. Thanks for your sympathy! What kind of machine do you sew on?
I liked the fabric which looked like a Van Gogh's Starry night. I wonder if you could use stabilizer on the edge or even a strip of black fusible interfacing to stiffen the edge while retaining the advantage of the stretchiness to fit the cover?
I also like seeing something new each day...
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