Sewing Machine Needle: In A Pickle Over Dull Needle

A sewing friend clipped this cartoon by Brian Crane.  How apropos!  The November blog posts have all been about the sewing worthiness of your machine needles.  It is true, a needle will not last forever! The solution is so easy and inexpensive - Change Your Needle!

©2012, The Washington Post

Reprinted with Permission

So, just in time for the Thanksgiving holiday, I hope you find some sewing time to create and rejuvenate. Unlike the last frame of this Pickles comic strip, go out and buy a couple packs of needles from your local store.  Be prepared to sew!

Have a grateful and terrific Thanksgiving holiday.
Sew SCHMETZ!
Rhonda
www.SCHMETZneedles.com
http://wpmediaservices.com/comics/pickles.htm

Sewing Machine Needle: Sewing Worthiness?

How many times have you saved a used machine needle only to return and wonder if it is sewing worthy?  Perhaps you were quilting and were side tracked by an emergency gift project.  You removed your needle, say a Microtex and set it aside for future use.  You insert a Jersey for a rush t-shirt gift.  Imagine you had no interruptions and finished the t-shirt in a couple hours.  Now after a cup of coffee and a chocolate you are ready to return to your quilting.  You find the Microtex needle and now wonder, should I have thrown it away.  Is this needle still sewing worthy?  Because you have already learned in previous posts the damage that a dull needle can do:

Shred or Break Threads

Skip Stitches, Uneven Seams

Pucker and Damage Fabrics

Popping or Clunking Sound Made By Sewing Machine

There are two little tests you can do on the spot to determine the sewing worthiness of your needle:

• Run your needle tip across your finger nail.  If the needle leaves a scratch, it has a burr.  Toss the needle.
• Run your needle tip across a pair of old hosiery or a swatch of clingy knit fabric.  If the needle tip snags your hosiery or your knit fabric swatch, it has a burr.  You know what to do... Toss the needle.

I know many of us have good intentions to just toss any slightly used needles, but sometimes we get sidetracked and just set them aside.  The above tips are easy and cost nothing to help you determine the sewing worthiness of your used needle.  If in doubt, CHANGE the needle!

Sew SCHMETZ!
Rhonda
www.SCHMETZneedles.com

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The Magic of Sewing

One of the joys of my job is talking to sewing enthusiasts from around the world.  Whether teaching or walking a sewing show, sewists like to show and tell about their garments, quilts, wall hangings, crafts and charity projects.  I met Bill earlier in the year between my SCHMETZ: Get to the Point classes at Steve's Sewing, Vacuum and Quilting store in King of Prussia, PA.

Bill Brown

Bill showed me a photo album of his sewing projects and his newly created sewing room.  Thanks to his daughter moving out of the house, the bedroom was free and Bill moved right in setting up sewing machines, a serger, lots of shelves, thread racks, a cutting table and extra lights.  Bill was beaming ear to ear over his awesome sewing studio.

Bill loves to sew quilts . . . . and thoughtfully creates lovely gowns for the burial of premmie babies.  The gowns are complete with lace trim, satin ribbons and dainty rose trim.  The gowns are donated to the local hospital.

Curious to why Bill learned to sew? Magically, he can thank his Mom.  Special pockets?  I'm lucky to install one good pocket.  Thanks Bill and the customers and staff at Steve's Sewing and Vacuum for a terrific Sew SCHMETZ day!  If you missed it check out my March 28th blog post for more details about Steve's Sewing, Vacuum and Quilting store in King of Prussia, PA.
Sew SCHMETZ!
Rhonda

www.stevessewandvac.com

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Sewing Machine Needle: Dull Needle with Burrs

Think it doesn't matter how long a needle is used?  Have a microscope in your sewing room?  Take a look at a used needle on the left.  With each magnification you can see not only the dull point, but look at the striations and that GIANT burr on the needle point.

Now imagine what this needle will do to your fabrics and thread?  That's right, it bears repeating the clues to using a dull needle:

Shredded or Broken Threads

Skipped Stitches

Puckered Fabrics

Damaged Fabrics

Uneven Seams

Popping or Clunking Sound from Sewing Machine

So what is the solution?

Change your needle!

It's the easiest and least expensive way to improve your stitches.

Next week find out if your gently used sewing machines needles are still sewing worthy.
Sew SCHMETZ!
Rhonda

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2012 Fall International Quilt Festival

Going to Houston for International Quilt Market draws me like a magnet.  I love this wholesale market seeing vendors, new product, gathering ideas and viewing the vast special quilt exhibits.  I always love Preview Night for International Quilt Festival in Houston, TX.  The sky is dark, Halloween costumes are on parade and at last the public's attention is focused on the remarkable skill, creativity and artwork of quilters. One of the perks of Quilt Market is accessing Quilt Festival quilt exhibits.   I am back home now, but I am thinking about all the excitement and viewer exhilaration of seeing the quilts for the first time.  Here are just a couple of my personal favorite quilts:




Kitty Corner by Janet Fogg
2012 International Quilt Festival

Kitty Corner is a literal interpretation of the traditional quilt block, Puss In The Corner.  The larger-than-life Maine Coone positioned in the corner of the traditional layout of the blocks pushes the point that innovation in traditional work is possible.  This cat has personality!  I love cats.  I love dogs.  Can I be a cat and dog person?  :)



Zinnias Three by Jean Smith
2012 International Quilt Festival

Zinnias Three is fused, pieced and free-motion quilted. Inspired by Melinda Bula's zinnia class, Jean created three zinnias in her favorite colors. I love the colors and cheerfulness!

Natural Wonders by Kathy McNeil

2012 International Quilt Festival

Beautifully executed hand applique, hand embroidery, Yo-Yo embellishments, piping and machine quilting.  Wow!  Natural Wonders looks like a photograph.  Kathy hand-appliqued 123 different fabrics to create a seascape that existed only in her imagination.  Stunning!

America, Let It Shine by Sherry Reynolds

2012 International Quilt Festival

America, Let It Shine is an original design using paper piecing, hand applique, fused applique with machine finished edges and free-motion quilting create a tribute to American foundations and values with hope for a brighter future.  5,121 Swarovski crystals, 13 points representing original 13 colonies, ring of 50 stars representing 50 states.  Wow!  A show standout!  Stunning!

For more information on International Quilt Festival visit www.quilts.com. 
Sew SCHMETZ!
Rhonda

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Sewing Machine Needle: Change Your Needle

How long have you been sewing with the same needle?  How many quilts have you made using the same needle?  Have you experienced these dull needle symptoms?

Shredded or Broken Threads

Skipped Stitches

Puckered Fabrics

Damaged Fabrics

Uneven Seams

Popping Sound by Sewing Machine

Guess what?  These are clues - clues that you can see and hear - that you need to change your needle. 
The general rule of thumb is to change your needle after 8 hours of sewing.  Depending on the project, some sewists change needles once and sometimes twice insuring a quality stitch.  Others start every new project with a fresh out of the pack needle.  No, we are not trying to sell you more needles.  We are trying to help you sew better . . .  with better stitch quality. 

Change your needle!

It's the easiest way to improve your stitches.

Tune in next week and get a close-up view of a dull needle.
Sew SCHMETZ!
Rhonda
www.SCHMETZneedles.com

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Sewing Machine Needle: Does SCHMETZ Work With My Machine?

Wondering if SCHMETZ needles work with your home sewing machine?

SCHMETZ works with all these machine brands!  SCHMETZ 130/705 H - see the October 8th post if you need a refresher on the meaning of 130/705 H -  is compatible with all these home sewing machine brands in the marketplace.  That's a relief!  There are a few older Singer machines that require a different needle system, plus a few specialty machines such as needle felting and sashiko machines that do not use SCHMETZ 130/705 H needles.  SCHMETZ engineers work with sewing machine manufacturers around the world to ensure that the SCHMETZ needle performs properly in your home sewing, embroidery and quilting machines.