Elizabeth; when I start a new seam, I reach for the threads and hold them as I take a few stitches, this helps keep them going, and if your machine needle is in the high position when you start stitching you usually are ok, watch your thread as it goes through a stitch, you can see if move long then short, just try holding the tips of the threads for a few stitches, rene

When you finish a seam and before clipping the thread, place a small piece of double folded fabric under the presser foot and sew through it, leaving it attached to the threads, at the back of the needle. This way the threads are always atttached to something and you needle should not become unthreaded again. Just clip it off and use it again each time. It's hard for me to get used to doing because I did not learn this way but if you make a habit of it right from the beginning it just might save you some time and frustration in the future.

All the best,
Nanna ;), ;)

Thank you, you two!!!

I'll try both ideas tonight when I finish the valance. Number 2 should be done shortly. I'll get the hang of this yet!

Elizabeth

The above ideas will work, but to explain (after having the same problem umpteen times myself!) it's usually that the distance from the cutter to the needle is too short an end when the 'arm' isn't fully raised.

Using the handwheel at the side of your machine, turn a full stitch and watch the bit that rised and falls. Then see where the needle is when that bit is at the top, that is your best stopping point.

Now figure out a way to always stop like that when you are busy sewing and having fun and send it to me ;-p

Like I said the advice you alread got will work and I will endeavour to remember to do that myself!

AJ

So or should I say....Sew did you get your problem fixed? It's always nice to hear from a newbie sewer with a question......there is so much experience on this forum and people share ideas and solutions so willingly. Hurrah for us!

Bud ~ I did solve the problem. Alas, I am too lazy to try Nanna's idea, but pulling out extra thread and holding onto it does the trick!

I finished the second valance (well, almost, just turned it "inside right" and have to iron it and close up the hole) ~ but to my dismay, I found one of the ties got sewn into the side seam. So, I had my first experience ripping out the stiches and redoing them - without the tie this time!

Thanks, all!

What a fabulous forum and fount of information.

~ Elizabeth

Elizabeth,

I really must laugh here. Can't remember a single thing I've ever made without ripping out some stitches. Was just thinking last night, as I picked up one of my many seam rippers, this must be the most used sewing tool I own.

Good luck to you,
Nanna

Thanks for the luck, Nanna, goodness knows I need it.

I'll make you laugh even further...I finally figured out how to really use the seam ripper after probably 20 minutes. For some reason I thought I had to take them out one at a time and I've got these tight little stiches and it wasn't working. I was getting so frustrated and concentrating so hard that when a friend walked in the door I jumped. Well, jumping showed me that all I needed to do was run the ripper down the seam...NOT trying to cut each stitch from the stitch side, but rather the "inside" of the seam.

I'm not sure I'm explaining that very clearly...but I think you'll get the idea of what I was trying to do. But, I got home from work today and decided it looked good anyway. Hopefully I'll get them hung this weekend ~ I'll post a picture so you can see them in "their glory" up and looking useful.

Thanks, again, for all your support!!!

~ Elizabeth

Seam ripper.....my best friend....also my point pusher...you know the little stick you can shove into a right angle and have a nice crisp point....OK for years I used whatever was handy..knitting needle, sewing needle..but now I'm getting some of the keen new tools when I spy them and updateing my sewing supplies. Elizabeth you will have a hayday finding all kinds of little items on the sewing counter to try. Just make sure your sewing box is large. Good luck Bud.

I'm glad you worked out how to stop the needle unthreading, the reason it does it is because the thread is taken around the bobbin to pick up that thread and with no resistance it takes the thread from the easiest way. It's also the reason why there often is a mess of threads at the beginning of a row. The mess is caused if there is a long piece of loose thread hanging from the needle and it's not held while starting off.

I really like my version of unpicking - hand the piece and the unpicker to my husband who seems to enjoy doing it LOL.

The reason the thread unthreads is that when you stop sewing and turn the wheel to raise your needle, you ALSO have to keep turning the wheel enough to raise the "up and downy arm thing". (You know, the part that you loop over after you thread the tension disc.) It's unthreading because it's not finished it's cycle before you're cutting the thread. So next time you start the arm thingy goes up and zip there goes your thread. Get in the habit of turning the wheel just the extra inch and you'll never have this problem again!