Saturday, February 14, 2009

The weekender bag: a wadder?

Just a short post to express my frustration on the weekender bag. Yesterday evening I sewed in one side of the bag to the middle part and even though I did not do the piping on the bag, there are a lot of layers to stitch at the sides. The needle goes through without problems, but I do get skipped stitches. Just now I tried to sew in the second side and the same happens even more! A few stitches can be done by hand, but the whole bag?? Not looking forward to that. If it's going to be a wadder, it's an expensive wadder.

I'm all admiration for all those who have made such beautiful versions with piping even. This is a diffult bag! For this weekend I'm going to leave it. Perhaps I'm going to do some garment sewing, perhaps just finish some work that's due next week.


ETA: Thank you for the positive energy you are sending me and the tips. I am leaving it for a few days but will not give up. And I will try a new needle. I hadn't done that yet! Started with a new one, but you are right nowaks nähkästchen, the needle could be blunt. Good you asked.
Cidell: good luck with yours! You might need the industrial back up machine.
In the meantime I started finishing UFO's, it's good for something!

12 comments:

  1. I hardly dare to ask...... but did you try a fresh needle? On such materials needles can get blunt in no time.

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  2. dont give up on it! You will be so happy with the end product. As the previous person suggested try a new needle, or a heavier needle. Good Luck!

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  3. Sigrid :) Just give it a rest for a few days, and all will be fine. I'm super looking forward to your finished product :)

    ((((positive energy to you))))

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  4. I too am sending positive energy!! I'm just starting to make the piping on mine. I'm also doing it on my vintage machine and will have a friend's industrial as back up. But, I think you just need a nice break away from it!

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  5. This stinks. I've had this problem, too, on various projects that are really thick with skipped stitches. Even some really finicky knit fabrics give me skipped stitches. I've tried every needle in the book and sometimes things improve, sometimes not. The only thing I haven't tried in these situations is needle lube. Just a suggestion as maybe that would work or at least be somewhat helpful?

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  6. I completely understand about leaving it for a while. Some items need to be left alone to think about what they've done. After a couple of days or so, sometimes the solution just arrives all on its own. Good luck and make something easy and fun. It helps.

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  7. Dude! I've broken two needles already! But, I'm plugging away at it.

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  8. I don't know what size needle you are using, but have you tried a size 18 denim needle?

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  9. Hmm. I was wondering the same thing as Nancy K. Are you using a larger needle, such as a jeans needle. You could also try a leather needle. You can buy those for a home sewing machine. I've had to use those on some really thick, tough fabrics.

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  10. Well, I admire you for even trying to make a bag. I'd love to make one myself, but I know my mid-range Viking would never be able to power through one. I hope changing the needles for new ones or heavier ones is what it takes to get your bag done. Who cares how many you go through if you get a nice bag out of it, right?

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  11. That would be too bad, as I love your "fabric". Sending positive vibes.

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  12. I understand your pain... I don't think my home SM would stand sewing several layers of thick leather either...

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