Goodness I'm rubbish at using a sewing machine...

[spandit]

Can't show you my project as I've just broken my second machine needle and don't have another spare (my mother-in-law, whose machine it is isn't going to be pleased). I must have used twice the amount of thread that's ended up in it and I've already wasted/discarded a full piece of material... at least it was free stuff I was sewing...

Any guesses?

 

[chris_r]

Something in canvas? Bedroll, milbank bag or rucksack perhaps?

 

[RonW]

It sounds like you are trying to sew (very) thick materials or several layers at once, too fast.

 

[Mesquite]

A stuff sack?

 

[Toddy]

Switch it off, leave things lie and go and put the kettle on.
Go back to it in the morning and you'll be amazed at how well it all comes together

Needles are consumables; I go through loads of them, I change them often. A blunt needle will make the thread snarl and the fabric twist and crawl in the feed dogs. Not worth the hassle.

If you've broken two then the machine isn't set up correctly, you're pulling the fabric so hard that the needle is bending out of line, or you're hitting a zip or suchlike.

Frustrating as, oh a very bad thing

What were you trying to sew anyway ?
You have us curious now

cheers,
M

 

[John Fenna]

I buy my needles by the score!
Luckily the same kind fit all my machines!

 

[spandit]

If you recall I started a thread about recycling an old tent. Following on from my hammocking exploits with the dog, I thought I'd try and make him a mat to sleep on. I had a strip of foam camping mat about 6" wide but full length (I'd been cutting them up to stick to the roof of the Pinz for insulation) so thought I'd use 3 bits to make a folding mat, covered in tent groundsheet to keep them waterproof.

Basically involved making a square bag big enough to put all 3 bits in, side-by-side, then sewing seams to keep them in place. It's actually useable, but not very neat

 

[Toddy]

Oh tent fabric
You really, really, need a sharp needle. It's like making kites; if the needles makes a pfft, pfft, pfft sort of noise as it has to 'punch' it's way through the fabric, it's too blunt

Neat idea on the wombling though

cheers,
Toddy