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PottersHouse BearsI have always sewn my bears by hand. But I now have a new (new to me, actually very slightly used) Janome machine. My question is: When you sew your bears by machine, do you use the heavy thread, and, if so, do you have to make any adjustments to the machine?
Others may say diferently but I do each seam twice with ordinary Gutermanns thread...I stay stitch all the openings too. I only bother with upholstery thread when I hand sew...
I have a Janome too...I love it!
Posts: 186My sewing machine is also an embroidery machine so I have lots of embroidery thread and use that for my bears too. Its good quality polyester thread (Brildor). Sometimes I use Gutermanns thread too - as long as it is good quality and it doesn't break easily, its usable. I do my seams twice too. The first with a narrow zigzag, I then turn the fabric around and stitch the seams again with a small straight stitch. Never ever use waxed quilting thread in your machine and remember to clean your machine often as the fur makes a mess.
Its always a good idea to sew a few scraps first and adjust the tension etc. accordingly.
PijangibearsI sew my bears with thin fishingline o.20 in the mashine - I've got a
Bernina. I have the same adjustments as with ordinary threads.
:hug:
Back Road Bears100% Polyester thread is key. You'll have an easier time working with reqular weight thread than the upholstery thread in your machine. Like Jenny, I just use the upholstery thread for closing seams by hand.
Regularly clean your machine. Very good tip Tina!
A wonderment about fishing line... will it dry up or become brittle over time thus compromising the seams?
I use a straight stitch and very short stitch length. I go around foot/paw pads and head seams twice. You'll have to play with the tension settings until the stitches come out right.
Happy sewing!!
Matilda Huggington-beareCould I ask how long it took you all to get use to sewing bears on your machines?
I'm having a dreadful time sewing around curves. I waiting for the day when I can do it with ease , instead of the stop starting....sigh. Until then my babies are hand sewn.
I keep practicing with the machine but I am sure it will take me forever.
Wendy
When I started I couldn't even thread the machine..now I can go round corners one handed on two wheels( :crackup: ) I reckon it took me a year to get confident. The theory I use is that no matter how slow I go one the machine it will always be faster than I can hand sew...So it's worth going through the pain!!!
Matilda Huggington-beareThen I shall persevere Jenny 
Wendy
Sunshine Coast, QLDHi Matilda! I remember at High School we had Elna sewing machines, and they had a speed control. Tortoise for slow, rabbit for fast. It was really good because you didn't have to control the speed with the pedal. It was handy for getting used to it before you went really fast.
Does your machine have that setting? They were quite old, but wouldn't be surprised if you managed to find one cheap as chips to practise with...
Matilda Huggington-beareI didnt rightly know so went and had a look Erin. NOpe no speed control. My speed isnt the problem. Its keeping it all straigth when I come to curves.
I have a Jenome quilters companion. Its a Lovely little machine.
I just need to keep practising. It will come to me sooner or later 
Wendy
Hi Wendy,
I found that a clear plastic 1/4" foot made all the difference for me. It is also marked 1/4" in front of the needle and 1/4" behind the needle. Using it you can see exactly what you are doing. 
Ellen
Rufnut Teddy'sI do the same thing, with seams and thread.
Wendy I purchased a Brother with three different sewing speeds I don't know myself, :crackup: I use to hand sew all my bears too, now I only hand sew head and paws. I just cannot do it all anymore, not enough hours to do all hand sewing. 
Posts: 8,574Daphne's 100% right....use the poly thread in your machine. Using upholstery thread, unless you are comfortable with the machine and changing the settings, loosening the screw on your bobbin casing etc.....
If you are uncomfortable using the machine, double sew the seams,
Perhaps you have a stretch stitch
My main machine has a stretch stitch which is a stitch forward one back and one froward again....this way each stitch is 3 times sewn....I use this stitch on the big or heavy things and since it is not a knit fabric it doesn't stretch.....
I do not like messing with the bobbin screw, so I have several bobbin casings.
the screws on bobbins can strip out so easily.
Now you've gotten me thinking of making a different machine the main one for sewing bears and gollydollies, then it can be set up for only that....hmmmm........
best wishes on using the machine! It she will save you a ton of time! I don't know what i would do with out my sewing machines....love them dearly....well, all right, not dearly, but I love them!
gollybestwishes
dilu
BruinwerksWhen I was learning to use my new machine, I struggled with going smoothly around the curves too because my new machine was so much faster than my old clunky one. I drew a bunch of curly wavy lines on some plain white paper, took all the thread out of my machine and just practiced stitching,following around the curves until I was comfortable. Now I'm like Jenny...one hand & two wheels! 
Cheryl 
Jane Perala Designs Ltd.Love my Sears Kenmore machine - not fancy, but suits me fine. I use cotton machine quilting thread, and always sew all the seams twice. I flip the piece to the other side of the needle between first and second time, so that I am going one way for the first sewing of the seam, and then the other way for the second time.
Matilda Huggington-beareI drew a bunch of curly wavy lines on some plain white paper, took all the thread out of my machine and just practiced stitching,following around the curves until I was comfortable.
That is just soooo clever Cheryl. I will do just that.
Wonderful advice Ladies. I'm glad you opened the subject Millie. I didnt mean to highjack your post. Honest :redface:
Wendy
Wendy make use of the needle position- if it is on your machine- either you stop with it out of the fabric or it will stop with the needle holding the fabric in position- this way you will have a better control over the sewing. Most new machines have speed control.
Polyester thread as some stretch in it while cotton thread does not. If you are using a cotton thread and it has been around for some time then spray it with water to get the moisture back otherwise it will continually snap.
1/4" quilting foot and zipper foot can help
Always try to have a lesson on your machine to learn how it should be used- with selling sewing machines and repairing them I have seen so many "problems" caused by the user using the wrong thread, wrong needles, wrong pressure , wrong tensions.
Matilda Huggington-beareThanks Lynette for the advice but it is only practice I need. I know how to set the machine up correctly. I use the machine all the time for soft furnishings. Its just the tight little curves on my patterns that floor me. I'm use to doing long straight lines .
Wendy
well next time sew when you have had a glass of wine or two- that should help :crackup: :crackup: :crackup:
Matilda Huggington-beare:crackup: Since that is your professional advice Lynette, I shall do just that. :crackup:
