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Posted by Sara Lorimer on December 7, 2005, 12:56 pm
Newbie question here. When sewing with a machine, I understand that I
should use the same thread in the bobbin and in the needle. But... why?
What will happen if I use different threads?
--
SML
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Posted by Kate Dicey on December 7, 2005, 12:49 pm
Sara Lorimer wrote:
> Newbie question here. When sewing with a machine, I understand that I
> should use the same thread in the bobbin and in the needle. But... why?
> What will happen if I use different threads?
>
It'll, throw a tantrum, drop all its feet on the floor, and swear at you!
Seriously, nowt! Nada! Nothing at all! I frequently use different
threads top and bottom, depending on the effect I want. For general
seaming, to get a nice even stitch locked where the two layers of fabric
meet, using the same thread top and bottom is best. HOWEVER, there are
plenty of circumstances when that is not possible, not advisable,
undesirable, or you just plain don't want to! You may have to tweak the
tension to get the result you want, but that's all part of the fun! :)
Some places where I use different thread on top and bottom include:
Buttonholes: if I'm doing them with embroidery floss, I use either a
bobbin thread designed for embroidery in the bobbin, or 120's poly -
serger thread!
Embroidery: see above! Bobbin thread is MUCH cheaper than embroidery
floss, and you won't see it anyway...
Quilting: I use a thread that will either tone or contrast with the top,
depending on the look I want, and quite often a completely different one
in the bobbin because the back is a different colour!
Different coloured fabrics: if I'm sewing something that is red on one
side and blue on the other, I might match the thread to the side it will
show on: useful for reversible garments! :)
Topstitching: topstitching thread is very heavy and you want it to show,
but it doesn't need to show on the back, so use a polycore or standard
thread to match the garment. Just look at the way jeans are
topstitched...
I have 9 working sewing machines, and have tried this trick with all of
them, and it has been successful every time. Just give yourself time to
experiment and get the look you like. For buttonholes and embroidery,
you want the stitches to lock on the back: for seaming it needs to lock
in the middle. That's just a matter of tweaking the upper tension.
If you are using heavy thread in both bobbin and needle because you are
sewing heavy fabric, you may also need to adjust your bobbin tension to
cope.
--
Kate XXXXXX R.C.T.Q Madame Chef des Trolls
Lady Catherine, Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttons
http://www.katedicey.co.uk
Click on Kate's Pages and explore!
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Posted by Jenn Ridley on December 7, 2005, 1:47 pm
que.sara.saraDELETE@gmail.com (Sara Lorimer) wrote:
>Newbie question here. When sewing with a machine, I understand that I
>should use the same thread in the bobbin and in the needle. But... why?
>What will happen if I use different threads?
Well, it depends. For sewing seams, you really should use the same
thread in bobbin and needle. If your bobbin thread is stronger than
your needle thread, it can saw through the needle thread and your seam
will fall apart. The same can happen if your needle thread is
stronger than your bobbin thread. It can also be difficult to balance
the tensions so that you get an even stitch.
However, you *can* use different threads in needle and bobbin if
you're doing decorative work. Many kinds of machine embroidery use
different threads in top and bottom.
--
Jenn Ridley : jridley@chartermi.net
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Posted by Sally Holmes on December 7, 2005, 3:00 pm
Sara Lorimer wrote:
> Newbie question here. When sewing with a machine, I understand that I
> should use the same thread in the bobbin and in the needle. But...
> why? What will happen if I use different threads?
Two possible answers:
1. The sewing police will come round to your house and beat you with a wet
noodle. The world will know that you're a bad sewist who doesn't follow the
rules.
2. Nothing much.
You don't have to use the same thread top and bottom. If I'm sewing with
invisible or top-stitching thread I use regular sewing thread in the bobbin.
Stick with good-quality thread like Gutterman and things should be fine.
--
Sally Holmes
Wakefield, West Yorkshire, England
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