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Making your own gear -- is a sewing machine good to have?

Well, I just finished making a nice big gear bag to carry all the little stuff from the boat to camp. It's not pretty - not even close :oops: - but it works. I couldn't seem to get the tension right from the bobbin so a lot of the bottom stitches look terrible - especially around the webbing strap (which I sewed around the perimeter of the bags opening).

I'll get the hang of it eventually! :?
 
Mark_Schilling said:
I couldn't seem to get the tension right from the bobbin so a lot of the bottom stitches look terrible - especially around the webbing strap (which I sewed around the perimeter of the bags opening). :?
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Happens a lot. Could be insufficient top tension, material is sliding around (might need that constant feed foot), or the needle is not heavy enough.

(Sign me: another guy who sews)
 
Mark, do not give up. Try tension on bobbin and top knob. On my wife's Sears unit I was getting terrible mumbo jumbo too until I discovered finer things in sawing by playing with the tension. It did not take much to achieve fairly good results, perhaps one notch on upper knob, or 45deg on bobbin. another words, the adjustment was very sensitive. Still, my 45 years old Pfaff, for which I paid $50 in 1990, with single stitch, was the best (if it was not for the stupid foot switch that went kaput).

If I was buying a sawing machine now, it would be an used industrial model.
 
Oh yeah, I'm sure I'll learn more as I go. Basically I just need a little more instruction with this model. But, I was sewing through two layers of web strap; the rest of the time (just sewing fabric) went just fine. I haven't found any sort of adjustment for bobbin thread tension - perhaps there is none, or maybe I just don't know where to look.

The way I see it, I made a bag that will be useful - and it was a very inexpensive learning experience. And if anyone makes fun of the bag, I'll be able to wrap it around their neck and tighten the straps. 8O
 
Mark_Schilling said:
But, I was sewing through two layers of web strap; the rest of the time (just sewing fabric) went just fine. I haven't found any sort of adjustment for bobbin thread tension - perhaps there is none, or maybe I just don't know where to look. 8O
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Two layers of webbing strap should be OK. Was the pressure on the pressure foot high?

The bobbin thread tension adjustment is often made by turning a small screw which holds down a springy piece of metal on the bobbin case carrier. Like Greg says, a quarter turn may be all you need.
 
Well, I've been playing with the new sewing machine for a while now... it seems good so far and my skills are slowly improving. I made a pair of fleece pants over the weekend; I actually made them twice. The first time, the legs were way wide as was the waist, so I took them all apart again and customized the pattern a bit (okay, a lot!). The second time around, I used the serger instead - probably a bit faster, and it makes nicely finished edges of course. The finished product is pretty good - simple, but they'll keep me warm around camp. Last night I rattled off a fleece hat - it 'only' took about 1 1/2 hours and it looks great and fits really well. Next step will be the fleece jacket. 8)
 
So Mark. I guess you will be coming over not to paddle now but rather to sew with Mandy. Thats ok we'll just have to ask you to remove your skirt before you come in. Pants only Mr.
 
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