Friday Fun Fact: Sewing machine troubleshooting

It's never fun when your sewing machine acts up, but don't despair! There are specific steps to take to troubleshoot when your stitches go bad.

Crappy looking stitches are the most common problem we run into. Weird thread loops, big clogs, thread barf* - they all look icky and have no structural integrity.

Sounds like you need to adjust the tension, right? Not right away! Try these other steps first; if one doesn't work, keep on moving down the list in order.

1.) Rethread the machine. Many machines are touchy about proper threading. If your thread isn't in there just right, the stitches won't turn out.

Make sure the presser foot is UP while you thread! This enables the thread to engage in the tension discs like it should. Bring the presser foot down when you start to sew. It can also help to hold the threads down when you start.

2.) Rethread the bobbin. It has a tension spring, too, and needs to be threaded properly. You should feel some resistance. For drop-in bobbins, you should see the thread on top of the bobbin when it's threaded correctly, and most should spin counter-clockwise (but always check your manual).

3.) Change the needle. If it's old, bent, or just not right for your fabric, you might get bad stitches. Replace your needle after about every 10 hours of machine use. Yes, really that often!!**

4.) Try a different thread. We recommend either 100% poly or 100% cotton thread, of a good quality. Going cheap on crappy or old thread is going to be a huge time waster in the long run.

5.) Clean your machine. Lint build-up can affect the timing of your machine, which leads to crummy stitches.

6.) Adjust the tension. If you've done ALL the above steps, then try adjusting the tension dial. Tension mechanisms are delicate so go gently, turning no more than half a number at a time. 

If your stitches aren't fixed, you may need to get your machine serviced by a professional, but 9 times out of 10, these steps will get you sewing again in no time.

Keep this cheat sheet for later!

Check out all our Friday Fun Facts in the archive here!

* yes, that's the technical term

** this is only the time the machine is running. It doesn't count if you are ironing or taking a snack break.

Treadle Make Tuesday: Sabrina's Blouse

Every Tuesday we share projects from Treadle Yard Goods employees (a.k.a. The Treadlettes) and our customers and fans!

Sabrina made this lovely, delicate blouse from one of our cotton lawns using the Clara blouse pattern from Sew Over It.

We think it's perfect for summer! Come find your perfect lawn at Treadle now!

Friday Fun Fact: Tailor vs. Seamstress

How do you refer to yourself as a person who sews? Let's explore some historical terms and modern alternatives!

We often associate the word seamstress with women, and tailor with men, but the history goes deeper than gender roles. These terms grew out of words that descibed the specific work that people were doing.

Historically, suits were not made by one person alone, but by a team of individuals, each with a highly specialized skill set. 

The word tailor has its roots in a word which literally means cutter, which indicates the single job this person would have had. The cutter not only cut the fabric, but drafted and fitted the pattern.

The person actually seaming the garment was the seamstress, which had the male equivalent seamster. Another common variant was sempstress.

Dressmakers often operated with fewer staff but could still include various workers with specialized skills.

Nowadays tailor usually refers to either a person who makes suits or a person who does alterations for fit, rather than the pattern cutter.

Sewer is often used as a gender-neutral alternative, but some folks* dislike the way it reads like sewer, as in the system that carries waste out of a city. 

Sewist is a modern alternative, which combines sewing and artist in a delightful portmanteau.

Creator, garment maker, or simply maker are other great additions to our seaming vocabulary!

What did we miss? Let us know which terms you like to use!

Check out all our Friday Fun Facts in the archive here!

* some folks includes this gal!

Treadle Make Tuesday: Sherry's Rayon Dress

Every Tuesday we share projects from Treadle Yard Goods employees (The Treadlettes) and our customers and fans!

Here's former Treadlette Sherry in her newest rayon dress!

Sherry has been making variations on this dress style for decades, in soft, light fabrics with cute buttons up the front.

She used the new Aboriginal print rayon, and the pattern number has been lost in time. But it's probably out of print by now anyway.

Friday Fun Fact: Entering your makes in the State Fair!

Hey folks, it's Elizabeth, and today I want to talk to you about one of my favorite parts of summer: The Minnesota State Fair Creative Activities competition.

I want to encourage each and every one of you to consider entering something in the State Fair this year! See some highlights from previous years in the photos below!

Entering your projects in the State Fair is easy, and it's open to everyone who lives in Minnesota. There are dozens of categories for sewing, knitting, and all kinds of needlework and crafts.

I know, it can seem daunting to submit your work to be judged and displayed next to everyone else's work, but remember, we are all our own worst critics. I promise you, your work IS good enough to enter!

My absolute favorite part of attending the fair is walking through the Creative Activities building and seeing all the sewing and fiber crafts. And I want to see YOUR work too! To make the event fun and enjoyable for everyone, we've got to be brave and show off our stuff. Plus it's a great way to inspire even more people to sew and be creative.

So how does it all work? Read on for all my favorite tips and info.

Make a thing. The rules state you need to have finished the item in the last three years, so it doesn't need to be made specifically for the fair. You could sew something new or choose your favorite recent make. 

Choose your category. They can get VERY specific! Garment sewing is divided into over 60 different categories, and the entire event has hundreds of entry classes, covering sewing, quilting, knitting, and more.

Check out the competition. There's no way to know in advance how many people will enter each category, but you can get an estimate by looking at last year's results. In 2022, there were 10 entries in the blouse category (class 403) but only 1 for sleeveless shift or jumper (class 413). If you're in it to win it, picking a category with fewer entrants can help you play the odds and have a better chance at success.

Register online. You do have to register in advance! Click here to see the full info! Register by Tuesday Aug. 1, at 4:30 p.m. and drop off your articles in person on the specified drop-off days.

Ok but what can you win??? Maybe you want to enter something just for the community spirit, but I won't judge if you're eyeing the prizes! Here's what you might win:

Ribbons! A small, tangible token of a job well done. Ribbons are awarded based on judges' scores, plus Sweepstakes ribbons that are given to the outstanding entry in certain categories.

Glory! Yeah, you won a thing! You did great! And now you get to bask in the admiration of your friends and loved ones!

Cash prizes! For most of the ribbons, it's just a token prize of a few dollars, but the Sweepstakes ribbons can come with much larger sums!

Good feelings! You participated in a community event and brought joy and inspiration to the thousands of people who attended the State Fair. 

Click here to learn more and register at the MN State Fair website! 

Treadle Make Tuesday: Linda's Gisele Top

Every Tuesday we share projects from Treadle Yard Goods employees (a.k.a. The Treadlettes) and our customers and fans!

Check out Linda's Jalie Gisele top!

This cute top in a fun bright cotton print is the perfect thing for staying cool in this hot weather. 

See the Jalie Gisele pattern here!

Friday Fun Fact: Cover Stitch

A few weeks ago, we talked about sergers. Read that one here!

This week, we're exploring the cover stitch machine.

It can look like a serger, or a bit like a regular sewing machine, but a cover stitch machine is WAY more complicated.

Using cones and loopers, the cover stitch machine replicates the factory-made t-shirt hem with a double row of stitching on the right side.

Most home sewers who use a cover stitch machine agree: it doesn't replace a serger. Sure, it overlocks like a serger, but switching the settings from cover stitch to overlock stitch is complicated and requires some tricky threading. 

Instead, if you like what this machine can do, use it only for the cover stitch hem, and keep your basic serger for overlocking seams.