View entire thread: Creative Grids (mostly for UK-ers I think)
Posted by Kate Dicey on Tue Sep 12, 2006 12:42 AM Post subject: Re: Creative Grids (mostly for UK-ers I think)
Patti wrote: [quote:3808512137]I have just received Creative Grids' new catalogue for 2007. It is much bigger than
ever before and I was really thrilled to see all the things that they are now selling. I am building a nice little
list! I have absolutely no connection with CG, but have been a very satisfied customer for years, and just wanted to
share the information, in case any of the Brits have not bumped into this company before. They do make the lovely
rulers with the grippy circles on the base, and appear at most, if not all, the big shows. The catalogue is 100 pages
long, and many of the items included are things which we have only heard about from our US friends on here. Their web
address is: www.creativegrids.com. Have fun browsing! [/quote:3808512137] I just got mine - and I haven't dared open
it! After buying two sergers is summer, the exchequer is at low tide... Mind you, I *do* have a significant birthday
on the horizon! -- 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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View entire thread: OT -- Wanted
Posted by Kate Dicey on Thu Aug 17, 2006 12:36 PM Post subject: Re: OT -- Wanted
Michele wrote: [quote:31102edfac]I am using a computer that is not a year old and We are in the process of replacing
one of the drives. I didn't even use it that often. Of course, the drives that are put in brand new are cheap ones. You
are not alone I will pout with you. It is always better to pout in a group than alone. Who wants to join????? Pout,
pout, pout!!!! [/quote:31102edfac] MY pooter is working perfectly well at the moment. Shame... I wanted an excuse to
get a newer, faster one with a nice flat LCD screen! Pouting along side you all, even though we REALLY cannot afford to
replace this dinosaur right now! Especially not after I just bought two new sergers in less than a month! -- 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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View entire thread: The first part of the chocolate project is complete!
Posted by Kate Dicey on Mon Sep 18, 2006 10:13 AM Post subject: Re: The first part of the chocolate project is complete!
Cats wrote: [quote:e000734f60]I always enjoy your instructional pages Kate. The skirt is great! Thanks!
:)[/quote:e000734f60] There seemed to be several folk about with scary new sergers, so I thought some simple tips on
an easy project would help. There's more to come with the top... -- 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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View entire thread: Best overlocker?
Posted by Phaedrine on Wed Oct 25, 2006 6:27 PM Post subject: Re: Best overlocker?
In article <Sascha.Keates.2g4zb1@craftbanter.com>, Sascha Keates <Sascha.Keates.2g4zb1@craftbanter.com>
wrote: [quote:c3c22591e4]Please help. I know absolutely nothing about overlockers (or sewing for that matter) but I
would like to buy one for my mother. Which is a good make, lots of extras etc. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Sascha [/quote:c3c22591e4] When you're trying out sergers pursuant to other suggestions, watch out for excessive
vibration and ease of threading and switching to different stitches. Sergers change a lot from year to year so I can't
keep up with them; there are lots of decent ones however. I have three--- two Babylocks and a Bernina. I rarely use
the 15 year old Babylock anymore because it is just horrible to thread. The Bernina (800DL) is very nice, easy
threading and the Babylock Evolve is especially easy to thread though rather pricey. It does everything though,
including the coverstitch. I keep the Bernina set up for a regular 3 thread overlock and use the Evolve for
everything else. Too bad you missed the huge sale/promotion that Babylock just had. Be sure to ask about promotions
because dealers don't usually volunteer that info. Phae -- I fear me you but warm the starved snake Who, cherished in
your breasts, will sting your hearts. (Henry VI,Shakespeare)
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View entire thread: Best overlocker?
Posted by Tatiana on Mon Oct 23, 2006 10:09 PM Post subject: Re: Best overlocker?
I second Emily www.husqvarnaviking.com Tatiana "CypSew" <cypsew@att.net> wrote in message
news:_W6%g.338250$QM6.293376@bgtnsc05-news.ops.worldnet.att.net... [quote:944efdc40b]I suggest you go to each sewing
machines web site and look at the different sergers(overlockers) to see what is available. Then make a date for a
luncheon, an afternoon out, etc and take your Mom to a few shops and allow her to try out the machines in your price
range, which can vary greatly, depending on different features. Personally, I have a Pfaff 4872, 5 threads and cover
stitch, that is about 6 years old, which I enjoy using. Other people who I know have others and enjoy theirs as much as
I do mine. Sewing machines, including sergers, are very personal, like the automobile, so your Mom ultimately needs to
choose the one she likes and feels comfortable using. www.janome.com ; www.babylock.com ; www.pfaff-usa.com ;
www.singerco.com ; www.bernina.com These are some of the web sites, which I believe are all correct. Emily .
[/quote:944efdc40b]
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View entire thread: Best overlocker?
Posted by CypSew on Mon Oct 23, 2006 6:26 PM Post subject: Re: Best overlocker?
I suggest you go to each sewing machines web site and look at the different sergers(overlockers) to see what is
available. Then make a date for a luncheon, an afternoon out, etc and take your Mom to a few shops and allow her to
try out the machines in your price range, which can vary greatly, depending on different features. Personally, I have a
Pfaff 4872, 5 threads and cover stitch, that is about 6 years old, which I enjoy using. Other people who I know have
others and enjoy theirs as much as I do mine. Sewing machines, including sergers, are very personal, like the
automobile, so your Mom ultimately needs to choose the one she likes and feels comfortable using. www.janome.com ;
www.babylock.com ; www.pfaff-usa.com ; www.singerco.com ; www.bernina.com These are some of the web sites, which I
believe are all correct. Emily ..
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View entire thread: Recommendation for machine
Posted by Nanci E Donacki on Wed Oct 04, 2006 7:14 PM Post subject: Re: Recommendation for machine
I'm on my third Brother's machine and have always had a great experience with them. None of them had anything wrong
with them - I just upgrade! One of the things I like best about Brother's is the 25 year warranty. Never had a problem
with any of them Nanci (new to group) "Kate Dicey" <kate@diceyhome.free-online.co.uk> wrote in message
news:45017c05$0$3625$ed2e19e4@ptn-nntp-reader04.plus.net... [quote:2fb788f1ba]Chambers wrote: A friend suggested I
consider the following machines: BL16 an BL22 from Babylock Bernette 65 from Bernina I really would like a new
machine. What do you think about my friends suggestion? I bought the Singer 117 Featherweight II for my mum last year.
Compact, light weight, easy to operate, nice little machine (I tested it thoroughly so I could teach her how to use the
bits she wasn't familiar with). This year my dealer is selling the Frister & Rossman Cub SP in that slot as he
thought the newer 118 wasn't as good as the 117. I'm not keen on the Bernette range: there are better machines out
there for the same money. The current crop of Brothers look encouraging. Dunno anything about the Babylocks: we don't
see many of their sewing machines here in the UK, though the sergers/overlockers are quite popular. Talk to your dealer,
and don't forget to look carefully at what he/she has in the pre-loved department as well. -- 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![/quote:2fb788f1ba]
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View entire thread: Needle problems
Posted by Kate Dicey on Mon Sep 04, 2006 10:29 PM Post subject: Re: Needle problems
Bonnie NJ wrote: [quote:7c68ab1f88]That's probably the problem, I just picked up some Schmetz needles. I wonder if I
can use them in my Elna? I use them in almost all my machines. Elna Lotuses [I have two}, Singers[/quote:7c68ab1f88] (
15-88, 99K 66K, and Featherweight), Viscount, the Lily, both sergers (the Brother and the Bernina). I used to use
them in the Huskylock and the Frister & Rossman when they were working, and the Toyota sergers when I had them. I
only have one machine that won't take them, and it's the 1909 Jones, which takes a different type. Your machine should
cope with them just fine. -- 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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View entire thread: OT: Brother Serger
Posted by Ann on Tue Jun 27, 2006 5:13 AM Post subject: Re: Brother Serger
Here'a a link to sewing machine manuals http://www.mastersewusa.com/index.html you have to buy the manuals but they have
free threading guides.........just not sure if this includes sergers Ann http://community.webshots.com/user/mrs_ducky
"witchystitcher" <noone@nowhere.com> wrote in message
news:s131a299ggcaulsdib1hvkvt2mlojjc5p0@4ax.com... [quote:2c91b601d8]Does anyone have the Brother 2100 serger? I bought
a second hand, but brand new one and haven't figured out the threading. Would love to have someone explain or send a
picture. The instruction book is awful. Linda[/quote:2c91b601d8]
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View entire thread: Is it too early for a calming tipple?
Posted by Roberta Zollner on Wed Oct 11, 2006 6:22 PM Post subject: Re: sergers and embellishing
The name "Serger" somehow always makes me think of very temperamental Russian dancers, the sort of people who
might embrace you or shoot you, no telling how they will react. Definitely show biz! Roberta in D "polly
esther" <misterclean@mindspring.com> schrieb im Newsbeitrag
news:BhZWg.12411$UG4.3001@newsread2.news.pas.earthlink.net... [quote:79e20801d5]LOL, Pat. So seldom so you venture in
here with a funny. Truth be told, you probably had a mean critter of a serger and we wish you 'd had a sweetheart of
one. I have a Bernina serger that does exquisite heirloom stitching and an Elna 945 that's extremely easy-going. I
think our Kate D has an entire bouquet of sergers. I don't think you would have much use for one. Speaking of - we saw
a demonstration of the new Embellisher at the quilt show. No thread, it just sort of punches pretty things down into
wool or felt. Quite interesting but we couldn't think of a way we could use one. Polly "Patti"
<Patti@quik.clara.co.uk> wrote in message news:VLblA$T03ALFJA8E@quik.clara.co.uk... I sold mine >gg In message
<invalid-D8A207.12434310102006@news.west.earthlink.net>, Sandy Foster <invalid@invalid.invalid> writes Go
for it, Fay! <G> I've never had a serger, but I've heard horror stories of how difficult some can be to thread. :S
-- Best Regards pat on the hill [/quote:79e20801d5]
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View entire thread: Is it too early for a calming tipple?
Posted by polly esther on Wed Oct 11, 2006 4:11 AM Post subject: Re: sergers and embellishing
LOL, Pat. So seldom so you venture in here with a funny. Truth be told, you probably had a mean critter of a serger
and we wish you 'd had a sweetheart of one. I have a Bernina serger that does exquisite heirloom stitching and an
Elna 945 that's extremely easy-going. I think our Kate D has an entire bouquet of sergers. I don't think you would
have much use for one. Speaking of - we saw a demonstration of the new Embellisher at the quilt show. No thread, it
just sort of punches pretty things down into wool or felt. Quite interesting but we couldn't think of a way we could
use one. Polly "Patti" <Patti@quik.clara.co.uk> wrote in message
news:VLblA$T03ALFJA8E@quik.clara.co.uk... [quote:27f83c4392]I sold mine >gg In message <invalid-
D8A207.12434310102006@news.west.earthlink.net>, Sandy Foster <invalid@invalid.invalid> writes Go for it, Fay!
<G> I've never had a serger, but I've heard horror stories of how difficult some can be to thread. :S -- Best
Regards pat on the hill[/quote:27f83c4392]
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View entire thread: Is it too early for a calming tipple?
Posted by Kate Dicey on Wed Oct 11, 2006 8:16 AM Post subject: Re: sergers and embellishing
polly esther wrote: [quote:e6c08fc843]LOL, Pat. So seldom so you venture in here with a funny. Truth be told, you
probably had a mean critter of a serger and we wish you 'd had a sweetheart of one. I have a Bernina serger that does
exquisite heirloom stitching and an Elna 945 that's extremely easy-going. I think our Kate D has an entire bouquet of
sergers. I don't think you would have much use for one. Speaking of - we saw a demonstration of the new Embellisher at
the quilt show. No thread, it just sort of punches pretty things down into wool or felt. Quite interesting but we
couldn't think of a way we could use one. Polly [/quote:e6c08fc843] I've had five over the years! All have been
excellent, but some are a tad more picky than others. I've never had a problem threading them: once you do it a few
times, it's dead easy. You just have to remember to do the threads in the right order. The two I have right now (a
Brother 1034D and a Bernina 1150MDA) are both easy to thread and sew like a dream, so long as I tell them to do the
right thing! I want to play with one of those embellishers, but I don't think I'll ever have enough use for one to
make it a permanent fixture. I think and embroidery machine would have to come first. -- 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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View entire thread: Is it too early for a calming tipple?
Posted by FurrsomeThreesome on Thu Oct 12, 2006 6:48 PM Post subject: Re: Is it too early for a calming tipple?
Ooh! A new motto. Yes, sergers often go better with alcohol. Now that I think of it, a mickey in the bottom drawer
could make most of my computer work go better too.... Johanna, stuck at work, AND it just started snowing. Sharon
Harper wrote: [quote:9b3ec16c9c]Just remember what I tell myself ...... It's always drink o'clock somewhere in the
world! [/quote:9b3ec16c9c]
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View entire thread: Is it too early for a calming tipple?
Posted by Sharon Harper on Thu Oct 12, 2006 9:56 PM Post subject: Re: Is it too early for a calming tipple?
It's gotten to the stage I'm thinking of storing a restorative bottle of "something" in the bottom drawer at
work.....problem is someone has been going through my drawers of late - little things (like some stickers I purchased
for the kidlets) have gone walkabout. Can't prove anything but I know what was there....and now what isn't. --
Sharon from Melbourne Australia (Queen of Down Under) http://www.geocities.com/shazrules/craft.html (takes awhile to
load) http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/shazrules/my_photos (same as website but quicker) "FurrsomeThreesome"
<pandaovtoes@gmail.com> wrote in message news:1160675288.331899.186790@h48g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...
[quote:b08819d826]Ooh! A new motto. Yes, sergers often go better with alcohol. Now that I think of it, a mickey in
the bottom drawer could make most of my computer work go better too.... Johanna, stuck at work, AND it just started
snowing. Sharon Harper wrote: Just remember what I tell myself ...... It's always drink o'clock somewhere in the world!
[/quote:b08819d826]
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View entire thread: Most used machine
Posted by Kate Dicey on Tue Sep 26, 2006 9:49 PM Post subject: Re: Most used machine
Granny Waetherwax wrote: [quote:42a5985b37]On 26-09-2006 18:07, in article 45194dd0$0$24495$ed2e19e4@ptn-nntp-
reader04.plus.net, "Kate Dicey" kate@diceyhome.free-online.co.uk> wrote: Hehehehehehe... Turned the air
blue, did you? What was it chewing? Yards and yards of thread an did nothing with , just ate and ate......so I'm
waiting for the moment that I exchanged the big hammer I'm holding in my thoughts with a little screwdriver before I go
into my room again....... [/quote:42a5985b37] And tweezers for the ikkle diddy snagged bits... Completely denude it of
thread, clean it, give it new needles, oil where necessary, then go and have some hot chocolate! Once you have done
that, try re-threading from scratch. make sure you thread it in the right order - and look in the book for that! My
ex Toyota (sold on to a friend) threaded right to left, but the Brother and the Bernina I have now both start with the
second one in from the right... Lower Looper, upper looper, right thread, left thread is the usual order! :)
[quote:42a5985b37] My overlockers/sergers are both male: Bernard the Bernina, and John - a Brother, so named after MY
brother! :D All my machines end up with names: Penny Plain for the very plain but beautiful 15-88 treadle Spinning
Jenny, named in the 70's by my bro, who thought it old enough to be a Spinning Jenny! Mrs Jones: the Jones family CS
from 1909 Viscount Sewingroom for the Viscount 2000 Fairy the Featherweight FrankenSinger: the 1958/49 cobbled
together Singer 99K The Lotus Eaters: the two Ena Lotus machines (a ZZ and a TSP) Lily: HV Lily 550 The previous HV
910 overlocker was Serge le Serger (has to be said in a Peter Sellers cod French accent!), and his 'wife' was Tina The
Tiny Toyota! The Frister & Rossman Cub 8 is the only nameless machine, but as it isn't working, I'll find it a name
later. 13 machines..............? Its hard to imagine:) [/quote:42a5985b37] Just a small collection. Some of the
treadlers have HUNDREDS! And I know of more than one Featherweight collector that has over 30 of the same machine!
At least mine are all different! ;) [quote:42a5985b37]I have 4, the janome I use now, 1 overlocker that is not
housebroken yet, a worthless cheap toyota and a footpeddle singer from 1880 were you can turn the machine into the table
and you don't see the machine anymore:) [/quote:42a5985b37] A treadle! Which make and which model? :) Do you use it?
I use mine quite a bit. Come and join us at Treadle On http://www.treadleon.net I'm surprised the Toyota is
worthless: usually they have nice machines for the price. Both my Toyota sergers were great: very solid and
dependable. -- 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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View entire thread: Most used machine
Posted by Granny Waetherwax on Tue Sep 26, 2006 9:58 PM Post subject: Re: Most used machine
On 26-09-2006 22:49, in article 45198fcd$0$4186$ed2619ec@ptn-nntp-reader03.plus.net, "Kate Dicey"
<kate@diceyhome.free-online.co.uk> wrote: [quote:8720c919f8]A treadle! Which make and which model? :) Do you
use it? I use mine quite a bit. Come and join us at Treadle On http://www.treadleon.net [/quote:8720c919f8]
Hahaha....I don't know wich make or model because my husband has placed a aquarium on it:) I made my first large quilt
on it, but it stopped since then, I couldn't find somebody to look and service it voor me. You can buy one in about
every yardsale over here.........the plane ones you buy voor 10/40 dollars....... [quote:8720c919f8]I'm surprised the
Toyota is worthless: usually they have nice machines for the price. Both my Toyota sergers were great: very solid and
dependable. [/quote:8720c919f8] I bought it for my DD but she did nothing with it, I tried it but it was an agony to
work with it, it stopped, it ate the fabric, I had to thread it every 5 yards, it drove me crazy...........I never buy a
cheap machine again......
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View entire thread: Machine Dealer Rant - long
Posted by Mika on Thu Jul 06, 2006 6:15 PM Post subject: Re: Machine Dealer Rant - long
Linda, are you talking about the one on Hwy. 112? I love some of the fabrics they carry but I won't go there because of
the snootiness. I plan to get a Brother Embroidery machine soon and will go back to Pocono Sew and Vac in Stroudsburg,
PA. It's a bit of a drive but for the customer service and selection of machines, notions and everything else, it's
worth the drive. I bought my Viking MegaQuilter and frame there and would have gotten the embroidery machine too but at
the last minute DH decided he didn't want me to finance anything. But the guy was very patient, answered all our
questions and was just great to deal with. Everyone there was great. NAAYY but they have my business over 112 anytime.
In fact, DH stopped in there one day and picked up some bobbins for me and they were very friendly to him then. You
might want to check them out. Mika "witchystitcher" <noone@nowhere.com> wrote in message
news:bcdja21to6030ft9huifkrt5mfm7qk79pm@4ax.com... [quote:761dd88dd7]Bought a Brother Serger on Ebay from a dealer who
had closed up shop. One of these fancy, schmancy, do everything jobbies. I usually have no problems using sewing
machines and have owned sergers before. BUT, the directions were just awful on this one and I could not, for the life of
me, figure out how to thread the lower looper. So I called my local Brother dealer and said, I just bought a new, but
second-hand Brother 2100 serger. Could I come in and pay for lessons in how to thread it. Sure, they said - $100. A
little steep, since I just needed someone to show me how to do the threading, but figured, OK, maybe I'll learn
something else while I'm there. Bring the serger in, which is STILL the TOL Brother serger on their website, and they
had never seen it before and didn't know how to use it. Now, I did mention the model number when I called. I'm sitting
with a store employee and explaining to her where I couldn't follow the directions in the book, when the owner comes in
and looks at it and proclaims it a piece of junk. Says that's why she doesn't carry it. Now, she is a Brother dealer,
and this is their TOL serger. Still, they are the only Brother dealer around and the employee offered that if I left
the machine, she would figure it out and call me, so I did (my DH says I shouldn't have). On the way out, I stopped to
look at the Innovis 4000D, which is the TOL, do-everything embroidery machine. I am working this summer, which initially
I wasn't going to, and will make just about enough to afford the machine. I then asked about trade-ins. I have a Brother
8200 with an 8500 update. The owner came out and started telling me that the machine had no value and then started
berating me because I didn't buy it from her. She actually said, "I can't believe you expect to trade in a machine
you bought from the internet." I never did tell her where I got it from. Now, I love my Brother machine, and
although the Disney designs doen't do anything for me, I like the stitch designer in the Brother, but at this point, I
will be much more likely to get the machine, if I do get it, from a Babylock dealer. But, at least today, they did
figure out how to thread the serger and a 20 minute session ended up costing $100. Then, I find out from the store
mechanic, that Viking sells the same made by Brother serger, so I could have checked out a Viking dealer instead. Oh
Well, Linda[/quote:761dd88dd7]
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View entire thread: Machine Dealer Rant - long
Posted by Bonnie NJ on Tue Jul 04, 2006 3:56 PM Post subject: Re: Machine Dealer Rant - long
My Babylock is sooo easy to thread and then they give you a video to demonstrate "how to". Mine is just a 4
thread but it serves me well. -- Bonnie NJ "Kate Dicey" <kate@diceyhome.free-online.co.uk> wrote in
message news:44aa7bc4$0$69365$ed2619ec@ptn-nntp-reader01.plus.net... [quote:f427db3b39]witchystitcher wrote: Bought a
Brother Serger on Ebay from a dealer who had closed up shop. One of these fancy, schmancy, do everything jobbies. I
usually have no problems using sewing machines and have owned sergers before. BUT, the directions were just awful on
this one and I could not, for the life of me, figure out how to thread the lower looper. So I called my local Brother
dealer and said, I just bought a new, but second-hand Brother 2100 serger. Could I come in and pay for lessons in how to
thread it. Sure, they said - $100. A little steep, since I just needed someone to show me how to do the threading, but
figured, OK, maybe I'll learn something else while I'm there. Bring the serger in, which is STILL the TOL Brother
serger on their website, and they had never seen it before and didn't know how to use it. Now, I did mention the model
number when I called. I'm sitting with a store employee and explaining to her where I couldn't follow the directions in
the book, when the owner comes in and looks at it and proclaims it a piece of junk. Says that's why she doesn't carry
it. Now, she is a Brother dealer, and this is their TOL serger. Still, they are the only Brother dealer around and the
employee offered that if I left the machine, she would figure it out and call me, so I did (my DH says I shouldn't
have). On the way out, I stopped to look at the Innovis 4000D, which is the TOL, do-everything embroidery machine. I am
working this summer, which initially I wasn't going to, and will make just about enough to afford the machine. I then
asked about trade-ins. I have a Brother 8200 with an 8500 update. The owner came out and started telling me that the
machine had no value and then started berating me because I didn't buy it from her. She actually said, "I can't
believe you expect to trade in a machine you bought from the internet." I never did tell her where I got it from.
Now, I love my Brother machine, and although the Disney designs doen't do anything for me, I like the stitch designer in
the Brother, but at this point, I will be much more likely to get the machine, if I do get it, from a Babylock dealer.
But, at least today, they did figure out how to thread the serger and a 20 minute session ended up costing $100. Then,
I find out from the store mechanic, that Viking sells the same made by Brother serger, so I could have checked out a
Viking dealer instead. Oh Well, Linda Bad retailer! UGH! Brother UK are giving EXCELLENT after sales service at the
moment, but Husqvarna Viking are not... So my next new serger with a free arm may be the Brother rather than a new
Huskylock! Which model have you got? Oh, the Brother 2100. No - can't find a threading diagram on-line for that...
But I'll keep looking! Generally, serger thread paths are colour coded: look at the UPPER looper and see what colour
code the thread path has: follow that thread path with that thread, and do thread UPPER looper first, then lower, then
right and finally left needle. -- 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![/quote:f427db3b39]
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View entire thread: Machine Dealer Rant - long
Posted by Kate Dicey on Tue Jul 04, 2006 3:36 PM Post subject: Re: Machine Dealer Rant - long
witchystitcher wrote: [quote:5fca66c945]Bought a Brother Serger on Ebay from a dealer who had closed up shop. One of
these fancy, schmancy, do everything jobbies. I usually have no problems using sewing machines and have owned sergers
before. BUT, the directions were just awful on this one and I could not, for the life of me, figure out how to thread
the lower looper. So I called my local Brother dealer and said, I just bought a new, but second-hand Brother 2100
serger. Could I come in and pay for lessons in how to thread it. Sure, they said - $100. A little steep, since I just
needed someone to show me how to do the threading, but figured, OK, maybe I'll learn something else while I'm there.
Bring the serger in, which is STILL the TOL Brother serger on their website, and they had never seen it before and
didn't know how to use it. Now, I did mention the model number when I called. I'm sitting with a store employee and
explaining to her where I couldn't follow the directions in the book, when the owner comes in and looks at it and
proclaims it a piece of junk. Says that's why she doesn't carry it. Now, she is a Brother dealer, and this is their TOL
serger. Still, they are the only Brother dealer around and the employee offered that if I left the machine, she would
figure it out and call me, so I did (my DH says I shouldn't have). On the way out, I stopped to look at the Innovis
4000D, which is the TOL, do-everything embroidery machine. I am working this summer, which initially I wasn't going to,
and will make just about enough to afford the machine. I then asked about trade-ins. I have a Brother 8200 with an 8500
update. The owner came out and started telling me that the machine had no value and then started berating me because I
didn't buy it from her. She actually said, "I can't believe you expect to trade in a machine you bought from the
internet." I never did tell her where I got it from. Now, I love my Brother machine, and although the Disney
designs doen't do anything for me, I like the stitch designer in the Brother, but at this point, I will be much more
likely to get the machine, if I do get it, from a Babylock dealer. But, at least today, they did figure out how to
thread the serger and a 20 minute session ended up costing $100. Then, I find out from the store mechanic, that Viking
sells the same made by Brother serger, so I could have checked out a Viking dealer instead. Oh Well, Linda Bad
retailer! UGH![/quote:5fca66c945] Brother UK are giving EXCELLENT after sales service at the moment, but Husqvarna
Viking are not... So my next new serger with a free arm may be the Brother rather than a new Huskylock! Which model
have you got? Oh, the Brother 2100. No - can't find a threading diagram on-line for that... But I'll keep looking!
Generally, serger thread paths are colour coded: look at the UPPER looper and see what colour code the thread path has:
follow that thread path with that thread, and do thread UPPER looper first, then lower, then right and finally left
needle. -- 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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View entire thread: Machine Dealer Rant - long
Posted by Polly Esther on Tue Jul 04, 2006 5:01 AM Post subject: Re: Machine Dealer Rant - long
I got into the same stupid mess with my Elna 945 serger. Bought it on ebay, needed help, the closest dealer is a jerk.
I told them I would be happy to pay for lessons. She said I could by appointment at her convenience. I said I'd call
when I had my calendar in hand. Before I left, I inspected her work on the display models. Hummmpf. Not as good as
mine. There's an Elna serger group on Yahoo that's very nice and I learn from them, but don't imagine that they
would know much about yours - but (!) our Kate Dicey is a serging expert (if you don't count that she goes so fast
that she had her serger land in her lap one time). I'll bet she would be glad to help you with your questions.
Meanwhile, back to the Elna jerk - she could have made good money from me but her arrogance cost her dearly. Polly
"witchystitcher" wrote > Bought a Brother Serger on Ebay from a dealer who had closed up shop.
[quote:f652e7479d]One of these fancy, schmancy, do everything jobbies. I usually have no problems using sewing machines
and have owned sergers before. BUT, the directions were just awful on this one and I could not, for the life of me,
figure out how to thread the lower looper. So I called my local Brother dealer and said, I just bought a new, but
second-hand Brother 2100 serger. Could I come in and pay for lessons in how to thread it. Sure, they said - $100. A
little steep, since I just needed someone to show me how to do the threading, but figured, OK, maybe I'll learn
something else while I'm there. Bring the serger in, which is STILL the TOL Brother serger on their website, and they
had never seen it before and didn't know how to use it. Now, I did mention the model number when I called. I'm sitting
with a store employee and explaining to her where I couldn't follow the directions in the book, when the owner comes in
and looks at it and proclaims it a piece of junk. Says that's why she doesn't carry it. Now, she is a Brother dealer,
and this is their TOL serger. Still, they are the only Brother dealer around and the employee offered that if I left
the machine, she would figure it out and call me, so I did (my DH says I shouldn't have). On the way out, I stopped to
look at the Innovis 4000D, which is the TOL, do-everything embroidery machine. I am working this summer, which initially
I wasn't going to, and will make just about enough to afford the machine. I then asked about trade-ins. I have a Brother
8200 with an 8500 update. The owner came out and started telling me that the machine had no value and then started
berating me because I didn't buy it from her. She actually said, "I can't believe you expect to trade in a machine
you bought from the internet." I never did tell her where I got it from. Now, I love my Brother machine, and
although the Disney designs doen't do anything for me, I like the stitch designer in the Brother, but at this point, I
will be much more likely to get the machine, if I do get it, from a Babylock dealer. But, at least today, they did
figure out how to thread the serger and a 20 minute session ended up costing $100. Then, I find out from the store
mechanic, that Viking sells the same made by Brother serger, so I could have checked out a Viking dealer instead. Oh
Well, Linda[/quote:f652e7479d]
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View entire thread: Machine Dealer Rant - long
Posted by witchystitcher on Tue Jul 04, 2006 1:39 AM Post subject: Machine Dealer Rant - long
Bought a Brother Serger on Ebay from a dealer who had closed up shop. One of these fancy, schmancy, do everything
jobbies. I usually have no problems using sewing machines and have owned sergers before. BUT, the directions were just
awful on this one and I could not, for the life of me, figure out how to thread the lower looper. So I called my local
Brother dealer and said, I just bought a new, but second-hand Brother 2100 serger. Could I come in and pay for lessons
in how to thread it. Sure, they said - $100. A little steep, since I just needed someone to show me how to do the
threading, but figured, OK, maybe I'll learn something else while I'm there. Bring the serger in, which is STILL the
TOL Brother serger on their website, and they had never seen it before and didn't know how to use it. Now, I did mention
the model number when I called. I'm sitting with a store employee and explaining to her where I couldn't follow the
directions in the book, when the owner comes in and looks at it and proclaims it a piece of junk. Says that's why she
doesn't carry it. Now, she is a Brother dealer, and this is their TOL serger. Still, they are the only Brother dealer
around and the employee offered that if I left the machine, she would figure it out and call me, so I did (my DH says I
shouldn't have). On the way out, I stopped to look at the Innovis 4000D, which is the TOL, do-everything embroidery
machine. I am working this summer, which initially I wasn't going to, and will make just about enough to afford the
machine. I then asked about trade-ins. I have a Brother 8200 with an 8500 update. The owner came out and started telling
me that the machine had no value and then started berating me because I didn't buy it from her. She actually said,
"I can't believe you expect to trade in a machine you bought from the internet." I never did tell her where I
got it from. Now, I love my Brother machine, and although the Disney designs doen't do anything for me, I like the
stitch designer in the Brother, but at this point, I will be much more likely to get the machine, if I do get it, from a
Babylock dealer. But, at least today, they did figure out how to thread the serger and a 20 minute session ended up
costing $100. Then, I find out from the store mechanic, that Viking sells the same made by Brother serger, so I could
have checked out a Viking dealer instead. Oh Well, Linda
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View entire thread: sergers and seams
Posted by Kellie J. Berger on Wed Jun 14, 2006 5:08 PM Post subject: sergers and seams
Can sergers do a 1/4 inch seam on jeans? or does it have to be bigger? Kellie gonna dig hers out and use it for the
first time (maybe this week)
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View entire thread: sergers and seams
Posted by Kate Dicey on Wed Jun 14, 2006 5:22 PM Post subject: Re: sergers and seams
Kellie J. Berger wrote: [quote:15bc1c22bd]Can sergers do a 1/4 inch seam on jeans? or does it have to be bigger?
Kellie gonna dig hers out and use it for the first time (maybe this week) On most modern sergers you can alter the
stitch width to suit what you want.[/quote:15bc1c22bd] -- 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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View entire thread: Your favorite SM cleaning tool?
Posted by Polly Esther on Sun Jun 25, 2006 3:58 PM Post subject: Re: Your favorite SM cleaning tool?
Keep in mind the word 'gently', Sandy. If the moon is in the wrong phase, you can pop loose a springy thing inside the
needle take-up lever area and have to confess your crime to the nice repairman. The stealth is soooo worthwhile
though. I have fished some potentially mean little balls of fuzzy from there and usually a stray snip of thread. Oh
yes - the floss I'm using isn't that flat string looking stuff, it's sort of wooly looking like the wooly nylon thread
for sergers. Polly "Sandy Foster" wrote > Polly, I'm like you in that I also use a chenille stem to
clean my SM -- [quote:e74fbaadbd]keeps my Bernina happy and purring and can get into lots of areas that a brush simply
can't. The dental floss is a new idea to me, though -- I'll have to give it a try. :)[/quote:e74fbaadbd]
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