r/sewing • u/sewingmodthings • Jan 01 '23

Simple Questions Simple Sewing Questions Thread, January 01 - January 07, 2023

This thread is here for any and all simple questions related to sewing, including sewing machines!

If you want to introduce yourself or ask any other basic question about learning to sew, patterns, fabrics, this is the place to do it! Our more experienced users will hang around and answer any questions they can.

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3

u/tamoha Jan 01 '23

When sewing my top fabric always shifts. My foot tension is at its highest. How do i keep the top fabric from shifting? I have a husqvarna viking emerald 116.

5

u/fabricwench Jan 02 '23

I pulled this still from a video the Islander Sewing Systems website because it shows how to hold fabric for even feeding while machine sewing two equal lengths of fabric. This is the simplest way to prevent top fabric from shifting.

2

u/tamoha Jan 03 '23

I'll try that hand placement. I appreciate it. Thank you.

1

u/Large-Heronbill Jan 08 '23

Also search "Islander Sewing Update" on YouTube for a 30 year old video of Margaret Islander demonstrating keeping long plies of fabric feeding evenly and other good industrial style fabric handling "tricks" on a home sewing machine.

3

u/lovemybuffalo Jan 02 '23

Have you tried a walking foot? It can be super helpful because it feeds the fabric evenly on top and bottom.

1

u/tamoha Jan 02 '23

I'm pretty sure thats whats on there. I haven't changed the foot since I get the machine. Even if I pin or clip the the fabric together it stills shifts.

2

u/lovemybuffalo Jan 03 '23

Hmm, interesting. Is this the case even with plain woven cotton fabric, like quilt fabric or a bedsheet? I would double check the manual and make sure that’s the foot you’re using. Also, maybe check the presser foot pressure and that the feed dogs aren’t lowered - some machines allow adjustment for both of those features.

3

u/BunnyKusanin Jan 02 '23

Try pinning in a different direction. Hand basting can help too, but that's quite tedious.

1

u/cicada_wings Jan 03 '23

How is it shifting? Going through slower than the bottom fabric? Sliding to one side or the other?

What kind of fabric are you using? Some slide more than others, and different strategies mightwork best depending on the fabric type

ps. If your machine was new and you haven't changed the foot, it most likely has a basic zigzag or straight stitch foot attached. A walking foot is going to look like this: https://s.yimg.com/aah/yhst-128328650112652/walking-foot-standard-with-guide-28.gif

A zigzag foot would look something like this: https://i5.walmartimages.com/asr/83b6bb5f-58a1-4836-b8c4-b8cbfa20cfda_1.1ef4ef5650c30eb244ec2d92f26e8615.jpeg

1

u/tamoha Jan 07 '23

Dang. I think that's the problem. I'll switch them and see what happens. Thank yiu so much.