help sewing through bulk
 

I'm making tote bags for 'Sadie's Dream for a Cure'. The body of the bag, straps, etc. are lined with Pellon fusible fleece to give them stability. My problem is that my machine does not like all the bulk. I've inserted a 'jeans' needle, lengthened the stitch, lessened the tension, but I still get skipped stitches. I'm hoping for suggestions as to what else I can do. I have a Babyloc Quilters Choice machine. I want to help the organization. Check out the website: sadiesdreamforacure.org. Many thanks.

I too have a BL and have the same problem trying to do the MSQC petals design. It is now at the dealer...will be picking it up Thursday...hope it is "fixed".... Because in the meantime am doing the petals on my " old" Viking and it is stitching the bulk perfectly! Go figure!

Are you using your walking foot?

I think you machine is telling you something. The bulk is too much. Be careful it could get the timing off. If you can find a Singer 301 or any other vintage all metal machine it will sew through the bulk like butter. I keep one just for this purpose.

I have better luck when I use me "jean-a-majig" It props up the back of the presser foot so it's level with the front.

http://www.joann.com/dritz-jean-a-ma-jig/2719813.html

Watch Jenny Doan's tute on her petals project....I forgot her name for it....sews fab & fusible interfacing together, trims seam, flips out, fuses to and blanket stitches to 5" square, then joins the squares.....and she uses a BL.......no skipped stitches for her, but mine skipped stitches......hopefully "they" fixed it......

Make sure you are using the thinner fusible fleece. Pellon has 2 that I know of. I think the thinner is #-987? Ifyou are using the heavy fleece it's a booger to sew through all those layers.

I use my 60's mechanical Singer as I'm afraid of damaging my Viking Rose when I need to sew something heavy.

My Quattro 6000 just wasn't able to handle the bulk either so I always opened the seams with the Pellon and ironed them down, reduced the stitch length, and stitched slow over the bulky area. Hope that makes sense. Love making the bags and know how much they are appreciated. Here is a pic of some of mine. Have fun!!!
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My Bernina bulks occasionally so I am careful on the thickness that I sew on it. Those are REAL CUTE bags. Good Luck.

I agree it works great

Definitely going to check that out. The reviews are all good too. Thanks

Yes, it certainly does make sense! And, your bags are adorable. I thought this project would be a good change from making quilts. I've enjoyed the process, but not the bulkiness issue. Thanks for your input.

No, but I will try that. Thanks for the suggestion.

Yes, those old metal machines are real 'work horses'. I had a Kenmore(with cams).

Oh, I will try that. I know I have one in my sewing drawer somewhere. Thanks for the suggestion.

Yes, thank you. The kit came with the instructions for Pellon 987F.

Here's a tutorial on how to use a jeans jack. http://shesasewingmachinemechanic.bl...h?q=jeans+jack You can use a Bernina "height compensation tool," which are about $1.50. Or fold some thin cardboard.

Borrow a Featherweight. My Mom used mine to sew a suede (deerhide) coat for my Dad.

Thank you, QuiltedSunshine. Great tute!!

I agree. The bulk is difficult. The first one I made from their kit. It was tough. The next one I used scraps and very thin cotton batting. That was even worse.
There has to be a better way.
I love making them, but wish it were not so thick.

I just sent mine off. I have a Janome 4120QDC and I did not have any problems and I did not change my needle. I wish I knew how to add a pic -- they are a cute bag.

I make a lot of purses/tote bags and you always have thick, bulky seams on them. I keep a hammer in my sewing room and "whack" 'em....I beat down the thick part (carefully.....) and that always takes care of the problem. I'll also whack the seams on a quilt if too many come together at the same place. I know my hopping needle would get caught on them. And it really makes my husband wonder what the heck I'm doing in there. LOL

Those are lovely! Just finished and sent back my first 2! What fun I had picking fabrics!

Angela Wolf (tutorial on jeans making) uses a hammer to somewhat flatten out some of those bulky seams. I have tried it and it helps.

First of all, I want to thank the person who originally mentioned Sadie's bags on this site. I contacted them and am already on my 4th bag for them. I also intend to send them some of my charity quilts. Next, I have not had any trouble sewing through the bulk. I have various Viking machines, but I use my little Brother on these and it glides right through. I use the Pellon type that came with the first kit and it does not seem to be too bulky. Hopefully it is not something with your machine.

Love my 401. It sews through 6 layers of denim. I agree though take it a little slow and don't rush it. I also have a Singer 2662 and it sews through leather and denim.

I would recommend using a walking foot, which might help. I do know that some machines do not like sewing on bulkier items. My very first sewing machine, as well as my Kenmore really preferred sewing bulkier items, cotton, not so much. Hope you can resolve the problem. I would also check your owner's manual, as sometimes machines have a way to help that problem, but can't think of it off the top of my head, but it had something to do with the pressure on the pressure foot.

Check your machine Manuel. Your regular presser foot has a small black knob on the left side toward the back of presser foot. If you read your manual it will tell you to use the knob to lock your pressed foot and the it will sew over heavy areas in your project. Bless you for making charity bags

What I do with the bulk is lighten the tension on the foot, most machines have a place to adjust the tension on the foot, use a denim needle, a bit longer stitch length and go slow. Most any machine should be able to handle that using this method.

Try putting a piece of cardboard (or several) under either the front or the back of the pressure foot until the pressure foot is exactly horizontal as you sew over the thick seams. Often the machine has the power for the needle to go through all the layers, it just doesn't like to do it so well when the pressure foot is not horizontal. There is a little gadget called a hump jumper or something like that which will also help solve the problem.

I realize this is a late post to the question, but am trying to catchup after a family illness. I keep a small hammer in my sewing studio to bang those pesky thick seams into submission. A couple of good wacks with the hammer beats them down an allows my machine to sew over the seams without issue to machine or needles and lessens my stress as well. Have used this method for years and it works for me. Who knew a hammer belonged in your sewing tool box?!