Help! Steam-a-Seam Question
 

All,
I've done just a few applique projects and have really enjoyed it until now. I normally use Heat-n-Bond and do a zig zag stitch on the edges, but Joann Fabrics no longer carries Heat-n-Bond, so I bought Steam a Seam Lite instead. I noticed the zig zag stitches are skipping so there are large spaces in between stitches. I changed sewing machines, and it is happening with both. This didn't happen on my first block, so I am fairly sure it is the steam a seam gumming up the needle. Has anyone else had this problem and if so, what can I do? I have already ironed the shapes to the blocks, so I will have to start over and cut everything out again if this problem can't be corrected. Appreciate whatever input you can provide...Angie

I use Steam a Seam Lite 2 all the time and have never had any problems with it. I've never had skipped stitches or had gummed up needles. It's always been a delight to work with. I've never worked with Heat-n-Bond before, so I don't know how that works, so I can't compare the two. I'm so sorry you are having trouble with your applique. Did you try a new needle? New thread and new thread in your bobbin?

I applique all the time and that's all I ever use, so I'm trying to figure out what else could be the problem.

I've used steam a seam all the time and never a problem.

Ditto for me ... have used steam-a-seam lite lots and never had a problem. Are you using a sharp or a ball point needle?

I've never had that problem either, but if a gummy needle is the culprit you can clean it off with rubbing alcohol.

are you sure you got the steam a seam lite? the regular steam a seam is heavier and not meant to be sewn- it will gum up the needle- the lite is made to be sewn and does not gum up- have you changed needles? maybe you need a smaller/sharper needle. generally i use 'sharps' when working with any fusable-and a new needle generally really helps.

I too use it all the time and have never had any problems.

I have made 2 quilts with steam a seam lite 2. Both times my needle would gum up, but I just cleaned with a little machine oil. I tried alcohol at first but I had better luck with the oil. The oil seemed to keep the needle cleaner longer. I did find that I had to change my needle more often.

I also have used it for many appliqué projects without any problems. I mostly hand appliqué, but have machine appliqued several projects without problems

I've used the steam a seam lite but didn't have any problems with it. Good luck. Maybe different needle, a sharp would work better.

After reading about Steam a Seam, do you have a Hancock Fabrics near you? They have Heat & Bond, they also have Stitch Witchery by the yard. I do know some quilt shops also have Heat & Bond.

I did an entire McKenna Ryan quilt with steam a steam lite without any problems and machine blanket stitched EVERY piece. It HAS to be something else. Put some PURE mineral oil on your thread(instead of SewersAid) and, yes, use a sharp or better yet, a topstitch needle. Just use a paint brush and brush the oil on the whole spool. It will NOT hurt any of your machine or gum anything up. Good luck.

I agree - I have never had a problem with steam a seam and use it often. How about changing your needle or the stitch you're using?

I use steam a seam lite and I do the blanket stitch by hand and don't have any problems

I found out the hard way that using alcohol to clean the gunk off the needle will cause acrylic tables to crack.

[QUOTEJust use a paint brush and brush the oil on the whole spool. It will NOT hurt any of your machine or gum anything up. Good luck.[/QUOTE]

My dealer told me that using machine oil ANYWHERE , including on the needle since it will bring a minisicule amount of oil into the bobbin area, for any reason will void the warrenty on my Brother and Babylock computerized machines. They are not to be oiled, have the needle oiled, etc. They work totally differently than a mechanical machine and he told me to just throw away all my machine oil, etc.

I use Light Steam a Seam all the time and have never had a problem. Try a sharp needle or even a small jeans needle. I have used Heat n Bond and didn't like it because it seemed heavier and too gummy. You may come to love Light Steam a Seam.

I have had it gum on my needle. I kept a tiny bottle with a good fitting lid filled with fabric scraps and alcohol and wiped the needle down.
I have since used up the steam a seam lite and wont buy it again...really don't like the two sides of paper. Much prefer heat and bond lite...didn't know Joann's stopped carrying it! I wonder if you could get it at Joanns online?

This may help, it's worked for me for satin stitching. Lay a strip of wax paper over the area you need to zigzag on & stitch on the wax paper...this puts a thin coat of wax on the needle, that comes off in the fabric...but it prevents any glue build up (clean your needle first). I got the idea from a website for embroidery by machine.
The person was embroidering on velvet...and had to use sticky back stabilizer...as you don't want to hoop vlevet...the wax paper also made a good topper for her embroidery. I decided to try it on an appliqued top...and it worked. Just be careful pulling the paper off the zigzag.

I have used both I have never had skipped stitches with either product or had a gummed needle for that matter ... Sounds like you might need to change your needles and maybe retread your bobbins...

That is unusual. I have used Steam-a-seam

My last post got interrupted by a phone call from a friend who was having machine problems. When I tried to finish the post I got a message that said I couldn't make changes to a post after 20 minutes. It took longer than that to solve the machine problem over the phone. lol So I'll try this again.

That is unusual. I have used Steam-a-Seam without any problem of stickiness on the needle or skipped stitches. On the other hand, I was having problems with an applique where I had used Heat and Bond. New needle, etc. didn't fix the problem, so I took my machine in to the dealer because it was still skipping stitches. They told me it was the Heat and Bond that was causing the problem. I quit using it and never had another problem.

As for the heat and bond ... check the notions wall. My Jo'ann's stopped carrying it on bolts .. but its on a roll on the notions wall.

I have used both also and never have had any problems at all. Hope you figure out what is wrong and that you don't have to start over.

Sometimes heat & bond & steam a seam get old & sticky. Even if you purchased it recently, you have no idea how long it's been in the store. Try buying some fresh fusible & see if that works.

I am working on an appliquéd quilt now using the steam a seam from Joann's and I'm not having that problem. I am using a needle for batiks (brain fart is preventing me from remembering the name), with 50 weight thread, and I am ironing on freezer paper to stabilize. I am not getting skipped stitches. I have done both with and with out the freezer paper but I get better control and stitches with it.

There are 2 types of heat and bond, one is light works well the other is heavy. <o:p></o:p>
I could not stitch through the heavy at all and I have a roll of it. Plan on NOT
STITCHING the heavy, do not put it in the seams.<o:p></o:p>