stitch length
#1
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2020
Posts: 4
stitch length
I plan to do some light marine canvas sewing. have a vintage Kenmore 148-13100 and my stitches seem too close together. I used a heat gun on low and oiled it with triflow. That helped. On the "8" setting, they seem to be about 2.5mm long. But I'd like to get the stitches as long as they are on the basting stitch setting. Those are about 4mm. BTW, is there any reason I can't use the basting stitch as a permanent stitch? Seems plenty strong to me.
#3
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Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Greater Peoria, IL -- just moved!
Posts: 6,164
If the basting stitch passes whatever tug tests you do and is what you want, then sure. Sometimes you have to use huge stitches on upholstery and canvas.
You are also using an appropriate needle? Both in size and maybe type if you still aren't getting quite the stitch you want from a universal type, look at Denim or Topstitch needles, probably size 16 or so.
You are also using an appropriate needle? Both in size and maybe type if you still aren't getting quite the stitch you want from a universal type, look at Denim or Topstitch needles, probably size 16 or so.
#4
Super Member
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Sunny Florida
Posts: 4,431
A favorite site with helpful info here with other video tutorials.
https://www.sailrite.com/french-seam...ction-tutorial
What type of thread are you using for sewing? I have ordered and used their heavy threads and they held up well with my projects for our boat.
https://www.sailrite.com/Notions/Threads/Indoor-Thread
Last one is a thread guide.
https://www.sailrite.com/Selecting-t...ht-Thread-Size
Good luck with your project!
https://www.sailrite.com/french-seam...ction-tutorial
What type of thread are you using for sewing? I have ordered and used their heavy threads and they held up well with my projects for our boat.
https://www.sailrite.com/Notions/Threads/Indoor-Thread
Last one is a thread guide.
https://www.sailrite.com/Selecting-t...ht-Thread-Size
Good luck with your project!
#5
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2020
Posts: 4
If the basting stitch passes whatever tug tests you do and is what you want, then sure. Sometimes you have to use huge stitches on upholstery and canvas.
You are also using an appropriate needle? Both in size and maybe type if you still aren't getting quite the stitch you want from a universal type, look at Denim or Topstitch needles, probably size 16 or so.
You are also using an appropriate needle? Both in size and maybe type if you still aren't getting quite the stitch you want from a universal type, look at Denim or Topstitch needles, probably size 16 or so.
#6
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2020
Posts: 4
A favorite site with helpful info here with other video tutorials.
https://www.sailrite.com/french-seam...ction-tutorial
What type of thread are you using for sewing? I have ordered and used their heavy threads and they held up well with my projects for our boat.
https://www.sailrite.com/Notions/Threads/Indoor-Thread
Last one is a thread guide.
https://www.sailrite.com/Selecting-t...ht-Thread-Size
Good luck with your project!
https://www.sailrite.com/french-seam...ction-tutorial
What type of thread are you using for sewing? I have ordered and used their heavy threads and they held up well with my projects for our boat.
https://www.sailrite.com/Notions/Threads/Indoor-Thread
Last one is a thread guide.
https://www.sailrite.com/Selecting-t...ht-Thread-Size
Good luck with your project!
The basting stitch length seems adequate with regular thread. I assume it will be even stronger with tanara. Just wanted to make sure there was nothing different with the basting stitch construction itself that made it temporary.
Looking at using tenara and buying a big spool in clear so it will match anything I sew. Good idea?
Last edited by sv aquavit; 08-01-2020 at 10:09 AM.
#7
The weight of the fabric can cause the stitches to be too close like that. Put you foot down, loosen the tension and try it to see if that helps. Remember to make yourself a note to change it back after your heavy weight fabric project! A walking foot helps to guide the fabric in a heavy weight or say a plaid fabric that needs to match up. It feed the fabric both from the bottom and the top evenly. Make sure you are using a sharp needle the right size for your thread too. Sometimes that can cause a shredding problem with such a closely woven fabric.
#8
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Greater Peoria, IL -- just moved!
Posts: 6,164
For something like this, I'd start with what I had on hand, so a 14 regular needle and if I didn't like the way it was working, I'd go up from there, if you are going to buy something I'd look at maybe a denim or top stitch needles, maybe something like this pack:
https://www.superiorthreads.com/asso...132-ASSORTMENT