Why Does Using a "Spider" Work?
#1
Why Does Using a "Spider" Work?
Why does using a "spider" or a "leader" work? I understand why it helps to start the fabric as you are starting in the middle of the leader, but you don't butt the pieces exactly, there is a little space so again the machine is starting in an empty space, so why does this work for chain piecing?
When I don't use it, my first piece gets chewed up of course, but I don't get why the second piece doesn't.
Watson
When I don't use it, my first piece gets chewed up of course, but I don't get why the second piece doesn't.
Watson
#4
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Florida
Posts: 5,966
I use it just in case my machine decides to chew a corner, it chews something that I haven't measured. I think the gap between pieces doesn't get chewed because the thread is already tight to the piece just sewn. It can't push/pull the fabric down and chomp on it.
#7
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Jeffersonville, In
Posts: 2,621
I don't know the answer to your question even though I am a committed chain piecer, but I had never heard the term spider used that way. Leaders and enders is what I'm familiar with. (Of course, it's only been a few years that I knew the term flimsy.) I had to read your post to see what that term yet.
#8
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Greater Peoria, IL -- just moved!
Posts: 6,165
This is the first time I've heard them referred to as spiders, but I love it! Little glob of fabric holding on by a thread
When I first started sewing with garment construction, the seam allowance was so wide getting sucked down into the hole wasn't an issue, I was taught to hold on to the threads when I started, besides that meant they were to the back which is where they should be.
Now I use "leaders" all the time, pretty much every time, even when I am sewing wide seams or large pieces. I always have little scraps left from cutting anyway.
I recently saw a hint somewhere about precision piecing, it really helps if you have the correct markings on your sewing machine or draw the lines, but when you are doing a lot of triangles reverse every other piece. Hard for me to describe, but instead of your chain looking like >>> you go >< so the seam and pieces nest in a straight line.
When I first started sewing with garment construction, the seam allowance was so wide getting sucked down into the hole wasn't an issue, I was taught to hold on to the threads when I started, besides that meant they were to the back which is where they should be.
Now I use "leaders" all the time, pretty much every time, even when I am sewing wide seams or large pieces. I always have little scraps left from cutting anyway.
I recently saw a hint somewhere about precision piecing, it really helps if you have the correct markings on your sewing machine or draw the lines, but when you are doing a lot of triangles reverse every other piece. Hard for me to describe, but instead of your chain looking like >>> you go >< so the seam and pieces nest in a straight line.
#9
Super Member
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Sunny Florida
Posts: 4,431
Watch the feed dogs. Even though there is space between the two pieces, it is moving the fabric along.
I just used a leader this morning for some strip piecing. Sometimes, I just start with the needle down in the fabric. It starts sewing fine.
One inch scrap pieces are next to machine. Easy to grab one and start stitching.
I just used a leader this morning for some strip piecing. Sometimes, I just start with the needle down in the fabric. It starts sewing fine.
One inch scrap pieces are next to machine. Easy to grab one and start stitching.
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