cutting threads on a featherweight
 

I am a relatively new quilter and use only a vintage featherweight, as forward and reverse seems all I need, plus I just like the sound and unfailing results. I do have one problem, when I finish sewing and need to cut the threads I am forced to use scissors but have a gizmo on the machine that is supposed to be used as an alternate way to cut thread. Either it is installed incorrectly or I am not using it properly but I find every time I go to use it seems worthless? It isn't that it is dull and likely the "operator" is the problem...can anyone help?

I know this question is something that likely will require some visual aids...so anyone with a camera and knowledge as to how to size and post them to their reply...would be incredibly helpful.

I've never actually used the thread cutters on my machines, I prefer scissors. The bevel (sharp end) should be up. I'm not sure if they get dull or were never that sharp to begin with. You can probably take it off and sharpen it a bit with a stone, I haven't tried. They are just a friction fit on the presser bar and will slide off with a little coaxing.
Rodney

I don't use the thread cutter, either. I've even taken the thread cutter off my 15-91 machines to allow the darning foot and walking foot a better fit. I know all my FWs have them but I still use scissors.

Most of the thread cutters on my machines are either dull, rusted, or missing. Rarely have I found one sharp enough to use. I don't know how they are supposed to be positioned on the bar either, but it seems they should be set so the cutting edge is to the far left with the tail part to the rear. Even that way I find them difficult to use.
I too use my nippers to cut the threads.


Joe

I don't have a featherweight, but I use these snips from:http://www.mygoodscissors.com/ThreadNippers.htm, item # 6204. The company has excellent prices and service.

The thread cutters after all this time are often dull or crud covered. Their placement does not make them intuitive for a right handed person to use. Since I'm a lefty I've never had problems using them. I remove them and use a dog bone to sharpen them.

Cari

I also prefer using scissors or nippers.

Umm, dog bone .... ????????


Joe

A small ceramic sharpener-
https://lansky.com/index.php/products/mini-dog-bone/
I don't remember where I got mine, I've had it for years.

Cari

I do too, but with several machines set up in different rooms and kidlets here all the time, sometimes one of my eleventy-hundred pairs are no where to be found.

Cari

I love my tweezer snips. I bought mine from Walmart online, I buy a lot of sewing/quilting stuff there. They have much more online than they do in the stores.

Cari

Me, too, JMiller. Ummmmmmmmmmmm, dog bone? New one on me--or should I say "I learn something new every day.

And, I, too am of the scissors/snips crowd. Those thread cutters never did work for me--too awkward and I guess I am just too set in my own ways to try to make something that I am not accustomed to, work. The HV has automatic thread cutters that you push a button to make it work, and it cuts the thread so short that you are sure that it won't pick up for the next seam, but it does. I did get used to using that one.

I didn't know there was a cutter on a FW.

I use a scrap of fabric called starters and another when the seam in done called an ender. I cut the threads with a small pair is scissors. You save thread by using a starter and ender.

I use thread bunnies too as much as possible, but sometimes it's not possible. For instance, stops and starts while quilting in the middle of a quilt.

Cari

What’s a “thread bunny”? My wife and I use leaders and enders.....

CD in Oklahoma

Leaders and enders to me means sewing small parts of quilt blocks at the beginning and end of sewing other quilt parts, a la Bonnie K. Hunter. A scrap of fabric being used at the beginning or end of sewing to me is a thread bunny. Other terms I've heard is thread mouse or spider.

Cari

Thanks Cari.

CD in Oklahoma

Same here - I'd rather have the walking foot on it than a threadcutter. My walking foot stays on one machine and I piece wiith another machine.

I'd assumed Cari had been using auto correct on a phone :D

I use the thread cutter only when I've left the thread snips at the other side of the room, and yes the cutter never works very well.
Even if you use it and it works as well as it can, you're still left with a dog-eared bit of thread,and if it comes out of the needle for any reason (like you haven't noticed the thread bar is quite low), you'll have to reach for the snips anyway so you can re-thread it. My latest 201 didn't come with one, and I haven't really missed it. Hmm... now I'm thinking blu-tack the snips case to the machine or tie them on the machine somewhere. Those ones listed second in pocoellie's URL are $1.50 at my local shop, and I buy them three at a time when I go to the shop: When demonstrating a machine, I'll use them and if the buyer hasn't seen them before, they always love them and I let them have the snips with the machine. Such a cheap but amazingly useful tool.

If I could find them here for that price, I'd have two or three pairs at every machine.

Cari

I was there about an hour ago. They're actually $1.05 + 10% tax! Still have the last three though, so didn't get more.