I want to
gather the lower edge of blouses with elastic thread in the bobbin, but have had little
success. Any suggestions?
First, purchase a high-quality elastic thread with a thick rubber core
wrapped in 100-percent cotton, if possible. Your local sewing machine dealer probably
carries it. If you're unable to find this, don't settle for less than 60-percent cotton
content in the wrapping thread (nylon-covered elastic thread often loses its stretch).
Then follow these tips:
Wind the elastic thread onto the bobbin by machine slowly,
without allowing it to stretch. Or wind it by hand.
Thread the bobbin case the
same way you thread it with conventional thread, making sure to pull plenty of bobbin
thread out of the hole in the throat plate and leaving a long tail at the end of the
stitching (so you don't lose it!)
Tie elastic thread and needle
thread ends in a square knot to secure them.
For elastic shirring, make
several evenly spaced rows of stitching, stitching over a strip of paper while holding the
fabric taut for each row; begin and end the stitching at a seam. Note: It's a
good idea to experiment with stitch length on a fabric scrap--the longer the stitch
length, the greater the shirring effect you'll achieve.
Why does the outer layer of thread
occasionally bunch up above the needle as I sew? Is it poor quality thread or does it just
get old?
Thread
shredding can result from a number of factors. Although poorer quality threads may shred
more easily than others (it's best to invest in thread with a reputable brand name), even
the best quality thread has an occasional weak spot.
Shredding also happens when the machine needle is too fine for the thread or the fabric
you're using. A rough spot on the needle eye or throat plate also could be the culprit.
To stave off thread shredding:
Smooth any rough spots on the machine's throat plate using a small
piece of crocus cloth, available at hardware stores.
Don't use old thread, especially if it's made of a natural fiber
like silk or cotton. As you suspected, some threads do weaken with age. And, if a thread
shreds repeatedly, seams sewn with it also may prove weak. In general, it's better to
discard old thread than to take a chance on ruining a garment.
I thought sewing thread was colorfast,
but when I pressed over some contrasting basting thread, the color transferred to the
garment fabric. How can I avoid this?
Most
home-sewing threads are indeed colorfast. Colorfast, however, is a relative term in a
number of situations. Thread used for sewing must be colorfast to hot and cold water
washing and dry heat, and also must resist "crocking"--rubbing off on other
surfaces.
Dark-color threads, especially navy and red, tend to be the
most troublesome in terms of color transfer. To test colorfastness before using thread:
Place a length of thread on a light-color fabric scrap and press
with a dry iron; check the fabric for color transfer.
Steam-press the thread sample. If no color transfers, the thread
should be safe to use, even for basting in a contrasting color.
I want to
gather the lower edge of blouses with elastic thread in the bobbin, but have had little
success. Any suggestions? 
First, purchase a high-quality elastic thread with a thick rubber core
wrapped in 100-percent cotton, if possible. Your local sewing machine dealer probably
carries it. If you're unable to find this, don't settle for less than 60-percent cotton
content in the wrapping thread (nylon-covered elastic thread often loses its stretch).
Then follow these tips: