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2 sewing questions in 1. Zigzag stitch problem and sewing small circles?

I'm very new to sewing and decided to make an owl stuffed animal I found online (soteitei.blogspot.com/2011/03/tutorial-… seemed pretty easy but on the first step I've already got two problems!

1. My machine isn't sewing the zig zag stitch. It's a new brother, never used before. Needle/bobbin ect are all correct for machine because they are what came with it. Universal needle. I've checked bobbin case to make sure it wasnt dusty and have checked both top and bottom threading. I have the machine set exactly how the booklet says to set it for zig zag. I'm just getting straight stitches on a medium cotton blend. HELP!

Also

The little eyes for the owl, how in the heck am I supposed to sew this? I decided to try with straight stitch because I wanted something sewn and the machine is just too fast even at it's slowest and I tried to pick up the foot and turn the fabric as I sewed as slowly as the machine would allow and it ate the fabric which took me considerable time to get out and get everything back to how it is supposed to be.

I just want to make the owl :(

Update:

Thanks Kay I will go try the paper and see if it helps.

not sure why yahoo chopped up my URL but here it is again

http://soteitei.blogspot.com/2011/03/tutorial-owl....

Update 2:

Woots Kay the folded up paper worked nice pretty zigzag stitch! Now to try to sew it in a small circle! ha

1 Answer

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  • Anonymous
    9 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    1) Your URL is incomplete and we can't see the tutorial you're trying to use. Many of the tutorials on the web are not suitable for beginners. This may be one of them.

    2) Try setting the stitch length to about 3mm, stitch width to 3 mm, and zigzag on folded paper or cardstock. If you get a zigzag pattern on paper, try it on fabric. I suspect you're seeing the fabric fold up from thread tension issues and appear to be a straight stitch. Stabilizer, like paper, under the fabric may help.

    3) Stitching speed. Practice. There may be a control on your machine that allows you to do one stitch at a time. Check the manual. (On my Viking, I tap the foot control once to lower the needle, once to raise the needle, thus completing a stitch. There may be something similar on your machine.) Take a stitch, stop with the needle down, raise the presser foot, pivot, drop the presser foot, take a stitch, stop with the needle down, raise the presser foot, pivot, etc.

    Without knowing what you're trying to make, I can't judge this project's suitability for a beginner. Here's one I often use with beginners, as soon as they can sew a mostly straight seam: http://www.mckennalinn.com/Tote.pdf

    Here's a stitching exercise I often use with beginners who are learning to control their machines: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=200902...

    http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=201106...

    Source(s): 50 years of sewing
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