To all you sewing lot...

Thanks, this is really helpful.

I think it could well be the needle size, as it was only happening when i was going through 3/4 layers of seatbelt strap and it doesn't happen when I'm doing it on a single piece of thinner fabric.

Will do more investigation, thanks !

Where could I find used lorry tarpaulin in useful sizes?

Any local haulage company that runs curtain siders.

What thread do people use for making bags and straps?

I use Gutermann upholstery thread, which plays nicely with my elderly Singer 99K and a denim needle.

I've been using it on PVC, Cordura and nylon webbing straps with some minor variations in thread tension, and it also works with a Speedy Stitcher or hand sewing for the bits that are too many layers or too tight on space for my machine. Not yet tried cotton duck, but I would imagine that will be ok as well.

What you really need is a reply from someone who uses technology from this century ...

I’ve just got a fairly standard Janome machine that’s almost 15 years old, so it’s good to know.
What’s the thread size?
And this do for a needle?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/280558667618

https://consumer.guetermann.com/en/products/extra-strong-m-782/

I'm using it with a 100/16 needle on a 'suck it and see' basis - it seems to work for me but I'm no expert.

Edit: just looked, and mine are Hemline Jeans 100/16 machine needles - about half the price of a Janome branded set?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/363929277425

I have a pretty new Juki 8700H and I use the same thread as you for most of my sewing, along with size 16 needles.
I think it's a nice balance between strength and fineness.

Broken.

What position should the bobbin case be in when the needle is at its lowest?

1 Attachment

When the needle raises from the lowest point, it creates a loop in the thread and the hook in the bobbin picks the thread up. So with that in mind you need to line the hook up to the needle when it’s rising. There should be a mark somewhere on your machine to line certain parts up. You will need to check the specs for your machine. I’ve only ever done this on old Singers, it’s pretty straightforward to work out if you can’t find the details for your machine.

Thanks. I need to set aside some time to have a proper look at it.

Fixed. There was a 1cm thread trapped in the bobbin case preventing it from moving

Anyone got experience or opinions of the Necchi heavy duty machines? I'm a complete beginner but thinking about picking one up to have a go at some utilitarian things: covers, sun sails maybe some bags etc.

No experience but I've been looking into them recently. Ended up ordering a Q132a for my gf's birthday next week. She's been using her mum's old Singer to make some bikepacking bags from xpac/cordura recently and once she gives that back, thought this would be a good replacement.

Watched a couple of YT vids about it and seem to get better reviews than the Singer HDs (which seems to get a lot of stick on r/myog). Supposedly they're made by Janome.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZX61-TcPi0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tqfY9DOC00

I wonder if the domestic Necchi 559 I sold @M_V worked for very long?

Bought it new and used for more than a decade, and it never let me down. I actually miss it a lot. But maybe it self-destructed under new ownership?

From my experience (bearing in mind mine was from 2004-ish), very very solid machines.

No self destruct, it’s going strong! Not that I use it particularly often but it doesn’t miss a beat when I do.

We rattled quite a few masks out on it during covid actually.

Ah wow great <3

I really loved that machine. I blame it for everything that has happened since.

Nice one. Yes the Q132 was the other I was looking at. Slightly more expensive but comes with the table.

Ordered it for £210 if that makes a difference: https://www.snuttsewing.co.uk/products/necchi-q132a

Late but if you want better / more options try adventurexpert.com

Only thing is you'll have to order €160 min!

Some random junk from the past year or so. Less bike sewing but sewing non the less! Been meaning to do a set of bags for my bike for years now lol

5 Attachments

damn, all super nice but love those last two especially!

are they all your own designs?

Thanks - yes they are, taught myself a good few years ago now :)

Nice one, I like the backpacks! How do you find the body structure with Dynema Grid fabric? Isn't it a bit floppy?

Yeah a little, but when it's full it has the structure I want. These generally only see use for city / cycling / travel and day hikes so not too concerned about putting frames in etc