Re: How do decide how much fabric to order for my top?
Realgun,<br />Tight screws are a good thing. My machine has a spool pole that screws in but I don't use it. I have a large spool with stand and thread from that to the machine. Look closly at the pic and you can see the stand behind the machine.<br /><br />I normally oil before using for the day but that is overkill if only sewing an hour or two. Mine is also crude (compared to a Singer machine) and made in China too. They are identical to the Taiwan versions though. Don't worry about it. I've put approx 4000 yds of V92 thread sewing sunbrella and mine has never missed a beat. That's a lot of sewing for most people. These are tough machines. The only real "repair" done was to take the foot control apart and clean the contacts to get a smoother start. <br /><br />$299 is the best price I can find on a zig zag. I paid $200+ shipping approx 5 yrs ago for my Mercury straight stitch. Lately I've been thinking of getting a zig zag version like yours. Allbrands has them for $299 delivered too. <br /><br />It's hard to say if a stitch is loose without seeing it. Regardless, upper and lower tension can be adjusted to tighten up the stitches. It takes a little practice to learn but it isn't rocket science. Double wrapping the upper tension dial made it easier on mine. That put the adjustment in the middle of the dial range...numbers 3-4-5 instead of in the 8-9-10 range. Look for it and you will understand. It made the thread less sensitive to different layers, etc.<br /><br />I use V92 poly with a 20 size needle on multiple layers of Sunbrella and plastic window material. A 22 needle is normally used with V138 thread. <br /><br />One difference I see between our setups is the position of the 3 hole thread guide above the dial. Yours is pointed down and mine to the left. Under very tight tension the down position may let the thread walk out of the tension disk. That's what mine did so I changed it and the problem went away. I copied an industrial Singer for the idea. If you have that problem reposition that part.<br /><br />I think the handle is a great idea and the upgraded version of your machine has it. So does the Consew version. I made a 2" wide strap and wrap it under the arm. It works better than just holding the frame but the strap has to be short or the machine swings when you walk.<br /><br />If you don't use the machine in a stand (I don't) go to wallyworld and buy the cheapest thinnest rear floor mat you can find. Set the machine on that when sewing and it won't slide around. <br /><br />L8R, Bill
Realgun,<br />Tight screws are a good thing. My machine has a spool pole that screws in but I don't use it. I have a large spool with stand and thread from that to the machine. Look closly at the pic and you can see the stand behind the machine.<br /><br />I normally oil before using for the day but that is overkill if only sewing an hour or two. Mine is also crude (compared to a Singer machine) and made in China too. They are identical to the Taiwan versions though. Don't worry about it. I've put approx 4000 yds of V92 thread sewing sunbrella and mine has never missed a beat. That's a lot of sewing for most people. These are tough machines. The only real "repair" done was to take the foot control apart and clean the contacts to get a smoother start. <br /><br />$299 is the best price I can find on a zig zag. I paid $200+ shipping approx 5 yrs ago for my Mercury straight stitch. Lately I've been thinking of getting a zig zag version like yours. Allbrands has them for $299 delivered too. <br /><br />It's hard to say if a stitch is loose without seeing it. Regardless, upper and lower tension can be adjusted to tighten up the stitches. It takes a little practice to learn but it isn't rocket science. Double wrapping the upper tension dial made it easier on mine. That put the adjustment in the middle of the dial range...numbers 3-4-5 instead of in the 8-9-10 range. Look for it and you will understand. It made the thread less sensitive to different layers, etc.<br /><br />I use V92 poly with a 20 size needle on multiple layers of Sunbrella and plastic window material. A 22 needle is normally used with V138 thread. <br /><br />One difference I see between our setups is the position of the 3 hole thread guide above the dial. Yours is pointed down and mine to the left. Under very tight tension the down position may let the thread walk out of the tension disk. That's what mine did so I changed it and the problem went away. I copied an industrial Singer for the idea. If you have that problem reposition that part.<br /><br />I think the handle is a great idea and the upgraded version of your machine has it. So does the Consew version. I made a 2" wide strap and wrap it under the arm. It works better than just holding the frame but the strap has to be short or the machine swings when you walk.<br /><br />If you don't use the machine in a stand (I don't) go to wallyworld and buy the cheapest thinnest rear floor mat you can find. Set the machine on that when sewing and it won't slide around. <br /><br />L8R, Bill
<br /><br />I think the handle is a great idea and the upgraded version of your machine has it.[/quote]<br /><br />Mine has the handle I just installed it today.<br /><br />
