Static electricity - what to do?

After finishing a seam, I cut the threads and they then develop a life of their own...the bobbin thread might curl up and squiggle off to one side while the top thread flies up over the top of the machine. They just absolutely refuse to lie quietly behind the needle where God intended them to be. I've found that the only way I can sew these days is by holding onto both threads at the start of each row of stitches. Any ideas on how I can resolve this dilemma, other than moving to a more humid part of the world?

Liz

Reply to
Liz
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I always start my stitching that way so I don't get a snarled mess at the start. The static is probably because of the combination of polyester in your thread and if you have a plastic machine bed. You could try wiping the bed with a dryer sheet. Even if that works I'd still hold the threads for the first couple of stitches. Juno

Reply to
Juno

AhHa!!! Polyester thread must be the culprit! I can't do anything about the plastic bed but can certainly change threads. Thanks so much!!

Liz

Reply to
Liz

Humidify the room to about 50%RH?

Reply to
Kay Lancaster

That's probably what is really needed, and it just might solve flying whisps of hair that keep getting stuck on my face.

Thanks.

Liz

Reply to
Liz

DH got sick of our noisy humidifier, so he bought an enamel canning kettle to keep on the gas stove. With the fire on the lowest setting, it takes two or three days before he needs to re-fill it, and neither of us has had a nosebleed this winter.

Probably not practical unless your central heat also runs on gas. But it's blessedly quiet, and it gives me a convenient way to steam up my glasses before I wipe them.

Joy Beeson

Reply to
Joy Beeson

One option would be to keep a few fabric scraps about.

When you get to the end of a seam don't lift the presser foot. Instead, insert your scrap right at the end of the seam and keep sewing.

Clip your thread after the first end of the scrap has come out from under the presser foot.

When you get to the end of the scrap, use the same method, starting the new seam without more than a few millimeters of space after the scrap and without lifting the presser foot.

This may even save you thread, since the scrap may not be as long as the ends you have for holding.

--Betsy

Reply to
betsy

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