sewing vinyl

Do you have a walking foot, even feed foot or a roller foot? Most vinyl needs an assist to feed through the machine.

penny s

Vinyl tends to stick to the presser foot. A leather foot, with a roller feature, would be helpful but may not be feasible to buy for just one project.

Try putting strips of tissue paper along the sewing line. You may need strips underneath too, if the feed dogs don't seem to move the vinyl along normally.

Doreen in Alabama

Thanks Doreen and Penny! What's a walking foot?

"Doreen" skrev i meld>> Help! I just put some vinyl fabric in my sewing machine. I'm sewing a

"This foot features a set of teeth that interact with the sewing machine feed teeth to grip the fabric during the stitch formation to virtually eliminate fabric shifting." from

's a very worthwhile investment for anyone who sews a lot. Pfaff machines have the capability built in, I believe. Bernina (probably other machines also) has a specific walking foot (naturally), rather pricey (also naturally!), which I use often. Catalogs like Clothilde offer generic walking feet...I don't know anyone who has one of those, so am not sure how well they perform. Doreen in Alabama

Lurker has to say....

I have done many many many boat seats and the only way that worked best for me was to buy a can of silicon spray and use that on the vinyl to get it to pass through my machine. I tried a walking foot and paper and what have you but the best was the silicone spray by far. It doesn't take much of a spritz and the stuff just glides through the machine. JMO &2cents

~KK in BC~

Tomorrow I will try the tissue paper first because I have that. If that doesn't work I'll try the silicone. I have my own soft furnishing business and specialize in roman blinds and loose covers, however this is my first attempt at boat cushions and vinyl, any other tips? "~KK in BC~" skrev i melding news:Q0RFe.106606$wr.17446@clgrps12...

I have this problem when sewing Reflexite (r) (tm) striping to anything. I use a scrap piece of cardboard (one that formerly held bias tape in the package) under the presser foot, moving as the stuff goes through.

HTH

--Karen M.

For the heavier things, consider purchasing an commercial machine more suitable for those heavier fabrics. They are much faster too.

penny s

I find it feeds better with a roller foot, and I like a leather needle for it.

definitely a leather needle and lots of patience and very tough hands..... I found that working on those seats was killer on my hands because of all the pulling and stretching of the vinyl. oh and a LONG stitch length is vital as well. ... it has been a while since I have done much upholstery work so things aren't coming to me very quickly sorry

~KK~

Can your sewing machine handle heavy materials? Guess that's the first question....

If the manual states it should be able to sew these items, then lighten the pressure on the presser foot. I don't use a teflon foot or a walking foot on any of my vintage machines, but those items may help you....

=46or me a combination of long stitch length, low pressure, and a size 16 or 18 needle and of course, going s-l-o-w-l-y.

-Irene

-------------- You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.=20

--Mae West=20

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I make my living as an upholsterer. When my residential customers come to me with their attempts to sew vinyl on their home machines, I congratulate them on their "valiant effort". Chances are, your machine won't really produce a 100% finished product. And unless you are using a special thread, you are throwing away time and money. I understand the DIY mindset...it's how I started 20 years ago. But as a sewing enthusiasist (sp?), I think you would be more enriched by finding a friendly neighborhood upholsterer and get them to just sew it for you. (Heck, send it to me, and I'll sew it for you, for free, just to have it done right) And then you can do the final installation. Also, on boat anything, I use stainless staples, they don't rust out. HTH Perry

Can your sewing machine handle heavy materials? Guess that's the first question....

If the manual states it should be able to sew these items, then lighten the pressure on the presser foot. I don't use a teflon foot or a walking foot on any of my vintage machines, but those items may help you....

For me a combination of long stitch length, low pressure, and a size 16 or 18 needle and of course, going s-l-o-w-l-y.

-Irene

-------------- You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.

--Mae West

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not entirely true!!! In particular I know of one set of seats that I did over 9 years ago now that the person has moved to three different boats simply because they were the best ones he said he has ever owned. They did not rip, they did not pull apart at the seams, they did not leak making the foam break down. AND they were done on a regular machine using the proper thread and silicone spray only.

It IS possible to do a 100% finished product if you take your time and use the right materials for the job. I even have pictures of the seats that I could scan just to show you what can be done on a regular sewing machine.

I don't see why she wont be able to make these things properly and wonderfully.

~KK in BC~ who has upholstered everything from kitchen chairs to the entire inside of an airplane and boat seats too.

There are exceptions to everything. And all of my comments are in a positive tone. I think it's best to lay out the facts and then delight in the star pupil, rather than sugarcoat. Also, what a lay person thinks is an excellent job, when shown professional tricks and tips is woefully amateur. Same for the recipients of those jobs. Sometimes, you just don't know better. When presented superior products, methods, I would think the humble person *interested in learning* would be grateful. But really it all goes to the mindset of getting the proper craftsman (sewing is sooooo versatile, so many skills involved, besides an innate knack) AND the correct tools. Give the right trade the right business and in turn that trade/craft will share its knowledge. For every do it yourselfer that comes in, I generally don't charge them or only charge materials...but the wealth of learning that they leave with is priceless. At least somewhere in the project, I want to share techniques that only a person inclined to like this kind of stuff will appreciate. I am not worried about losing money or business. I have all that I can handle. In fact, my roster is full till the end of the year, I cannot find good help anymore..it is truly a dying craft.

Some of my best proteges have been home sewers. Some of the worst proteges have been home sewers. The difference was the mindset. Perry

This sound like the perfect situation for using a teflon foot, a leather needle and long stitches.

Sharon

I'm new to the group but caught the tail end of this question.

I s there something unusual about the 1600P or is it just another model of Janome machine. Why don't normal Janome feet fit?

Sounds like what you need is not a walking foot but a rolling foot.

Get a roller foot - even better than teflon.

machine. JMO &2cents

Yes!! Thank you for the silicone hint; it worked beautifully with just my normal foot.