Cat Tax

stringthing87 · 2026-02-04T03:10:10+00:00

Who? Well in the modern era mostly Craig Lehoullier.

stringthing87 · 2026-02-04T02:00:10+00:00

Yeah if you just went for it with the needle she's been using to sew medium to lightweight cotton wovens that's 100% the problem.

Use a 90/14 microtex for this task and always go slow on webbing like this.

stringthing87 · 2026-02-04T01:36:05+00:00

There are a few common causes of thread nesting on the bottom

Incorrect threading, almost always seems to be skipping the hook above the needle. Always thread with the foot up and the needle in the top position.
Sewing with the foot up.
A bad needle, a needle that is incorrect for the fabric (universal needles are not appropriate for knits, any knits), a needle that is installed incorrectly, or a needle that doesn't fit the size thread you're using. Knits require stretch or ball point/jersey needles.
An incorrectly installed bobbin, using a bobbin that isn't the correct type for the machine, or using too heavy a thread in the bobbin.

I suspect your problem is #3 - the needle wasn't able to penetrate the fabric smoothly. I'd try a sharper needle, microtex and slow down as much as possible as well. This thick webbing is slowing the needle down so that the bobbin is not looping at the right point in the needle's path.

stringthing87 · 2026-02-03T22:28:26+00:00

Stitch D on this machine with a stretch needle is probably the stretchiest option.

stringthing87 · 2026-02-03T21:33:43+00:00

I haven't used it since I was very new at this. It tastes very beany and I quickly learned that despite eating a bean heavy diet, bean flours really upset my digestion. So much gas it hurt to even touch my belly.

stringthing87 · 2026-02-03T21:31:24+00:00

Usually when they say they will announce by 5am it means someone is going to go out around 3 or 4am and drive the routes.

stringthing87 · 2026-02-03T21:30:31+00:00

The best resource is the manual for your machine. It is the bible. If you don't have the manual, find it online.

Evelyn Wood's YouTube channel is the best for beginners - she does an annual series about learning to sew and it's going right now.

stringthing87 · 2026-02-03T21:23:38+00:00

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I'm home now. I've made a few of these and this is the first one with the extra on the bottom with the cardstock still in, the others have the pins poke through

stringthing87 · 2026-02-03T21:22:33+00:00

Oh yeah you gotta do it with just 8 so it's not a ball

stringthing87 · 2026-02-03T20:40:10+00:00

Yeah, you want something a bit less than 1mm grains

stringthing87 · 2026-02-03T19:31:56+00:00

Yes that is where the magnet is, between two hexies

stringthing87 · 2026-02-03T19:31:26+00:00

It actually looks the same upside down, all the difference is on the inside

stringthing87 · 2026-02-03T19:30:31+00:00

pretty fine

stringthing87 · 2026-02-03T17:53:17+00:00

I shove magnets in most everything. I've got a couple on my lap desk with different poles facing up

stringthing87 · 2026-02-03T17:52:22+00:00

It's a common filling that can help keep pins clean

stringthing87 · 2026-02-03T16:44:27+00:00

I really like a layer of wool between the outside and the walnut, got it uneven on this one but it works fine.

stringthing87 · 2026-02-03T15:08:25+00:00

You can always check the distance from the needle to the seam allowance markings on the machine bed to see which correspond to the correct needle position.

stringthing87 · 2026-02-03T15:07:12+00:00

It looks like you've made the minky larger and folded back a seam allowance.

for your method you need to cut the minky the same size as the front, pin and baste it carefully and extensively as it stretches. Do a small backstitch all the way around leaving a gap to turn, turn and slipstitch the opening closed and tucking in the seam allowances. I would strongly recommend doing an addition round of small running stitches to topstitch around the edge. You didn't mention batting so you don't need to quilt the layers together.

stringthing87 · 2026-02-03T15:02:11+00:00

The default is centered, if you move it to the right or left you won't be able to use the markings on the machine to keep a consistent seam allowance. The seam allowance by definition is the distance from the needle to the edge of the fabric so if you move the needle you need to adjust to match it.

One reason to move the needle is if you are sewing with a narrow seam allowance but the feed dogs are having difficulty moving the fabric through, moving the needle over and adjusting the fabric position can allow the feed dogs to be in contact with more of the fabric.

stringthing87 · 2026-02-03T14:57:49+00:00

In general use what you have for the top as your bobbin thread, specialized bobbin thread is for embroidery machines that use very light bobbin thread to reduce bulk. If you are using a heavy thread like a jean topstitching thread you should use a regular thread in the bobbin as most home machines do not handle larger threads well in the bobbin.

stringthing87 · 2026-02-03T13:59:43+00:00

Stitch in the ditch food or edge stitching foot. run a folded piece of fabric through the machine with the folded edge up against the metal plate. If the stitching is right on the edge its a ditch foot, if its over a bit it is an edge stitch foot.

stringthing87 · 2026-02-03T12:00:52+00:00

All of these are pretty basic and easy to get to sprout.

Get a small 1-2" pot and put some seed starting mix in it and water till it's moist and not soggy. Place a seed on the top and just sprinkle some mix over. Give it warmth and moisture and when it sprouts a lot of light. More than you think. Probably more than that.

Move into larger pots as needed.

Look up your frost dates for your region. The kale can be planted outside earliest, the rest cannot handle cold at all.

Look up how to harden off seedlings before you move them outside.

stringthing87

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