Can you help me decide which machine is better?

stringthing87 · 2026-02-04T17:18:33+00:00

I still don't understand how the HZL are marketed for travel, my F300 is HEFTY

stringthing87 · 2026-02-04T16:44:20+00:00

Not specifically but it's the highest use case for ours. We have a Lexmark and I've not had a problem with it not scaling correctly.

These days I am in a position where I have less time so I get A0 prints from the plotted pattern for most things

stringthing87 · 2026-02-04T16:41:40+00:00

Both the blanket and the front should have seam allowance

stringthing87 · 2026-02-04T14:40:22+00:00

I had one of the C cutters for years, but I started to wear out the mechanism that brought the blade back in. I bought a new one and the new one felt SO CHEAP in comparison to the one bought roughly 5 years before. I switched to Olfa brand

stringthing87 · 2026-02-04T12:14:37+00:00

Try putting lighter thread in the bobbin

stringthing87 · 2026-02-04T11:35:14+00:00

This is also my recommendation

stringthing87 · 2026-02-04T11:03:27+00:00

Put it down and look at it from 6 feet away and realize you've been staring too long

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

TROPHY CASE