Lindy Report post Posted January 8, 2020 (edited) I have a project that I'm guessing could be made more easily than how I am doing it. I am using a Singer 153w103 cylinder arm machine to sew 2" hook onto 2" elastic. I am rolling the edge of the velcro under at the attachment point. I am doing this by hand, but would like to know if there is a foot, feet, or attachment I can purchase to make this job more consistent and less time consuming. Lindy Edited January 8, 2020 by Lindy Add photo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kgg Report post Posted January 8, 2020 I think the easier way would to use a flatbed attachment for your cylinder Singer or just use an old domestic Singer. I would also place a sheet or two of regular paper on the feed dog side of what you are sewing so either the elastic or the hook material doesn't get sucked down or stretched by the feed dog. When finished just tear the paper off. As far as the sewing the hook and elastic together I would sew the edges of the hook and elastic together then fold over to hid the first seam and sew again to flatten and strengthen. Don't forget the paper on the feed dog side. It would be nice if you had a photo of what you are trying to accomplish as other methods maybe more suitable. kgg Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lindy Report post Posted January 8, 2020 I tried sewing the edges then folding over, but the elastic has silicone bumps and it creates too much bulk. I’ll give it another shot though and see what happens, but I can’t get too close to the edge or I tend to loose my material underneath and my stitch misses. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RockyAussie Report post Posted January 8, 2020 5 hours ago, Lindy said: I tried sewing the edges then folding over, but the elastic has silicone bumps and it creates too much bulk. I’ll give it another shot though and see what happens, but I can’t get too close to the edge or I tend to loose my material underneath and my stitch misses. 2 thoughts. Thread lubrication. Next up round point needle size as well. Elastic can stop the loop forming that the hook catches so a bigger needle can help. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lindy Report post Posted January 9, 2020 I am using a round point. I think I probably just have the wrong machine for the job. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nylonRigging Report post Posted January 9, 2020 15 hours ago, Lindy said: I have a project that I'm guessing could be made more easily than how I am doing it. I am using a Singer 153w103 cylinder arm machine to sew 2" hook onto 2" elastic. I am rolling the edge of the velcro under at the attachment point. I am doing this by hand, but would like to know if there is a foot, feet, or attachment I can purchase to make this job more consistent and less time consuming. Lindy Don't think you could make it more easy or faster or need a foot attachment for sewing rolled edge for just 2" of folded edge . As your just folding-over edge of a 2" edge of Velcro hook, sewing to topside piece of 2" Elastic . It pretty fast/easy to just use your hands to do this . also from other posts . I don't understand using paper under next to feed dogs ?, because material never gets sucked-in . or, Elastic stopping the loop forming that the Hook catches ? . I sew heavy Elastic and Velcro everyday with several different machines . your last post: ..." I am using a round point. I think I probably just have the wrong machine for the job ". A flat-bed machine or flat table attachment would be easier for you that doing on a curved surface needle plate on cylinder arm . . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bert51 Report post Posted January 9, 2020 The last project I sewed using a heavy elastic, I found I needed to use a larger needle to give it the ability to form the loop for the hook. I think it was at lest 2 sizes larger, or 3 sizes? You just need to play with it, that's all I did until it worked for me. Bert. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RockyAussie Report post Posted January 9, 2020 (edited) 4 hours ago, nylonRigging said: also from other posts . I don't understand using paper under next to feed dogs ?, because material never gets sucked-in . or, Elastic stopping the loop forming that the Hook catches ? . I sew heavy Elastic and Velcro everyday with several different machines . your last post: ..." I am using a round point. I think I probably just have the wrong machine for the job ". A flat-bed machine or flat table attachment would be easier for you that doing on a curved surface needle plate on cylinder arm . I don"t see anywhere here that paper was suggested to be used under next to the feed dogs.??? The purpose @kgg offered this is because if the dog foot hole is large or has been worn larger (common on old singers) it is easy for the material to go down into that hole and the elastic effect of that helps the loop from fully forming which in turn leads to missed stitches at times. Paper under the job can help with this as well as a new feed dog may help as well. Reducing the foot tension can help the elastic not spread as much and have the needle spear it as much as well perhaps. As you have suggested that you do this every day and that another flat bed machine would be a better answer perhaps you could suggest one type of the few different machines you have. Do you have any needle type recommendations to offer or perhaps threads that behave better? Lubrication? Thanks ahead for your kind knowledge sharing. Edited January 9, 2020 by RockyAussie mistake maybe. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nylonRigging Report post Posted January 9, 2020 1 hour ago, RockyAussie said: I don"t see anywhere here that paper was suggested to be used under next to the feed dogs.??? The purpose @kgg offered this is because if the dog foot hole is large or has been worn larger (common on old singers) it is easy for the material to go down into that hole and the elastic effect of that helps the loop from fully forming which in turn leads to missed stitches at times. Paper under the job can help with this as well as a new feed dog may help as well. Reducing the foot tension can help the elastic not spread as much and have the needle spear it as much as well perhaps. As you have suggested that you do this every day and that another flat bed machine would be a better answer perhaps you could suggest one type of the few different machines you have. Do you have any needle type recommendations to offer or perhaps threads that behave better? Lubrication? Thanks ahead for your kind knowledge sharing. It is said in the #2 post of this thread - ..."I would also place a sheet or two of regular paper ( on the feed dog side ) of what you are sewing". and I understand the concept that it possible to push materials being sewn thew a overly large Needle plate hole, by the needle itself or by using high amount of presser foot pressure . but I don't think the OP is saying is a problem he having ? . He not even saying what size# needle he using, or size of thread, mil thickness of Elastic, or if he has a huge needle hole that elastic is flowing ? He mainly was asking in #1 post about 'possible' getting/ using a rolled-edge foot attachment, for making a small 2" long fold on Velcro easier to and fast to do other than by hand . The 'silicon' bumps being described in #3 post from OP, on the Elastic is a little odd addition to that materiel ? , and he saying it ..." causes to much bulk ". ( I assume ) for him to sew threw ? I never have sewn Elastic with silicon bumps laminated to it's surface, that could be a learning curve ? . Never used lubrication ?. Don't know if I can add anything special as machine ?. I don't do anything special , I just sew many rolls of Elastic every year to Hook and Loop and other fabric using different machines daily with different machine feed types, without ever having problems . using majority of time a 135x5 and x17 and mostly E69 Nylon, but have used bigger threads and needles . the only bitch I ever have is maybe couple times a day I will get a little needle thread fray, from the sharp abrasiveness of the Hook side of Velcro . It also goes without saying you need to keep a new sharp fresh needle everyday for a nice smooth plunge up and down threw Elastic . OP never say's how long he been trying to smooth out his problems sewing on the project at hand ? . but repetitious practice never hurts to make things easier. . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kgg Report post Posted January 9, 2020 1 hour ago, RockyAussie said: The purpose @kgg offered this is because if the dog foot hole is large or has been worn larger (common on old singers) it is easy for the material to go down into that hole and the elastic effect of that helps the loop from fully forming which in turn leads to missed stitches at times. Exactly what I was trying to get at RockyAussie. 5 hours ago, nylonRigging said: because material never gets sucked-in . Depending on the material, condition of the machine, type of machine (drop feed vs compound feed or flatbed vs cylinder), needle / thread, presser foot tension are are factors which can lead to material being are sucked in on the sides between the plate and feed dog or pushed down in the needle hole. Materials like muslin, stretchy material like micro fibre or elastic, even Sherpa if it isn't hard back can get sucked in. Depending on the project / thickness / material a good old fashion Singer 15 will do a much nicer job then my compound feed Juki. kgg Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lindy Report post Posted January 9, 2020 I'm not having trouble with the material getting caught in the feed dog at all, but am just kind of struggling creating a well-polished product. nylonRiggin: I might try to get a flatbed attachment made up or purchased in the future. I'll add the specifics as to needle size when I take a look. I'm not having any problems with the sewing, although the bottom thread does seem to bunch up a little. Maybe I'll try a larger needle next time. I believe I have 69 with a 19 needle right now. RockeyAussie: I am going to try reducing the foot tension. That was an idea I had and am glad you mentioned it again. Thanks for the tips, feedback, and suggestions. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lindy Report post Posted January 9, 2020 12 hours ago, kgg said: Exactly what I was trying to get at RockyAussie. Depending on the material, condition of the machine, type of machine (drop feed vs compound feed or flatbed vs cylinder), needle / thread, presser foot tension are are factors which can lead to material being are sucked in on the sides between the plate and feed dog or pushed down in the needle hole. Materials like muslin, stretchy material like micro fibre or elastic, even Sherpa if it isn't hard back can get sucked in. Depending on the project / thickness / material a good old fashion Singer 15 will do a much nicer job then my compound feed Juki. kgg Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lindy Report post Posted January 9, 2020 I swapped out to a size 23 needle with 69 thread and lowered the foot tension. I tried a couple different things and came up with this, which I think looks pretty decent. The photo shows the silicone grip bumps I referred to previously. If you have any comments or suggestions, please add them. Thanks. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RockyAussie Report post Posted January 10, 2020 Am I seeing missed stitches or are you just skipping back a few when you finish off? If you are skipping back can you not just turn the job around? Having a reverse on the Singer would be nice. I am curious as to what function that this article does. I assume that the silicone bumps are to stop some slipping from happening in some way or another? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nylonRigging Report post Posted January 10, 2020 (edited) 10 hours ago, Lindy said: I swapped out to a size 23 needle with 69 thread and lowered the foot tension. I tried a couple different things and came up with this, which I think looks pretty decent. The photo shows the silicone grip bumps I referred to previously. If you have any comments or suggestions, please add them. Thanks. That knobby Elastic and the 'spongy' Hook all stacked together, look to be ' less than ideal ' for a nice stable surface for moving in between the feet and feed dogs . Stretchy Elastic with Knobs and spongy Velcro Hook ....LOL . . If you have a weird stack of unstable surface items together like that . It makes even tougher to do nice job, when you have a raised edge that your trying to sew the Needle close to the edge with your Presser-foot hanging half-On and Half-Off the material . Sometimes when you have a pile like this, you can put a spacer under one side of the Presser-foot that is exact width of the raised surface that your Presser-foot is on top of . That helps keep the uniformity your Foot to the the surface so you use all your Feed Dogs,and that makes far nicer stitching . ( for example) .. stacked ( 2 ) pieces thick heavy 2" Elastic, with fold-over Velcro Hook on top . then sew close to edge . For a spacer, take a piece of webbing that is same thickness of the folded Hook to . in the Pic. I pointing the pencil at the spacer . I using a walk foot here in Pic. but it really helps with all types of feed and presser foot . - - Edited January 10, 2020 by nylonRigging Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lindy Report post Posted January 10, 2020 On 1/9/2020 at 6:47 AM, kgg said: I will try the spacer trick. That’s one thing I was getting frustrated with. Not sure why it didn’t occur to me. Also,, what kind of foot is that? I’m using two thin feet next to each other. Not sure the name. Yours seems like it would be a little better, although my last attempt was pretty clean. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nylonRigging Report post Posted January 11, 2020 11 hours ago, Lindy said: I will try the spacer trick. That’s one thing I was getting frustrated with. Not sure why it didn’t occur to me. Also,, what kind of foot is that? I’m using two thin feet next to each other. Not sure the name. Yours seems like it would be a little better, although my last attempt was pretty clean. - That foot of japan Consew 146RB model of walker , your model Singer 153w103 high-shank feet are more common and better selection . that Consew model is good at what it does, but limited to feet selection . . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lindy Report post Posted January 12, 2020 On 1/9/2020 at 6:47 AM, kgg said: Thanks mate! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites