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You know how when you have known someone for many years you think that everyone else you know also knows this person and you forget to introduce your two friends to each other? (How's that for a long, grammatically acceptable sentence?) Well, that is kinda how it is with conditions and solutions for sewing and embroidery situations. This became highlighted for me in the last few weeks.

There was a problem with one machine in a class of six machines doing embroidery with the same kinds of thread, the same kind of stabilizer (extremely firm) and the same kind of fabric. This one machine was experiencing thread shredding. The hoop and fabric had considerable more bounce in the sewing process. We looked for mechanical reasons for the thread to break, but were unable to find burrs in any place that the thread passes in the process of becoming a stitch. We change the spool of thread assuming that somehow one spool of thread could be defective. We put in a new needle of the same size that we had in the machine before the problem started and that had embroidered ¾ of the huge design. Finally, I called the Education Department at Husqvarna Viking for advice. We went through all the possibilities for troubleshooting. The one suggestion that Marie made to me that we had not already tried was to use a much larger needle with a different "scarf" and longer eye to hide the thread from the fabric (very tough fabric) and the very stiff stabilizer. We put a Topstitch 90 needle into the machine and it finished the design with no shredding! We all knew that could be a solution, but just overlooked the possibility that we should do that one, simple trial.

Needle drag through the fabric on the "up-pull" can make all kinds of things happen - even noise that sounds like metal slapping metal when the needle frees itself from the fabric/stabilized layer and pulls the hoop up slightly from the normal position above the arm of the machine. When the needle clears the fabric, the hoop drops to the bed of the machine making a slapping noise as it bounces to position. If you see a lot of vertical movement of the fabric and hoop (bouncing) during embroidery you could change your needle to one that is larger with a deeper scarf which helps protect the thread in the stitching process. It will make a slightly larger hole as it penetrates the fabric to allow the needle easier exit from each stitch. The larger hole is usually not visually detected in the finished product. Pure logic - I should have remembered at the onset of the problem! Now after all this verbiage, maybe all of us will remember the simple solution.

Sara 

H&C Feature of the Week: HV Embroidery Design Packs
At Heirlooms & Comforts this week we will feature Husqvarna Viking Embroidery Design Packs. Get 30% off any in-stock H-V branded machine embroidery collection disc packages. We have cutwork and quilting and thread velvet and more. Check us out - some are just recently added to the line. These packages are multi-format collections so that if you don't have a Husqvarna Viking embroidery machine, but you have some other one that requires .pes or .jef, etc. you can still use these designs. Don't miss this great savings on Design Packs!



Classes!!
Look at our web site for the class page for the Fall Class Schedule. Call or come soon to get enrolled in the ones you want. Those persons who complete registration first are the ones who get a seat in the class and understandably teachers limit the number they teach in order to give the best attention to each participant. Completed registration means signing up and paying tuition. That is the commitment. The fall line-up is really good, so we are looking to hear from you this week

Save! Save! Save!
At Heirlooms & Comforts from now until September 30, 2012 you can save BIG when you purchase Designer Ruby at our very special price and then submit a request for $250 Rebate from Husqvarna Viking. That's right: H-V will send you a $250 check when you send in the rebate form which we will hand to you at the time of purchase. You save twice and get all the pleasure of sewing and embroidering with Husqvarna Viking and Designer Ruby. You know that at Heirlooms & Comforts you get unlimited classes one-on-one for how to operate your sewing and embroidery machine purchased from us. That is another huge money saver feature as well. We have two of these machines to offer at this deal and the first two people with the commitment to purchase get these machines. Waste no time getting here.

There is also a special offer for those who wish to purchase a Designer Diamond deLuxe between now and September 30, 2012. You can qualify for 36 Months no interest from GE Money on the purchase of a new top-of-the-line deLuxe. Ask us.

We've Gotten to '12!

Some of us, more than others, have a hang-up about aging. As I see it, there is great celebration in aging if we can do it gracefully. To have lasted another year is awesome, considering all that could have happened to us in the last year or so. My gray hair is like a "badge of courage" as it increases yearly. To gain the wisdom of years is yet again awesome. To be deferred to by those who are younger and respect the "mileage" that I have amassed is great. I can now even be okay with someone responding to me with "yes, Ma'am". To have all the little ones who are friends of my grandchildren also call me Grandma is just fine. I never expect to attain the status that my mother had among friends and acquaintances of the community, but I do understand the pride she took in being known to all as Mema. I haven't relished the role of oldest female of the family, but I do love the recognition and affectionate response from the teenagers who defer to me and engulf me with their hugs and comments. So, I guess I'm "getting there" in a way.

All joking aside, it is nice to be able to start a new year. I read in the newspaper today about a lady who lived very gracefully to be 101 years old, 79 of those as a childless widow. I, therefore, find this a great opportunity to express my gratitude for a wonderful, large family and circle of friends that increases weekly. Hopefully my years will improve my grace!

Sara

H&C Feature of the Week: Embroidery Designs
At Heirlooms & Comforts this week we will feature our stock of Husqvarna Viking multi-formatted collections of embroidery designs ready for stitching out on your embroidery machine. Buy Husqvarna Viking Embroidery collections at 40% off this week (in-stock designs only). We have a variety of the newest and the best of these designs ready for your choosing. Notice that they are multi-formatted making them useable for all embroidery machines. Of course the best selections will sell first, so come by early in the week. 40% off=great savings.

Classes

At Heirlooms & Comforts classes are filling up rather rapidly. So, don't wait too long to choose the ones you want to take. Follow this link (www.heirloomsandcomforts.net) to see what is available. Then come by or call in to pay up for reserving your place in the class. Get a class supply list and save 10% at Heirlooms & Comforts when you purchase supplies from us that are on the teacher's listing of required supplies. Learn with the best!

Quilters of South Carolina
Are you familiar with the Quilters of South Carolina organization? Look at the web site for this group to see what great fun and learning this group of quilters has. There is always a large gathering in the spring and also a great retreat in the fall where South Carolinians learn from South Carolinians. On February 4, 2012 there is a planned Gathering of Quilters in District I of QSC being held in Williamston, SC not far from us. District I is the upstate counties and Carolyn Harris (chrrs@clemson.edu) is the Representative for this district. Send an email to Carolyn to learn the details and mark your calendar for a fun day with other quilters from our district.