sewing machines - how to get past big chunks of material clogging up my sewing?!

[Flubba]

Hope that makes some sense? Basically, I'm sewing square pockets, then sewing these pockets onto thick material and even if I cut back some of the material, am left with some thick chunks of material to get through, quite often on corners. My sewing machine throws a wobbly and won't move the material on, and I can't seem to get it to do so easily (and because it's on corners, I can't help 'pull' the material through, and shoving it doesn't seem to work either).

Any tips for a shamelessly self-taught beginner ?

Do you mean it doesn't move through or that the needle gets stuck in it?

(I'm self taught too but maybe we can muddle through together!!)

I had a machine that would let me "sew " those bits by just turning the wheel on the side slowly instead of using the foot pedal/motor to do it.

I'm sure someone else will have a better/more technical solution, but thought I'd let you know how I cheated my way through

Should read turning the wheel on the side by hand

Needle doesn't get stuck, but sews over and over in the same spot on the material - it's the material itself that doesn't move. I've tried turning the hand wheel and shoving the material from the front, but it's still not 'moving' the material through (the grippy pedal thingammies don't grip).

Can you elaborate on the process you're going through? In my head you've got a piece of fabric to turn into a pocket, which is doubled right side in and stitched around (less a gap for turning). You then trim some of the excess in the hem allowance and turn it through - pin it on to the thicker material and stitch in place. Is that right?

If so, how are you trimming? Are you cutting parallel to the stitching all the way round or taking more out of the corners?

I did something similar recently (although the fabric wasn't particularly thick) and I think the instructions recommended cutting across the corner at an angle (so the width of the hem at the corners is close to 0) such that when you turn it out the cut edges should abut. That way you should never have an increased bulk of pocket hem (should being the operative word).

Or I could have completely misunderstood, which has been known on numerous occasions

Other than that, can you adjust the pressure on your foot? If so, have you tried reducing it? If not, have you tried lifting it slightly as you get to a problem area? Are you managing to stitch any of the pocket before running into trouble? If so, is there enough of the surrounding material that you could use that to guide it through (possibly combined with some strategic, strong hand basting to keep it all together)?

Ooh tangle your post looks very helpful, but I don't understand it! . I think you're right in what you're assuming. I'm not cutting the corners, which I would normally do for things I turn inside out (right side out), but didn't with these as I was being lazy.

How do you adjust the pressure on the foot? I have lifted it a touch and shoved the material through which is the only way I could get by, but it makes for quite a messy look which is fine for some things, but really wanted to try and get more of a nice finish.

bran Haven't got a walking foot (yet!) for my machine, but have been inspired to do so by various projects I want to do. Do you have to be very skilled to use one?
Also - do you have to get specific ones for your machine or is it one-foot-fits-all type thing?

sorry - I do tend to brain dump and then discover its incomprehensible to everyone else .

Key point was, though, my first try would be to reduce the bulk in the corners of the pocket by trimming them off.

Adjusting the pressure on the foot is something that's machine specific. Not all machines have the facility (mine doesn't). You'll probably need to dig out the manual and have a good read to see whether or not yours has the option. If you can reduce the bulk by doing some more strategic trimming then hopefully the issues with foot pressure will be reduced.

(would love to hear an experienced view on walking foots as I'm considering getting one to try and solve pressure problems when sewing knits - the little I've gleaned to date is that not all walking foots are created equal. It is possible to get generic ones, but people have found them not to meet expectations - wound up replacing them with the one sold by their machine's manufacturer and had a substantially better experience. I've got some things to try for free, but if I can't get my machine to do what I want them I can try a walking foot for about £35 or look at upgrading...
... which has a certain appeal, but DH might need some persuading!)

btw - I'm intrigued now. What's the finished item going to be :)?

It's going to be an advent calendar of sorts - pockets to hold 'advent/run up to Christmas' things to do on each day, with room for a sweet or two every now and then. I'm really pleased with it so far (as long as you don't look too closely!! ) If it looks okay when I finish, I'll post a pic up for you to admire giggle at :o

And please don't apologise for your 'brain dump' (love that expession btw :o), it's just I'm not quite into all the sewing jargon yet. I had to look up "right sides together" on the internet not long ago. Am learning slowly though :)

My machine (brother x-5) doesn't have a way to adjust the foot pressure. Will keep on with my techniques so far.

I got a generic walking foot recently for machine quilting and I think it probably isn't doing the job - it is moving mechanically like it ought to be but I'm not convinced it is actually gripping the fabric and shifting it.
If you can afford a machine-specific one it's probably a good idea.

I'm not sure my machine has a specific walking foot (it's a Brother x-5 and so far my searches on t'internet have come up with not a lot).

But in the meantime, I've bodged a few pockets, but it'd be a problem only if you're after perfection! Advent calendar thingamy is almost done - pockets are made and on, numbers are on, just need to add the hanging bit and that should be that. Will post pics if anyone interested? :)

I'd love to see pictures :)

From what I can see, Brother do 4 walking feet for their domestic machines - but none of them mention the X-5 as compatible machine. I'd probably give them a call and see what they recommend, as the X-5 doesn't seem to be mentioned on the site at all . On a different site I did see a suggestion that the Brother feet were only suitable if the machine had a top-load bobbin, but I can't work out whether that's the case of the X-5 or not...

Glad to hear you're making progress, anyway :)

(I'm still dithering on whether to get a walking foot or not - I'm trying to temper the desire to do with the knowledge that I'm 7 months pregnant so will be a little restricted after Christmas... I suspect lots of me desire is driven by a nesting urge!)

Right, have uploaded a pic (and even shoved something in pocket #12 to prove they do work! :o)

Very of you being 7m pregnant! :) Is it your first? When are you due? [nosey emoticon] :o

It's sometimes called an even feed foot.

Well, it looks pretty good to me :o. Hope you're pleased with it :)

Its the 3rd - DD1 will be 5 next year but DD2 died when I was 36 weeks pregnant after I contracted swine flu, so this isn't the most relaxing pregnancy ever. Plus I'm reaching the squished stomach, squished lungs, mild PGP and getting up what seems like 15 times a night to go to the loo... (am I putting you off yet ). I'm due Christmas Eve and had a bit of a shock when I realised that in 4 weeks I'll officially be at the low end of "term". I do suspect that my subconscious is using sewing as something it can control and focus on to distract other bits of my brain from getting to neurotic and paranoid - but hey, at least its productive :o

Oh, gosh Tangle so sorry about your DD2 and no wonder this pregnancy isn't very relaxing but hope healthcare professionals are looking after you well. Yes, sewing is a sure sign of 'nesting' and preoccupying you during the last few weeks. Even with all your squished organs and forever peeing, I'm still ! :)

Re: advent calendar; I added all the To Do ideas that we came up with as a family yesterday and my DD1 (also 5 next year) is still coming up with some fab ideas this morning! :) Think I may have peaked too early - 3 weeks to go until advent calendar can even start to be used!