Urgent sewing machine help required!

[Bumperlicious]

This is only the second time I have used my machine and am a complete novice.

Have had a quick practice run on some scrap fabric but for some reason when I remove the fabric I have one length of cotton on the top and one on the bottom. This doesn't seem right. Am I threading it wrong?

Also any quick tips for sewing in a straight line!

You should have one at the top and one at the bottom.

I generally try and find a repeating pattern or straight edge to follow.

Do you mean it's not making any stitches and just leaving a long length, or that it makes stitches and then when you remove it there is a trail of loose cotton at the end of the stitches on both top and bottom? If the latter, then this is how it's supposed to be.

Oh, so that is right, seems a bit bizarre! Thanks for the reassurance.

I'm making this in case anyone is interested.

oh, that's a good idea (and about my skill level!)

I'm about to embark on recovering my settee, I'm not sure if it will turn out ok, but it's got to be cheaper than a new one and it's basically pads and cushions with leather frame work.

Good luck with your project.

Wow, that's impressive!

Well, looks ok so far. Have done the pockets, but instead of card I want to buy some transfer paper to print onto more canvass and sew them on.

Tips to sew a straight line

Keep your eyes on the edge of the fabric. You can see if it wanders offline.

If there are markings on your metal plate then choose one and keep the edge of your work on that. If you need it wider you can tape a length of paper on to the base and follow that.

You can buy an attachment, usually used by quilters, for a line you can follow above the fabric.

Dont go fast, keep it steady.

Put your stitch length on the longest one if you have a domestic machine.

Hth