Machine Made Kilt Problems...

[switchblade5984]

hmmmmmmmmm i take it that using non tartan fabric is out huh?

[richardljohnson]

Been there and did that and got the 9 camo kilts in the closet to prove it!

Trying my hand at tartan PV now.

Richard-

[The Wizard of BC]

Look at your stripes. Is the one that was on the bottom now slightly higher than the stripe that was on the top?
If this is so, your problem is that the feed dogs are pulling the underneath fabric but the top is being held by the foot.
There are a couple of things to do. First, if possible on your machine, loosen the foot pressure as much as possible.
Then with a practice piece, sew a small seam. After sewing, see how much off your stripes are. Then sew another seam. But this time offset the stripes slightly in the opposite direction. Just exactly the same amount they were thrown off on the first test.
By offsetting the stripes before they go into the foot you compensate for the misalignment.
Practice, practice. After about two or three test passes you should find how much offset is needed and how to hold the fabric to get the required final result.
This practice and holding a slight amount of tension in your fabric as you allow it to pass under the foot will usually solve your problem.

[Canuck]

A teflon pressure foot is also available for about $12 at most sewing centres. Allows the material to glide easier.
Cheers
Robert

[bubba]

A teflon pressure foot is also available for about $12 at most sewing centres. Allows the material to glide easier.
Cheers
Robert

Another option is a roller foot

[richardljohnson]

I did buy the 'extra' lifter foot (suppose to come down on the top piece of fabric while the foot lifts to create a "clamping" action). This works about 1 out of 5 stitches. This is a new machine so I am still getting the feel for it but I am still having problems after about 400 practice and 50 real stitches. Just looking for some extra ideas. I will look at the teflon and seeing about adjusting the foot.

Richard-

[mddock58]

Some machines have a "Walking Foot" attachment that guides the top at the same speed as the feed dogs to help eliminate shifting of the fabric.

[Barb T]

The "offset stripe" problem plagues those who make hand-stitched kilts as well (just look at the back of kilts at Highland games, and you'll see that lots of people don't get it right there, either)! The best solution, as Steve says, is careful offset and, for machine stitching, holding the fabric tight and taught. If the fabric is under tension from front to back as it feeds through the machine, the top layer is less likely to crawl. And do all the things with the feet and the feed dogs that you can. A quilting foot can help, which is maybe what you already have.

Barb