Thread: Mighty Mend....for sewing a skirt?

Hello! I'm in a pinch with a circle skirt & sleeves that I'm making. I have the fabric cut (and it's been hanging to stretch on the bias)......but, now my sewing machine is broken!

I don't need this set for Friday, but I really WANT this set for Friday. So, I was thinking about hemming it with Mighty Mend It (available at Target for $9.95, LOL). Has anyone used Mighty Mend It? Am I having a terrible idea???

The fabric is dark red chiffon, and I have found a way to secure the casing for the waistband with about 25 safety pins, so the top is no problem, but I just need the hem to look finished....

I'm not a perfectionist AT ALL with my sewing projects, but I do like the overall effect to look good.

Can you handstitch? By the time you go and purchase the MMI and learn how to use it, you can probably get it done in the same amount of time.
I'm just a freak, though, with my hand sewing so time will vary.

Originally Posted by Azhia

Can you handstitch? By the time you go and purchase the MMI and learn how to use it, you can probably get it done in the same amount of time.
I'm just a freak, though, with my hand sewing so time will vary.

I wish I were faster at hand stitching! But you are probably right that it wouldn't take that much longer....Hmmm, I could put my daughter to work also ..g.:

maybe i like fabric glue though it works really good for me.

Some temporary two-sided fabric tape, maybe? I have a name-less roll of that in my sewing basket, and while it may not stand up to an hour of heavy skirt work, I'd expect this to be suitable for a short performance, and it is removable for when your sewing machine will be back in service again. Can't tell you what brand name this may be, though. Got this looooong ago, and only recently (when relining a dance bra) put it to good use.

Curious...
What's wrong with your machine?

Originally Posted by yasmilah

I wish I were faster at hand stitching! But you are probably right that it wouldn't take that much longer....Hmmm, I could put my daughter to work also ..g.:

Yay! Mom-Daughter activity!

Originally Posted by gothique

Curious...
What's wrong with your machine?

I have a very old Necci machine (purchased at a yard sale a few years ago). It's the kind built into a cabinet, so it's not easy to move around....or bring in for service.

It worked great for years, with only minor maintainance like oiling and replacing the belt twice. But, now it won't pick up the lower thread at all. It might be a simple fix, but I don't know what to try.

Originally Posted by RIMALAH

maybe i like fabric glue though it works really good for me.

Good to know that it might work! The more I think about it, the more I think I should reserve the glue for smaller jobs...

SteffiB, that's a good idea with the tape, too- thanks!

I wish I had more time to work on this set....I'm also working a day job full-time, so it's been a challenge preparing for gigs! I'm happy to be so busy, but I feel like there just isn't enough time.

I haven't seen a Necci machine before . . . but usually when a machine is in a cabinet you can detach it by removing a few screws (with my Singer cabinet machines it's just 2 screws), then you can leave the cabinet in place and take just the machine itself in to the shop.
R

Originally Posted by yasmilah

I have a very old Necci machine (purchased at a yard sale a few years ago). It's the kind built into a cabinet, so it's not easy to move around....or bring in for service.

It worked great for years, with only minor maintainance like oiling and replacing the belt twice. But, now it won't pick up the lower thread at all. It might be a simple fix, but I don't know what to try.

Hopefully it's a simple fix, I love Necci sewing machines!

Off hand it could be one of these three problems:

1. Upper thread isn't threaded through the thread uptake lever (sometimes the thread slips out, especially when you sew too fast)

2. Needle isn't in correctly.

3. Bobbin isn't in casing correctly, wether it's turning the wrong direction, or maybe not threaded through tension.

Try removing ALL the threads, and re-thread it.

When you put the bobbin in the bobbin case, hold the bobbin case with the opening FACING you, in your left hand, place the bobbin in the bobbin case, put thread through the tension...pull the bobbin thread, the bobbin should be turning CLOCKWISE inside the casing, if it's not, it's in backwards.

Also make sure your needle is in the proper position, is it threaded from the front or the side?

I hope it works for you!!!
(((Hugs!)))

Thanks for the tips, Gothique!!! I will try those very soon.

I also stopped into a fabric store on my lunch break today, and the lady told me I could unscrew it from the cabinet and have it looked at/repaired for about $80....hopefully one of your tricks will work, though....

Thanks again!

I hope it's a simple fix.

I try to avoid glueing hems.

In the past, I've never been happy with the results.

When hemming by hand, a 'bird in hand' or 'sewing bird' clamp might help speed things up a bit.
It will help hold the fabric taut while you sew the hem.
Threads and Things :: Clover Clamp and Bird Set
I love mine.
PS,
Hemming the skirt with your daughter is a sweet idea! :-)