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Splitcoaststampers.com - the world's #1 papercrafting community |
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You're currently viewing Splitcoaststampers as a GUEST. We pride ourselves on being great hosts, but guests have limited access to some of our incredible artwork, our lively forums and other super cool features of the site! You can join our incredible papercrafting community at NO COST. So what are you waiting for?
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03-31-2010, 01:16 PM
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#1
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Rubber Obsessor
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
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Sewing on Cards
For all of you sewers out there, which machine do you think is better: Singer Pixie or Janome Sew Mini or other?!
Thank you so much! I really value your input.
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03-31-2010, 04:47 PM
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#2
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Pearl-ExPert
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Newfoundland, Canada
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Lots of people have the Janome. Some love it, some like it, some hate it.
I'm in Canada so I can't buy a Janome but I did get a Pixie about a month ago and I like it. I've been using it quite a bit.
I will mention that I find the zigzag stitch too wide for card sewing (the scale is just wrong) so if you really want to do zigzag stitch and have a choice of machine to buy you might want to go for the Sew Mini.
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03-31-2010, 11:44 PM
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#3
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Rubber Obsessor
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
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Thank you, Kelly! I'm not sure, but it seems like the Pixie has more stitch options (and I love the color-not that that should be a reason to get it! ;) ). None of the zig zags works on cards?
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04-01-2010, 07:36 AM
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#4
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Insane Embellisher
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Martinsville, Virginia
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Go to Stamptv and watch that videos on the Janome by Gina K before purchasing the Pixie. That what I did and found them to me very helpful in making my decision to go with the Janome Sew Mini. I followed each video to the T!!! Works like a charm and only weighs 5lbs. I store it in one of those Sterlite File folder holders with all of my threads in it too. Love it...Love it...Love it....Go check it out!!!
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04-01-2010, 07:38 AM
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#5
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Insane Embellisher
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Martinsville, Virginia
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04-01-2010, 07:55 AM
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#6
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Rubber Obsessor
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
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Wanda,
Thank you so much!!! That will be helpful. I love Gina K's videos.
Who has the best price on the Sew Mini? I've seen it for between $40-$50 at Overstock.com, but that's for a refurbished one & you have to pay shipping. I heard that Hancock Fabrics puts theirs on sale for about $40, but I haven't been lucky enough to catch it that low...yet.
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04-01-2010, 09:06 AM
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#7
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Insane Embellisher
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Martinsville, Virginia
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Sewing on Cards
You are very welcome. I got mine at Hancock Fabrics on sale for $39.99. I have never seen it any lower than that price. It was not refurbished. I just love it. Gina K is the best and she sold me on it once I watched her videos. It's on sale this week for $49.99. Here's the link:
http://www.hancockfabrics.com/search...path=&x=12&y=4
Hugs...Wanda
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04-01-2010, 01:04 PM
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#8
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Gabfest Goddess
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Wisconsin
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I bought the Pixie Plus and I ended up returning it because I was having too many problems with it. I bought the Sew Mini after that and I love it. I also got mine at Hancock Fabrics...it goes on sale pretty often (I think), so I would watch for a good sale.
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04-03-2010, 05:57 AM
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#9
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Pearl-ExPert
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Newfoundland, Canada
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Quote: Originally Posted by mamajenThank you, Kelly! I'm not sure, but it seems like the Pixie has more stitch options (and I love the color-not that that should be a reason to get it! ;) ). None of the zig zags works on cards? |
I actually have to retract what I said about the zigzag...when I tested the stitches I just used a sheet of unloved PP and a piece of ugly cs and I guess they were either too "plain" or I fed them through the machine too fast.
Yesterday I had a few minutes to make a card and I was using scraps which were CRYING OUT for zig zag stitching so I thought I'd give the stitch another try (using more "test" cardstock before I ruined my PP). It turned out okay so I'm now thinking the issue was a "user problem"...
Incidentally, I don't really sew, per se. I have a budget Brother sewing machine that I bought at Wal-Mart (when it was still Woolco in Canada) years ago and use it to do things like hem curtains or jeans but I can't sew straight to save my life. I do enjoy using the Pixie (though I wish it had a guide on it...there's nothing to hold my paper/cardstock in place to keep it in a straight line) and I had read some bad reviews when I bought it so I was very careful reading the instructions and using it in general. Now I love sewing on my cards as it's so easy to pop the machine onto my worktop!
I'm attaching a picture of the card I made yesterday with the zig zag stitch so you can see that it's not too bad at all...wish I'd kept the original cs that I stitched on so you could see the difference in the scale.
I also mentioned my retraction on my blog yesterday.
The thing to remember is that everyone has a different opinion on both the Pixie and the Sew Mini. I'm sure I would have bought a Sew Mini if it was available in Canada but I have to admit that the Pixie is fine for my novice sewing needs.
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04-03-2010, 08:00 AM
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#10
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Kookie Creator
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Ventura, CA
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I have a STD singer. I decided not to go with a smaller unit because I could use a singer for reg sewing too. plus when I researched the same thing people were calling the pixie & Janome a throw away machine. I did not understand the whole meaning but I wanted something that would last. I got my singer for only $50 more and it was worth it imho ~Angela
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04-03-2010, 05:59 PM
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#11
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Glitter Guru
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Peoria, AZ
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Janome Sew Mini user here. I love it. Light, easy to use. I got mine for $40 from Hancock as well with free shipping.
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04-03-2010, 08:54 PM
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#12
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Hardware Hotshot
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Wisconsin
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If I decide to sew on cards I will buy a Sew Mini. I have a Bernina and would not want to get paper lint in my machine.
If it doesn't last forever I am fine with that . It would probably last until sewing on cards is out of style LOL LOL
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04-25-2010, 12:13 PM
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#13
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Rubber Obsessor
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
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Kelly: I love your card and the stitching looks perfect!
All: Thank you for the information!
The Janome Sew Mini was on sale at Hancock Fabricks for $39.99, but unfortunately, I didn't make it online to let everyone know-sorry! :( The shipping was only free with a $60 purchase, so I bought one over the telephone and plan to pick it up when I'm in L.A. in June.
I will have to go and watch the tutorials, especially Gina K's-thank you Wanda!
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04-25-2010, 03:34 PM
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#14
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Insane Embellisher
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Martinsville, Virginia
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You are very welcome. I love my Janome...I watched Gina K's videos and stopped and started them from unpacking it to sewing with it. They are truely a watch and do video. Have fun creating.
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04-25-2010, 04:28 PM
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#15
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Stampin' Fool
Join Date: Jul 2006
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Quote: Originally Posted by mireles4I have a STD singer. I decided not to go with a smaller unit because I could use a singer for reg sewing too. plus when I researched the same thing people were calling the pixie & Janome a throw away machine. I did not understand the whole meaning but I wanted something that would last. I got my singer for only $50 more and it was worth it imho ~Angela |
Can you share a link to the STD singer? Thanks!
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04-25-2010, 04:38 PM
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#16
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Stampin' Fool
Join Date: Jul 2006
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I have both a Janome and a Pixie. The Pixie I just got today for $25 at Walmart clearance section. It is like a toy. The Janome is more like a 'real' machine. I altered a dress for my daughter with the Pixie to test it out. Th pedal was kinda flimsy & you have to press it all the way flat to work (so basically one speed). The presser foot and the grips weren't catching the material so I basically had to pull the dress as I worked on it. Maybe with a different material it would be fine. I was sewing a silk type dress. I don't think it will sew thick material like jeans, even if you changed to a zipper foot (and I don't know that you can change the foot). It's been a while since I used the Janome but I often prefer using that over my 'real' machine because it's size and weight.
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04-25-2010, 05:00 PM
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#17
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Stazon Splitcoast
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: California's Mojave Desert
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A related question... does one need to backstitch on card making? I think it'd be a pain, but I wouldn't want to be disappointed either. Maybe just a smidge of glue on the edge instead?
Timely post here, beause I was just about to go in and play!
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04-26-2010, 04:49 AM
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#18
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Gabfest Goddess
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Wisconsin
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Quote: Originally Posted by ChautonaA related question... does one need to backstitch on card making? I think it'd be a pain, but I wouldn't want to be disappointed either. Maybe just a smidge of glue on the edge instead?
Timely post here, beause I was just about to go in and play! |
If it's on a layer, I usually don't backstitch, I just put a little glue on the back and glue the thread down. If it's on a one-layer card, I usually do backstitch.
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04-26-2010, 10:43 AM
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#19
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Gabfest Goddess
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Oregon
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I don't ever backstitch. Instead, I pull the thread on the backside of the cardstock until the front thread comes through the back. Then, I just tie them off.
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04-26-2010, 10:46 AM
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#20
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Crimping Master
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Calgary, AB
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I have a Bernina but have never sewed on it with paper. Is it bad to use your regular sewing machine for stitching on cards? I don't sew alot, but I do want to keep my machine in good working order. It was alot of $$$ so I don't want to ruin it with paper. Anybody know if it's safe to sew paper on a regular (full-sized) machine?
__________________ Shari
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04-26-2010, 11:00 AM
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#21
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Stazon Splitcoast
Join Date: Apr 2010
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I also own a Bernina and it's perfectly safe. Even the fabric that a lot of machine dealers use is so highly sized that it is like sewing on paper.
Technically, it's easier on your machine than fabric because there's less lint (nearly none really).
When I teach newbies to sew around curves, I draw on paper and have them sew it until they get a feel for things. We dno't use thread and that way they can see how accurate they're getting.
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04-26-2010, 11:55 AM
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#22
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Crimping Master
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Calgary, AB
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Quote: Originally Posted by ChautonaI also own a Bernina and it's perfectly safe. Even the fabric that a lot of machine dealers use is so highly sized that it is like sewing on paper.
Technically, it's easier on your machine than fabric because there's less lint (nearly none really).
When I teach newbies to sew around curves, I draw on paper and have them sew it until they get a feel for things. We dno't use thread and that way they can see how accurate they're getting. |
Thanks! Now I don't have to buy another machine to start sewing on my cards! I'm going to experiment with it now.
__________________ Shari
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05-08-2010, 11:19 AM
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#23
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Polyshrink Goddess
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Where the Wind comes Sweeping Down the Plains
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THANK YOU for this thread! I've been wanting to sew on my cards, but I have 2 antique machines that I dont' want to ruin. We are living over here in Germany for a couple more years and it worries me to have them run on a transformer - the 220v power in our house can be converted ok, but anything with a motor can be burned out because of the hertz cycle difference.
This is PERFECT! I ordered the Janome Sew Mini from Hancock just now, and they ship to APO addresses!!! Plus, I always check www.retailmenot.com for coupon codes and found one for free shipping on your first order! HKFEMAILSIGNUP is the code. Saved me $10.95! - so $40 is all since we don't have tax.
Not bad!!
Thanks so much!
__________________ ***
* Wickless Candles, Homemade Cards, with 2 Tweens and a Teen *
* Proud to be an Air Force Spouse *
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05-08-2010, 11:23 AM
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#24
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Stazon Splitcoast
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: California's Mojave Desert
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For the record, cards are so small, that you don't even have to plug in your machine to do them. You can easily turn the wheel with your hand and leave the machine off.
Just in case you have a machine but can't turn it on for some reason etc.
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05-08-2010, 11:49 AM
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#25
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Polyshrink Goddess
Join Date: Aug 2009
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Quote: Originally Posted by ChautonaFor the record, cards are so small, that you don't even have to plug in your machine to do them. You can easily turn the wheel with your hand and leave the machine off.
Just in case you have a machine but can't turn it on for some reason etc. |
The problem with doing this using my old sewing machines is that they are heavy.. and I have fibromyalgia (yeah, i'm 35. lovely!) so even as small as a card would be too much. Plus the wheels just don't turn as easily as on newer machines. I'm not a beginner; - I sewed all my bridesmaid dresses on these 2 machines even. I just know that I can't use them for my card making. THIS will work. Yes, it doesn't have the battery operated option like others, but if it wears out in 3 years time, I only put 40 bucks into it. I can handle that! ;)
__________________ ***
* Wickless Candles, Homemade Cards, with 2 Tweens and a Teen *
* Proud to be an Air Force Spouse *
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05-08-2010, 11:57 AM
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#26
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Stazon Splitcoast
Join Date: Apr 2010
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I apologize. I just thought it might be an idea for someone who couldn't find their cord or something.
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05-08-2010, 12:19 PM
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#27
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Polyshrink Goddess
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Where the Wind comes Sweeping Down the Plains
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Oh.. no need to apologize It's a great suggestion!
For those who have good newer machines, it works great LOL. Not with my dinosaurs. LMAO.
__________________ ***
* Wickless Candles, Homemade Cards, with 2 Tweens and a Teen *
* Proud to be an Air Force Spouse *
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05-08-2010, 12:37 PM
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#28
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Stazon Splitcoast
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Los Angeles
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janome mini fan here too
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05-09-2010, 12:04 AM
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#29
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Crimping Master
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Perth, Australia
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A question for those of you with the Janome Sew Mini. Can someone pls tell me what is the voltage on the AC adapter says - 110V or 110-240V? I am considering buying this but need to know if it will work overseas. Thanks for your help.
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05-12-2010, 05:50 AM
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#30
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Inking Addict
Join Date: Feb 2006
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sewing
I would like to know what size needle everyone uses as when I used my regular machine, the holes were too large. You must be using a smaller needle?
Quote: Originally Posted by mamajenFor all of you sewers out there, which machine do you think is better: Singer Pixie or Janome Sew Mini or other?!
Thank you so much! I really value your input. |
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05-12-2010, 06:01 AM
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#31
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Kookie Creator
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Texas
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Fi,
I took the plug out to look and the plate on it reads as follows:
INPUT: 120VAC 60Hz 110mA
OUTPUT: 6VDC 1200MA
I copied it exactly as written because these things mean nothing to me. I did check the booklet to see if there was any more information, but I did not find anything there. Hope this helps.
Karen
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05-12-2010, 08:26 AM
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#32
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Embossing Fanatic
Join Date: Jan 2010
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I love my Janome sew mini, too... but so far have only used it a few times. Gina K. does give a great presentation about this machine.
One thing I'm wondering is how to make the stitches a little longer. I use the longest setting.. but wonder if adjusting the tension would have any effect on the length of stitch? Just wondering...
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05-12-2010, 08:43 AM
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#33
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Watercolor Wizard
Join Date: Dec 2005
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Quote: Originally Posted by ranalouwhoI would like to know what size needle everyone uses as when I used my regular machine, the holes were too large. You must be using a smaller needle? |
For most standard sewing machines you can get different sizes of needles -- extra-heavy for jeans down to light for lingerie fabrics. Don't know if that applies for the mini craft machines, but if they use standard needles it should. You will probably want a needle that is for woven fabrics, as needles for knits tend to have more blunt, rounded tips and may not pierce the paper as cleanly.
According to a discussion I had with my local sewing machine shop, you might want to designate a needle just for sewing on paper, as paper and CS will blunt the sharp tip more quickly than fabric. Otherwise, no problem using a regular machine for paper and CS.
__________________ Jane
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05-12-2010, 08:48 AM
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#34
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Stazon Splitcoast
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Wait! Let me check my barcode.....
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I had one of the Sew Minis and it was junk...I ended up tossing it and getting a full size sewing machine. Much sturdier and does a great job.
blessings.
__________________ Amber Shaw
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05-12-2010, 09:43 AM
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#35
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Stazon Splitcoast
Join Date: Apr 2010
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I used whatever was on my machine, but I know it was likely either a 70 or a 90. I use those almost exclusively.
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05-12-2010, 11:57 AM
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#36
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Glitter Queen
Join Date: Feb 2007
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how about some basic tips for a beginner? I tried sewing on a piece of cardstock and it was terrible (and I'm no slouch when it comes to sewing! LOL)
if the machine hasn't been used in a few years, should I get it serviced (oiled)?
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05-12-2010, 12:02 PM
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#37
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Stampin' Fool
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Milwaukie, Oregon
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Help! I need to find a Viking Husqvarna Emerald 116 user's guide. I've searched the internet and get lots of listings when Googled but when I go to the site there is nothing "real" to download. I'm not a sewer and I don't even know where the spool of thread goes, it seems like there are two places it could go (I'm not real swift about some things ;)). Anyway I have this really nice machine and I can't use it since I lost the manual that came with it.
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05-12-2010, 12:12 PM
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#38
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Pearl-ExPert
Join Date: Feb 2008
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subbing...
__________________ ~Bootybella~
MY BLOG ~
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05-12-2010, 12:26 PM
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#39
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Glitter Queen
Join Date: Jun 2008
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I am in the process of purchasing another machine. I currently have the Janome Sew Mini, and for the life of me, cannot sew a nice rounded corner, especially the 1/4" rounded corner with that machine. The feed/teeth cannot grip the paper well enough, so I have some stitches that are off the curve, NOT A GOOD THING. I contacted some of our crafting geniuses, some said the sew mini did the job, but there were also some that agreed with me. They also added that with the sew mini, it's difficult to sew at a comfortable speed when sewing ROUNDED CORNERS, straight lines are no problem. Spend another $20 and get the heavy duty Janome #11543 instead if you're planning on sewing NICE ROUNDED CORNERS. Overstock.com sells the refurbished ones for about $70. One of our crafting geniuses told me about this find. Good luck!
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05-12-2010, 03:44 PM
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#40
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Cardstock Collector
Join Date: Jul 2009
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Sew Mini
Quote: Originally Posted by mamajenWanda,
Thank you so much!!! That will be helpful. I love Gina K's videos.
Who has the best price on the Sew Mini? I've seen it for between $40-$50 at Overstock.com, but that's for a refurbished one & you have to pay shipping. I heard that Hancock Fabrics puts theirs on sale for about $40, but I haven't been lucky enough to catch it that low...yet. |
I bought mine at Hancock for 59.99 new. Works like a charm! Zig Zag is perfect of he Sew Mini. Work with the tension because it is different on cards.
bettylee
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