I am attempting to sew some neoprene fabric I purchased from Joann fabrics. This is the 3mm thick version, with polyester fabric on both sides. I've read recommendations to use a needle designed for denim, and a walking foot to help the feed. But neither of these are difficulties. I have no difficulty with the needle going through without breaking, nor with the fabric feeding through.
My problem is that the bottom bobbin thread is not looping around the top thread, except at the beginning and end, where I was back-stitching.
I do now know that back-stitching is not recommended. I imagine that multiple passes with the needle can sort of chew up the fabric. And that "chewing up" may be what is permitting the back-stitching to work. I've seen other posts elsewhere from people with the very same problem. They say they have tried all sorts of thread tension settings without success. I have not seen any other suggestions other than adjusting tensions, or giving up on a home machine, and using a commercial one. But, there are also many people who have absolutely no difficulty with the neoprene fabric at all. So, perhaps it is the sewing machine itself. I have an old Sears Kenmore, which is known for being a heavy-duty machine.
Any recommendations for getting my machine to work? Or perhaps other sewing machine models that are known to be good with this sort of fabric?
My problem is that the bottom bobbin thread is not looping around the top thread, except at the beginning and end, where I was back-stitching.
I do now know that back-stitching is not recommended. I imagine that multiple passes with the needle can sort of chew up the fabric. And that "chewing up" may be what is permitting the back-stitching to work. I've seen other posts elsewhere from people with the very same problem. They say they have tried all sorts of thread tension settings without success. I have not seen any other suggestions other than adjusting tensions, or giving up on a home machine, and using a commercial one. But, there are also many people who have absolutely no difficulty with the neoprene fabric at all. So, perhaps it is the sewing machine itself. I have an old Sears Kenmore, which is known for being a heavy-duty machine.
Any recommendations for getting my machine to work? Or perhaps other sewing machine models that are known to be good with this sort of fabric?