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Question:

What size sewing machine needle should I use to sew polyester (light weight from the 1970's)?

I am using an 11 point now, and it is slipping stitches- it doesn't do this with cotton.

Answer:

im in the same spot as you mani dont feel like staying in all summer playing games, so i applied for a job at the library and am starting next weekI also got a permit, if ur 16, and im driving around with my relatives who are over 21, and if ur 17 or older, you can get a license and drive anywhere!
Uhmm let's seeeee- Read - Walk/Ride Bike - Get a computer game that interests you (SIMS 3!) :D - Go to the mall/shopping - Listen to music - Sleep - Find a show that has many seasons and watch it all day long (It really passes by time) - Hang out with friends - Learn something new - Clean your room
Grab some friends and you can go swimming, bowling skating, to the mall, to see a movie, etc.
That wonderful polyester from the seventies.memories memories.watching the gong show, going to high school and cursing the inventor who first made this obnoxious fiber! I think that polyester fabrics, especially crimpelene double knit fabric is one reason people stopped sewing in the seventies.it's difficult fabric to sew, and age likely hasn't improved its temperSome vintage polyesters have gone brittle and plastic-ish and are not fun to work withThe reason vintage polyester is more difficult than modern polyesters is because the staple fibers used to make the yarn that made the fabric was thicker than modern micro-denier polyester fibersA ballpoint needle will help, as will fiddling with the tensions of the machinesometimes the machine needs to be loosened, other machines prefer a tighter tension when working with polyesterVintage polyesters can be surprisingly thick and spongy to the needle, so a slightly longer stitch length might help Be sure to use good long staple polyester thread to sew vintage polyesterYou might need to resort to layering tissue paper over and under the fabric to get it to behaveOh yes.are you certain it's polyester? There was a fine knit fabric from that era called qiana and it was made from microfiber nylon, it was the first true modern micro denier fabric and it was horrible for skipped stitchesManufacturers couldn't figure out how to keep stitches from popping and skipping any better than home sewersYou will need to use a very fine ballpoint needle for that fabric, use a zig zag stitch, fine thread and the tissue paper trick and don't be too surprised if you are still getting skipped stitches, That's one of many reasons qiana nylon is no longer made.

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