British Expats - Pet Peeves?

Me neither. Surely if both threads are anchored in the fabric at one end and wrapped around a bobbin in the machine at the other, isn't it topologically impossible to tie a knot in them? :confused:

Not knotted-looped. Which is why one can sometimes idly pull on an innocent looking loose thread and Hey Presto! your clothes fall apart in an instant. Try it next time you're behind some ugly person (if they have a loose thread) in the supermarket or a bar or.......then run.

Hotscot

Mar 10th 2014 4:01 am

Re: Pet Peeves?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pulaski (Post 11166497)

Me neither. Surely if both threads are anchored in the fabric at one end and wrapped around a bobbin in the machine at the other, isn't it topologically impossible to tie a knot in them? :confused:

That's the issue I cannot comprehend...it's magic.

Cardienscarf

Mar 10th 2014 5:33 am

Re: Pet Peeves?

Quote:

Originally Posted by hotscot (Post 11166519)

That's the issue I cannot comprehend...it's magic.

Does this help?

http://static3.businessinsider.com/i...hcylfdqgap.gif

Nutek

Mar 10th 2014 5:34 am

Re: Pet Peeves?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cardienscarf (Post 11166643)

Does this help?

http://static3.businessinsider.com/i...hcylfdqgap.gif

No, it's worse.

Pretty though. :)

Cardienscarf

Mar 10th 2014 5:37 am

Re: Pet Peeves?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nutek (Post 11166645)

No, it's worse.

Pretty though. :)

I would like it to go a bit faster and to get to the end of the seam

Pulaski

Mar 10th 2014 5:51 am

Re: Pet Peeves?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nutek (Post 11166645)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cardienscarf (Post 11166643)

Does this help?

[Colour sewing gif]

No, it's worse.

Pretty though.

No, now it does make sense, because the thread is looping behind the little spool under the fabric, so there actually is a knot, .... and you can't usually tug on a loose thread and unpick the entire seem with one good yank.

Cardienscarf

Mar 10th 2014 6:13 am

Re: Pet Peeves?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pulaski (Post 11166668)

The top thread and the bobbin thread interlock around the fabric to create the stitch. There is no knot. If the tension between the top thread and bobbin thread is correct, you cannot pull the seam out. You have to use an unpicker. If the tension is off, you get big loops on one side of the seam and the thread on the other side can be pulled out.

SultanOfSwing

Mar 10th 2014 6:15 am

Re: Pet Peeves?

This is why I love BE. Where else could we find detailed, free immigration advice and knowledge of the inner workings of sewing machines all in one place, with a bunch of crap about pies and tea thrown in?

It's like having a Home Economics class at a pub quiz, in an embassy :D

Cardienscarf

Mar 10th 2014 6:20 am

Re: Pet Peeves?

Quote:

Originally Posted by SultanOfSwing (Post 11166696)

:goodpost:

Pulaski

Mar 10th 2014 6:24 am

Re: Pet Peeves?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cardienscarf (Post 11166692)

Sorry, I know there is no true "knot", I meant that the two threads are truly wrapped one around the other, which would not be possible if both ends of both threads were anchored.

Pulaski

Mar 10th 2014 6:29 am

Re: Pet Peeves?

Quote:

Originally Posted by SultanOfSwing (Post 11166696)

The irony is, that barely scratches the surface: there's cars, and sport, English grammar and usage, cooking, film reviews, and gardening too, among many other things. ...... It's like reading the Saturday Daily Telegraph in a Home Economics class at a pub quiz, in an embassy. :nod:

SultanOfSwing

Mar 10th 2014 6:32 am

Re: Pet Peeves?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pulaski (Post 11166708)

Yes, this is true.

We're a well rounded bunch, I'd say :D

Pulaski

Mar 10th 2014 6:42 am

Re: Pet Peeves?

Quote:

Originally Posted by SultanOfSwing (Post 11166715)

..... We're a well rounded bunch, I'd say.