Tension Attention!

Many people have asked me about ...tension. 

If you have followed the manual instructions perfectly and still your stitch tension is off, from my experience here's how I adjust tension on my 257.

First of all, as you thread the machine, it is the utmost importance your thread is passed properly around the tension dial. To do so, you must put finger pressure (at the top right index finger) holding the thread down while pulling the thread over your left thumb (photo above) to place it into position. You want to make sure your thread is pulled tightly around the tension dial. You can continue to thread, as per manual instruction, the top thread. 

IMPORTANT!

The blue thread is position exactly where you need to feel enough pull from 

the tension spring before you put your thread into position.

Bobbin Threading...

Put your bobbin in counterclockwise. Note: The thread passing on top towards the left. Pass the thread into the notch and draw it left under the tension spring. Leave your sliding plate open and raise the bobbin thread by manually turning (gently) the hand wheel towards you. While holding the needle thread in your left hand. Keep turning the hand wheel until you see your bobbin thread appear through the needle plate. Now you are ready to do the first test.

This is the kind of Sample Test I love to do...

I make a straight stitch about 5-inch long for every tension number on a piece of lite double layer cotton fabric with two different thread colors. The Pressure Dial must be in the NORMAL position (even if your project needs to be sewn on DARN or MAX). In the sample above, I choose the black for the bobbing thread. The blue for the upper thread. The numbers correspond to the numbers on the Tension Dial.

Now, in a perfect world you want to have your Tension #5 to show a perfect stitch. From the top stitch you would barely see the bottom color showing between the stitch. And, from the back side you would see the Top stitch barely between the bottom stitch.

Obviously, it doesn't always happen this way. If your #5 looks like my #1 Tension, that means you need to adjust the bobbin tension. This takes time, turning the screw a little at a time and making a sample as many as you need. This could take a while depending on how much your tension is off. Look at the diagram (below) to help you...

If your tension is still off, it can be a combination of threading and tension. Make sure your machine is perfectly threaded.

Ok let's say you've reached nirvana and tension is perfect on your sample. Every time you start a new project with new fabric you'll have to make a little sample for your stitch tension. You obviously do not have to do the full tension test, but you will want to do 2 or 3 stitch lines, on your actual fabric, at different tension to see how it looks and adjust accordingly. 

I hope I help released your Tension about Tension!

Happy sewing!

Code Name: CURTAINS! Bon Voyage!

3 hands in plaid!

My old friend Jim, from art school, asked me to help him with his curtains for his Mitsubishi Delica van.

Now, I know how to make custom curtains. As a matter of fact, I made our curtains for our 1972 VW Van that I had with my partner Richard at art school back in the nineties.

The sewing part was easy the hard part was for Jim to figure out the way to hang to curtains. His van was not camperize. So he did it from scratch making his passenger van into a camper. Jim and Jen went to a fabric supplier and they suggested a plastic light blocker that is efficient but not pretty. It's used as a liner to be hung with another fabric as a curtain.

Jim says, 'This is a temporary rod system."

They were a little tight in their deadline and measurements. So, I suggested a plaid fabric that I could donate to their cause. The project code name: CURTAINS! was suppose to be cost as little as possible and be very quick to make and install.

Jim was over for an afternoon and while he was on the rod system, I was back and forth measuring then installing. It was challenging. I was working with pre-cut fabric. The vans' windows were all different sizes. We just had to make it fit. Considering the time we had, it looks pretty good and will work fine. I'm happy.

Jim and Jen are on their way across Canada then into part of the US, a month of well-deserved vacation. Jim assured me that when they return he may want something more permanent... ie less plastic!

Beautiful craftsmanship...

the open bed and side shelving!

Jim's special storage that goes under the bed...

What is he going to put here?

BONNE FETE QUEBEC!

I'm proud to be a Québecoise...

I left Québec in 1988 to explore the west. To me, my plans was just to explore, to learn English, and eventually return back. Well it didn't quite work that way. I did learn English, met wonderful friends and I found love and stayed. Although I decided to stay in the west coast, every year on this day, I make a point to honor my roots by listening to Québec singers and raising my glass to all... Québecers.

BONNE SAINT JEAN BAPTISTE!

How To Keep Alive Your Fashion Mate 257

View of top & side sections exposed...

There's one device I always wanted on my Fashion Mate 257... a stitch counter.

I've seen this on electronic machines and it counts every stitch you make. It's fun. Like an old car with a speedometer that show's you the mileage. Of course, they never included this on the old machine but it would be fun to know how many stitches my old machine has accumulated over the last 40 years.

One things for sure, if you want your Fashion Mate working well, is to clean and oil it often. Afterall, it's all metal and rust is your enemy.

This is how I keep my baby purring!

Remove the two screws on the top plate and the one screw that holds the side plate. Remove needle and foot to gain better access. Your 257 will look like the image above.

Bobbin assembly removal: lift the locking arm with screw driver...

Then remove the back plate behind the foot. Lift the bobbin locking arm (black metal), gently with a screw driver (image above), lifting it aside to get access and to remove the bobbin assembly. Now, you are ready to dust. You can use a stiff paintbrush or I have found that there's nothing better to remove the dust than a little blow of compressed air. Note: because this area seems to hold so much dust and the paintbrush doesn't reach properly, the compressed air rules. Now, if I had the luxury of an air compressor, but I don't, I would use it. A can of compressed air works just fine. You only need a small amount.

When ONLY the Dust Off will do!

After you finish the dust off, remove the excess old oil and thread with a clean cloth. Make sure you rotate the wheel so you don't miss any hidden thread in the back. Now you are ready to oil.

I oil every moving part. How do you know? 

With the machine open (top plate off to access) and with light on, I start from the top of the machine. Press the pedal gently, and observe which parts are moving. Then stop and place a drop of oil on every moving part. Once this is completed, screw back the top and side plate. Now it's time to oil the bobbin mechanism. 

This is how your bobbin assembly should look...

Clean and Shiny!

Your machine should be looking nice and clean, put back the bobbin holder and plates back together. Press the pedal to make sure all the oil is distributed evenly throughout the mechanism. The bobbin assembly is the MOST IMPORTANT place to oil. If you don't have the time for an overall clean job, at least keep this area oiled at all times!

Looking under the hood.

At this point, you're almost done. The last step is to look underneath by tilting your machine and looking at the bottom mechanism. I press the pedal gently making sure NOT to have your hand caught anywhere. It may not be the safest way so please be careful. I find that it's the only way to view the moving parts and to oil it. This is also a good time to inspect the belt for wear and tear. 

Now, you are ready to close the machine and place it in it's original sewing position. Here's the fun part... put your pedal to the metal and make it run for a few seconds at maximum speed... it should PURR!

I leave my well oiled machine over nite, it seems to like it and the next day I use a scrap piece of fabric to start with. THERE WILL BE SOME OIL RESIDUE.

I've been cleaning and oiling my machine this same way for many, many years. I guess I'm doing something right, because my machine is working as if it's brand new.

So keep on sewing and enjoy a clean and well oiled Fashion Mate 257!

Singing The Fashion Mate!

From a 1935 Singer Ad.

I want to thank everyone for sharing their wonderful Fashion Mate stories. Love the comments and please keep them coming.

In my next post, I'm planning a, 'How to maintain and keep alive your Fashion Mate.' It will be lengthy so I'll divide it into parts!

Stay tune!

Lace 2 Ways

Project #3,

Orange Shawl

This is not the first time I've knitted this pattern...


I enjoy this pattern so much that I knitted two pieces that sold at the last Christmas Make It Show. Now, this is project 3 and 4.


As I rummaged through my yarn stash I found this rich orange fingering wool. Right away, I wanted to make this lace shawl. 

Shawl or scarf!

I was having so much fun, I knitted this shawl in no time. Call it warp speed. So, back to the yarn stash and I discovered a left-over of a yellow/gold mohair. Not quite enough to make anything, but it would work well together with another left-over yarn I had.

I'm very happy to see how the colors mixed and how the textures work well together. Finishing it with a few rolls of just mohair completes this beautiful ready to wear, luxurious scarf!

These two will be on sale at the next Make It Show in November!

Project #4,

Mohair mixed with a 

fingering yarn worn as scarf...

worn as shawl.

Kamut/Flax Bread for Roubaix Sunday.

My Kamut/Flax Bread, Yum!

Our friend, Duane, gave us a supply of organic kamut grain and I decided use it in my bread recipe.

Kamut is higher in potassium and protein over wheat flour and I added flax seeds to further fortify it. I made it so Richard and I can enjoy toast with plenty of coffee for Sunday's early wake up call (5 AM) for the Paris-Roubaix classic race!

The famous Arenberg Forest quietly waits!

Singer Fashion Mate 257 Free Manual

This is the fun cover to the Fashion Mate 257 cover.

When I first wrote this post on my Fashion Mate 257, I would never have guess how popular this post has become. I'm amazed that I'm still getting comments, since posting the article way back in 2009.

I know I had the manual during my Fashion College days, in my twenties. Somewhere between that time and over twenty-five moves that brought me across Canada, it was lost. 

You can find this manual online for a price, but, why would you do that? When you can download it for FREE!

Here, directly from the Singer webpage is the Fashion Mate 257 manual...

http://www.singerco.com/uploads/download/1315_257.pdf

https://www.manuals.ca/singer/257-fashion-mate/manual

https://archive.org/details/singer-257-fashion-mate-sewing-machine/mode/2up

I want to thank everyone for their comments and stories (don't stop it's so enjoyable to read the comments) and I'm so excited that you all are enjoying the Fashion Mate as much as I do!

Happy sewing!

Back... with a Red Pom Pom

I've decided to return ...and keep the Galstudio blog going!

I did not feel comfortable to keep the cooking and knitting adventures on the Red Dots Cycling Blog.

I'm happy to say that Galstudio will be my own personal blog... all things I also love to do. Looking back, this blog is like a journal of all my beautiful knit stuff. Often, it's hard to remember everything that I've made.

So this is my latest creation...

Simple Scarf with Red Pom Pom.

I discovered, from my stash, this thick 100% wool. Usually I prefer fingering yarn. But I happen to have this fabulous two-tone wool, I had to use it.

I didn't follow a pattern, I ad lib and created this scarf from a simple k1 p1 and finished with a point. It needed a little accent to make it more fun...

OMG, I haven't made pom pom's since grade six!

Off I went to make Pom Pom's. You can find how to make them online. I was stumped as to what size to make them. My first attempt was way too large, then I made them too small.

Third try ... this time right, I made them the right size. 

I love this design, a scarf I would wear. It will be going into my sale stock at the next winter craft show.

I'm very happy to be back sharing all my creative endeavors. In fact, I already cast on for a pair of socks... Stay tune!

Pom pom size matters!

Adieu Galstudio!

The new home of Galstudio!

Galstudio has come to an end!

I'm happy with  a tinge of sadness. It has been a great journey but the reality is, to go further you must let go, to climb higher.

I'd like to THANK all my followers for all their comments and support. And, I invite you to follow me, on the new blog I'm sharing with my partner, Richard. I've decided to focus my energy on our new business and I will keep writing on my knitting, cooking and sewing machine adventures on the new blog.

This new blog will allow me to consolidate the business aspect with the personal side. Because it will be a joint blog, it will allow both of us to frequently keep the blog updated. Follow Richard and I on our new twitter page: twitter/reddotscycling

I invite you all to visit and read my adventures and misadventures, climbing to newer heights!

Heartfelt Thanks!

We're Moving Forwards!

It's a whirlwind of activity, here.

Hard to believe it's Christmas, the smell of roast turkey from my kitchen pleasantly reminds me of it. This year has passed by so fast that all I want to do is relax and sleep in and have a glass of wine or two.

Three years ago, I was between jobs, I stumbled onto Etsy. And, being a knitter, it made sense to sell my knit goods online. I had no idea what to call my new business. That's when Richard helped me with the name... Galstudio.

Remember our first logo design?

Gal is the first three letters of my last name, and it was my dream to have my own working studio. Selling my knit goods online was, as I discovered, not very successful. Definitely, not enough to make a living. My goal was to have my own home base business.

Richard had been looking for a well made cycling cap for some time. Like his old and used Campagnolo cap that he liked so much but wanted a classic cycling cap with a urban look. He asked me, "You know how to sew, why not make a cycling cap?" And, soon in March, 2009 I was selling my first handmade cycling cap on Etsy.

Richard wears the very first caps sold in March 2009...

The Paris-Roubaix (first version) & the ever so classic,

The Capello da Ciclismo Nero.

Quickly, Galstudio became a handmade cycling cap company. Soon afterwards, we worked with bike inner tubes creating different rubber accessories. That first year I must've modify the cycling cap pattern ten times to get it just perfect. It was a crazy year, I was working by myself and often asked Richard for help during the evenings. It just made sense when Richard came on board full-time. I suggested we re-brand the company to reflect more of the cycling cap/inner tube accessories.

We both utilize our talents: my sewing expertise/computer knowledge and Richard's cycling passion. It's a match made in cycling heaven.

After three years with the Galstudio name, we believe it is time to grow and move further. Importantly, to come up with a new name that better describes who and what we are. We came up with a few names but we haven't made the final choice ....yet! I'm already sketching  a few ideas for the new logo.

The new name will be launched in January 2012.

And looking at my remaining stock with the Galstudio labels I suggested to Richard that it would be impossible to remove the old labels and put on the new ones. So the simple solution is to have... a MEGA SALE!

This mega sale will start on December 26 and we expect to sell out quickly.

I guess I won't relax, but I'll be comforted to know that I'll be working in front of the computer through the holidays ...with a much needed glass of wine (or two)!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

Cheers to all of our customers & friends...

past, present & future!

Climbing with the Polka Dots!

Hurray! Let there be DOTS!

Guess what I found at my new supplier, today?

As you may know, I've made two different versions of the popular Polka Dots cycling cap. Of course, no longer available due to discontinued fabric from my supplier. It's difficult to obtain the red dot pattern fabric. I'm thinking most fabric designers are not in tune with the Tour de France.

Today, Richard and I was about to leave the fabric shop with our notions when I saw, from the corner of eyes, the familiar red dots on white. I immediately zoomed onto it and purchased as much as I could.

I love it, it was meant to happen since I didn't find what I first was looking for. Next, I will wash the fabric and rework the design because the fabric seems like a lighter cotton.

This will be fun project!

The Zesty Orangeman

Based on our Orangeman cycling cap.

It's hectic around here.

The Make It show maybe over, but our online business is humming along nicely. From time to time, I make custom cycling caps and here's one that I just completed.

It looks like Spring is back. The demand now is for winter caps, and whenever I have an order for a regular cap it's time to re-learn.

Here's a custom Orangeman with yellow stripe, bright and colorful!

The Flemish has landed

The Make It Show is over and done ...and it was fantastic!

With the addition of another day, the show was intense. Saturday being the most intense. They broke a record: 1000 customers passed through the gate in 1 hour. A grand total of 8400 in 3.5 days.

I don't know how I managed it, but I found the time to make a Bike sign that really made our booth stand out. People loved it and kept complimenting us all throughout the show. I used christmas lights.

We brought along a huge diverse inventory. The big star was our wallet, and we introduced our newest 100% winter cycling cap; The Flemish! I redesigned the pattern and modified the ear flap to fit even better. We realize our caps would fit better if we offered two sizes. A great success! We are planning to look at the way we size our caps in order to provide a better choice of sizing.

As you probably guess, Richard has many caps and now he has a 100% wool winter cap. After a week without a ride, Richard didn't waste time to jump on his Marinoni. The next morning after the show, he went out to test the new Flemish cap. It was a cold morning close to 0C, perfect conditions to test the Flemish cap. The picture below is Richard back from his cold weather ride. He was tired ...but warm!

Make It!

We've made it to our biggest show of the season... Make It!

Today starts four days of handmade love at the Croatian Center here in Vancouver. Richard and I are excited to have our Galstudio cycling caps/accessories on sale. 

I invite you all (if you can make it) to attend and come over and meet us. Our booth is located beside the bar in the main room!

Make It Big Time!

Roberts Creek, Sunshine Coast  BC

(image by Richard)

I took a blogging break...

You know when you're juggling so many balls and you lose site of everything else?

I'm sorry that I've neglected my blog but life got so crazy with work I've turned my attention to my sewing machine instead. 

In August, Richard and I decided to spend holiday time in the Sunshine Coast (Gibsons). But, work forced me to bring along my sewing machine to actually... work. Call it a work holiday. At least I did enjoy my evenings with the beautiful scenery and a glass of wine. Richard was able to squeeze in a few rides exploring unknown territory of the Sunshine Coast. To say that we both fell in love with the Sunshine Coast would be an understatement!

Galstudio is in growing mode. We just finished a huge wholesale order that left us completely exhausted but happy. It was a grueling tens days of production. 

Circle Craft Christmas show

The Christmas craft shows have started. Richard and I went to investigate one of the top three shows in Vancouver, called Circle Craft. They've been around for over 20 years. Our friend Graham was there and he's a mainstay doing this show for the past 15 years. I was excited to help him design his newest children's music CD cover. 

Circle Craft is top notch with quality merchants but the admission fee of $12.00 is too high and I didn't feel that this show is a good match for our products.

On the other hand, we are back at the Make It Show for our second year. We're very excited that they added another day totaling four days. We have a larger booth sharing with our friend Helene... I'm definitely feeling this show and we will have lots of fun.

So, I'm back to my sewing machine and need to produce a few more items for the Make It Show. I also started teaching a crochet workshop... I'll keep that for my next post!

Initiation à l'entrelac & Introductory Crochet.

As far as I can remember, I've embraced knitting. Most of my aunts including my mother were passionate knitters. So, knitting came naturally to me. Already by 15 years of age, I've knitted throws and sweaters.

I'm from a generation where knitting was not the hip thing to do. At that time, young women hid behind close doors to knit... we were closet knitters. By age 20, my knitting needles were collecting dust bunnies.

I took back my needles in the late eighties when one dear friend was looking for a special knitted above the knee socks. I answered that call and from then on never put down my needles... again.

Arbol from Malabrigo

I was so excited when Karen from Bird on a Wire Creations, first asked me to teach a knitting class. I suggested to teach a knitting class in French. So I can combine my two passions of speaking French and knitting!

I realize that this would present a challenge; to re-learn knitting in French. It's quite complex really. I know why I embrace the English pattern due to it's ease of understanding. 

I'm extremely happy to present the Entrelac pattern, I have adapted and translated, for the upcoming classes. 

Turner from Malabrigio.

I'm also teaching an introduction to Crochet in English using this wonderful green wool. I will use a pattern I have modified to make a beautiful Bruges lace scarf.

Please check this link  for details on all the classes and ...sign up.

Let's knit together!

MAMILS at the Whistler Farmer's Market

Check out Richard's old Mavic wheel!

I haven't been back to Whistler in over fifteen years and it has sure changed!

With the Winter Olympics, this resort town has grown up. I was there often working in the special events industry and it was small and quaint. The trade and convention centre was beautiful and quite new back then. Also, I was decorating in the Le Chateau Hotel when it first opened in Blackcomb.

Now I don't recognized the town anymore. Sunday, Richard and I was selling our Galstudio products at the Whistler Farmer's Market. It was beautiful and sunny... everything a market should be. Plus full of people and samples for all.

I had a chance to try sea asparagus. It doesn't look like asparagus it's actually a type of seaweed. It's green, crunchy and salty collected at low tide. Definitely good for salads and pasta.

Sea asparagus.

This vibrant market is on my list as must have markets to be in. So, next year we plan to be back.

Often in these shows, there is a tendency to have too much of one type of vendor. Not so here. There was a full array of different products to discover. The organizers did a very good job of curating the show. Our unique cycling accessories were appreciated by everyone. There were many outdoor types especially cyclists and their spouses that bought our products. Richard was doing so well selling cycling caps to middle age cyclist guys. These cyclists are the MAMILS; middle age men in lycra. Richard's part of this fast growing tribe. I still laugh when he mentions it.

The foam core display didn't survived our last market, it was destroyed. So I came up with a clever fix. Richard's Mavic wheel held up to nine of his cyclingart cards and he was so pleased to use it again. It works so much better.

Special thanks go to our partner, Helene for allowing us to share the tent with. It was a wonderful day with her!

Wish I had a dog...

beside our tent was a fabulous organic dog treats!

Hackett Park Summer Arts & Crafts Fair

This past weekend's Hackett Park Art Festival in Sechelt BC was by far the friendliest show we've been in.

The music was fantastic. The weather beautiful the people that stopped by to chat were very friendly. And, all the vendors were especially nice, too. I was pleasantly surprised to discover the Francophone presence. I had the chance to speak French!

Richard and I had the wonderful opportunity, again, to share our booth with our friend Helene. And, it's going to be fun to come back next year and enjoy the Sunshine Coast rhythm!

Cycling Cap or Baseball Cap?

Benoni Beheyt 1964 Tour of Belgium

Le Tour de France is over.

Richard and I are in withdrawal. And, he is re-watching old Tour dvd's for some satisfaction. I have been thinking of new cycling caps both regular and winter. There's no doubt in my mind, this Tour de France was the most exciting one in years.

During the opening team presentation I question why they wear baseball caps instead of cycling caps? I don't understand why the iconographic cycling cap is seldom worn. Why is the baseball cap accepted as part of the teams kit? It's not that you can wear it during a cycling race.

Greg LeMond 1990 Tour de France.

I'm bias, personally the cycling cap should be brought back on the podium. Just like during 1990 Tour when the proud Greg LeMond and his team wore their cycling caps. I feel that the cycling cap is a proud fashion piece and the cycling world should re-embrace it.

In my utopia, baseball players wear baseball caps and cyclists wear cycling caps!

Just imagine if they all wore the classic cycling cap!