Help! The pants I was mending have gotten stuck in the feed dog!

[Jean in Newcastle]

It is knit fabric - yoga pants. What do I do?

[Chris in VA]

I'm laughing so hard, because I truly have NO idea what you are talking about.

What the heck is a feed dog?

[GraciebytheBay]

I had this happen when I was making knit nightgowns for dd. I ended up ruining one section because I couldn't get it out properly, but the other time, I took the plate off and was able to pry the fabric out. It was a bit stretched, but it came out fine. I hope it works out for you!

 

FYI - Somebody recommended I use a type of tissue paper under the fabric next time. It worked great (but getting all the bits of paper out was a pain).

[AK_Mom4]

You can usually work them gently loose, but the odds are good that the dog has chewed holes in them.

 

On mine, it would have totally hosed up the tension thingy too when it did this..... :cursing:

[Kathryn]

I'm laughing so hard, because I truly have NO idea what you are talking about.

What the heck is a feed dog?

 

 

Me too.

[Jean in Newcastle]

I'm laughing so hard, because I truly have NO idea what you are talking about.

What the heck is a feed dog?

 

 

You goofy woman! It is the serrated teeth on a sewing machine.

[kitten18]

First unplug the machine.

 

Cut the top thread and take off the presser foot and needle.

 

Then using the handwheel try moving the feed dogs and remove the plate. If you can get any movement at all, you need to get the bobbin threads cut and then you should be able to get them loose.

[kitten18]

There is generally a big ball of knotted bobbin thread holding them in the machine, that is what you have to work out.

 

I taught sewing to middle schoolers and I rescued dozens of things from sewing machines. I only remember a couple things ending up with holes.

[Jean in Newcastle]

I had this happen when I was making knit nightgowns for dd. I ended up ruining one section because I couldn't get it out properly, but the other time, I took the plate off and was able to pry the fabric out. It was a bit stretched, but it came out fine. I hope it works out for you!

 

FYI - Somebody recommended I use a type of tissue paper under the fabric next time. It worked great (but getting all the bits of paper out was a pain).

 

You can usually work them gently loose, but the odds are good that the dog has chewed holes in them.

 

On mine, it would have totally hosed up the tension thingy too when it did this..... :cursing:

 

 

OK - we got the fabric out. The fabric looks fine.

[Jean in Newcastle]

Thank you everyone!

[wendyroo]

FYI - Somebody recommended I use a type of tissue paper under the fabric next time. It worked great (but getting all the bits of paper out was a pain).

 

A couple times when I was sewing really difficult fabrics like really thin stretchy knits I would put a piece of wax paper under it. Tissue or plain printer paper works too, but I found with wax paper that once it was sewn I just had to fold half of the paper back and forth along the stitch line a few times and it would tear cleanly off without having any stray pieces.

 

Wendy

[RoughCollie]

 

You goofy woman! It is the serrated teeth on a sewing machine.

 

Generation Gap! :laugh: :auto:

[Chris in VA]

 

Generation Gap! :laugh: :auto:

 

Now, now--I have a sewing machine (my mom sewed all my dresses for a looong time) but I find it daunting...it's been in the attic of every house we've lived in, because the tension is screwed up and it defeats me, just looking at it!

 

But I lol'd at your comment!

[ChristusG]

I was lost too LOL! At first I thought you meant your pants were stuck in the dog food.....I was like, what the heck? :laugh:

[RoughCollie]

Now, now--I have a sewing machine (my mom sewed all my dresses for a looong time) but I find it daunting...it's been in the attic of every house we've lived in, because the tension is screwed up and it defeats me, just looking at it!

 

But I lol'd at your comment!

 

When DD was a baby, I hauled out my old sewing machine and made patterns from Hanna Andersson baby clothes and beefed up her wardrobe. Then the machine broke. I bought a new one that I have never used. Last week, DS3 hauled it out of my closet and brought it downstairs for me, so I can make a hoodie for our dog.

 

DS3 had no idea what it was! It reminded me of the time I set up the ironing board when the boys were in Cub Scouts. They thought it was a portable kitchen counter. When I took out the iron, they were truly mystified.

 

Anyway, my goal today is to learn how to use this "new" machine. It has all sorts of attachments my old one didn't have. The best part is that it has a blind hemmer.

 

After that, DD wants me to make her a prom dress. I said I would. I didn't mention that the only things I've sewn are curtains and baby clothes.

[Jean in Newcastle]

RC, you are ambitious.

 

For the record, the dog and his food never got near my pants! ;)

[Impish]

I was wondering...

[Elinor Everywhere]

I was lost too LOL! At first I thought you meant your pants were stuck in the dog food.....I was like, what the heck? :laugh:

 

 

Haha, this is what I thought, too! I'm 49 and I have used my sewing machine several times to make curtains or comforter duvets, but I didn't know what a feed dog was.

 

Sigh. I never claimed to be domestic. :D

[Liz CA]

 

You goofy woman! It is the serrated teeth on a sewing machine.

 

 

My my, I Iearn something new every day. I thought your dog was eating the pants and in your excitement and dismay, you worded the title a bit awkwardly...

 

:laugh:

[SKL]

I think it was called something different when I was a kid - though I don't remember what.

 

My mom used to sew, and she taught me the basics, but it never was my thing.