End of the day of teaching and it was a great group. When I get together with a new group of people, the greatest thing is when the group starts to share info. The boundaries drop, the competition is replaced by a sense of community. I am at the Toronto Imprint Sportswear show the day before it opens teaching the Embroidery Wheel that I helped Fran McAvity develop. One of the questions we had today was how to store the rolls of backing. Someone in the group told us how they use a closet rack, the kind that slips off the bracket. They can easily remove the rack to replace rolls but they can also just roll off the product as required. They can also stack the rolls by using multiple closet racks. Speaking as someone with limited space I think that is a great idea that will be coming home with me. Another idea suggested was using paper towel holders for the small rolls.

We also discussed when to change the needle. I have heard over the years many answers varying from machine mechanic to machine mechanic. One response I have heard is that you change it when it breaks. Another is change it after a week and another was after a certain number of stitches. One person said that when the black or white thread starts to look like it is breaking up or looking irregular they take that as the cue to change all the needles. He said that he finds usually everything sews well and the problem goes away.

Tomorrow I teach again and I hope the group is as sharing so I too can learn something from the people attending.

Later

Beverley Field

The Embroidery Dinosaur