I've never done it but would wax or soap work on the needle? You could also use the plain sew in pellon instead.

You may be using an interfacing not meant to be sewn through. Did you check the instructions for it? There are some fusible heavyweight interfacings which can be sewn, and others that aren't meant to be sewn. Make sure you're using the correct product.

Use isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol rather than nail polish remover for cleaning your needle - it won't damage the surface of your sewing machine if it drips, and the acetone in most nail polish removers will.

Patti what are you using to fuse it together? If you are using Heat and Bond make sure it is the lite version. The regular Heat and Bond will gum up your needle but the lite does not.

Jenni..it is the heavy duty...the lady at the sewing store said it would hold the best.

I've already got all of them ironed together and ready to sew...I'd hate to waist all the fabric and pelon that I've already bought.

The directions for these bookmarks call for Pelon Peltex #72 which is fusible on both sides, but they didn't have any so I bought the plain Penlon and the Heat and Bond ultra.

I see it says not to sew...

I guess I'm just going to have to buck up and do it the hard way...I can't afford to throw away what I've already bought. Darn....

I should have read the directions...but I've used so many of the fuseibles before that don't hold I wanted to make sure it held. I knew the satin would ravel and wanted to make sure it was well bonded...

LOL...I got my wish...

patti

Do you "have" to zig zag it Patti? I bet it will hold just fine without.
I remember trying to make a pillow and case for Hunter's room when he was a baby....I used velcro to close the case. Only I got the sticky sided stuff where you peel the paper off and stick it on. Tried to sew it on...Oh gosh what a mess I had!! Next time I bought the sew on kind. LOL

Patti, could you use bees wax on your needle. My mom used to do this to help her needles go through the batting when she quilted. She hand quilted, but I don't think it would hurt the sewing machine.It also kept her needles from rusting.

No - do not use beeswax on a machine needle! Gah - that'll mess up any machine! Little, invisible flecks of the wax in the bobbin area will be such a lint catcher.

If absolutely necessary there are silicone liquids to spread on your thread (Sewer's Aid is one brand). That will help the thread and needle go through. Also make sure your bobbin area is completely cleaned and properly oiled, and that your needle is new and of an appropriate size.

But it looks like from your response up-thread that you are using a non-sewing product and trying to sew through it anyway.

I do know what I'm talking about - I make my living sewing. You will have this trouble for every bookmark. Cleaning the needle frequently will help. Getting the right fusible for the job would be better.

If you're doing a plain zig zag and not a satin stitch, then place the bookmark underneath a piece of tissue paper. The kind of paper you use in wrapping gifts. That will be the last thing the needle passes as it comes up. It should trap some of the stickness. The paper will just tear away when you're done.

Have a bunch of needles at the ready, so you don't have to stop after each bookmark. Then you can clean them all at once, at start all over again. :)

Can't you just use a pinking shear an cut around the edges? That should make a nice finish

I don't have a solution for you, Patti, but I sure feel your pain, having sewn on problem fabrics before and felt like screaming due to frustration.

I hope your bookmarks get finished soon and turn out really nice. They sound pretty.

"I should have read the directions"...
glad to see there are others out there just like me!
I have started to read directions a little more than I used to, but in general I still read them only after it doesn't seem to go together properly...LOL.
The bookmarks do sound very pretty, hope you can work through it!
Suzan J

If you don't have a pinking shears as Minnie suggested, you could go and buy some double-fold bias tape and Fabri-tac (fabric glue) and glue the bias tape along the edges instead of sewing.

Patti, I just saw the cutest bookmarks in a magazine. They were made with various colors of ribbons and buttons. They cute a length of ribbon and sewed buttons on the ends of them. They even placed one button on top of another and sewed them on. The were in the Vamily Fun magazine. Sometimes if you check out their website they are there to look at.. My little grandaughters and I are going to make some..

Susie

Next time, just cut the pelon back your stitch width and things will be fine. A little late now, unless you call open them up and trim with your embroidery scissors. Kathy

I took the advice to have several needles...The only packages they had were assorted...Whatever size needle I used finished all of them without a problem. Either my needle wasn't sharp enough or maybe the new one was smaller.
Anyway what I did was loosen the stitch then used fray stop on the edges.

Now to trim them up with some gold thread and beads.

Oh..I bought somemore iron bond that sewable...."S"

Sewer's aid is what you need.
It's a liquid you apply to the spool of thread.
I used when I sewed sequins to my kid's rodeo shirts.

Lori

Lori...I was shopping at WalMart...I ask them for that and they don't carry it. They don't have as much sewing 'stuff' as they used to...But boy did they get in a bunch of fabric last week...I found lots I would like to buy.

patti