Thank you everyone for all your suggestions. I like the Braille numbering as well. I did pick up one of those hooked threaders a long time ago at A. c. More, but may look again at them, as I honestly don't know where mine went, I was using it for yarn needles in loom knitting.
Thanks for the other suggestions.I guess the only other question i have is what features should I look for and what features should I most decidedly avoided in picking and buying a first sewing machine, and not having useable vision for the task of sewing?
Shelley L. Rhodes, M.A., VRT And Guinevere: Golden Lady Guide Dog guidinggolden@xxxxxxxxx Guide Dogs for the Blind Alumni Association www.guidedogs.comThe people who burned witches at the stake never for one moment thought of their act as violence;
rather they thought of it as an act of divinely mandated righteousness.The same can be said of most of the violence we humans have ever committed. -Gil Bailie, author and lecturer (b. 1944)
----- Original Message ----- From: "Melissa" <melissa@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> To: <ktownsend@xxxxxxxxx>; <svan@xxxxxxxxxxx>; "'Pfeiffer, Moira'" <mpfeiffer@xxxxxxxxxxx>; <Robin.Illers@xxxxxxxxxxx>; <visionrehabtherapist@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>; <guidinggolden@xxxxxxxxx>; <dasmot@xxxxxxx>
Sent: Thursday, January 08, 2009 8:33 PMSubject: RE: [visionrehabtherapist] Re: Threadinga sewing machine and sewing machine suggestions
Now That is helpful!! Thanks to all for replying on all this. Why didn't I think of numbering!!!?? -----Original Message----- From: visionrehabtherapist-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx[mailto:visionrehabtherapist-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Kay TownsendSent: Thursday, January 08, 2009 3:45 PM To: svan@xxxxxxxxxxx; 'Pfeiffer, Moira'; Robin.Illers@xxxxxxxxxxx;visionrehabtherapist@xxxxxxxxxxxxx; guidinggolden@xxxxxxxxx; dasmot@xxxxxxxSubject: [visionrehabtherapist] Re: Threadinga sewing machine and sewing machine suggestionsI also had a blind seamstress teach me that when she needed to change thread color she broke the old thread off at the spool, leaving it all threaded inthe machine, knotted the new thread to it and slowly pulled the old threadout through the needle guiding the new thread through the machine. When itreached the needle she broke it off and threaded the needle. She had a threader on the machine. It is not as easy as it sounds, needing to make the knot small but it can be done.I have also numbered the places to thread on a machine in either Braille orlarge print for independent reviews if not sewing for awhile. Kay Townsend, CVRT CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This e-mail message, including any attachments, isfor the sole use of the intended recipients(s) and may contain confidentialand privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original message. -----Original Message----- From: visionrehabtherapist-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:visionrehabtherapist-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Van, Stephanie Sent: Thursday, January 08, 2009 3:31 PM To: Pfeiffer, Moira; 'Robin.Illers@xxxxxxxxxxx';visionrehabtherapist@xxxxxxxxxxxxx; guidinggolden@xxxxxxxxx; dasmot@xxxxxxxSubject: [visionrehabtherapist] Re: Threadinga sewing machine and sewing machine suggestionsHaving read all the fine suggestions made, ( I have used each and every one of these at one time or another). Consider the machine type and the amountof space one has at the presser foot area when choosing a threader option.The EZ in does not fit all machines or needle eyes. The floss threader hasbeen the one most sewers I have instructed prefer because it is flexibleand can be used for multiple types of threading. Which brings me to anotherfactor. Remember the threading processes of the upper parts of the machine and the bobbin. Needle threading is not the only consideration here. Holding the thread taut with about an inch between hands allows "looping" and "sliding" of the thread into hooks and crannies in the upper parts of the machine. (My technical terminology is lacking here, but I think you have the idea.)The floss threader works well on the part of the machine where the thread is pulled up and down. This is the metal hook directly in front of the machine approximately head height. It sits within a vertical groove and moves up anddown with the needle. (I do not have the proper name for this part) Familiarity with the machine is a plus. Orientation to all parts and thedirection the thread must go helps the novice. Feel for the slits and loops and hooks with the fingers before you begin. Get acquainted with the machinecharacteristics. The machine is very tactile and can be threaded successfully when patience and familiarity abound. Maxi Aids and Clothilde also have a hook needle threader that has a long handle in which a "dog legged" metal hook in screwed into the end of the handle. The length and rigidity of the hook have made this popular among many seamstreses who don't like the ease that the floss threader bends. ________________________________ From: visionrehabtherapist-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [visionrehabtherapist-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Pfeiffer, Moira [mpfeiffer@xxxxxxxxxxx] Sent: Thursday, January 08, 2009 1:41 PM To: 'Robin.Illers@xxxxxxxxxxx'; visionrehabtherapist@xxxxxxxxxxxxx; guidinggolden@xxxxxxxxx; dasmot@xxxxxxx Subject: [visionrehabtherapist] Re: Threadinga sewing machine and sewing machine suggestions I've seen that LoRan threader in ACMoore or Michaels (or both). Moira Pfeiffer, MS, CVRT Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapist Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Bureau of Blindness & Visual Services 444 North 3rd Street, 5th Floor Philadelphia, PA. 19123 Phone: (215) 965-4872 Fax: (215) 965-4873 mpfeiffer@xxxxxxxxxxx www.dli.state.pa.us -----Original Message----- From: visionrehabtherapist-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx[mailto:visionrehabtherapist-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of Robin IllersSent: Thursday, January 08, 2009 1:39 PM To: visionrehabtherapist@xxxxxxxxxxxxx; guidinggolden@xxxxxxxxx; dasmot@xxxxxxx Subject: [visionrehabtherapist] Re: Threadinga sewing machine and sewing machine suggestions The flat needle threader with hooks on each end is called LoRan. This website has them for purchase. They may also be available elsewhere. http://www.nordicneedle.com/PROD/6817.html Robin Illers CVRT, Rehabilitation Instructor Oregon Commission for the Blind 444 NE Winchester, PMB 13B Roseburg, OR 97470 robin.illers@xxxxxxxxxxx phone: (541) 492-1171Debra Sokol-McKay <dasmot@xxxxxxx> 1/8/2009 8:44 AM >>>Hi Robin, Can you give us the name and manufacturer of the product? Hopefully it is not just "made in china." Debbie ---- Original message ----Date: Thu, 08 Jan 2009 07:52:52 -0800 From: "Robin Illers" <Robin.Illers@xxxxxxxxxxx> Subject: [visionrehabtherapist] Re: Threading a sewing machine and sewingmachine suggestionsTo: <visionrehabtherapist@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>,<guidinggolden@xxxxxxxxx> There are "handicapped" sewing machine needles that have a slit down one side. They work best for straight stitching, but not well for zigzagging or other patterns. I recently found a flat metal needle threader that is about 1.5 long and has different sized flat hooks on each end. I am looking forward to trying this one, since the hook is open on one side and is not threaded like other needle threaders. I purchased it at a local fabric store last month and am hoping it stays on the market. Robin Illers CVRT, Rehabilitation Instructor Oregon Commission for the Blind 444 NE Winchester, PMB 13B Roseburg, OR 97470 robin.illers@xxxxxxxxxxx phone: (541) 492-1171 >>> "Shelley L. Rhodes" <guidinggolden@xxxxxxxxx> 1/8/2009 6:35 AM >>> I am curious if any of you, have suggestions on how to make threading a sewing machine easier? I have a customer who loves to quilt, and has two sewing machines, and has recently lost some vision. I don't have a sewing machine myself, I want one, smile, so I was wondering if anyone has come up with some easy or creative ways to get that thread into the needle. We tried the floss threader, wire needle threader (best so far), self threading needles (she loves), but wondering if there are other methods that work out well? Also, smile, does anyone have a favorite brand or type of sewing machine that is good for a blind beginner sewer? thanks. Shelley L. Rhodes, M.A., VRT And Guinevere: Golden Lady Guide Dog guidinggolden@xxxxxxxxx Guide Dogs for the Blind Alumni Association www.guidedogs.com The people who burned witches at the stake never for one moment thought of their act as violence; rather they thought of it as an act of divinely mandated righteousness. The same can be said of most of the violence we humans have ever committed. -Gil Bailie, author and lecturer (b. 1944) *********************************** To view archives, edit list settings, subscribe or unsubscribe from list: www.freelists.org/list/visionrehabtherapist Administrator e-mail: dietz1112@xxxxxxxxx*********************************** To view archives, edit list settings, subscribe or unsubscribe from list: www.freelists.org/list/visionrehabtherapist Administrator e-mail: dietz1112@xxxxxxxxx *********************************** To view archives, edit list settings, subscribe or unsubscribe from list: www.freelists.org/list/visionrehabtherapist Administrator e-mail: dietz1112@xxxxxxxxx
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