DIY Failure - Costco Throws

**elgecko** · 03-19-2017, 20:35

Well last year I bought 2 of the Costco Down throws hoping to make a summer top and under quilt.
I have not sewed anything since I was in school.....to give you an idea, I graduated in 1989.

I had seamed ripped the one to use as an under quilt months ago. Today I got my mom's sewing machine and had her show me how to thread it, a quick tutorial on use, and practiced on some scrap material she had.

Here is my failed attempt sewing the under quilt.
Thread fail.jpg

thread fail2.jpg

So as you can see I can not sew. LOL Think it has to do with tension of some setting. Decided it was easier to purchase a made one over playing and getting frustrated.
I solved the problem by purchasing a 40 degree Phoenix by HG.

Now the issue is the top quilt. I wanted to cut 5" to 10" off the width and add it to the length of the throw. Since I found out I can not sew I just went ahead and ran a test using clips to see how the throw would work without any modification.
Wish the throw was a little longer, but did just work. I placed some KAM snaps to make a foot box.

concept TQ.jpg

TQ final.jpg

Guess I might as well put the one for the under quilt up for sale. I won't be doing anything with it.....

**Drum Man** · 03-19-2017, 20:49

What color is the other one?

**Tyler883** · 03-19-2017, 20:50

UQ can be very simple. Attach a tarp clamp on each corner. Tie shock cord from your biner to each corner.

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**BigE94** · 03-19-2017, 21:26

Yep. Looks like a tension issue to me. Also keep your ends out of the way. Keep trying.

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**jellyfish** · 03-19-2017, 21:43

Definitely needle tension. How did it sew on the scrap?

**Trail Troll** · 03-19-2017, 21:50

It does get easier, just keep trying. If I may suggest something. Order some raw materials and make some stuff sacks. It's a very easy project and can help get you familiar with your machine. Maybe do a new hammock for your self or a friend. Then try tackling a quilt.

My first project was my 11' hammock and a double ended stuff sack. Then I went to two gravity filters with stuff sacks. None of which are very pretty, yet they are functionally sound. You will get better, just keep at it.

**Canoefor2** · 03-19-2017, 21:50

Go get some rip stop material from JoAnn fabrics and work on a bag to learn both sewing and your machine.

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**rick417** · 03-19-2017, 22:02

I wish I had your guts to try. Sounds like some good advice given for some other projects, but I wanted to give you a big KUDOS for trying and hope you do not give up as you apparently attempted a fairly advanced sewing task!

**leiavoia** · 03-19-2017, 23:53

There are definitely no-sew options for your other quilt. I just spent last night in one such thing. Worked well.

**xrayit** · 03-20-2017, 06:05

That is some seriously thick thread that you are using, I have three sewing machines and two of them don't like the thick tread. No matter what I do with the tension adjustments they will not settle down to a nice stitch. My Janome 3000 will sew using any thread / fabric combo. Do you really need a hard core thread on the quilts? I would try a good quality new spool of smaller diameter poly thread before abandoning the project.