This video was so helpful for me to know, that you CAN sew cotton with the Heavy Duty machine. It makes my hesitation go away, because I really think about buying the 1541 one day. Thanks and all the best to you!
Make sure that it is interfaced! Oddly I have never had to make adjustments on mine...be sure when you purchase your 1541...you adjust the pressure as it will be super weighted for leather. I eased up the pressure for vinyl and lighter weight fabrics. I hope this helps!
So happy to be helpful Nancy! I want to encourage you to just keep working on your 1541. It is a big machine and such an asset! You will be less intimidated by it with time and practice.
@@SandcastleDesigns one more question….I typically use only bonded nylon Tex 70 but have bonded polyester that this machine does not seem to like. Is this a tension issue and if so, will I need to adjust upper and lower tensions?
@@nancychandler7289 it could be an adjustment in tension from one thread to another. I have only used polyester thread in my machines. My first thoughts are if you like a specific thread, stay with one kind. It makes life easier. 💕
I just bought a new JUKI 1541S! I am going to cover door panels on a Model T with Velour on a 1/4” fabric backed foam. On my samples the velour was puckering really bad...I reduced the pressure on the feet which helped a little but then I tried putting stabilizer between the velour and the foam and it stitched perfectly. I LOVE this machine! Thanks for your tutorial!
Thank you so much! I‘m just about to order my 1541, and the machine dealer said, he‘d suggest that I get a different machine, because the 1541 might be too heavy duty for the vinyl/pleather bags I‘m sewing. If it can handle interfaced quilting cotton, just two layers, then four layers of vinyl aren’t going to be too lightweight either. This video has helped me a lot in my decision making - in favor for the 1541. Regards from Germany 🇩🇪
When your machine arrives it will be set up for leather....you will be changing the needle, the pressure, and the tension. Let me know if you need help with this! Some super light vinyls do get chewed up with heavy pressure. I have see it on seams when topstitching. Be aware of this! You really have to release pressure and watch your feet, make sure you are using a smooth bottom foot. Also I just purchased a new foot from Sailrite that is a skinny foot, I will most likely shoot a video on this soon!
@@SandcastleDesigns I already told my dealer, that I need this foot, he said he has them in stock, and he is going to set up the machine in my house, according to my material. But thank you very much for offering your help, because sooner or later I WILL bump into problems (I think we are both members of the same Juki owners group on fb), sewing with neoprene is always a challenge, so I‘m sure I‘ll get back to you. And I had this happening with my cylinder: Chewed up a bunch of Vinyl bag edges, while topstitching, until I figured out how to deal with the foot pressure.
Good to know that the 1541 will do #40 thread, but that cotton with the interface is nearly as heavy as 500D Cordura, yet it still puckered. I know the machine isn't built for doing that type of fabric. I bet if you did that without the interface, you would have a ruffle!
My pressure is really light on my machine..you may have to adjust your pressure as well..I have never had puckering. I also never sew quilting cotton without it being interfaced on lining. If I am sewing garments...that is always done on a domestic machine. I hope this helps!
Did you try also adjusting the bobbin tension as well as the upper thread tension?, the upper tension and bobbin tensions need to balance to ovoid puckering on light materials.
This was helpful, thank you! I just started using the JUKI yesterday on cordora and wanted to try cotton, but I wasn't sure if you could on that machine. Should I change to a smaller needle?
@@vicngiosmom oh yeah that needle would be a heavy duty leather needle. Switch it out for a size 18 I believe. I’m all packed up to move otherwise I could tell you more precisely. But if memory serves me I’m thinking it was a size 18.
I have to say that I have never sewn knits on my 1541s. I have only sewn knits on my Juki serger and domestic machines that can handle the stretch. The only way I would sew a stretch fabric on a 1541s is if were stabilized to remove the stretch. The speed won’t matter. You also have to work with completely different threads, needles, and pressure.
Yes Jen! I used the Mara 70 for both the top and bobbin! The cotton was interfaced, I'm not sure if it was SF101 or Wovenfuse, I may have mentioned which in the video...but both are comparable. I have even used a Polyester Tex 70 thread on it since then. It's much heavier, but still works!
When I sew a bag, I sew the interior and exterior separately. Personally I sew the interior first. The simple answer is yes, you would set the machine up for cotton and sew your interior on the cotton, then switch it over for the exterior. You are going to hate me...but I own 9 machines, so I don't personally have to change out the threads on one machine. I have one machine set up for interiors, one machine for exteriors, and one machine for topstitching. Before all this though....that is exactly how I performed. Interior first, then I switched it over for exterior. However, you can also complete your exterior first and move on to the interior as I believe many patterns are set up for. It's just personal preference. I seem to do things backwards. I hope this helps!!!
Yes both my Juki 1541s and my Thor 1341 came with speed reducers. So the Juki Servo motor is set at 1200 and the Thor is set at 2000, however I am not sure they are operating at those speeds with the reducer belts on them, they literally can stitch one stitch at a time for me.
This video was so helpful for me to know, that you CAN sew cotton with the Heavy Duty machine. It makes my hesitation go away, because I really think about buying the 1541 one day. Thanks and all the best to you!
Make sure that it is interfaced! Oddly I have never had to make adjustments on mine...be sure when you purchase your 1541...you adjust the pressure as it will be super weighted for leather. I eased up the pressure for vinyl and lighter weight fabrics. I hope this helps!
It’s so kind of you to share your knowledge. I will be watching all your videos and will learn a lot more!
Thank you for making this video! I just purchased a 1541S and this was one of the main things I was wondering 🙌🏼. You’re awesome!
Congratulations!!! Message me if you need help!
This was a big help. Messing with tensions makes me anxious. I love my 1541 but it intimidates me. Thanks this really helps!
So happy to be helpful Nancy! I want to encourage you to just keep working on your 1541. It is a big machine and such an asset! You will be less intimidated by it with time and practice.
@@SandcastleDesigns one more question….I typically use only bonded nylon Tex 70 but have bonded polyester that this machine does not seem to like. Is this a tension issue and if so, will I need to adjust upper and lower tensions?
@@nancychandler7289 it could be an adjustment in tension from one thread to another. I have only used polyester thread in my machines. My first thoughts are if you like a specific thread, stay with one kind. It makes life easier. 💕
@@SandcastleDesigns agree! Thanks again!
I love love Juki.I hope one day to acquire one.Thanks for the video.
Have you bought one yet? Fingers crossed!
I just bought a new JUKI 1541S! I am going to cover door panels on a Model T with Velour on a 1/4” fabric backed foam.
On my samples the velour was puckering really bad...I reduced the pressure on the feet which helped a little but then I tried putting stabilizer between the velour and the foam and it stitched perfectly. I LOVE this machine! Thanks for your tutorial!
Corinne! Yesss! When your 1541s is delivered it is set up for sewing leather. I love that you were able to make adjustments like this!!! Great job!! 💕
Thank you for this video, it was VERY helpful! My machine is still pretty new to me but I love it! Sews so smoothly.
Fantastic Bonnie! Super excited for you!
Thank you so much! I‘m just about to order my 1541, and the machine dealer said, he‘d suggest that I get a different machine, because the 1541 might be too heavy duty for the vinyl/pleather bags I‘m sewing. If it can handle interfaced quilting cotton, just two layers, then four layers of vinyl aren’t going to be too lightweight either. This video has helped me a lot in my decision making - in favor for the 1541. Regards from Germany 🇩🇪
When your machine arrives it will be set up for leather....you will be changing the needle, the pressure, and the tension. Let me know if you need help with this! Some super light vinyls do get chewed up with heavy pressure. I have see it on seams when topstitching. Be aware of this! You really have to release pressure and watch your feet, make sure you are using a smooth bottom foot. Also I just purchased a new foot from Sailrite that is a skinny foot, I will most likely shoot a video on this soon!
@@SandcastleDesigns I already told my dealer, that I need this foot, he said he has them in stock, and he is going to set up the machine in my house, according to my material. But thank you very much for offering your help, because sooner or later I WILL bump into problems (I think we are both members of the same Juki owners group on fb), sewing with neoprene is always a challenge, so I‘m sure I‘ll get back to you. And I had this happening with my cylinder: Chewed up a bunch of Vinyl bag edges, while topstitching, until I figured out how to deal with the foot pressure.
@@petersiliekrause2203 Oh perfect! You can't ask for better customer service than that!!!
Good to know that the 1541 will do #40 thread, but that cotton with the interface is nearly as heavy as 500D Cordura, yet it still puckered. I know the machine isn't built for doing that type of fabric. I bet if you did that without the interface, you would have a ruffle!
My pressure is really light on my machine..you may have to adjust your pressure as well..I have never had puckering. I also never sew quilting cotton without it being interfaced on lining. If I am sewing garments...that is always done on a domestic machine. I hope this helps!
Did you try also adjusting the bobbin tension as well as the upper thread tension?, the upper tension and bobbin tensions need to balance to ovoid puckering on light materials.
I’ve never had to adjust the bobbin tension.
Wow, you’re good!
You must be my biggest fan!
@@SandcastleDesigns yes I am!
Holding the tails makes a big difference when sewing interfaced cotton on my 1181n.
Yes! Such an important habit to create! Thanks Jo!
This was helpful, thank you!
I just started using the JUKI yesterday on cordora and wanted to try cotton, but I wasn't sure if you could on that machine. Should I change to a smaller needle?
What size were you using for the cordora?
@@SandcastleDesigns I'm not sure. It was whatever needle the dealer already had in there. They had demonstrated by stitching vinyl and canvas.
@@vicngiosmom oh yeah that needle would be a heavy duty leather needle. Switch it out for a size 18 I believe. I’m all packed up to move otherwise I could tell you more precisely. But if memory serves me I’m thinking it was a size 18.
Thank you for the great info. I can’t seem to find a video on how to change a needle on a Juki 1541s. Can you please help?
I certainly can work on this! Do you have the 1541 manual?
Have you tried sewing interfacing knits on the 1541 and do you recommend a slower speed when doing things like this?
I have to say that I have never sewn knits on my 1541s. I have only sewn knits on my Juki serger and domestic machines that can handle the stretch. The only way I would sew a stretch fabric on a 1541s is if were stabilized to remove the stretch. The speed won’t matter. You also have to work with completely different threads, needles, and pressure.
Thank you for this video. When you sewed the cotton fabric, did you also use the Mara 70 for the bobbin?
Yes Jen! I used the Mara 70 for both the top and bobbin! The cotton was interfaced, I'm not sure if it was SF101 or Wovenfuse, I may have mentioned which in the video...but both are comparable. I have even used a Polyester Tex 70 thread on it since then. It's much heavier, but still works!
When sewing a bag and going from the vinyl exterior to the interfaced cotton lining, do you stop to change threads and tension from Tex 69 to mara 70?
When I sew a bag, I sew the interior and exterior separately. Personally I sew the interior first. The simple answer is yes, you would set the machine up for cotton and sew your interior on the cotton, then switch it over for the exterior. You are going to hate me...but I own 9 machines, so I don't personally have to change out the threads on one machine. I have one machine set up for interiors, one machine for exteriors, and one machine for topstitching. Before all this though....that is exactly how I performed. Interior first, then I switched it over for exterior. However, you can also complete your exterior first and move on to the interior as I believe many patterns are set up for. It's just personal preference. I seem to do things backwards. I hope this helps!!!
Do you have a speed regulator on your machine? If so what do you have, settings. Etc?
Yes both my Juki 1541s and my Thor 1341 came with speed reducers. So the Juki Servo motor is set at 1200 and the Thor is set at 2000, however I am not sure they are operating at those speeds with the reducer belts on them, they literally can stitch one stitch at a time for me.