My reliable old Brother 2005 zig zags perfectly on cotton but when I switch over to spandex it doesn't work at all. The needle zigs but it doesn't zag (i.e. it looks like it's going back and forth but it's not catching anything). I have to make a dance costume and the deadline is looming!

Joanne, April 2008

Hello Joanne,
First make sure you have an anti-static needle, if that does not work get a soft toilet roll, put it on your lap and sew the toilet roll onto the fabric, it can be a bit time consuming but as far as I know that is the only way because of the static build up on the needle.

drivewithken@blueyonder.co.uk, April 2008