Hello I am new to embroidering and I am having trouble embroidering on any fabric that is not thick. I need help choosing the correct stabilizers. I have a pe770. Also I ordered a basting spray and Im not sure why but every time I use it as a temporary adhesive my needle gets gunked up, the thread breaks, and the whole embroidery is ruined. Is the spray I chose incorrect and if so which one should I purchase?.

I have successfully used 505 [lightly]. Needles are also play a very big part in a good result. The finer the fabric, the finer the needle. Personally I tend to stick to #12 or #11. I do not have experience in the ultra-fine fabrics with embroidery as I've not tried organza or the like.

Creative Machine Embroidery magazine blog has an article with just this info. Here is a link for you. Hugs. Nan W

I have been emb for about 14 years----wow----I learned a lot from your post-----you will find so many useful and helpful answers here---good luck in your embroidering-----you will find what you like to do by trying and playing----and you will find how to do it best for your machine----have fun and just enjoy---and remember this is a great place to find help and support and answers---GOD bless you!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you. I'll look for the spray you guys are talking about.

I use 505 spray adhesive.... It does not gum up the needles ... Make sure that says that on the can. if it does not don't use it for embroidery. It does not take much to stick down you fabric... You have a good list of adhesive sprays that can be used. successfully. Good luck hope this helps you and welcome to Cute!

I use spray adhesive all the time. You only need a very small amount. My needles never get gummed up but my hoops get a bit sticky. I use either 505 or Madeira. If using fine material I also use a basting stitch

1 comment

by airyfairy 27 Mar 2017

I should add that I only spray the stablizer

Most of the temporary adhesive sprays will gunk up the needle a bit. You can watch and use alcohol pads to clean the needle periodically or just pin your item down and use a baste around stitch to hold it in place. Another option is iron on stabilizer. Good luck with your stitching. Hugs. Nan W

The temporary adhesive spray that I use is Sulky KK2000. It's safe for you, non-flammable, non-toxic, ozone friendly and no CFC or HCFC. It will make a little round ball on my needle after many thousand stitches, but I just pinch it off the needle.
The stabilizer that I use for light weight fabrics (such as t-shirts) is polyester mesh. I use 2 thicknesses and hoop both the shirt and the stabilizer before stitching. Grab an old t-shirt and practice on the front and back experimenting with the tightness of your hoop and the tautness of the fabric. Keep asking here if you don't get the results that you want. We are happy to help.

I'm guessing that spray is for hand quilting. Thin fabrics, such as batiste, are difficult and not ideal for stitching. My favorites to stitch on for garments would be microfiber (sets the stitches up so pretty), quality denim or linen.

I don't have your machine but I wouldn't use the spray where the needle is to go. Even sticky stabilizer will gum up a needle.
Sounds like you are not hooping your fabric correctly if you can only embroider on thick fabric.
I use a tear away or a cutaway depending on what I am using. Also you can use double sided tape around the edge of the hoop on the stabilizer if you don't want to put the fabric in the hoop.

Spray just the stabilizer, not the fabric. Spray lightly and don't hold the can close to the stabilizer. Use a spray that is for machine embroidery. I've had this problem with some sprays. I'd keep a Qtip with a little Goo B Gone on it and rub down the needle with it when I'd see the needled getting gummed up which was quilt ofter. Be careful not to get it on the fabric or thread.

There is a learning curve to finding out what works best for you and your machine. While I don't like sinking money into something that doesn't work for me, I don't like problems with my sewing machine either. Save this spray for when you discover that there are quilting designs for machine embroidery use!

I have a PE770 too and stay away from basting spray because I have the same results that you describe. If I use it at all I try to stay away from the area that the design will be stitched on, doing only the edges.

It looks like this spray is for quilting.

I have never used this one. My Baby Lock dealer suggested kk2000. Which I have used since I started embroidering. You have to use temporary spray away from your machine. Spray your stabilizer where you are going to place design. Maybe this will help from getting gunked up. Good Luck!