I like to stitch out at least some of each step. I use the same color of thread. It gives me a little more confidence, as I still get nervous when I start each design.
If I know where the design is from, and have done embroidery on that kind of fabric and it looks good ok no test, but if it is a fabric I have not stitched on before then do a teat.
I buy designs only from the checked designers.
we have the forum. and for quality of those designs I don't worry. At our forum there is also a training. The quality of designs of pupils is watched by the teacher. Earlier I bought any and different designs too. often I wasn't happy with quality of these projects.
If you embroider recently - the test is necessary. The test will give you confidence. Further analysis of an embroidery. If everything arranges - we embroider safely!
And there is a reason to do the test.
You don't know for what fabric the design is made. What well for jeans isn't suitable for knitwear. Each fabric requires the different stabilizer. It is technology of an embroidery. Further it is required it is damp thermal treatment of fabric with an embroidery. Often projects which show are made badly. Fabric under an embroidery shouldn't be pulled together. Sometimes reasons a little: wrong tension, wrong stabilizer, bad design. Doing the test on a fabric rag you won't spoil a good thing. These test embroideries can be used in life. for various rugs.
I usually observe "the embroidery simulator" in the Wilcom TrueSizer e3.0 program. It is possible to observe color of design. To make the flowchart + the card of color for design. she is free. on the website of Wilcom producer. Also it is the converter. if it is required, it is possible to transfer design to a necessary format of an embroidery.
Another reason I do test stitching is of the color order. Sometimes it's hard to tell which part of the design is being stitched, and the number of the color can be all wrong. For example, I bought an elephant design for my towels. The elephant would have ended up being blue instead of gray, if I had not done a test first.
And those test stitch-outs are a gold mine. They be stitched onto totes, shopping bags, turned into wonderful little books for babies. And the list goes on. Keep testing those designs.
I always run a design through my software so I can see exactly how it will stitch out, mainly looking for under stitches. The only time I do a stitch out is when it is for something or someone special.
A test stitch is always a VERY wise thing to do, it can prevent a lot of heartache caused when a design doesn't stitch out well and it ruins a more expensive item of clothing or whatever.
And some designs are so badly mapped or have so many jump stitches it can ruin the design by pulling on sections, or just cause major annoyance that the finished design looks untidy or somehow, just not right.
I ALWAYS advise any of my friends or clients to test stitch my designs to make sure they are completely happy with them, as it is easier for me to make adjustments to a design that it is to replace a whole item.
You don't need to change colours so you can pick up a single large spool of good quality thread, one Rayon and one Polyester, in a colour that will show up faults such as a bright turquoise, and use that for your testing.
I do advise that your choice of fabric for the test should be as close as possible to that of the project you are working on.
Doing a test stitch also gives you a chance to experiment with needle sizes, thread tension and even if you want to use a metallic thread for some areas, you don't need to stitch out the whole design, ***just jump through to the segment you want in metallic and stitch that segment, with a well digitised design you should be able to do this.
Of course this*** doesn't apply to outlined designs, you always need to stitch the whole design to see if the outlines marry up correctly as designs can look great on the screen but may pull when stitched so that the outline doesn't sit nicely where it is supposed to sit.
I keep an array of previously unwanted towels, T shirts of different fabrics, shirts, sheets etc., some used but all different thicknesses, often purchased very cheaply from Charity shops, (Goodwill I think you call them) and no, I don't think this is wrong as the money from such sales goes to help others and there is an abundance of cheap clothing available these days, more than enough to go around.
So next time hubby comments just ask him, (in a beguiling manner, :-) Darling, you wouldn't REALLY want to see me devastated and distraught over an article ruined by a disastrous design, would you?
Hugs n roses, Meganne
Thanks Meganne.
I always feel comfortable with doing a test stitch.
It's just when he comments things like that he gets me to thinking. After all HE IS my biggest critic
Oh Yes, I also have one of those. TeeHeeHee!
Mine shares all my ups and downs with embroidery and digitising, with such loving support, he doesn't like to see me upset, hence my suggestion. :-)
I'm the same as mrskiki. Also if I trust the designer I will probably not do a test sew. If it is a special project or special material then I probably would do a test sew. Sometimes its useful to test out your colour choices.
Modern machines are very strong. I used to work with a sewing machine dealer and we had machines going all day, every day.
If I am working on something that is not mine and/or cannot be easily or not expensively replaced, I do test sew. Otherwise not. Just do what makes you comfortable. Usually it does not take that much thread and the machine can handle it! Hugs. Nan W
I have had expensive designs from apparent reputable designers stitch out terribly despite doing everything else right. Tried all sorts to find out it was the designs. Wasted so much time thread and good fabric. Lesson learnt. Reason why I am now digitizing my own designs as i am far too picky. On other hand I have also had designs from others that stitch out jusy beautifully. Not all designs are equal and testing is a good idea for important projects because the conbination of everything put together can change things.
If I am making something for someone else or am not able to replace the item to embroider on then I test on similar fabric, stabiliser etc. I Use the tests for totes, picnic rug blocks etc.
I don't test sew. I have come to know which digitizers produce quality work and they are the designs I use. There are too many people buying digitizing software and setting up to sell designs straightaway without putting in the hard yards learning the science of digitizing.
If I could, I would give you a hundred flowers for posting your comment as it is there that the biggest problem lies.
Thank you. hugs n roses, Meganne
I usually buy from sites that I know have good quality designs. Regardless, I don't see the value in a test stitchout if you can't stitch on the fabric that you are using in your project. I've been known to do a test just on stabilizer. I bought a bolt of it on sale really cheaply and I put 2 layers crosshatched in the hoop and stitch on that. I use a single color thread that I don't like and have no idea why I bought such an ugly color.
The problem with doing this is that you really can't judge how it will stitchout on the fabric in your project. I rarely do this, but once in a while it comes in handy to actually see the design stitch for real and not just on the computer.
Thanks for your input everyone. Even though I have never had trouble with any design I have bought, I still feel better if I do a test.
I don't test sew. But, my friend who did always did his on inexpensive muslin (yards and yards of exactly the same color muslin). Then he took his stitchouts and stitched them together for an "apron" on the front of his many fireplaces (old house). He had Christmas themed, spring, fall, religious and general. Oh, and he grouped vari-colored together and put the backstitch/quilt outline types by themselves.
I also usually do not test designs since I buy them from digitisers that I know deliver good quality
There are loads of uses for stitch outs. Also I did a craft fair last weekend and sold a load.
PS there is usually a reason why I do a stitch out. I don’t do them all the time
I don't usually test designs. If I have bought them from a reputable digitiser, it shouldn't be necessary.
It is important to remember that testing with fabric and thread other than that you plan to use in your project really is a waste of time.
It is true what he says, but if you have ever stitched out a design that was not digitized well and ruined item you stitched it on, then you'll know why we should always do a test sew.
Thank you. I always worry, if I don't do a test firs. That's why I test each design before putting it on my project