puckering. I am at a loss and dont want to throw out another t-shirt. And no it cannot be saved even broke my embroidery foot. Help please Lisa

Lisa, it LQQKs as if you have your answer for this - I use a really strong but soft mesh cutaway in the hoop - with a WSS above the t-shirt. I don't hoop my t-shirt - but pin it in place/and or use a basting stitch around the edge of the hoop. I also use a temporary spray - to adhere the t-shirt to the stabilizer - before basting or pinning into place. I have had some good luck with t-shirts in the past - but before I learned what worked for me - I had alot of places to sample those new designs on, too. *4U

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by quiltgrama 08 Apr 2009

Thanks

Sorry about the Tee but u will find uses for it so don't throw away. I , most of the time use an iron on stabilizer for my T shirts or no show mesh. I never use the tear away on tshirts. I have used a heavy cut away but hooped the stabilizer only & pinned shirt n place, then ran a basting stitch around inside hoop, removed pins & then embroidered. this works well for me. *4u

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by quiltgrama 08 Apr 2009

thanks Lil for answering.

Sorry you had trouble. Don't throw out you t-shirts. Save them to use for test stitch outs for your next design you want to put on a t-shirt.

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by quiltgrama 08 Apr 2009

I never thought about that very good idea will fish it out of garbage.

I had the same trouble with my first T-shirt, but I didnt put it into the garbage. I used the 'rest' for some small projects and bought the same color Tshirt and put embroidered pockets on. :)All the suggestions in this post are wonderful! I also use 2 layers of tear-away (iron on tear away or spray adhesive if you don't have iron-on powder), and a layer of WSS on the top, this last makes a big difference on your work. I wonder if we can't find iron-on powder in Australia or US, they are a lot better than spray adhesive. Hugs&* Yoriko

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by quiltgrama 08 Apr 2009

Thank you

When you are doing any type of embroidery on stretch knit or fleecy you need an iron on stabilizer. There is absolutely NO difference between cut away or tear away. The only thing is if the fabric is very stretchy you might want to cut the stabilizer away instead of tearing it away.
If it has just an outline, one layer should be enough. If it has some fill stitches in it you may need to slip some normal tear away under the hoop.You always hoop the T-shirt and iron on stabilizer. It should have 3 rows of stitches. The first row of stitches you stitch straight on to the T-shirt. This shows you where the piece of fabric will go. If it has been digitized correctly there should be 3 different colours so the machine will stop after each stage.You will use the one colour, that is the colour you want for the outline. When you have done the first lot of stitches, cut the thread, but don't take the hoop of the machine.these will show you where the fabric goes. Cut a piece slightly larger then the sewn area. Place it on top of this area and either hold it carefully in place whilst it does the 2nd lot of run stitches, or dab a little fabric glue inside the sewn area and press gently. I strongly advice against spray glue as it messes up your machine and needles and you get overspray.The 2nd row of stitches will hold this in place. Take the hoop of the machine, but don't unhoop the T-shirt, and cut as close as you can to these stitches. Then you put the hoop back ojn the machine and it will stitch the final row of applique stitches.ALWAYS slow your machine right down when doing any type of outline stitches, and a no.11 needle should be fine.
You should have no problems doing it this way.

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by quiltgrama 08 Apr 2009

thank you for your help.

It took me quite awhile to learn how to do T-shirts. Don't use a tear away stabilizer.It isn't strong enough to stay put. No show is great use 2 layers, one on the shirt going north & south and another going east & west.That way the fibers are going opposite ways making it stronger.Use a spray adheasive to keep things in place. If you only have cut away use it the same way.I always use a WSS on the top so your stitches don't disappear. Puckering comes when you don't have the hoop tight enough but you don't want to stretch the shirt. A sharp needle is the next step and slow down your machine if you have that option. I also like the T-shirts that are a little heavier since they don't seem to stretch as much and there is more for the stitches to grip.
JMHO. Hope this helps.

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by quiltgrama 09 Apr 2009

thanks for the help

For T-shirts you need at least 2 layers of stabilizer and possibly a 3rd depending on the stitch density; an iron-on cut-away on the shirt to keep it from stretching and a heavy tear-away to help support the stitches. A topping is helpful if you have a dense design. Check out the "Solutions" at Floriani (RNK Distributing) and print out the stabilizer workbook.

Hi Lisa,

I had a similar problem a couple of weeks ago. I bought Tear-away stabiliser as it is stronger and I also used a new needle about an 12/80. I made sure the hoop was nice and taut but not overtight as it will stretch the T-shirt fabric too much. Some people have recommended trying out the design on a scrap piece of t-shirting (but I don't have any)so went ahead straight onto the T-shirt. I had thrown one out the week before and of course it gets expensive. Also before you start make sure that under the bobbin area there is no lint or fluff etc. Ensure the thread is correctly threaded too - even the slightest catch will stuff up the sewing. Sometimes I also make the speed slower.

So:-
1 - make sure you have the correct stabiliser (or backing)

2 - a very sharp needle

3 - good embroidery thread. Try not to use Black as the last stitching thread which finishes off most embroideries. I have been told that because it is dyed a couple of times it weakens the thread. So I have been using a dark grey, or light grey thread.

I am sure there will be other suggestions too.

Love and blessings Chris
(P.S. sometimes it is just a matter of trial and error - and of course some things thrown away!) Gosh this is an expensive hobby!!!! LOL

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by pennifold 07 Apr 2009

Actually I meant Cut-away as it is stronger! Silly goose!

by quiltgrama 08 Apr 2009

Thank you will try all the suggestions.

You may want to be sure you have a sharp needle. They should be replaced according to my dealer every 8 hours of use. Also, you need to use stablizer on the bottom and possibly water soluble stabalizer on the top. You might want to try using a spray fixative like 505 between the stabalizer and your fabric. You could also baste the fabric to the stabalizer. On my machine I can do a "fix" which stitches a box around the design with a basting stitch. Good luck. Don't give up. Others may have more suggestions.