My trouble is the vinyl window...when I'm done stitching, it wants to come away from the hole...at the perferations that the needle has made. This is the second time now, that I've tried these I SPY BAGS, with the same results. Right now, the vinyl that I am using is from Walmart...red writting on the back...not sure what guage, but it's quite thick, but not the thickest they have. Does anyone have an idea what I'm doing wrong? I wanted to get one done for my little niece to take with her when she goes to pick up her new little sister in Colombia in a couple weeks...hhmmm...seems like it should work, just can't figure out what I could do to make it work!!

What is I SPY BAG? It looks fine, is it applique?

Thank you for asking about working with plastic.
Hope to remember your tips if I ever try using plastic.

By the way, my vinyl is the red Walmart brand also.

1 comment

by kkcogle 07 Aug 2010

thanks again! It's too bad that it's 11:00 pm right now, or I would go start the machine up! But...I was up at 6am with my Farmers Market...came home, cleaned a Condo, did all the laundry from the Condo, mowed and trimmed the grass...went to eat, watered the grass and finally sat down! Now, I can't get up! Tomorrow's another day!!!!!!!!

I've made tons of I Spy bags. I had the vinyl punch out of the first couple I made, so this is what I have done since. I embroider the entire design. I usually hoop the fabric with a piece of cutaway and WSS. This helps to give me a very tidy outline for the "window" shape The I spy section works like applique that you cut out your fabric before you do the satin stitch. AFTER the satin stitch is complete, I place the plastic UNDER the hoop(sort of floating under). I return to the outline and tack down stitches of the "window shape". Stitch these out. That gives you two rows of stitching that attaches you vinyl to your fabric. I trim the vinyl leaving about 1 inch around. If your embroidery machine has trouble with the vinyl sticking to the bed of your machine, just put a piece of copy paper between the vinyl and the bed of the machine. You can just pull this off after the stitching is done. Clear as mud? Here are a few of the I Spy bags I have made.

5 images:[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]

2 comments

by ansalu 07 Aug 2010

Where did you get the gril from photo5? It's so cute...

by kkcogle 07 Aug 2010

THANKS! I can see how your method would work MUCH better than the way I was trying...I will give this a try! :)

I have not made the I spy bag but I have made a peekaboo car seat cover for my GD. I just looked at my vinyl and it is yellow on the back paper and has pic's of lamps and tables, car and other things on it. I bought it at Ben Franklin and they do have an on line store. It did not say what MM it is but it has lasted washing and has not come apart. I did a placement stitch then a zig zag for a decorative finish. You didn't say if this was an ITH or if you were just doing it from scratch. Anyways good luck on it hope you can get it done in time.

1 comment

by kkcogle 07 Aug 2010

It was an ITH design that I had...I have some good tips here, so hopefully, the next one will be much better!

What size needle are you using? It could be that the needle is making too large of a puncture which is causing the vinyl to pull out. What seam width? If you are too close to the edge it will pull out also. I've never done this, but try using page protectors and see if you have the same problem. Just a suggestion.

2 comments

by kkcogle 06 Aug 2010

I either have an 11 or 14 needle in machine...the design does a satin stitch around the inside of the circle...and this is where it's pulling away.

by keeponsewing 07 Aug 2010

Those needles should be okay. Maybe do a stay stitch first then satin stitch. Just a thought.

please post a picture..i'd love to see one.

1 comment

by kkcogle 06 Aug 2010

they really are a cute idea....I'll post if I can get it to sew out.

I have never used really thick vinyl - but I did learn - that if you use a masking tape - when you stitch - on the wrong side of the vinyl - that it helps the stitching and you will have less breakage - but I have never made a I Spy bag.

1 images:[1]

2 comments

by kkcogle 06 Aug 2010

Thanks, Shirlene. I'm wondering if I should try a lighter weight vinyl. And I could give your masking tape tip a try, as well. I want Marisa to have one of these I SPY bags sooo bad...to take with her to Colombia! She will need a few new things to play with while they are there picking up my new little niece, Isabel. I thought she would get a kick out of this. Well, back to the drawing board! Your little hearts a very cute...are they candy bags?

by keeponsewing 06 Aug 2010

How pretty Shirlene. :)