I've seen the tips for reusing scraps of WSS, but I have approached this from the other direction! Planning to do some FSL bookmarks, I took a piece of strong cotton fabric big enough for my hoop and cut a window in the centre big enough for a bookmark (with fairly generous clearance.) I hand basted a piece of heavy WSS into the window before hooping the fabric. It worked well, and the cotton fabric was easier to get taut in the hoop than the WSS would have been. I think I've made three bookmarks using the same amount of stabiliser as I would have used for one in the conventional way.

upu should post this on embridery lib
thanks for tip Lena Mae

THANKS FOR SHARING, GOT SOMETHING NEW FROM EVERYONE!!!

Thanks for the tips.
*4u!

I modified the method using ordinary sticky tape instead of basting - worked fine. The window method also works with felt - no basting but iron the stabiliser on the back to hold it together.

here is a video of how Julie from sew weird does it. A little different but an interesting technique.

4 comments

by spendlove 17 Aug 2010

Wow - miles of masking tape!

by bevintex 17 Aug 2010

i see why she gets it when it's on sale.

by spendlove 19 Aug 2010

She need to!

by jacquipaul 19 Aug 2010

Wow!

Smart idea. I'm going to try this one. Thanks

Starlet

Great idea.

Very good idea I'm going to have to try it. Thanks. Arlene

sew weird designs site had a similar tip but uses packaging tape. The wss does not move and you can do a full large hoop of fsl. Works wonders, tape does not leave residue on the hoop either. helen

Thank you for this idea, using cotton fabric. I've done the same thing with strong cutaway and tearaway, too, when making several designs the same size. When the stitching is finished I carefully cut just the design away from the main stabilizer. Then I glue more stabilizer just a bit bigger than the original basting line over the hole. The next basting stitching holds the new stabiliser in place for the new design.
My Fix button for basting each design size is a life-saver for me and it helps to stabilise 'floating' fabric or fine WSS on towels.
I'm looking forward to trying out your idea. Thanks!!
AlmaG.

What a really neat idea. I have to try it! Carol

It's funny how sewing started out as a hobby to save money.Now all this new stuff is sooooo expensive but we still try to pinch pennies.

this would be a good tip for emblibrary site

Great idea. Thanks for sharing it with us :)

This tip is very useful, thank you for let us know

Thanks a wonderful tip.
From Bev

That's what I've been doing all along. Except, if there is enough room, I pin instead of hand basted. Works for me.

3 comments

by spendlove 16 Aug 2010

I didn't think I could have had an original ides! Well done you.

by zazmau 16 Aug 2010

I have done that too and pinned but sometimes the pins are a little too far apart. The technique usually works for me but not always.I have sometimes used a basting box to secure the wss in the window.

by noah 16 Aug 2010

wELL I WILL BE TRYING THIS SOON THANK-YOU!!CAROLYN

Came across instructions for what you described but instead of fabric they used plastic as the template and taped the WSS in place.

2 comments

by spendlove 16 Aug 2010

Would you be able to pull it tight in the hoop?

by capoodle 16 Aug 2010

Yes. There are various thickness of pliable vinyl.

Thanks Sue

Sounds like something I may have to try. Great idea. Reva

Sounds like a great idea-I haven't tried any FSL designs yet-but this is any idea that I will certainly remember! Thank you! **linda**

1 comment

by shirlener88 16 Aug 2010

You sure don't know what you are missing - Hehehe!

I take eyeshadow brush or a qtip and wet the sides of the pices i want to add WSS on to and then stick them to geather and they work really well and I dont was any of the small pices that way

I like this idea! You should send it to Emb. Library. Great idea!! *4U

3 comments

by rwalden 16 Aug 2010

Was just thinking the same thing. Reva

by shirlener88 16 Aug 2010

Me, too.

by spendlove 16 Aug 2010

I'll have a go then...