volunteers in my classroom. I guess not all designs are made equal.

I had a problem when I did the FSL x-mas orn.
I had bougth the CD from the dealer in town here.
When I took it back for her to look at, she called
the manufacturer and they said to check my tension or my needle etc. Guess what? Didn't correct it
and she would not refund my money or exchange it.
Not all of them mess up so those I still do.

1 comment

by twee 08 Sep 2010

That is frustrating when they don't stand behind their product

If they were cross stitch bookmarks then they would need faberic and stabilizer.
Depending on the stitch count you may have to use 2 layers of tear away or one layer of cutaway stabilizer.

usually Free Standing lace desigs actually have FSL or say Free Standing Lace in the name of the design.

And usually any design has a text file that is included with the design in which the digitzer gives the colors for the design and information such as what stabilizer and weight of thread to use.

Design sets that just say Lace are not usually Free Standing Lace but are meant to be stitched on fabric.

You can make a design free standing if you stitch it out on Tulle or Organza which are fairly stable fabrics and water soluble stabilizer.
You would have to cut the excess Organza or tulle off after the design is stitched out.

This works best with a design that has a final outline or satin stitch outline.

EastWitch2

1 comment

by twee 08 Sep 2010

thanks for the tips

Terri, I do not believe you can stitch out anything as FSL if it is suppose to have a backing for support. Designs By Sick was asking about mistakes made in machine embroidery. Not sure if they are giving gifts for answers or not. H&*

1 comment

by twee 08 Sep 2010

I learned that the hard way

H again,
I just figured out, if I shrink the design with my embird at the difficult loose sides only 1 t 2% it's helping!
May depend on the design.
I used it at a dove-bookmark from emblibrary

1 comment

by twee 08 Sep 2010

thanks

Ohh- I really can feel what's your problem.
I did many FSL at the same time - under timepressure.
After putting in water for anly few minutes the FSL-outlines moved slowly in the water!!!!!!!!!
o.k. some designs I can safe with organza as backing to the WS stabilizer - but some not.

I will try the advice to take the most attention on the issue if the stabilizer is moving - sometimes 1 to 2mm is enough to ruine a FSL bookmark.
I had this with emblibrary bookmarks and I believe they are only selling very high quality. So it's a problem of hooping, or what ever.

I'm happy to find this posting to learn more and don't feel alone with that problem!!!!

Hope you can also find something to use

1 comment

by twee 06 Sep 2010

I'm learning, I think I actually should have used a base such as felt, since these were x-stitch, and probably weren't meant to be done with wash away. Live and learn. However 2 were not, and I'm not sure about those two.

I had a problem with a FSL jewelry set I stitched out, it was in the design and I don't like to complain because it was free so I made due. It was for my Mom for her birthday.

1 comment

by twee 06 Sep 2010

That is too bad

Sorry to hear this Terri, Hope you have an answer her with some of the suggestions *

1 comment

by twee 06 Sep 2010

thanks

It sounds like these were free standing lace bookmarks.

If they were it could be that your water soluble stabilizer is moving or being pulled into the middle of your hoop while you stitch the designs and this can cause design problems and the final outline satin stitching not stitching in the right place to connect to the other stitches in the design.

Depending on the stitch count you could use 2 layers of water soluble stabilizer.

Also to help stop any movement of the stabilizer while you stitch you could use Wonder tape and strips of Kitchen Shelf Liner on the bottom of your inner hoop.
Here is a link to the Criswell K-Lace website that shows how to put the Wonder Tape and the Shelf Liner strips on your hoop and how it is used for hooping water soluble stabilizer.
It shows the thick Badgemaster water soluble hoop with the strips of the shelf liner on the hoop but you can use the Fibrous type of water soluble such as vilene or Wash Away, Aquas Magic, H2O Gone the same way.
http://www.k-lace.com/albums/albu...

Click on each picture on the page for a close up look of each or use the next link at the top of the first picture to do the same.

Our hoops are tightest at the corners and loose on the long sides and top and bottom.
So the movement of stabilizers and/or fabric and stabilizers occur from the long sides and top and bottom.

I use this on all my hoops for all embroidery.
It works great for FSL embroidery and holds the water soluble stabilizer taut in the hoop allowing no movemnt of the stabilizer.

I do leave it on the hoops and change the tape and strips when the strips look worn down.

EastWitch2

1 comment

by twee 06 Sep 2010

Thanks, I'll check this site out. I appreciate all of your help

Terri, I know how disappointed you must be - I do hope you can save them - if not - it is one of those learning experiences that we all go through - start some new ones. I wish you luck - wished I could be there to help you.

1 comment

by twee 06 Sep 2010

Thanks for your support

Are these with ladybugs on one, and flowers on the other. If so, they didnt stay for me either but when finished embroidering them, I took them out of the hoop and did a close satin stitch around them. It worked.

1 comment

by twee 06 Sep 2010

No they were x stitch pansies and snowmen. I actually did another set and put satin stitch around them and they turned out nicely.

It is so true that not all designs are not made equal. Can you salvage them by putting on a backing?

1 comment

by twee 06 Sep 2010

Yes, it just is more work and time, but oh well, I've learned and thats what I need to do.

that is what I would do too good luck

1 comment

by twee 06 Sep 2010

thanks

I agree! Most digitizers want to know if there are problems with their designs so they can correct them. Even if you got the designs as freebies, I'd still contact the digitizer. Good luck!
Meri

1 comment

by twee 06 Sep 2010

Great idea, but it may have been me trying to make a design into FS when it wasn't meant to be. The inside was tight and turned out beautifully. The OESD design was a fence with 3 sunflowers, and I'm not sure why it failed. I've done it before and it worked, so I'm thinking it was the stabalizer.

Do you remember where you got them so we all will know that the designs don't hold together? Maybe you should contact the digitizer and let him or her know there is a problem with the designs. The digitizer will appreciate your help.

1 comment

by twee 06 Sep 2010

The x-stitch bookmarks were from covered in stitches and OESD. And, they are meant to have a backing.