I just read in one of the embroidery sites that I subscribe to a "tips" area and I thought it would be fun to see what kind of "TIPS" we have here. The one that I read, said to buy ...MORE.

jrob, HaHa, Go to bed early, don't stay up and get caught up in the Q&A's and the project pages for hours and hours. HaHa Loretta

1 comment

by jrob 29 Mar 2008

ok, miss loretta, good advice, but don't know if I'll be using that one! haha ;)

Small,cheap spring-type clamps, girls big 'gator- type' hair clips or 'chip clips' (you know like you use to keep the bag shut)can be helpful when you have 'sneakier' fabrics hooped. If they look like they are pinchy sort of things then they are the right sort. When placed on the edge of the hoop they can aide in keeping the two parts of the hoop from starting to pop apart. They don't need to be real strong, just enough to keep the two pieces from edging apart. Pretend you are using them in a pinching/biting fashion on the edge of the hoop. They usually need just enough force to keep slipping from starting not to actually hold the two pieces together. Be sure that they are not so strong a to bite into the plastic of the hoops. If they work but you're worried about them biting the plastic then modify them ahead of time by gluing (using a glue like E6000..strong yet flexible) fabric with some 'texture' onto the teeth part of the clamp/clip's 'teeth'.

1 comment

by jrob 29 Mar 2008

Good tip, silver, you changed your hair and I almost didn't recognize you!;)

Even before I needed them I kept a cheap pair of dollar store reading glasses in with my thread scissors, seam ripper and 'hemostats' so when I need to get at loose threads what I'm pulling out is thread not bits of material.
'Hemostats', locking tweezers like used for medical/surgical procedures, can be found at most flea markets for a buck or two... no need to buy the expensive 'new' ones.

Ok...I'll give this a shot! I don't hoop my stabalizers with my fabric. I just cut a strip the width of the hoop and lay it under the hoop before starting the embroidery. I seem to like using an iron on tear-away, which of course I will iron-on, but when I use a regular tear-away or cut-away, I just place the strip under my hoop. Ok...be nice to me on this tip! It may or may not work for you...but it does for me...and less waste in stabalizers!

3 comments

by shirlener88 28 Mar 2008

kkcogle, what works for you is great - if it gets you to embroidery then that is a good thing. I like it. *4U

by kkcogle 28 Mar 2008

thanks, Shirlene! looks like I slaughted the work stabilizer..twice!

by jrob 29 Mar 2008

that is what is interesting about this hobby of ours. One thing works well for someone, while an entirely different thing works well for someone else. Good for you for figuring that out.;)

Keep a pair of tweezers by your machine, they're useful to grab thread ends with, like when threading your machine, the bobbin thread needs pulling up, or for holding thread while you snip. I have straight and angled tweezers. Hugs and flowers everyone.

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by shirlener88 28 Mar 2008

I do that, too and it works great. *4U2

by jrob 29 Mar 2008

Yes, this is something that I can't live without.;)

I use baby-size hair scrunchies to wrap around my bobbins, it keeps the loose ends tucked in, no more tangles. They can be used on spools that don't have a click-base too. Hugs and flowers.

*Cute* folks, don't use your good *expensive* fabric scissors to cut anything other than fabric - especially paper, this includes stabiliser, which is really only paper. Paper blunts them. Hugs and flowers to you all.

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by silver 28 Mar 2008

Yep, and your thread scissors are only for thread for the same reason...now if the kids (including the one I'm married to)will just quit 'borrowing' 'em!

by jrob 29 Mar 2008

That carries the "near death" penalty in my house.....don't touch my scissors! ;)

I have a small square that I made - with really cute embroidery on one side and the same silver heat resistant material on the other setting next to my embroidery machine - so that when I have something that needs a quick ironing - I can do that - without getting the big ironing board out and set up. I will have to take a picture and put it in the projects, I guess - so you can see what I mean. Hehehe! *4U

3 comments

by shirlener88 28 Mar 2008

the same heat resistant material as is on your ironing board, I meant to say.

by jrob 29 Mar 2008

That is a good idea.;)

by jrob 29 Mar 2008

I never put my ironing board away (unless I'm having something special). I use it to iron my project, then measure and find the center of where I want my design, then to hoop it straight.

jrob, so you are LQQKing for TIPS???? I spent my last dime already - sorry! Hehehe! *4U

1 comment

by jrob 29 Mar 2008

yeah, I may be an old dog, but I can still learn new tricks!;)

My hubby has trouble trying to get the thread after he threads the needle so I gave him a tiny crochet hook and he snatches it right up. Might help ladies with a little stiffness in the fingers.

3 comments

by jrob 28 Mar 2008

like this one!

by clawton 28 Mar 2008

long handled tweezers work well also.

by shirlener88 28 Mar 2008

I have an auto-threader - but I use the long handled tweezers alot, too!

My tip is to get a roll of non-slip shelf liner. Hoop and cut out the center area, leaving 1/4 to 1/2 inch inner boarder. I find this works best when using WWS or floating fabric on top. Everything stays in place and no spray adhesive residue to deal with.

3 comments

by jrob 28 Mar 2008

novel idea, I'll try it.;)

by nglover1 28 Mar 2008

Good tip I'll try also

by shirlener88 28 Mar 2008

I have heard of that - I use gauze and use the shelf liner under the hoop - when I am hooping - does that make sense - on the table top - below the hoop - so it doesn't slip away. *4U

The one that I read, said to buy pencil grips to use to tighten or loosen the screws on your embroidery hoops. A good hint, but what I use is a rubber fingertip that you purchase at an office supply store that is used to count money. Not only do I use it on my hoop screws, I use it to install my needle in my machine and also to remove it. What are your favorite tips? ;)

2 comments

by clawton 28 Mar 2008

I do this also. I also use them when trying to guide a quilt through the machine. That way your fingers don't slip across the fabric.

by shirlener88 28 Mar 2008

I use that, too! Hehehe!