I am wondering if anyone else ever has problems with ITH projects? Every time I try to cut them out so to speak, I end up cutting the threads. What am I doing wrong? I just did a reindeer coaster and again I managed to cut threads again!! :(

Since I am SOOO cheap I use cuticle scissors.Very inexpensive. I keep one at my machine all the time and one in my embroidery kit.Applique scissors were just a tad expensive.

This was such a great question! I learned a lot, even though I didn't think I was having a problem! Thanks!

You could buy applique sissors. If it happens use fray check . Or I just go to my sewingin machine and go over the area with a stitch size closet to the edge. You can't even tell the difference. There is a WSS paper you could try for the hopping.

Don't cut away the fabric until you are going to stitch the satin stitch. I always manage to snip a few stitches but those are covered by the satin stitch anyway.
The second method (which EmbLibrary uses in their tutorials) is cutting the fabric beforehand. As Michelle says by either printing a template or stitching the shape(s) on stabiliser and using that as your pattern. But then you have to place it VERY carefully otherwise it might not be completely covered by the stitching - don't ask me how I know :).

2 comments

by mops 07 Nov 2011

I see you think it's different because it is not appliqued onto something. It's not, it's exatly the same method only you stitch on stabiliser instead of a background fabric. That's why I recommend using a water soluble one, you cut it out close to the stitches - keeping a tiny distance - and remove the remainder with a wet sponge.

by mops 07 Nov 2011

see it was cut short.
You cut it fairly close to the stitching line, then remove the remainder with a wet sponge.

I saw someone say before they stitch the design out they hoop there material only and run the outline stitches and cut it before they start there project, I just did this with a bag I made and it worked perfect. you could also print out the design and us that as a tmeplate to cut your material before hand so it is only placement no cutting in the hoop. projects I have purchased have given instructions on doing it that way too. Hope you find your way of doing it.

I found a very good tutorial that answers a lot of my questions. Thank you iris2006 for the suggestion. Although your tutorial wouls not load for me it got me looking and I found this one. So thank you very much. Also thank you everyone who tried to answer my questions!
:D
Cutes are such helpful and wonderful people!!
:D :D
Diane

2 comments

by sewfrenzie 06 Nov 2011

Well!?!? Now mine won't load either, lol!
Do a search using In the hoop Embridery tutorial if you don't use embroidery in your search you get some strange results, lol!

by sewfrenzie 06 Nov 2011

Ooooo! I just disacovered someting, lol! Once you get to the error page simply copy the last part of the address ( the last 11 digits and numbers) and paste it in search. It will bring up that video.
Cool!!

I do not cut the fabric to shape as I will never end up with enough fabric. LOL I use the curved scissors and I trim after the stitch that holds down the fabric and before the satin stitch. I take the hoop off the machine so I can manipulate it a little easier. Hope this helps.

2 comments

by obaachan 06 Nov 2011

I do the same thing as Ramona !!

by sewfrenzie 06 Nov 2011

Thats what I did and this is what happened. Its only the second time I've tried ITH and both times I've had this problem.

I was hoping to address the "red showing thru" issue. The first few colors in the design are only different colors to fool the machine to stop so you can place fabic or trim fabric. You should use the same thread as the final outline will be on that portion instead of the blue or red it shows in the design. The intent of the color change is to make the machine stop on certain spots, not really to change colors. Is this the concern you had, or am I misreading it?

2 comments

by sewfrenzie 06 Nov 2011

No I realized the reason about half way through the desing but the red is one of the first colors put down and it shows through for some reason. It won't one the next one becasue I'll just use white. :D

by bowlds 06 Nov 2011

For sure! You only make those mistakes once, hopefully! Those reindeer are so cute, I have to try some!

The biggest thing for me was good applique scissors
made a huge difference in cutting close enough before the final stitch.
Practice makes perfect too.

5 comments

by sewfrenzie 06 Nov 2011

That workd for applique, but in the final stich I need it to be in the hoop yet.

by bumblebee 07 Nov 2011

This is applique and you can use applique scissors.Yes you don't cut the stabilizer.
If you try to cut after the final stitch you will always have some problems. You need to cut carefully after the outline.
Tilt the scissor and hold the fabric it helps. You will get the hang of it I promise.

by bumblebee 07 Nov 2011

As you do more complicated ITH projects you will find many other variations of techniques that need cutting while still in the hoop so you might as well learn now.

by bumblebee 07 Nov 2011

I know you will conquer this-if I could so can you. It wasn't easy at first and
sure I cut a few threads but I learned by
practice and doing a zillion things for charity.

by bumblebee 07 Nov 2011

Hugs
Linda aka Bumblebee

I hope this tip will help in some cases. I cut away my appliqued fabric before the final stitching. Then I am left with my tear-away or other type of stabiliser which I either tear off or cut off. After that I singe the fibre leftovers with a lighter very quickly rotating my design around the flame which sears and seals off nicely. It does tend to make quite a stiff outline at times, but give it a go. Thanx for this question.

2 comments

by bumblebee 06 Nov 2011

Yes this works but very carefully so as not to melt the fibers

by sewfrenzie 06 Nov 2011

Now thats a suggestion that makes sense. I was wondering how to do the final stich and everyones suggestion I cut the fabric first. That would work if this where an applique, but its afinished prduct ITH and I couldn't figure out how to do the final stich in a way that I could keep from cutting the stitches when I make the final cut. This would work with a tear away or cut away stabilizer I think.
Thanks!!!
:D
Diane

I use a curved scissor, for embroidery, and it works well for me. Try to put some Fray-stop and let it dry, where you have cut your threads. It might help it from pulling away too much. Hope your next one come out nicely. Pull your material slightly away from the design, so that you can see where your are cutting. ****

Here is anothert link from youtube to show you how to cut in the hoop projects.

2 comments

by sewfrenzie 06 Nov 2011

Thanks for the link!!
:D
Diane

by sewfrenzie 06 Nov 2011

I got a error message that says the video is not available. :(

For FSL blocks that have to be put together before rinsing I use a pair of cuticle scissors. That way the slant is away from what I am cutting. They actually work better than my applique scissors and Heritage curved micro tip scissors both. I think the same concept would work for ITH. Just be careful and cut slowly. It helps to have some great light on the cutting area too.

Marcelle

2 comments

by sewfrenzie 06 Nov 2011

Interesting link, but I don't see anything that has to do with tutorials. Am I missing something here?

by crafter2243 07 Nov 2011

It is called advertising or wanting hits on your website. I have clicked on this link many times thinking it has something to do with the subject.

Here is a link to a tutorial of coasters, I hope it is a help for you.

3 comments

by zoefzoef 06 Nov 2011

thanks ! also usefull to me !

by iris2006 06 Nov 2011

Another link from youtube to help you.

by sewfrenzie 06 Nov 2011

Thank you for the link!
:D
Diane

I only have problems with ITH projects, not regular appilque item. How can you trim the fabric when its still hooped? I also use the applique sissors, the ones with the curved edge (looks like a fat lip).

I do the same. End up cuting the thread. Very bad..love JoAnn

I may be wrong to do it this way, but it works for me.
Before stitching the final outline, I trim my fabric. Then, the satin stitch covers my cutting and I don't snip those threads.
Plus, I have some great applique scissors with a curve to them.

4 comments

by dino 06 Nov 2011

I do the same. Also, hold the applique fabric up as you cut, and cut just a little ways at a time. You'll get the hang of it..keep working.

by edithfarminer 06 Nov 2011

I also cut like mentioned here, before the last final satin stitch outline.

by patsy28 06 Nov 2011

I also cut befor the last final satin stitch outline. Keep trying! You'll get it!

by pcteddyb 06 Nov 2011

Same for me - cut the fabric before the final satin stitch. I do lots of ITH things that work this same way.

Try slanting your scissors away from the design so they don't catch the threads as you are cutting; also,try not to hide the threads,i.e.hold the image so you can see the threads ahead as you cut and you will not cut into them. Clear as mud? Good luck...

1 comment

by sewfrenzie 06 Nov 2011

Yep, lol!