Well Cuties I have some things to share with you and get your reaction.Last week I attended a seminar dealing with notions,stabilizers,thread,needles,quilting,embroidery and more.Needless to say I learned a lot..information overload actually! Some things I thought would interest you:

Thank you very much for sharing. I have always washed the fabric before as I was told that long long time ago. Maybe we needed to do that in the older days. It would be a lot easier not to have to. I will give that a go.

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by chenille 16 May 2012

I just may try it once and see how it goes...
Hugs, Nadyne

Thanks for info! I would like to know what kind of Stitch and Tear to use when I work with polar fleece and also the number of needle?

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by chenille 16 May 2012

Hmm...I haven't done much with fleece,perhaps someone else has.Good question!
Hugs, Nadyne

Thanks for all the information. I have been using 80/12 but have wanted to try other needles. How often should you change needles when doing fsl? Anyone have an answer for me.

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by crafter2243 16 May 2012

About 80000 sts or when thread starts breaking. Best thing before every new project specially if it a large one.

by chenille 16 May 2012

I'll second that!

Thank you for sharing this with us, Nadyne. I also use no 12 and 14 needles and I like to use metallic or denim when I do metallics. I never pre-wash my fabrics - they don't seem to look so fresh and new then. (or is it just me knowing they have been washed?)

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by chenille 16 May 2012

You are right,fabrics look better and brighter before washing...I am always afaraid of shrinkage though...
Hugs, Nadyne

Thank you Nadyne! What was the name of the event and where was it held?
Especially the hint about the thread!

Hugs, Bonnie

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by chenille 16 May 2012

It was put on by one of our local quilting shops here in Cranbrook,B.C. Canada,and the sponsor was Sulky.
Hugs, Nadyne

As I've said on here before my Brother 780D is picky about thread and so it is for needles. I use 80/12 for everything. Since I can only use Isacord and Florini poly thread perhaps 80/12 is the right needle for that...????
MJDG

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by chenille 16 May 2012

I would think so. I have a Brother also and use a lot of 80/12 and Isacord thread.I have been doing some dense designs and have had some needle breakage so I'm thinking I will try the 90/14...can't hurt!
Hugs, Nadyne

So many different opinions,sometimes you wonder are they really the experts they say they are,I do like the microtex needles very sharp,and seldom wash fabric unless I have to,mind you I am not an expert.

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by chenille 16 May 2012

I'm no expert for sure! I am always open for trying something at least once though! LOL
Hugs, Nadyne

Thank you so much for sharing this wealth of info :)

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by chenille 16 May 2012

You are welcome! :-)
Hugs, Nadyne

Sounds like a wealth of information! I don't prewash fabrics for quilting (unless it is red then I do - and any other fabric in the quilt so it all will shrink about the same when washed again). I do wash towels before stitching on them. I do wash clothes before stitching on them. I use spray adhesive all the time - don't have any issues (KK if not washing the item afterwards and Dritz if washing the item afterwards). I use 80/12 universal needles for pretty much everything I sew/embroider (buy them by the 100 pack).

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by chenille 16 May 2012

Yay! I love to get feedback like this!
Thanks for the input.
Hugs, Nadyne

Thanks for sharing your new info from the weekend. It is alway nice to have new tips to think about and decide if what we are doing - is also working for another. Hehehe!

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by chenille 16 May 2012

I soooo agree Shirlene! It is also fun.I feel inspired!
Hugs, Nadyne

I attended the Everything Applique Conference in Birmingham, Al this year. Teachers(presenters) said about the same as you heard. Sometimes, two experts in the same room would disagree on technique, but agree to do whatever works for you. That is really what I learned in every session. Do what works for you. Some use spray adhesives, & some pin. Some prewash & some don't. Each had their own preferences of stabilizers. As to the needle size, a retired Home Economics teacher who works where I purchased my machine said use large needles. We were having problems with the self-threading mechanism. She said no one was going to inspect your work & exclaim "My word, look at the size of those needle holes!" I had to laugh. Sewing should be fun, not nerve wracking.

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by chenille 16 May 2012

Oh so true! It is good to have a lot of laughs!This instructor also said that if someone turns your project to the back to inspect it don't invite them again!
Hugs, Nadyne

Thank you for sharing what you learned with us. It seems everyone has their own way of doing things. I never prewash my fabrics for quilting. I used to but find the sizing in the new fabric makes it easier to work with.
Meri

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by chenille 15 May 2012

Thanks! Good to know..I may actually try this...a lot less work, and they do look so nice before the sizing is washed out!
Hugs,Nadyne

Thanks, Nadyne, It's good to hear those things. Did you learn anything about spray on adhesives? I always wonder if they mess up the machine....

3 comments

by hightechgrammy 15 May 2012

I was told you don't launder any of your cottons for quilts, and then when you wash your finished quilt it all shrinks up together at pretty much the same rate, giving it that wonderful quilted look. It also hides any of the tiny mistakes. hmmm

by chenille 15 May 2012

Actually most seem pretty good. KOK 2000 dissapates quickly and leaves no residue,but you can't leave it for 24 hrs. and then go back. 505 is also good and will hold until washed out. Neither is bad for the machine and I have used both with no ill effects.
Hugs, Nadyne

by chenille 15 May 2012

The laundering makes sense...I like the hiding mistakes part!! LOL! I just have gotten used to washing everything first!
Hugs, Nadyne

Thanks everyone for the input. I am still trying to digest everything! LOL!
Hugs, Nadyne

Thanks for sharing. I'm pretty new to machine embroidery so am interested in any information given. I do think a lot of it is trial and error though, in the long run.

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by chenille 15 May 2012

So true,however any input in the long run is always a good thing! Never too much information...then process what works for you!
Hugs, Nadyne

Interesting information. Sometimes I think it depends on if the person is trying to sell/market an item then it's OK to use it. As for fabric I almost always prewash. Could be she don't use bargain fabric like I do. lol In the end it is preference as to what works for you and your machine.

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by chenille 15 May 2012

I always prewash also...but a friend of mine,who is a quilter,never does...
but like you, I usually buy the bargain stuff!...I just can't help myself! LOL
Hugs, Nadyne

Thank you for sharing all this interesting information. I usually use a 90/14 needle on my Janome but when I am doing FSL it is usually a 75/11. Hugs, Mary

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by chenille 15 May 2012

Good to know, thanks! I have usually used a 75 for FSL,but have used an 80/12 or 75/11 for regular embroidery.I think that I will try the 90/14 a bit more often...
Hugs, Nadyne

I can understand some not wanting to prepare fabric, after all it has stabilizer in it! I am allergic to sizing (different than starch) which is usually in their formula so I have to wash, dry and iron all my cotton. The needle thing makes sense, so if you match your thread to your fabric abnd your needle to the thread - you should be good! LLDS!

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by chenille 15 May 2012

Thanks for the input! Sometimes it takes a while for things to make sense..it seems so difficult when there are so many people talking and giving opinions.One has to go home and COMPUTE it all!! LLDS
Hugs, Nadyne

Interesting. I've only ONCE not pre washed fabric. Never again!!! I was told to use an 80/12 in my brother for embroidery and it works perfect. The book tells me to use a 75/11 but I find they break a lot. A friend likes 90/14 in her Janome. thanks for sharing. xx

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by chenille 15 May 2012

I have a Brother also,and I usually use an 80/12, however I may not be so reluctrant to try a 90/14...who knows,it just may be better for some things that I didn't think it would work for.
Hugs,Nadyne
ps. I always pre-wash!

well i have been told & been using a 12 blue tip for all of my embroidery?

2 comments

by pldc 15 May 2012

seems to work pretty good for me?

by chenille 15 May 2012

This is good to know.What type of machine do you have? Mine is a Brother..have had no troubles so far,but then I don't do nearly as much as some of you Cuties!
Hugs, Nadyne