This is the caffeinated owl apron that I've had so much trouble with the hooping. Actually, I always have hooping trouble. It is from Smart Needle. By the time I got to the last few colors, they were all not lining up right, so I just stopped stitching. It's hard to tell it's missing any colors. After I try some of the hints Cuties have given me for keeping stabilizer flat in the hoop, I'll try another design.

Your apron is very nice looks very cute.

Great apron, well done :)

1 comment

by pennyhal2 26 Sep 2012

Thanks! The apron is a blank that is cheaper to buy than to make! So I use it a lot.

This owl has made me laugh. Bet it was fun watching it appear as you stitched it out. Are you going to enjoy wearing it or is it a present?

This is darling, just makes me smile.
Has anyone suggested using cut away stabilizer? When the design is especially dense I usually do and I use 2 sheets, one on the crosswise grain and the other on the lengthwise grain. Also, sometimes you might have to change to a new needle midway through. The third tip I'd give you is to buy a big pack of assorted colors of Sharpie permanent markers and lots of times you can color in a little line to blend and it will not show.

1 comment

by pennyhal2 26 Sep 2012

Yep. Got the Sharpies! You are the first to suggest cut away stabilizer. Come to find out, I don't have any! I may have to make a trip to the store! Thanks!

looks nice

Here are my comments to the Thread on your problem.
See link.

EastWitch2

1 comment

by pennyhal2 26 Sep 2012

Thanks. I'll respond over at Embroidery.

Well be proud its great for your first try :):)We are ALL at some stage in our learning hugs Carolyn

1 comment

by pennyhal2 26 Sep 2012

I've been hassling stabilizer issues on dense designs and I thought I had it down pat until now. I feel like I'm back to square one.

Penny is this design all embroidery or is it applique?
It is a cute design.
Does the apron material have any stretch to it?
It it light weight cotton or is it a twill type of material?
Were you using Tear Away Stabilizer?
See my comments in the other thread where you posted the problem you are having with designs not lining up.
I put a few more ideas for you to try.
EastWitch2

1 comment

by pennyhal2 25 Sep 2012

It is embroidered on 100% poly that was very stable with a little stretch on the bias. It was not quite as heavy as a bottom weight, but heavy enough for pants. I hooped it with two layers of medium weight tearaway on bottom and two layers of washaway on top. I reduced the density of the design slightly and with the washaway on top, puckering is controlled. The tearaway stabilizer had buckled badly by the time I got to the 8th color. Thanks for helping me!

this is a real HOOT! I love it!

If anyone gets to close to notice mistakes - you just remind them it was the caffeine. What a cute apron.

1 comment

by pennyhal2 26 Sep 2012

My caffeine or the owl's?

Penny, she's adorable!!!

1 comment

by pennyhal2 26 Sep 2012

Thanks!

This is a very nice owl and colors are great too...