I'm puzzled and would love your input!
I'm working on a project for a fund raiser. I was given a bolt of very densely woven canvas. First thing I did was cut up the whole bolt for reusable grocery bags. My plan was to put an embroidery design on each bag. FAIL! The canvas is so dense that my thread keeps breaking. I've tried several types of thread (rayon, polyester, serger, cotton, etc.), several different bobbin configurations and threads, the whole spectrum of stabilizers, and several needles (ball point, sharp, top stitch, jeans). Has anyone found a magic solution to conquering fabric density?If all else fails, I'll get some decorative fabric and put a pocket on the front of the bag for a little color, but would like to embroider if at all possible. Thank you for your time and input!!
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Several cuties have mentioned gluing on patches; I would use Steam-a-seam. Just finished using this product to adhere some patches to a quilt that had some defects I saw after finishing; It was too much to fit it under the machine and stitch on the patches but Steam-a-seam is washable and drycleanable and does not need stitching. Good luck with you efforts.
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by justonlyme
30 Oct 2013
That might work pretty well. I'll have to experiment on one of the scraps to see how well it adheres, since I've discovered that there is waterproofing in the fabric as well. Thank you.
20937854If you have a sewing machine which will do the seams, use the pocket idea with pretty fabric/embr. or words. Not worth ruining your embroidery machine.
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by justonlyme
30 Oct 2013
I did the seams on the serger, and that can power through just about anything. That is why I was baffled when it came to embroidery. But now I have my answer. Sizing. I may do the pocket thing with my old workhorse sewing machine so that I don't mess up the timing on my embroidery machine.
16529Other than suggesting you get some size 16 or 18 sharp needles I can't think of what you could do. Doesn't it seem like the charity projects that we think we can just whip out are always the ones that give us trouble!!!
2 comments
by rachap
30 Oct 2013
I've been rethinking this & realized my reusable bags soften up after they have been washed. Maybe there is a lot of sizing in the fabric. Perhaps you could experiment and take just one piece and soak it it warm water for awhile, let it dry and then try stitching it?
by justonlyme
30 Oct 2013
I KNEW someone would have the answer!!! I got very annoyed with one of the first designs that caused such a mess that it popped out of the hoop mid-design. I used a shaver to remove the stitching, which made a few holes. So I tie-died it. Now it is so soft that it stitches better than denim BUT has lost that "new" look. Thank you. Now I have my answer.
8230I'm wondering like Haleymax said, if an embroidered patch wouldn't be less of a headache. Maybe you could make the patch big enough, and make a "pocket" out of it, where people could put their coupons for the things they're purchasing to put in their bags? Just a thought....
This fabric sounds like it's so dense, only a really heavy denim or leather needle will work. Best of luck with this, let us know how it turns out, please, what ends up actually working best. Thanks and hugs, Marji
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by justonlyme
30 Oct 2013
Turns out, I have a bolt of sailboat sail fabric. When you use donated stuff, sometimes they are a mystery. It is treated with a waterproofing and a sizing. Once washed, it softened up considerably. But I bet the bottoms don't fall out of these bags!! I think I'm going to opt for a pocket for the rest of my bags. My embroidery machine will thank me!
33451Why not make some fsl butterflies and flowers and glue them on to the front of the bags to create a 3d effect. Bestofuck suelyn
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5402I'm stumped on this one. Let us know if you find a solution. ;)
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by justonlyme
30 Oct 2013
rachap answered my question. This fabric is so heavily sized or starched or ?? that the needle squeaks when it goes in and out. I knew there was an answer somewhere!!
158717Have you up-ed the needle size...I would say at least a 16 or 18 might be in order...just guessing here, you may have already done this...If you can sew through this to make the bag, not sure why you can't embroider...slow the machine down and if you are hooping the fabric, I would think you would not need stabilizer either...
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by justonlyme
30 Oct 2013
Isn't the denim needle a real beefy one? The package does not have the sizes on them; neither does the top stitch needle. I'm running the machine as slow as it will go. I'm positively baffled here. I may run to the fabric store and get a bigger needle and see if that will work. Thank you.
by dragonflyer
30 Oct 2013
It depends...I have a pack of Schmetz Jeans Needles that say 80/12 and one that says 90/14...I also have a leather needle that says 90/14 and another pack of leather needles that says 110/18...so, not sure what size you are using...also have some Schnetz Universal that are 110/18...the needle could make a big difference...
318469Maybe a patch with embroidery on it. This might be glued to the fabric.
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15626PS
I'm also using redwork designs because the fill stitch designs are absolutely out of the question.
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by ajmmjs
30 Oct 2013
if you can not sew on the canvas,then your idea of making a pocket would be great. a large pocket of other fabric embroidered before sewing on bag.lynne
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