Hi there all!I have a question...please help me out here!

Basing my opinion on all the fsl I have done, it's the design itself. There were some that I had to block, putting the rinsed design on something I could stick pins in, and do that around the edges.
Emb Library makes fabulous fsl, Threads n scissors is my favorite for doilies and bowls. Bfc-creations are good. Many more out there-ls-liane's are great. Need no blocking whatsoever.

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by tfk 17 Mar 2015

Yeah true....because for me too all the previous FSLs turned out perfect and never curled! May be it depends on the designs....but no problem as long as it can be fixed :)
Thanks for your suggestions too!

This may be too late for you to notice my remarks. However, I sometimes dry mine between two cooling(cookie) racks.

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by tfk 16 Mar 2015

Yeah I saw this on youtube too in one of the tutorials :)
Thank you!

A lot of ladies have helped you, I thought I would throw out my method. I always soak the pieces in very warm water for about 10 minutes, then dry them in between white paper towels (the good cloth-like ones - you can reuse the paper towels many times) & put weight on them until dry. I think joining them together is easier that way. Good luck to you, have fun with the FSL. Hugs, Tammy

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by tfk 16 Mar 2015

Thanks a lot tammy....I am lucky to be getting every trick in the book from you all! :)

I believe this happens in the natural course of the article shrinking once the stabiliser is washed out of it because there is no longer anything to support the stitches.
Have you ever noticed how lace embellishments on garments tends to curl when you wash the garment? And we solve that by ironing the garment and paying careful attention to ironing the lace.

To keep FSL stiff and help reduce the curling, soak the item in warm water for the shortest possible time, just long enough to remove the stabiliser, the more you rinse it the softer it will become and the more it can shrink and curl.
If this happens, the best way to stop the item from curling is to weight it down, in between a couple of towels, while it is drying and if necessary iron it under a pressing cloth.
If you have over rinsed an FSL item you can stiffen it by applying a coat, or two, of Mod Podge.
Hope this helps.

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by tfk 16 Mar 2015

Thanks for the suggestions! They will come handy if I face any problems again....which I really hope I dont :)

Hi Fatma, I've had this happen many times so I now dry the pieces under weights, like a book and iron out any dried curled pieces and this usually works. If you're going to sew them together before rinsing then you'll need a form to dry them on so they will stay tight. It helps to wrap the form with food cling wrap to keep the gooey starch from sticking to the form. I saw the bowl in projects and it turned out beautiful!! By the way, I soak my pieces in warm water for 5-10 minutes then rinse out to help get all the starch out.

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by tfk 16 Mar 2015

Thank you so much Dolly for all the suggestions. ...I will keep them in mind for next time! :) I am happy to know you liked the basket!

I have yet to try FSL but need to remember this for when I do. Thanks for asking

2 comments

by tfk 15 Mar 2015

Do try it....its fascinating to see just the sewn thread standing together to form the beautiful pieces :)
Its pretty easy too....start with a small design!
The previous ones I have tried didnt give me any trouble....this one surprised me :)

by tfk 15 Mar 2015

P.s....but my basket is complete....do have a look under projects!

I always join all my pieces before I rinse and when dry press with the iron if need be. Always use a cloth over the item when using an iron just in case.

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by tfk 15 Mar 2015

I thought I should do that...but when I read a tutorial online it said to rinse...dry and then join! :)
Thanks for your suggestion as well. ...will give it a try too!

by marcellelewis 16 Mar 2015

For my large tablecloth joining together before rinsing was a lot better.

Marcelle

Mine often curl up when they begin to be rinsed, but flatten out when I lay them out to dry. I'm wondering if it is the WSS starting to disappear as the water dissolves it. I figure a long as the pressing fixes any curling, I', good to go. Pretty design, BTW.

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by tfk 14 Mar 2015

Thank you....the way it curled I thought its a waste now...but the ironing fixed it so I am happy :)

This is a great tip to store away for any future problems. Thanks for bringing it up. Cuties have a helpful knowledge base to draw on! --Sandra

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by tfk 14 Mar 2015

Yes thats the best thing about bringing every big and small thing here so that its helpful for all :)

I was having trouble uploading the pic!

1 images:[1]

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by bevintex 14 Mar 2015

I'm wondering if you are rinsing them long enough,what type of wash away stabilizer are you using?

by tfk 14 Mar 2015

Yes I did...under running water! Didn't want to soak them because I wanted them to dry stiff!
I used vilene wss!

Thank you ladies....I too in the mean time managed to save mine with the same method :)
I ironed them flat between sheets of fine cotton....it worked!!!

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by tfk edited 14 Mar 2015

See the difference between the ones that I have ironed and the ones just rinsed! :)
Still I would like to learn the reason for this happening. ..if any!

I don't know of any reason why it should do that. Sometimes I get a little curl when part of it dries faster than the rest. Then I just give it a little shot with my steam iron too. I often flip my fsl over and pat it flat as it dries too.

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by susiesembroidery 14 Mar 2015

I do the same. It helps to keep them more flat.

by tfk 14 Mar 2015

I never needed to use the iron on my previous FSLs....they rinsed out fine and dried flat too!
I was surprised to see just these curl up....but I am glad it can be fixed :)

when mine doesn't lay flat I use a press cloth and give it a shot of steam from my iron. After rinsing