Ann The Gran Community

Mary - It looks like the quilters have stepped up to the plate.  Their recommendations sound very workable to me.  I too was thinking that the most beautiful, and used, were quilts which had puckering.  I always thought of it as part of the over all design.  Interesting twist, quilters say to use it, carefully in your quilt and proudly show it to us!

AL - this design is from emblibrary and you will find it under "friends and family."  I do own this one myself and the package is full of great sayings.    Ann has some fun sayings as well.  I put "saying" in the search box and found some really great ones.  I think I may have a new favorite saying:

Pat

I think Mary will have a diffiuclt time trying to join her other quilt pieces to this particular piece.  The top has puckered the most.  From the photo, it looks like the left botton side is wider than the left top side.  That will not allow the other four pieces to lay correctly when seamed.  Since there are two distinctive puckers on the top, any  excessive quilting may also overlap the fabric as it is being quilted.  No where for the excess fabric to go.  Puckering appears after quilts have been laundered sometimes because seams were not even and possibly fabric was not all washed prior to sewing.   I purchased a vintage quilt top from the 40s that had uneven blocks due to puckering (hand stitching).  I have never been able to make a full quilt out of it - cannot get it to lay down flat in order to prepare for quilting; let alone do free-motion quilting.  It will be Ebay bound eventually.

Mary, give us your resolution to this..curious to see how you handled.

Thanks.

Joan/NJ

Mary,

Not sure if you read all your answers to your puckering problem or not.  This is probably my last suggestion.  You might be able to save this particular embroidery by:

1. cutting away the excess muslin/fabric around the square.

2. place on clean muslin square (pin or adhere) and then, zig-zag stitch (applique) all around.  Since the embroidery piece has a border, I don't believe anyone will be the wiser 'cept for you --- if you can live with that.  Then, you will have a clean, unpuckered square with the embroidery piece intact.

Joan/NJ

Mary,

Sorry you had problems with your project. Good News!!!  I have already purchased the designs and I am on the way to making the quilt! (Well I have to embroider the designs first). I'll try to let you know how it comes out!

AL

Mary,

I would also double up on your fabric,cut 2 and serge them together or baste them together so they don't slide when embroidering. This is a very "heavy" design for this type of fabric. It looks very light weight. I got a hold of some fabric one time,that I thought was alright until I got into the actual embroidery and sewing it together,I had this problem with it.It was so light weight (and not as good a fabric as I thought,but it was a bargain? yeah well.) So to make a long boring story short,lol I had to double the fabric when ever I wanted to use it for anything.Along with heavy stabilizers, and going hoopless it should solve the problem. The other alternative is to use a heavier weight muslin for the design. I have sewn this particular design for a family member, it is a very dense design,but used a much heavier fabric,and framed it.

Good luck Mary and hope everyone's suggestions helps you out ! Don't ya love EL,they do have some great one's!. It is one of my favorite resources  ! Along with ATG of course!

Sincerely

Judy

Along with lots of stabilizer, when I embroider squares for quilts, I heavily starch them and make sure I outline the design area.  I also with very dense designs try to, as much as is possible, stitch the inside colors first.

Linda

Mary, I too love Emb. Library designs. You must remember that as beautifl as the are, the are very stitch intensive. You need to really stabilize your fabric. I would either use 2 sheets of tear-away or one sheet of cut-away. My software also allows me to reduce the density of a design. That also makes a big difference. I truly believe if you reduced the density and stabilized well, you could use E.L.'s designs on a good weight muslin.

Marlene

Marlene - excellent observation!  What software are you using?  Is it on your machine or available to purchase? 

I have had the same problems with EL designs.  It is one reason why Ann's designs say "professionally digitized."  That does not mean that EL designs are not professional, but even the best can be ignorant of some of the digitizing principles like over lay. 

It is like embroidering or learning anything, the more I learn, the more I know that I have a lot to learn.  If you read my Blog, The Avid Embroiderer, you will see that I can and will be corrected.  And, people make suggestions there too.  It is a win-win situation.  We can all get something out of it.

Hi Pat,  I use Husqvarna Viking 4D software.  I have the 4D Embroidery Extra and 4D Stitch Editor.They are both very easy to use.

Marlene

The solid color fabric I like best in any color is Kona.  Otherwise, I purchase the best fabric I can find for quilts.  Quilt shops usually carry very high quality fabric in many brands.  For ME, Just be sure to stabilize it well.  I use anything at hanc for stitch outs,(trials).  But something that is comparable with the fabric you intend to use for your project.

LaRue

Marlene, Did you use 3D before you got 4D?  I have 3D and have thought about going up to 4D, but didn't know if it is worth the extra expense.  Do you digitize?  and if so, how easy is the 4D to use?   I'd appreciate any advice you can give me.

Linda

Hi Linda, Yes I did have 3D before I purchased the 4D. No, I do not digitize. It is too time consuming for me. I like the 4D emb. extra much better than the 3D, I also purchased the stitch editor which allows me to split a design, reduce the density and much more. the 4D Embroidery extra allows me to do so much more. You can also create embroideries from clip art or something you scan. I just love it. If you are thinking about trading up, do it soon because Viking has a cut off date for trading up. The cut off date is 12/31/08.

Marlene

Thank you.  That helps.  I didn't know there was a cut off date.

Linda

Hi I am fairly new to ME and sewing. I have been avoiding them most of my life.  (My Mom is a awesome sewer)  But I'm hooked.  So when I started I didn't have a stash of fabric.  But $ being tight and I wanted sooooooo much, I went to some local auctions.  I got such great deals on fabric.  Re a big box for $15.00. I found one piece in the box that had a price on it for more than that. When I want to do a special project I do buy for that project.  It is fun to have a lot of colors and patterns to look at.  Kate

Hello and Welcome!

Sounds like you did quite well with the "box" of  fabric! If nothing else it will make great test sews for you,and sounds like you more than made your money back on it! Yes it is fun,isn't it!!It is like Christmas to me when I get a big bundle of fabric,it takes me days to get through it and look at all my prizes! Good luck with your ME and have a blast with your purchase( green with envy here) I find it very difficult to part with my stash I have built up,even though hubby would like me to! I almost have withdrawals over it,LOL, it is just horrible! I do so love having options when I sew ,and doing quilting as well,it never goes to waste.

Happy Stitchin!