Ann The Gran Community

IS there a way to  emb the more dense designs and not have the puckers? I am using ads. stabilizer and a good topper. The needle picks up the entire thing while sewing. The designs are pretty, but the finished project is ready for the waste basket. I am realy getting burned out. I am using a 9 in. square, but it is a bit smaller than the hoop, but I thought that is where the sticky paper came in.

Please tell me what I am doing wrong.
The Ala gang is getting larger each day.

Mary from Ala

Mary- Before you send your project to never never land, please take a photo of it and post it here.

To post the photo, select the icon between the tree and happy face (above when you reply).  Download the photo and make sure you select insert.  Make the size about 2" by 2"

Puckering can be caused by a number of factors, including understabilizing, not hooped tightly enough, and a worn needle among other things.  Stitch density is a factor, especially if the fabric is lightweight.

Let us look, there are many friendly and helpful ME enthusiasts here at ATG who would love to help.

Pat

You can see my blog on stabilizers that might help you.

This is sewn on broadcloth.

Thanks Pat

That appears to be a very dense design.  In digitizing for ME, there is something called a "pull effect."  I don't digitize, but I believe, essentially, the original design, and its density, can cause 'pull' of the fabric.  Density will pull the fabric 'inwardly' causing the puckering. This is actually an element and issue in digitizing, so there is nothing you could do if this is the issue.   Free designs are often the product of a 'newbie' in digitizing.  It takes a long time to learn digitizing. 

Consider this part of your design to be your 'test' and lets take it from there.

Lets make sure that your next piece has:

• a new and small needle.  That broadcloth cannot handle a #14 or even a #12 needle.  I would use no larger than a #10 or #11 needle.  The fact of the matter is the needle is somewhat neglected by all of us, be sure you are working with the right needle.
• Heavy, cutaway, adhesive stabilizer is a must.  Cutaway is stronger than tear away by far.  Finger press the cloth to the stabilizer and make sure there are no bubbles or loose spots.  I might use a rolling pin on the finished product so that the adherance is total and even. 
• When the design is complete, you will peel away the adhesive from the corners and sides to within an inch (24mm) of the design.  Cut that peeled adhesive away.  The remaining stabilizer will become part of the permanent project.  If this is a quilt, for instance, the washings will relax that remaining stabilizer over time.
• Make sure that the hooped item (broadcloth and stabilizer) is firmly in  the hoop.  You should not be able to stretch the cloth at this time.   Hooping this will be a little difficult because you have made a sheet of concrete (LOL), well something really firm.  After you feel that your hooping is sound and snug, turn over the hoop and visually check for gaps.  There might be some because the hoop is rigid against your rigid fabric, massage that point to even it out. 
• I would 'sink' the top hoop about 1/8" below the outer hoop.  So, instead of the hoops being even, the fabric and stabilizer is 1/8" passed the flat hoop.  This small sinking helps the hoop to hold itself steady. 
• I would float another piece of heavy stabilizer, you could use tear away or cutaway as you please for this piece and trim it when complete.

Did you do a tension test from my most recent blog?  That tension test should be done often.

If that does not do the trick, I am uncertain what would.  Perhaps you could find another design that is similar...

Pat

Thank you Pat for all the info. I will try each one. These designs are some that  I bought from EMB LIBRARY. I don't know anything about digitize, therefor I just order what I want, not knowing. Is there a way to know more about the designs?

Mary Jane

That is a really good question.  I am unaware of any way to determine, prior to a sew out of a design, about the density.  Perhaps someone with digitizing knowledge might answer this question.

I did have a similar problem with a design from EL, the density was so great that my needle was 'pounding' on the threads to get through.  I have other of their designs without this problem, so I don't think that density is an issue all the time.

I love this basket of vegetables, but it did suffer from too dense digitizing, particularly in the asparagus on the upper left.   However, It was just beautiful when I was finished and did have some 3-D effect because of the density.  I did have to stabilize it very heavily.

EL has a good reputation and I would never say that I don't use them, because I do.  Just be aware that your 'test out' of the design will give you this information.

Pat

Pat, I am going to order the heavy adhesive stabilizer, cut away and  the heavy cut away. Will you please explane how the $5. credit works. The last 2 times I ordered I didn't get any credit. Thank you again for all your help.

Hello,

Normally to get a store credit you would need to enter a promotion code when you place an order. If you have a promotion code then enter this into the promotion code field when placing your order. This will issue you a store credit which will automatically deduct off your next purchase.

If you have any questions please e-mail us at support@annthegran.com.

Thank you

AnntheGran support

Hello Ann, I didn't have a promotion code, but I was given the credit. I realy appreciate it. I ordered the heavy cut away and it is wonderful. I have not seen any more puckers. Thanks for all the help the nice people have given me.

If you are using cross stitch designs, what would be a good fabric to sew too?

Mary

The general 'rule of thumb' issues still would be helpful.

I have only done a few cross stitch designs, but they are so lovely as well.  Use a medium weight fabric, a medium to heavy weight stabilizer, I would use a cutaway rather than a tear away for protection of the delicate stitches.

Pat

Welcome to the wonderful world of machine embroidery (ME) and AnnTheGran (ATG). ME is the most fun craft, it is beautiful, and creative, you are going to fall in love!  ATG is the premiere site for ME enthusiasts because we learn and help each other.  The blogs are excellent, be sure to check those out as well.

It is interesting that sometimes one persons absolute, no fail favorite is worthless in your machine.  That seems to occur even with the same models.  Use what works for you and from time to time, you may try something that someone suggests, but there are multiple supply options and multiple satisfied clients, and some of those criss cross in a strange matrix!

About the needle lifting the fabric.  There are several reasons for this, one of which is that the digitizer failed to leave sufficient room for all the colors.  Sometimes colors need to be layered such as a lady bug needs the red to leave a little space for the forthcoming black dots.  As you gain experience in embroidery, you will learn to avoid certain digitizers who may or may not have had adequate training.  Just like any discipline, there are good digitizers and there are the others.  Some (not all) of the freebies can have the beginners. 

A larger needle would not have helped in this instance, a smaller one would help more.  If you adjusted the size of the design, that may have caused some of the problem.  A dull needle will do the 'lifting' as well.  Another thing that may help is to run your fingers through your hair (collecting natural oil) and sliding your fingers over the needle.  That little bit of oil may help move the needle easier. 

If you were using an adhesive stabilizer, your needle may have gotten 'gunked up' with the adhesive, try cleaning off the sticky and the hair oil together.

Got the picture?  Many solutions, some may or may not work for you. 

Best wishes to you and yours, Pat,  The Avid Embroiderer

I didn't know I had any replies to my post.  I was waiting for an email.   Maybe I better check back more often.  I know what you mean about leaving room for the colors, because I would see an empty space and say what is going on, I have learned not to panic.  Because when it is done it looks great.  The one design I did for Easter was layering colors instead of leaving space for them which I thought was strange.  But these were not free I did pay for them so I was hoping for a good design.  Did not adjust the size of the pattern, don't trust myself yet.  Also, and I know that this is probley a bit of a overkill but I do change my needle after every design unless it is something really small.  But I will try your idea with the needle.  The first part of the design went so good I thought I was in heaven, but when it started layering colors it started to act up.  The design was real cute too.  It was "Easter Tweet" by Embroidery Library.  The tree had a bird at the top, eggs in the tree with a bunny sitting at the bottom in the pot.  I put that on a sweatshirt.  Thank you for all your help.  I have many more projects lined up to do.

I understand, sometimes you try to follow what you believe to be the rules, and still get some problems.

I appreciate and purchase from EmbLibrary myself.  I have had several that had too much density.  I absolutely had problems with one called 5 monkies on a bed which looked to be adorable.  The pounding noise from my machine was making me feel very uncomfortable.  In fact, that design did break a part on my machine.  A needle change only helped a very small amount.

I made a specific discussion with Debra (owner) and carefully outlined my density issues because the monkeys faces were about 4 or 5 layers and the eyes, the last layer, were a real problem.  She wrote me back and very nicely did advise it would be looked into.  Kenny resewed the design and they felt I needed to lighten up on my stabilizer.  I had used an adhesive medium weight cutaway.  They advised to use a light weight cutaway.

I know that a seller wants to know when things are not going well.  If you decide to let them know, they will certainly review your information.  Just as Support here at ATG will check into an issue, EmbLibrary is an honorable place to find designs.  However, I feel like they need to 'lighten' up a little bit on the layering in their designs.

As I noted, I have had more than one design with this problem from EmbLibrary.

I am sorry that you were having problems but, I am glad to find out that it wasn't me or my machine.  Maybe I should email them and let them know about the problems had.  If everyone would do that maybe they would change how they are doing things.  I just thought it was strange that they would layer so may colors on top of each other with a high density.  There is no way we can know this before we buy a design is there?

There is a fix for those older emb library designs that are so dense, but it requires you have editing software. You just make the design just bit bigger making sure it's set to  not add stitches as you do that. Works great.