Today's Top Tips

Re: What fabric brand do you recommend?

Pattiann — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 18:54:22 GMT

No correction needed, IMHO.

The person making the quilt can use whatever they want unless they are planning on entering it in a juried event. And even then, some art quilts have everything in them but the kitchen sink.

If you pick-up and glance through an issue of Quilting Arts magazine or watch their programs on PBS, I think you will see what I mean about art quilts.

Re: What fabric brand do you recommend?

Pattiann — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 18:39:14 GMT

You may find that EL designs tend to be a little dense - try enlarging it a bit to see if that will help. They also have a Techniques and Tips section that addresses the many components of machine embroidery.

Cut-away stabilizer for heavy designs like this will work better than a tear away.

Cut away as much of the stabilizer as possible before pressing the finished design.

The cotton fabric you are using may be too light weight for the design selected. I have used undiluted liquid starch to stabilize the fabric for the block.

Cut the block larger than needed for the finished size.

Saturate blocks in starch and lay them flat on sweater rack to dry. I do this outside. If inside, lay newspapers under the rack to catch any excess starch that may drop from the fabric.

When almost dry, scrunch up and put inside a plastic bag for a couple of hours and it should be universally damp enough to iron smooth of any wrinkles.

I hope this works out for you.

Re: What fabric brand do you recommend?

jalcumbrack — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 00:44:29 GMT

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!

Re: What fabric brand do you recommend?

SudsDuds2 — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 22:46:59 GMT

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

Re: What fabric brand do you recommend?

lself1 — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 23:15:43 GMT

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

Linda

Re: What fabric brand do you recommend?

Designerlady — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 02:38:11 GMT

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

Re: What fabric brand do you recommend?

lself1 — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 22:02:48 GMT

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

Re: What fabric brand do you recommend?

LaRueJ — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 14:09:03 GMT

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

Re: What fabric brand do you recommend?

Designerlady — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 21:12:58 GMT

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

Re: What fabric brand do you recommend?

pat71896 — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 17:29:15 GMT

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.

Re: What fabric brand do you recommend?

Designerlady — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 20:48:17 GMT

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

Re: What fabric brand do you recommend?

lself1 — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 13:14:54 GMT

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

Re: What fabric brand do you recommend?

jalcumbrack — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 08:44:38 GMT

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

Re: What fabric brand do you recommend?

sewwhat2 — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 04:40:35 GMT

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!

Re: What fabric brand do you recommend?

borden47 — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 22:55:27 GMT

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