Ann The Gran Community

Has anyone resized  ( to be smaller) a free standing lace design? I am sewing out a FST butterfly that I downsized and am wondering  if will hold its shape after soaking.

Barbara

I have seen it written, many times, that FSL should not be resized.  That makes sense because one 'off placed' stitch will have a devastating result.

I have resized one or two but only a very small amount.  After it was soaked, and still wet, I did try to pull it apart.  If it failed, the design was not worth the thread I had used.  However, if it held its own, I knew it would be just fine.

An alternate might be that you placed the design, before stitching, on a light weight fabric such as organza.  If there is a problem with the design, it may hold up just fine.  After stitching it out, you can carefully cut off the outside fabric, assuming that there is no problem with the outline.

Just because it is a FSL does not mean you cannot use fabric.  This is why  recommend a 'discovery sew' to learn what works and what does not work.  If it is usable, I keep the 'discovery sew' and use them for demonstrating what I do to potential clients.

Tell us how your butterfly is doing.  We hope it is ready for checking out the flowers in your area.

Well , I was pleasantly surprised that the FSL butterfies came out okay with the resizing. The original was 3.84"x3.75. I resized it to 2.57X 2.52 and decided that it was too small. I then resized the original to 3.08 x 3.01 and I think I will like this size.

I am making them plus other FSL designs for a geocaching event that I will be attending. Geocachers will be given coordinates to a location and then will find them hanging in very small trees. They will take home one of the designs of their choice as a memento of the day.

Pat, I think it was you a while back who said that they were saving pieces of Badgmaster and "gluing" ( with water) them togther to use on another design. That was a very good idea and I have been using it on these that I am making.

Barbara

Happy things worked out for you. 

You did not indicate how you were going to re-size the design.

Changing the size on the embroidery machine and some editing software does not change the stitch count - it just squeezes or thins the coverage.

There are re-sizing software programs that actually change the thread count when the design size is changed.

In deed, I did say to 'glue' the Badgemaster.  Another thing about that 'seam,' is that the 'top' seam should be the top portion placed into the hoop.  Reason:  My embroidery foot managed to catch just enough of the 'open' side of the seam to ruin my project. 

You have one excellent memory!

That 20% change is generally within the acceptable adjustment.  I am delighted you did not have trouble with the project.  That sounds like a fun project too! 

When the kids were little, I used to have them do a 'treasure hunt.'  It is not difficult.  You determine your last position and they work backward.  For instance, the backyard gate might be the last point. 

1. Place the 'treasure' there.  Then write a note, "Go to gate." 
2. Place that note at the next to last spot, which might be a bush and write up "Go to bush." 
3. Repeat step #2 as many times as you like.

My grandchildren loved doing that!  The more the stops, the more the fun.  With three children, I made three different courses.  Of course, you need to do them one at a time or you will get very confused. 

Pat, The Avid Embroiderer

I use Embird and it does decrease or increase the stitch number as needed.

Barbara

I know that many of the readership here at AnnTheGran swear by Embird.  However, I have problems with it.

If my pc is acting up, I sometimes have to uninstall Embird.  When I reinstall, I have problems with the "Iconizer."

I am sorry to 'hijack' this thread, but if any one else has a similar problem, perhaps there is a simple solution I could learn about.

I love embroiderers because they are eager to share as well as learn.

Pat, The Avid Embroiderer

i have always used embird to re-size and convert without problems. but, my computer was stolen with the embird program on it. they stole my back-up discs also. so i have used the embird trial until it ran out this week. there is something i want to convert, a fsl doily. are there any free programs to convert? or does anyone know of a free fsl doily?

Convert or resize?

 Resizing - here is a trial - http://freeembroiderystuff.embroiderydesigns.com/softwaredetails/1/45.aspx

Conversion - http://www.pulsemicro.com/ambassadordownload

i have always used embird to re-size and convert without problems. the machine program will re-size but not adjust the stitch density. i found that out the hard way! my computer was stolen along with the back up discs so no embird. i used up my time already on the trial version. are there any other free programs that will convert? i found a fsl doily i would like to convert. or does anyone know of a fsl doily design for free? i am also still looking for the redwork "kitties around the world" if anyone knows where they are??? thanks

You should be able to check with the Embird people and they are very helpful.  They can send you your passwords.  They keep a record on everything.  The group below is a great group to provide help with Embird.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AbsolutelyEmbird/

My friend had the same thing happen. She contacted embird and got her orignal password to download onher new computer.

Hi I re siezed FSL crosses to make for my Grand daughter's Baptism and they came out very good and solid just make sure that the original one does the inside does join the outer, as I found some FSL they do not always join all over.

Barbara