Tension Problem??

[lotto64]

Yuck!! Not so nice....I made this pillowcase for a gift, but I won't be giving it. The puckering around the N is really, really bad. I used stabilizer, hooped it well, and used aqua film on top. I tried loosening the top tension a bit while it was embroidering.

If anyone has any clue as to what caused this, please help!

[twin mom]

OK, I've done that before! And I agree, it's frustrating!

Not that I'm any sort of expert, but did you use cut-away or tear-away? Sometimes I will use cut-away if I don't think the fabric that I am embroidering onto is very heavy. I've also used iron-on interfacing, like the stuff you use for sewing if nothing else seems to do the trick.

I have also put a new needle in my machine, and have found that a new needle will fix almost anything, even if it doesn't seem related.

Good luck!

[lotto64]

For convenience, I've only used tear-away since I discovered it. I am just going to keep these and use them myself, so I may re-try it using the cut away to see what that does. I'm sure a new needle wouldn't hurt, either. I tend to lose track of how many things I've done with the same needle. Thanks!!

[StitchinGrandma]

What needle size did you use on that? I see some slight puckering around the small letters also which usually points to the stabilizer.

Did you wash the pillowcase first?
Did you iron after doing the embroidery?
If the pillowcase wasn't washed first but you ironed, especially with steam after the embroidery it could have been enough to shrink the fabric causing the puckering you have.

Is this the first thing you've had this happen to? If not, it could be a number of other things too like the tension needing some adjustment on your machine even.

[susank]

I too would go with cut away when this happens. I get the best results with it even though the tear away creates a nicer back.

[idesign]

A cutaway--one or two pieces may help. You can get a fusible cutaway called, "No Show Mesh", and then use a floated piece of plain cutaway under that. The fusible will help even more to keep the fabric stable.

Is it a pillowcase where you would see a cutaway shadow? If so, there is a water soluble stabilizer called, "Wash Away Extra", which is a sticky, cloth like stabilizer that will dissolve afterwards, and you can float a plain wash away under that. I wash my pillowcases and dry in the dryer so they do all their shrinking ahead of time. Then take liquid starch either straight out of the bottle or with a little water, and then smear it on the area where the design will go. I let it dry, then iron. It should be very stiff, which will help prevent puckering.

Good luck! We've all been there,

Carol

[ElaineR]

Hi All! Sorry to say that I am in agreement with everyone, I think it is the stabilizer. I am certainly not an expert either, but stabilizer is what it looks like to me. I had no idea when I started with this hobby 5 years ago that the biggest problem, besides expense (lol), would be the stabilizing! Sometimes I hate it!! It is sort of a love-hate relationship! The best thing to do is experiment with similar fabric, scrap, and be sure it is hooped or being held well by the hoop or adhesive (as some people don't hoop at all, therefore it is held well in someway) and try a stiffer maybe stabilizer. I have some sort of stiff tear away, I bought the whole bolt and I love it (tear away and also is wash away). Just experiment a little and I am sure it will work out for you. I am working on towels now and am also having a little problem, but with my stitching, I have been experimenting and think I am ready for my real project. Good Luck,
Elaine

[sherrie]

I agress the stabilizer is good But the Size of the needle will make a different to. (pointed or Ball)
I like it. Good lucky
Sherrie

[lotto64]

I haven't tried prewashing, so I may try that. I got brave and bought another set of dark green ones today. I have cutaway stabilizer, but tearway is sooo convenient!

Yes, this is a great, but expensive hobby. Need to knock off a liquor store to keep up my habit!! LOL

[ElaineR]

Dive,
I rarely use cut away. I also love the tear away, and water soluble. The Aqua Magic has to be cut away some and then it dissolves with washing, it won't tear well. I was told by my Bernina dealer to use 1 sheet of stabilizer ( sort of like the Aqua Magic type) per 10,000 stitches. If you enlarge a design of course the stitches go up also. Sometimes I may have 3 layers on the bottom and of course use the 505 adhesive and hoop it tautly but not too-it can be tricky,depending on the fabric. If it is stretching fabric you can't stretch it at all or you will mess up your design. Some people also say to always use the film on top, and I love to do that too. The stabilizing and hooping to me are not fun, but after that I can watch the beautiful design come together like magic. I still can't believe what these machines can do!
Elaine

[chrissyw]

On pillowcases I always use cut away on the bottom and I use tear away on the top and embroider over it and then just tear it away---this is also how I do my onesies. It works great with the wider fonts like the candy cane!!!

[Granny313]

Chrissy - I wonder if you could do that with something dark? Like a dark towel, etc, then use tear away on the top to embroider a snowman so the dark color would not show through> What do you think? Would the tear away wash out or bunch up when washed or would the stitches hold it together?
Debbie

[lotto64]

Using stabilizer on top is new to me....never heard of that. I will try that on my old pillowcases to see how it does.

[susank]

You know I never use stabilizer on top - except when doing towels. I have never had a problem doing it this way.

[ElaineR]

Debbie, the tear away on the top will wash away on your towels, if you do want something to hold the loops down, the Dry Cover is probably the best way to go. Did you see my reply before that I only have the 6" tall small roll of the Dry Cover and it is all I need. On other things I just float the piece of film on top, once in a while I forget to lay it on top and things still seem to do fine. Also, I tried the Dry Cover on top of thick sweatshirt jackets to see if it would help keep stitches from sinking, I tried it with and without the cover up and as far as using it for that, me or my family couldn't tell hardly any difference. It is interesting how differently we all do things and if it works-that is all that matters, results! Right?
Elaine
Elaine

[Granny313]

Elaine - Thanks for all the info. Sometimes, even tho we do something and it seems to work, it's like I need a second opinion to say it's o.k. to do it that way! (LOL) You understand what I'm saying? It's like I need someone to give me permission! (Sounds like I have issues, huh?) I think I will try and order some dry cover up after Christmas, just to have on hand. You know I can not let someone else have something that I don't have. Besides, I might need it one day!!!

[ElaineR]

Debbie, I bought my little roll of Dry Cover months ago! and just now used it. Like I said, I experimented with it on the sweat jackets and didn't use it, but I did really like it for the towels. I don't do towels often, although I love to give them as gifts, and hope to do more than I have in the past. The Dry cover works great for them, so I guess it is worth keeping it on the shelf, lol.
Elaine