GEMRM

I am not overly experienced in machine embroidery.
I am attempting to make a free standing lace bookmark on my embroidery machine.
I followed the tutorial provided by the company with respect to water soluble stabilizer, thread, needle, and hooping. Approximately 2/3 - 3/4 of the way through a 28,000 stitch pattern, the stabilizer began to show gaps, and then the bottom/top threads began to ball up, ruining the design. I ended up having to cut the stabilizer and remove the bookmark from the hoop.
So, my questions:
- is free standing lace a really difficult project? It seemed to go so well, until the problems began!
- could it be that my machine ran too fast and the needle heated and caused the holes to appear (DH suggestion)? If so, should I slow my machine and try again?
- can I double hoop stabilizer? if so, will this help or hinder the process?
- is it possible that I had the stabilizer too taut? I was using a metal/magnetic hoop as it's the only one I had close to the correct size.
Any other suggestions and options are welcome!
Thanks
GEMRM

PABerard

All your scenarios are possible, but no, FSL is not difficult. Why do these things always happen with a 28,000 stitch design though!?

"I" use 2 pieces of wash away (not the kind that looks like Syran wrap) and turn them at 90* so that they are crossing. I can't speak to the magnet hoop but if it holds it as well as regular hooping I think it "should" work. Otherwise you may have to hoop the stabilizer.

Good luck ~ Pat

mermaid

Yes, if you can, slow your machine...one of mine is slowed to 350per, but my little Disney 180 has no speed adjustment, and I have no probs with stitching. Oh, now and then it will start a nesting, but I catch it, cut away, back up several stitches and go again. I mostly use the WSS that looks like woven fabric, ..sometimes add a piece of the vilene...but the best tip I can give you is to hoop your stabilizer (1--2 layers) with a layer of bridal tulle...you know the fine net that veils are made of. It will provide stability for the stitches and blends as if part of the FSL. It is also wonderful for emb towels and nap fabrics (and it's cheap) I'm making snowmen, bells, Angels ornaments to add to my Xmas cards. For gifts, I'll be making candle jar wraps. So you can tell I am happily sewing FSL...and it's so pretty! Give it another go...good luck. Oh, one more tip..move your thread away from the machine on a stand, and drip a couple of mineral oil swipes down the wound thread.

deedum

also use a sharp needle. make sure your hoop is tight. any slack will give you some pull. I do use 2 layers of the wash away and no problem.

deedum

bridal tulle with the stablizer? I had heard something like that but haven't tried it. gee, want to mail me a Christmas card? That would be such a wonderful card to receive!

sherian

I have trouble too with sewing machine and my sewing pal says you have to have really good thread and bobbin. No dust in bobbin case, dust every time you start. This helps a lot. Then on embroidery machines it the same only more so. Now the last one is who made your design it how well your digitizer made the product. May have it to tight or loose at times she said you may even have a blank space or too stiches in one spot.

Quilty-Louise

From my own personal experience with making FSL (it IS one of my
faves to make) the following are the steps that I take.

1) start with a microtex or sharp LARGE eye embroidery needle
2) slow your machine down as slow as you can
3) 2-3 layers of a fibrous (not a "plastic" like texture) i use either or the
following Floriani Wet n Gone or Pellon 541 Wash n Gone (they have pretty
much the same texture)
4) I pretty much ONLY use Floriani thread for all my embroidery.

Hope you find a solution that works best for you.

GEMRM

Thank you everyone for the suggestions and support. I'm off to the fabric store to see if I can find some tulle and some different stabilizer as well. I think I'll try a smaller design first, one that has less than 28,000 stitches to learn on!
One lesson learned already! (Start small).

onemoe

check embroidery library. they have a lot of tuts

misskitty5

Just a thought, use the smallest hoop necessary to fit your stitching. Start with a new needle if your hear it pulling on the stabilizer, time for a new needle. Always use at least a double layer of wash away stabilizer (not the slick stuff) and hoop. You can float stabilizer under the hoop if necessary. Dust bobbin area frequently. If you happen to have thread break check your stitch count before you do anything else. This helps line back up if necessary and you will probably need to go back at least 25 stitches to start again. I am currently stitching out fsl angels and have had to take my own advice frequently lol. I forgot the most important 2 foot rule: Never get over 2 foot away from your embroidery machine when it is stitching--they have a sense of your presence and seem to know when you aren't watching.