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Help on fabric puckering, please

Hi all. I'm very new to machine embroidery, and have been trying to read everything I can get my hands on, and have learned a lot from this group. Thanks for being here, and helping so much!

I've got a problem with the fabric on the designs I've been using "puckering". I'm not talking about the kind of puckers caused by the needle snagging on on the fabric, but almost the kind of pucker you would get if you pinched the middle of a square of fabric between thumb and forefinger, then turned it over, while still pinching it and tried to lay it flat.

Is it possible that I'm not putting enough tension on my fabric and simply don't have it taut enough in the hoop? If so, can you guys think of any hints and tips to help me get it stretched tighter? It seems to me I have it stretched as tight as it can go at the moment. Could that be the problem?

I'm using 40wt rayon thread on the top, and 60wt bobbin thread, and tearaway stabalizer on the bottom, and the fabric is simply cotton broadcloth. These are commercially available designs (I haven't managed to do much digitizing...yet!) This is on a brother PC-6500 machine. Don't know if that information is necessary at all, but thought I might as well put it in now, rather than have you guys ask me about them later.

TIA for any help those more experienced than I can offer.

LaffinMom

Reply to
LaffinMom
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Reply to
jackiepsews

I suppose the pulling after the hooping was my mistake. Thanks so much for the information!

LaffinMom

Reply to
LaffinMom

I have been embroidering for a couple of years now. I very rarely hoop the fabric or garment I am working on. I use 505 spray to keep it in place. It doesn't gum up the works either. You also have a much better shot at getting the stabilizer hooped perfectly because you are not under pressure to get the fabric in there too. I usually print a mock up of the design and mark the placement on the stabilizer for stitchout. Hope this helps, Nana

Reply to
nana2b

When I started I hooped both fabric and stabilizer, but then found that my stitchouts were puckering. So I spoke to the dealer and she said she hooped only the stabilizer and used the 505 spray. She also said that if I were going to hoop both fabric and stabilizer, not to do it too tight. However, I have found that if you are working on a project which will never (or will be rarely washed) and stabilizer is not critical, you can use the sticky stuff. I used to hoop that, too, until I got lazy and just cut the sticky stabilizer the same size as my hoop and stuck to the bottom of the hoop taut. Then I would place the fabric on top. I got the sticky stuff from Marathon Threads in Winnipeg. I suppose you could use the sticky stuff the way I do, and then attach the stabilizer (that is suited for your fabric) to your fabric and lay that on top of the sticky stabilizer. Has anyone tried this?

If your hoop gets sticky at the bottom, this is how to clean it. In a well-ventilated room, put goo-gone all around the hoop frame. Let it sit for 10 minutes or so (but not longer because if the goo-gone dries you will have to apply it again). Wear rubber or latex gloves and use a rag to roll off the sticky stuff. Do the best you can and if you don't get it all off, soak it in hot water and repeat procedure again. Now I have heard that some people just stick their hoops in the dishwasher. I haven't tried it and I am worried that the detergent would eventually ruin the metal. Any comments on this?

I hope this helps.

Lin

Reply to
Linda Guy

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