design on knits

I just tried my first design on knitted fabric. It was for someone else and had a deadline! Most uncomfortable for a comparative newbie. It was on the neck of a turtleneck shirt.

I did a number of practice pieces using the sticky back stabilizer (Sulky) and quickly found out I needed to cut out the spot I'd be embroidering and replace it with unsticky stuff when the needle gummed up.

So now that I've survived, I have some questions if someone would be so kind as to share their expertise. Is there a sticky backed stabilized that doesn't gum up the needle?

The outline was not always where it should have been so in addition to using a tearaway where the design would be on the sticky and a water soluble on top, I hand basted the pieces together in the frame. It was much better but still not perfect. Should I have used something stronger than the tearaway? Is there something better to use on top on a knit than a water soluble? Should/can I use the free basting things I found on the internet for knits? Would it be okay to hoop the neck or would it become misshappen? TIA Barbara of the Eastons

Reply to
Baye
Loading thread data ...

I use "Hydro-Stick Tear-Away" from OESD. It is very heavy and doesn't gum up my needle. I found out the hard way...that you have to re-wet it when you tear it away. I would still use solvy on the top for knits. It is very good stuff and I used it to embroidery those shag bath mats with the rubber backing.

5 foot 2
Reply to
5 foot 2

Stick-It-All is another brand of sticky back stabilizer that is not supposed to "gum up" your needle, but it does. I have not found one that doesn't yet. Unless you want to spend the extra $ for teflon needles for your machine, you're going to get some gummed up needles. Just keep an eye on the needle and when you see a little ball of gum, stop and clean it off.

When I embroider on knitted fabric, I use an iron on stabilizer. I have used several kinds but like "TOTALLY STABLE", which I buy from Nancy's Notions on line, the best. Iron the stabilizer on the fabric and hoop them together. When you put the hoop on the machine, float a piece of tear away under the hoop.

The use of water soluble topping is to keep stitches from getting buried in the pile (or nap) of the fabric. I don't normally use it on jersey knit, but do need it on some pique knits. This can be either floated on top or hooped with the fabric.

Outlines can make or break a design and the only way to be sure they stay where they are supposed to be is to be sure your fabric cannot move in the hoop. If your software will allow it, do your outlines immediately after you do the fill of any area.

H>I just tried my first design on knitted fabric. It was for someone else and

Reply to
TIZME

SIA is a sticky stabilizer and has never given me any troubles of the "gum-up" type. It is attached to the bottom of the hoop, stick the embroidery area down on it, and I usually "float a piece of cutaway underneath. I have tried Hydro Stick also, and it works well with the same method.

I would not hoop a knit.........it stretches a bit no matter what you do, and that is not good.

Reply to
Pat

Reply to
Baye

I developed Hydro stick It was specifically developed to avoid any residue on hoops and needles and to replace pressure sensitive adhesives and sprays Use only a little bit of water You should use the cutaway version in knits Cutaways have longer fibers than tearaways and allow the threads to wrap tighter - a necessity on a knit (It is being redeveloped and improved under the name Wet & Set)

Some other options for knits would be the "no show" mesh in beige or white It is also available in a fusible version - to again avoid adhesive sprays Please e-mail me privately for samples , instructions or further info

Sincerely Fred

Reply to
<flebow

InspirePoint website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.