Originally Posted by coconuts
I just got my machine and missed the lessons because they had them before I purchased. I am going to put an embroider butterfly on a small denim purse for a grandaughter, so I imagine the sticky self adhesive Sulky will work. But if I embroider pillowcases or dishtowells do I still have to use that or can I go to a lighter weight tear a way or wash a way?Does it always have to have a sticky back or can i use a spray adhesive with a wash a way on those two items?
Hi Coconuts! Finally someone i may be able to really help! I have a 6 needle Brother and a BabyLoc sewing machine. They are made by the same company and were i u i'd go back to the co. u bought your machine from and ask for classes. They shouldn't do just one and if you miss it you're outta luck! If they do spread the word, NOT good customer service!
On your denim, if it's a light butterfly, not full of satin stitches, an inexpensive tearaway works fine. On towels if there is a loft make sure you use a water soluable topper. (looks kinda like saran wrap and must be kept in a ziploc) Depending on denseness of stitches again, you can use a tearaway up to a cutaway underneath. My biggest budgeting tip on stablizer: Use a cheap tearaway to extend across your hoop and cut just large enough a piece of cutaway for your design if you need cutaway. I have all the stablizers but mostly use a med. tearaway and a heavy cutaway. The sticky back stables are really expensive so unless i'm doing a knit, jersey or rayon, (which i avoid like the plague!) i don't use stickys. If i were rich i'd use it all the time but...
I never use spray adhesive, i know all the magazines say to use it but it's a huge mess, not good for you to breath and i haven't missed it since the first few times i tried it. Hooping is the trick. I'd really recommend you get some muslin & other cheap fabrics as well as practicing on your jeans or any other different fabrics you can work on and just embroider, embroider, embroider! You'll get hooping down, stablizers down and know which thread colors you like on which designs. I have a book of designs, (besides my jeans!) that i just cut up and sewed together. I wrote on the fabric anything happened, what i need to change/keep the same, whatever. It sounds anal but you've GOT to stitch out every new design before you can use it on a gift or something you want to keep. Why not keep it and write down all the info while it's fresh in your mind?
Whew! Sorry, been embroidering for a few years now and i guess i needed to share!
Feel free to convo me anytime, obviously i'm happy to share!
Jae :roll: