Hi Everyone,

Hope you all are doing well. I on the other hand am not doing so great... Remember that Sweatshirt I was going to turn into a Jacket for my mom? Well, I finally got all the stitch out's using the embroidery machine, and it came out better than I expected.

My problem is this: I used a med weight stabilizer on the bottom, and Vilene (Water Soluble Stabilizer) on top. I marked everything that needed with either chalk or washable marker for garments. The marker and chalk came out perfectly, but the Vilene did not dissolve?!!! I am so bummed. It looks like broken tissue paper all around the edge of my design.

I could make another, but given that this one took me forever to stitch, I wanted to mail it out on Friday so that she could receive it by Tuesday. Her birthday is on the 13th.

Anyone have any experience with Vilene that can help me? Or is my project doomed?

Thanks!

Wanda

did you: take off what you could before starting? use hot enough water? soap? agitation? enough time? another try?

I'm not familiar with that particular product, but did you thoroughly soak it for awhile, or just spritz some water on it?

The only reason I ask is I used a product once on some blocks that didn't dissolve with a quick spritz or dipping.
It need to be soaked for a long time, and gently agitated in the plastic tub. If they weren't blocks, I would have tossed them in the machine.

I put it in the washing machine. Thought that would do it. Since it's a sweatshirt I didn't want it to shrink so I used warm water. Do you think if I run it again in hot water the rest will dissolve?

Can you submerge it in a sink full of water and hand-scrub after it's soaked for a while? Maybe scrub around the edges with a soft toothbrush after the Vilene is saturated and soft?

I haven't used this product a lot, but when I use any water-soluble stabilizer, I cut and/or tear away as much as possible before washing. I don't think I've ever noticed any that doesn't wash away.

OMGoodness! I'm really gonna cry!!! This is not vilene that I put on top! It's regular interfacing!!!!! I just took a test sample, and ran that test sample under hot water. Vilene usually, disappears in my hand while I have it under running water. This is interfacing because it didn't do anything.

Ouch.

Breathe.

Ok, how about trimming as close to the design as possible.
There will still be some stark white left showing.

This is what I've done on some of my really bad machine applique (or even a mismatched seam or two) -
I've used a Pigma pen in whatever color I needed to color the offending white.

Does that sound like doable option for you?

As you didn't post a picture, I don't know if I'd match it to the embroidery or background color.

Once the white is gone, the eye isn't even drawn to that area as it will totally blend in with the background.

Does that sound like doable option for you?

Okay, it's not the end of the world. Don't cry.

Make sure it's dry and then sit down in good light with a tiny pair of scissors and some tweezers. Grab a piece of the unwanted interfacing and dangle the project so that the weight of the project is pulling on the interfacing and stretching it out.

Hold it up to the light and start snipping around the edge with the scissors.

It will take some time, and you will need to go slowly to avoid snipping embroidery threads or the sweatshirt, but you can get rid of this.

When you have removed all that you can get to, there may be some spots that need covering over - just use the same color of embroidery thread and stitch over it by hand.

MTS gave you some good ideas, too! :thumbup:

this is the picture. I'm using my applique scissors now to try and cut the excess all around. We'll see how it looks when I'm done. I'm so totally bummed. I should be lining the jacket right now, and getting it ready for shipping!!!! Thanks for your advice, I'll post another one when I'm done.

Hugs,
Wanda


Ouch.

Breathe.

Ok, how about trimming as close to the design as possible.
There will still be some stark white left showing.

This is what I've done on some of my really bad machine applique (or even a mismatched seam or two) -
I've used a Pigma pen in whatever color I needed to color the offending white.

Does that sound like doable option for you?

As you didn't post a picture, I don't know if I'd match it to the embroidery or background color.

Once the white is gone, the eye isn't even drawn to that area as it will totally blend in with the background.

Does that sound like doable option for you?[/quote]

of course and the picture comes out the wrong way! what else will go wrong!

Holy cow - that is a LOT of trimming. :(

Bless your heart, I can see why you were about to cry.

Yeah, I was sort of picturing a more densely embroidered pattern.

Well, now that I see it, at least blending won't be a problem so you won't have to use trhread or a pen.
I really think if you trim as closely as possible, no one would ever really see whatever remained of the stabilizer.

It took me a minute to even see the stabilizer in your picture, and that was only because it rolled back on itself.

I'm giving up. It's coming out horribly. The inside parts where the flowers are, there is just enough space to get in, and cut, but it appears "rough" when you cut it. So it looks fuzzy and not very pretty.

I'm going to forget about it. I don't have the time to restitch it, so i will make the purse I was going to make along with the jacket. I will fill the purse with some goodies, send her that, and will work on the jacket and send it to her for Christmas. I just can't stop crying!

Here - have some chocolate - you deserve it!!! Wait - I'm going to the store to get some wine too........

I think it is beautiful! I also think giving it to her for Christmas is a terrific idea - you will, hopefully, have time by then to trim off most of the interfacing - and I'd not worry about what remains - anyone who sees it will look only at the beautiful design.

I'm glad someone has a sense of humor. This really meant alot to me. I know that I can recreate this, but it will have to wait a while. I just thought had this in the bag. It's taken me over a month to complete this, only to have it blow up in my face, DAYS before I'm to send it out just really irks me.

Wanda

No suggestions ... just wanted to say it's beautiful

that is a beautiful design

Thank you Montana Jan, and SuzyQ. I will redo it, just not right now.

Hugs,
Wanda

Thank you dltaylor!

I can understand your frustration, that's where I have been too.
It is beautiful, and chocolate sounds great!
Keep working on those gifts.

Wish I was closer. Maybe I could help pick..

memepat, that's very sweet of you.

hugs,
wanda

thanks grammydar, I will. I just need to get myself together. So much work, but such is life. ;-)

Hugs, Wanda

Oh dear. Sorry to hear, but, it is really beautiful.

The embroidery is awesome!

Is this on the back of the jacket?

If your Mom is a reasonable sort - I would just trim it as well as I could, finish it off as well as possible, and have Mom wear it a lot so she has a reason to wash it often. Hopefully, that would take care of the excess Vilene.

Thank you Stitchnripper! Love your name!!! ;-)
Hugs,
Wanda

Oh my, yes its ok to weep........what a nice design........sorry I don't have any ideas............calla

P.S. inaddition to Paulsw suggestion I would have a couple of drinks too.............sheesh............but could be worse. At least the interfacing is quiet...........I did a bargello jacket once and to stablize the metalic fabric I used paper backed interfacing. I make noise when I move my shoulders......but at least its just in a small area..............

bearisgray,

This is a Sweatshirt, that I opened up from the front, and was going to make it into a jacket. The stitching is on the front left of the jacket.

It looks like it's been through the ringer already. I can't send it to her like that. My mom is very humble and modest, and I'm sure she would not mind, but I'm not happy with the way it looks, so for now, it will just have to sit. I am going to work on the purse I was going to make along with the jacket. I won't be putting embroidery on that, so I'm sure the purse will come out spectacular!

Hugs,
Wanda

beautiful peacock!

Thank you SUZAG! ;-)

Seriously, would you consider making me one? What would you charge? It's just gorgeous.

I'm so sorry you had this happen to you. It really is a beautiful design and when you can either fix it or make another, it's going to be a treasure for your mom. In the meantime, I bet she'll love the purse.

You might be able to find some peacock print fabric and do a lining ???

Don't feel bad, I have done that before too. It isn't fun and I wanted to cry also!

I use glad press & Seal now so I don't do that again.

BTW, it is BEAUTIFUL!! Maybe you can add some cording around the design to hide the stabilizer??

Where did you get that design?

I'm so sorry for you. It is a beautiful jacket.

You might consider making a pillow out of it. I sure wouldn't want to just toss it in the trash.

Try soaking it in water softener. A product that I bought said to do that. It was a stickly water soluable stablizer.

I just feel so bad for you. The design is gorgeous; I wish I had some advice for you but I don't. The only thing that is good is that you shared with all of us and now maybe you saved one of us from doing the same thing. I just finished a Boy Scout quilt for my grandson; thought I had used tear away stabilizer where I embroidered his name; went to tear away and it doesnt' want to budge. I have no idea what I put there but thank God, it is inside and I could cut most of it away. See, we all do these things. Take a breath and forgive yourself.