I am sort of new to this replying but I thought I would add my two cents worth. I work in an embroidery shop and I think your challenge here is embroidery on two layers of fabric. When she put this piece on the machine, she had to use a hoop and that hoop stretches the foundation and keeps it taut for the embroidery. When we add an applique, that piece might be ever so slightly off in the grain and once the machine started stitching, the letters will pull that fabric that is not hooped and hence the puckers. I tell quilters who are planning on embroidery on a quilt piece to mark the pattern on the top of their fabric and leave me a generous margin so that I can hoop it. Then I give them back the piece with the backing on it for them to applique it. I don't recommend their doing the embroidery directly on the quilt. While it is certainly not their best work, many people who do embroidery for a living do not have a clue about what quilting is and they probably think it is okay. Professional embroidery and quilting are really two different things and not every shop has somebody who understands the difference.

Your embroidery can be removed and by whoever did it. They should have a small shaver that they will use on the back side and cut through the bobbin threads and then pick out the top. I would then remove the banner, have them do the embroidery on just a single layer of fabric and then applique it down. The foundation should not be compromised and your finished product will be something that you will be much happier with. I hope this helps your decision.

[quote=LindaR]me too...easiest solution...I would take the cut off piece and show them why you had to replace it. At least they won't say "no problem" next time :lol

What a horrible job of embroidery (as everyone here as already said) but, I certainly would not ask them to fix their mistake. I would be afraid for them to touch the project again. I think your solution is great and also agree that you should send a letter to them and the piece that they embroidered (along with copies of the pictures you took) and let them decide what they 'want' to do about the problem that they created. So sorry for what you are having to go through. Jinnie

This is the lesson I've definitely come away learning. I didn't know the "why's" behind it, but from now on I will not applique any embroidered areas first. I will leave the fabric whole and mark my applique cutting area. You've explained why that needs to be done (thank you), but my reason was so if things got messed up again, I wouldn't be ripping parts of my top out.

I'll post pictures of this hanging when I'm finished with it. Thanks everyone!

I have had an embroidery machine for five years and have never been able to remove stitches from anything I've embroidered and have the fabric look acceptable after. I would take it back to the one who did it and ask them to fix it. This is a question of the person's reputation and I would give him/her a chance to make it right. YOU are the paying customer and the bottom line is whether or not you are satisfied.

am so sorry, you MUST return it ,demand refund AND damages, I would certainly NEVER let them near it again , if you have trading standards report it to them too.

I would take out the stitches carefully and press it. Applique fabric cut letters over it and hand blanket stitch over the edge of the letters. Make sure you put it in an embroidery hoop to keep it smooth. That may have been the problem for the first job. They should had hooped and removed any wrinkles before doing the next letters or words. Good luck. It is a great design.

can we have pictures when you get it fixed

I do hope you let the shop know that you were not happy with their work on your piece. They may not understand that it was unacceptable. If you don't feel comfortable going in person, consider writing a brief letter explaining why you were unhappy - maybe include a picture with the problems pointed out. It doesn't have to be a scathing letter, just a 'wanted you to know' type.