lwbuchholz

I am trying to embroider on t shirts and when I get them done and washed it looks like the thread has shrunk and it is poly or rayon and can't shrink. I have washed the shirts well ahead of time and have tried many different kinds of and thickness of stabilizer. I can't figure out what I am doing. The tension on my machine isn't one of those that you can adjust by increments so I have tried each of the 3 settings. I am frustrated!
Thank you for your help.

patricej

does it look that way before you put it into the dryer?

polyester is sensitive to heat. i'm not sure about rayon. i wouldn't expect either one to shrink in the dryer, so the question is based on a wild guess.

Onebyone

Do you have a dealer/shop close to take machine embroidery classes? My friends who machine embroidery swear by taking classes.

Snooze2978

By chance are you stretching the t-shirt onto the hoop? That could cause some of the shrinking afterwards. I don't bother embroidering on t-shirts because of that problem.

Gay

Did you use a good stabilizer behind? Much needed with t-shirt fabric. I myself would use A4 copy paper, it will wash out later, and the embroidery shouldn't shrink.

lwbuchholz

I have never heard of using paper. My daughter uses cotton fabric. As for the other responses I have used all kinds and weights of stabilizers I attach them to the t shirt before embroidering so it is stable and shouldn't stretch in the hoop. It does look pretty much like that when I rewash it after embroidering. I hadn't thought of the thread shrinking in the dryer. But that is a good thought. There isn't a place to take classes close I am remote.

Rhonda K

There are many factors into getting good results. Hooping and stabilizers are contributors.

How dense is the embroidery design? Lighter stitch count designs work better.

What stabilizing technique are you using for the shirts?

Fuse a fusible product on the back of the shirt. Hoop a layer of cut away. Smooth the shirt onto the hoop. Add a basting box around the design.

Depending on the design, you may need to float another layer of tear away under the hoop.

Slow the machine speed down for stitching.

Helpful guide.

https://rnkdistributing.com/floriani-product-guide-2/

itsabreeze2me

Good morning,

I don't usually post here but, thought I'd put in my experience as a fairly new machine embroiderer. I've done t-shirts, towels, sweatshirts, blankets, hats. Currently trying my hand at working with organza to make an ornament.

When I've done t-shirts, I use Terial Magic sprayed on the t-shirt. It can be found on Amazon. It make the t-shirt stiff so, it isn't stretchy. I hoop a medium weight tear away stabilizer to the hoop and spray with Spray Bond basting spray. I then float the t-shirt and apply a clear wash away stabilizer on top and pin to secure. Never had a problem using this method. Recently I didn't for a heavy satin stitched letters and did have some puckering. My fault as I didn't want to do the extra step with Terial Magic. Live and learn.
Maybe this will help...worth a try.

I've never used rayon thread, only polyester but I'd love to try it. Only reason I haven't is because I read that rayon is mostly used for things that aren't washed often.

I'm no expert but, agree with Rhonda K.

lwbuchholz

I found I can't use terial magic. It has a fragrance that sends me into asthmatic fits. I haven't used the hint to put something over the design area I will try that. I may be just too picky. I just ordered the wash away to put over the design and will find out if that works for me. Thank you!
I have tried all the other hints that have been mentioned and watched lots of you tube videos. I will get there! Thank you to all of you.