after stitching out several different designs both downloaded and ones included with my machine I've concluded that my machine is broke! UGH! I'm pretty ticked... It doesn't seem to be lining things up quite right, on all of the designs I've done when it gets to the outline it's off by 1/16-1/8 of an inch in where it puts the stitches so it always looks like a bad print job (you know where the outline and the color don't meet)

anyway I need to get this project done. Could someone please download the 17th butterfly down on the far right colomn by Norma Hickmott from here (http://www.annthegran.com/free_designs_frameset.htm) It's 5 color changes and approx. 3" square design.
I'd like to send you the shirt front that it needs to go on and I'll send the colors I want or if you'd prefer I can send the thread. I'll pay for this service! Just let me know how much. I really need to finish this up asap.

Thanks!!!

I can do it for you if you like, but it sounds like your problem is improper stabilizing, and perhaps hooping too loosely. If your fabric can move around, it will get all wonky. Another thing is that sometimes designs can just be crappy, especially free ones. I would suggest hooping your stabilizer, tightly, then spray with your fav spray adhesive, place fabric on top nice & straight, with no wrinkles, and try again. The bad outlines are part of the learning curve of embroidery. It can really wreck a good design.

Also, I downloaded the butterfly design, and in embird, it looks like the outline is off a bit to begin with, so it might just be a bad design

http://www.beaconfabric.com/vindex.html?SelectingtheRightStabilizer.htm

http://www.taunton.com/threads/pages/t00100.asp

http://www.fabricchest.com/sewingtips/stabilizers.html

I've had problems with a couple of designs from Ann the Gran. They're mostly done by amatures, and so aren't going to be perfect. I had one that the outline was off almost an inch!! So I test stich most stuff from there now.

Here's a link to a search for free embroideries. A lot are samples from professional digitizers, and so less mistakes. Maybe you can find something else you can use instread.

http://search4designs.com/index.html

I have noiced the same thing when fabric is hooped too loosely and as Allison said, free designs aren't always perfect. I had one from Ann the gran that kept skipping stitches every inch or so on the outline. It did no matter what I tried so I am pretty sure it was the design. Serahc 4 designs is a great resource and I have an embroiderydk membership and I love it. I've never had a bad design from there and it's only 5$ a month for unlimited designs.

Originally posted by mommy2maya
I can do it for you if you like, but it sounds like your problem is improper stabilizing, and perhaps hooping too loosely. If your fabric can move around, it will get all wonky. Another thing is that sometimes designs can just be crappy, especially free ones. I would suggest hooping your stabilizer, tightly, then spray with your fav spray adhesive, place fabric on top nice & straight, with no wrinkles, and try again. The bad outlines are part of the learning curve of embroidery. It can really wreck a good design.

Also, I downloaded the butterfly design, and in embird, it looks like the outline is off a bit to begin with, so it might just be a bad design

http://www.beaconfabric.com/vindex.html?SelectingtheRightStabilizer.htm

http://www.taunton.com/threads/pages/t00100.asp

http://www.fabricchest.com/sewingtips/stabilizers.html How much is Embrid? All the software I have came free with the magic box+... I used EMBroidery to edit the colors and when I stitched out the butterfly save through it the body was half way into a wing :rolleyes:
I thought you were suppose to hoop stabilizer and fabric? I've been spraying the fabric smoothing on the stabilizer and the hooping them both I'll try it like you suggested and see if I get a better stitch out.
I do think I was maybe using to lightweight of a stabilizer I got some puckering in places
Thanks for the links I'll check them out!

Yes, if you are getting puckering you might need more stabilizer, and it could be too loose. I think it is personal preference whether you hoop stabilizer alone or with the fabric. I have better luck with the stabilizer only.

thanks!!!!

another question for you... do you cut your jump threads inbetween each colorchange or when you're finished? I would think you'd do it at the end to avoid bumping something out of place etc... but then I'm concernced that if it's a dark color it might show through when gone over by a lighter color? am I just being irrationale?

Always at the end, for that reason. Also, another thing I learned early on, make sure your machine is on a super sturdy table. The jarring & vibrating from the constant stitching can cause your design to go off kilter as well.

:) thank you! can I ask another question? (I think this is the last one lol) How do you do an applique? like the nativity on this page (http://www.secretsof.com/content/1125) it seems like it would be hard to precut the pieces to *just* the right size but if you trim the fabric afterward don't you get an outline?

I've been lurking in this thread and I want to say thanks for all the questions and the links. I too have a new machine and am soaking up all the hints and tips I can get to learn how to get the most out of it.

Thank you for the links. I'll go back and read them when it's not nearly midnight...


Tawnya

This is the most wonderful and simple tutorial on appliques!

http://www.motherhenquilts.com/apphelp.html

That is a great detailed tutorial on applique~

Great link! Thanks!!