By Cindy D.
I used to get so frustrated because I stitched out this beautiful design and when it came time to do the outline, it was off. Sometimes I could stitch it and it would be perfect and the next time it wasn’t. I learned a little trick that may work for you, I now do this every time I have an outline on an embroidery design and I have never had a problem again.
After stitching the design, I leave my hoop in place, raise my needle and shut my machine off. I then turn my machine back on and let it re-center itself (provided your machine does this). I then skip to the outline section of the design, change my thread color, and begin stitching. It stitches perfectly every time.
One precaution you have to be aware of, if your fabric has stretched or it wasn’t stabilized correctly nothing you do will make the outline come out right. You do have to remember all the pushing and pulling of the fabric that is going on while it is stitching the design. Most importantly, before anything, is make sure you are using the correct stabilizer. Personally, I always use a heavy cut-away stabilizer unless I’m doing Free Standing Lace. I gave up messing up designs because the stabilizer was the thin or had too much play in it.
If you try this, I would suggest to try it on scrap fabric and test it first. This is just a little tip I have picked up along the way and like I said, I have never had problems with outlines since I started doing this. I sincerely hopr this works for you.
This is something I will deffinately try but what do you do when you have made adjustments to the design while it is in the machine? Once you turn your machine off, it resets everything.
Hello Cindy.
I have had my share of unhappy endings to my designs. Sometimes no matter what you have done it doesn’t turn out as desired. Your tip looks useful, I am not sure if my machine will center in the same way as yours, but I am going to try this and see what happens. Also the reminder
re the stabilizer is good. The way the design is put together is also important, I am taking a course on my software, had a problem in the stitchout, and found others had the same problem, ie the middle was a bit humped. It was created
by the way the stitch density pushed the fabric when we put the design together, and nothing would fix that. Except to redo. We all learned from our mistake and that is why we take classes. Thanks for sharing your tip. Lois
THANKS FOR THE TIP I TO OFTEN HAVE THIS PROBLEM SO I WILL TRY IT ASAP CAROLYN
I had begun to be a tiny bit upset because of the puckering mainly, but the outlines as well. My answer has been to use Pellon under my embroideries. I hadn’t considered that I could just use a heavy cut away instead. Thanks for the idea.
Betty
This makes a lot of sense and something I am going to try.
Jacqualin
Thanks for idea I though I was the only one having this problem. I have messed up a couple of clothes and it’s very upsetting. Sue
So frustrating when the outline is off. I have been there. Will definitely try your method next time I do my design that is notoriously off and see what happens. Thanks so much for sharing.
Cindy, this is a problem. And your idea seems to be a great one. Unfortunately, if I turn off my Pfaff, the design is gone. Boo. Wish I could try it. Thanks for the “trick.”
Sounds like a great idea to me. Thanks for the extra suggestion. Always worth trying something different!
I have had endless problems with this, so your suggestion is worth a try. Thanks for the tip, will let you know how I get on.
What a great tip ! Thank you.
Omigosh! I can’t wait to try this. Thank you – this problem has been big and hairy for me at times.
I love this idea and would never have thought of it myself. Of course, it only works if you haven’t had to move the design to center it before sewing. I will definitely try this on my very next project. Thank you SO MUCH for sharing!
I’ve also learned if u don’t finish the design when its time for the outline it will be off every time don’t start a design if u can not finish because the longer it sits the more it draws up…..also if u have more than 1 save design always use the same design every time! u know! if u got one a floppy ,one on CD,one in the computer.my girlfriend had that problem…good luck Peggy
Hi everyone! Have have read some of your comments to this tip. Fortunately, my machine does recenter ever time I shut it off. As far as adjusting my machine, I always write down how many “clicks” I have moved the design. Yes, when you shut the machine off, the design does go away, you have to reload the design and skip to the outline….hope that makes it make more sense.
Hugs
Cindy
super suggestion. This is likely the one most common problem with designs. I will certainly try this when doing outlines again.
I just completed my first design. My machine did not go back and outline. Do they always do that? If so, can anyone take a guess as to why mine didn’t. For a first time project I am not unhappy with it but it isn’t 100% perfect! And for a perfectionist my grade on this is 93%. I was a bit surprised it wasn’t 100% so any suggestions will be most welcome.
Barb
If you make changes, keep it in memory, then when you turn off the machine, restart it with the design in memory.
THANK YOU, THANK YOU. the outer stitch drives me wild. Sometimes on but most of the time off. I tried your trick and it is like magic. Thank you I can now let my hair grow instead of pulling it out.
thanks for the tip. lovely to chat to people far away as I am from South Africa.
SUPER, FANTASTIC, – Need I say more – Your remedy works, now sewings no chore!!
will definitely try this but I find the quality of the design helps tremendously, dont have too many problems with designsbysick ones :O)
I am from South Africa and new at Machine Embroidery. I have had enless problems with my projects that had to be outlined. They were all off the mark and sad to say looked terrible. I was very disappointed but am so glad finding your chat room and reading that many of the ladies have had the same problem.
Thankyou for the advice I am surely going to try it soon.