I've been trying my hand at fsl snowflake ornaments. My Brother is breaking threads right and left, especially when the design comes to the center, and is very dense. Does anyone know if I can enlarge the design just a tiny bit? Will that mess anything up? Does this happen to anyone else? I've rethreaded everything, changed needles, slowed the machine, and even cried a little. Thanks in advance.

Lots of good advice...come back and let us know how you made out...

1 comment

by parkermom 04 Nov 2016

I haven't had a chance to try anything yet, but I'll be sure to post if I have any positive results. Thanks. There were some great suggestions, weren't there.

Thank you for asking this question. I learned a lot.
I would like to know what you decide.

Hugs

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by parkermom 04 Nov 2016

I learned a lot too. This has been a crazy week, so I haven't gotten to do any embroidery, but I'll post an update when I get a change. Thanks

Most of the digitizers of FSL designs will tell you NOT to resize these designs as they are connected together in a certain way. Of course I had to try it anyway and had mixed results. They did hold together, but got misshapen and did not look very nice! Can you contact the digitizer and ask that question? Hugs. Nan W

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by parkermom 02 Nov 2016

If only I can remember where I got them from!

When I have a very dense design, I lower the density on my machine. This usually works (95% of the time) without problems.

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by parkermom 02 Nov 2016

I haven't learned to do that, but I'm going to try. Thank you.

I have made lots of FSL snowflakes. Most without dramas but the ones with issues turned out to be the design itself.
Try a design you know works well. I found a few designs I bought were just too dense and caused so many issues.
There is a good freebie from criswell I think that stitches out well for me each time. If I am having troubles I test settings with this design then I know if it the machine or the design.

I have heard of a couple of people enlarging FSL by 10% only but not tried myself. I would rather spend time stitching a design I know is good than trying to get a not so good one to work. The criswell one that always works for me is at the bottom of this page. It is a freebie

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by parkermom 02 Nov 2016

Thank you so much. I've never tried anything from this site before. I think that you're right--it may be the design itself. It is so very dense in the middle.

use the smallest hoop you have to fit the design and don't overcrowd

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by parkermom 01 Nov 2016

that may be my problem--I had tried to fit several onto my largest hoop instead of doing one at a time.

by bevintex 01 Nov 2016

I do all my fsl on vilene . I do not like the clear badgemaster type wash away, it never works for me and I quit buying it

I do a lot FSL and the only thing that has not been mentioned that may help is to give the thread plenty of room to unwind. Almost like you would treat metallic thread. Also try a different bobbin and see if it helps.
I had to do some samples today for a wedding and I used bobbin thread on the bottom, 40 weight Poly from Metro on the top. New 75/11 embroidery needle and my machine at speed of 600. Used the 4x4 frame on which all designs fit. (see result)
Make sure it is not a badly digitized design or thread that is brittle.

1 images:[1]

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by parkermom 02 Nov 2016

thank you. I haven't used the smallest hoop, so maybe that is part of the problem.

Have any of you tried one of those tiny little teflon washers in the bobbin case? Think that might help?

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by crafter2243 01 Nov 2016

I have never tried them since they only seem to be available for the L bobbins. My machine uses the larger size

I learnt ......same thread top and bottom, 2 layers of washaway stabilizer, size 90 embroidery needle, slow your machine when its dense stitching,never resize FSL designs,if you have 2 bobbins ( embroidery x sewing ) use sewing bobbin case so the tension is even.
Use the best rayon/polyester thread you can afford to buy, as cheap threads with shred, because the stitch count is very high to make them FSL. Hope this helps. Janette

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by parkermom 01 Nov 2016

I haven't thought of changing the bobbin case! Thanks. I'm doing all the other things you've mentioned.

it could be the design? If the design is heavier in the middle then perhaps it is the design? make sure the thread in the bottom is the same thickness as the top that sometimes makes a difference too. sometime I try a totally different spool of thread & see if that makes any difference at all. I hope that someone with more experience with this can help you out

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by parkermom 02 Nov 2016

It is very heavy in the middle, and in some other parts too.

I've always been told never try to enlarge or shrink FSL designs, just doesn't work.

2 comments

by bevintex 01 Nov 2016

I would try a different design

by parkermom 02 Nov 2016

I combined a few designs to fit in my larger hoop, so I think that is part of the problem too. I had five snowflakes, but the machine has messed up on the last three so instead of saving time with hooping, I've actually wasted time and only got two good ones. Live and learn.