by crazypatchmama 14 Aug 2017

This is an altar cloth made for the Sisters of Charity. Had a difficult time with the puckering, good thing she gave me a small piece where I could try out the embroidery before I did this, in the end, I put 2 sheets of tear away stabilizer and only a slight pucker can be seen I think. I wanted to use a more dense font but it was too dense I think. Am interested to know what you do to avoid puckerings. thank you. Hugs, Mary

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by pennyhal2 14 Aug 2017

This is lovely and I think a lot of what view as puckers may just need ironing with a litte spray starch to flatten the fabric. I find that with some fabrics no matter how much I starch them, the fabric will pucker especially when going diagonally across the grain.

An iron-on stabilizer might help, but you need to get one that is a washaway if you don't want it to show on the back. I also would experiment with a sticky back washaway too. Having said all that, getting the right combination of stabilizers without making the fabric bullet proof can be tricky. I put two layers of vilene on top of the fabric in addition to the bottom stabilizer when I think I may have pucker problems like when I do tshirts. It add a little extra space under the threads so that the fabric has a little space to relax. I use vilene scraps for the first layer and a regular sheet on top of the scraps. The solid top layer keeps the foot from getting caught in the overhanging parts. I don't use spray glue on the vilene for this as it tends to make it more difficult for the needle to go through all those layers.

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crazypatchmama by crazypatchmama 14 Aug 2017

Thank you for your comment and advice. Will take note of this next time.

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by lbrow 14 Aug 2017

I think it is beautiful!/Lillian

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crazypatchmama by crazypatchmama 14 Aug 2017

Thank you, Lillian, you are always there to give me your support. Hugs, Mary

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by sonjapotgieter 14 Aug 2017

Well done..Beautiful!!

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crazypatchmama by crazypatchmama 14 Aug 2017

Thank you!!!!

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by kustomkuddle 14 Aug 2017

It is beautiful. It's simplicity and the phrase give me goosebumps. You did a wonderful job. As far as puckering goes, like others said, a lot depends on the fabric. In addition to two layers of stabilizer underneath, I have used a wash away on top.

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crazypatchmama by crazypatchmama 14 Aug 2017

OOOhhhh, thank you sooo much! I will try putting a wash away on top next time.

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by toogie 14 Aug 2017

Love it and I think you were right to use two layers of tear-a-way.

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crazypatchmama by crazypatchmama 14 Aug 2017

Thank you, Toogie, you always have such nice ideas.

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by noah 14 Aug 2017

Awesome job hugs

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crazypatchmama by crazypatchmama 14 Aug 2017

Thank you, Towel Queen etc. Hugs

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by dragonflyer 14 Aug 2017

Beautiful job, Mary...as for puckering...a lot can depend upon the type of fabric it is, too. Spray starch can help. I know some quilters who will spray starch 5 or 6 times to get the fabric very stiff before embroidering. It does help quite a bit with puckering. I think you did the right thing by testing out the fabric before beginning your project. That can answer a lot of questions before you move onto the actual project.

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crazypatchmama by crazypatchmama 14 Aug 2017

Thank you, Kim . I did spray starch it as well, maybe that also helped. I tried so many times, believe me, I was about to write to you but know how busy you are, but changing the font probably helped as well, no longer as dense. I saw the one you did for Carolyn, one of them is dense, but hers did not pucker, maybe it is in the digitizing as well? I used the font available in my program, Times block in the beginning, and it was just a disaster. But the one on top is Carlton UC. Hugs, Mary

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by basketkase 14 Aug 2017

I think it looks fabulously beautiful, Mary!!

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crazypatchmama by crazypatchmama 14 Aug 2017

Thank you, Vicky.

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by pennifold 14 Aug 2017

I love the simplicity of this frontal Mary.
With regard to puckering issues I try not to have my fabric too tight so there is a bit of give, but it depends on the fabric. I know others have suggested spray starching the fabric, but I haven't tried it. I'm sure others will come along with more suggestions. Good luck, ❤️ Chris

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crazypatchmama by crazypatchmama 14 Aug 2017

Thank you, Chris, I did spray starch as Kim suggested, maybe that also helped. Luv, Mary

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by asterixsew Moderator 14 Aug 2017

This looks great and please what is the font you used?

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crazypatchmama by crazypatchmama 14 Aug 2017

Thank you, I used Carlton UC from the fonts available in my program from Pfaff, Express Monogram Wizard.

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