I'm wondering if you do a test sew on everything before you sew it out? Some designs don't line up just right - does anyone else have this problem?

I need the digitizers to come to my rescue!!! Pretty please xoxo *

I test stitch (virtually) in both my software programs, this way i can check for missing stitches, scimpy underlay, poor digitising, etc. and both my programs allow me to completely alter any design but if the design needs too much fixing i will just create a new one as it is quicker. I haven't actually test stitched a design yet as I hate the thought of wasting all that thread, plus I rarely have any identical material to spare anyway.
Some lovely ladies here have test stitched some of my design creations though and i have really appreciated their input on my digitising.
hugs n roses, M

Interesting answers you got. I don't always test stitch, but I find the main problem is where there's an outline and that is normally hooping or stabilizer. *4U

I don't test stitch everything, but sure wish I test stitched more than I have ... blush blush. I am saving all the squares of fabrics I have my test stitches on to make a quilt one day. *4U ><>

bonehead, first let me WELCOME you to the 'CUTE' family. I usually do a test stitch on all designs - unless it is a designer that I have come to work with often and know their designs well. Some designers have test stitchers and they work out all the bad things that might happen - some do not - but if you are unsure about it - test stitch it - you may also see where you could use thread color changes to improve it - I have put a color in that I thought would work and it didn't and was glad it was on the test stitch - as for what to do with them - I have so many that I will be doing a couple quilts with them - when I can figure out how to make one look good. Put post your project - when you are finished - we would love to see it.

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Depends on what I'm putting it on. Usually do a test...but if it's something fairly "cheap" if I mess it up...like a kitchen towel...I don't always test it first. Actually, I have had very few bad designs. But if I'm putting it on something I sure don't want messed up, I do a test. I keep saving all those sew outs with the intentions of making a quilt or something. But I know I won't! If anyone comes up with a really neat way to use them, let us ALL know!

2 comments

by bonehead 02 Aug 2008

Thanks for the tip.
:o)

by meganne 03 Aug 2008

Donate to a local Nursing home as some elderly ladies still like to stitch things together but may not be able to do embroidery. hnr, M

I test stitch EVERY design no matter where I buy them or if they are free. It is certainly better than messing up a project.

3 comments

by bonehead 02 Aug 2008

Do you make something out of all the scrap?

by sanc 03 Aug 2008

I save them to put on other projects if they turn out OK (like a tote bag,etc.) or to stitch like samples together for a wall hanging or quilt or even a baby blanket. Samples can also be stitched on fleece - as if you were appliqueing with a blanket stitch, zigzag, or other decorative stitch. I cut the test design to fit the occasion - either just outside the actual stitching (can fray check to make sure it doesn't ravel) or in a square.

by americangirl 04 Aug 2008

These are all great ideas!

I do test stitch specially is something that I want to make sure does not get ruined. I learned this one the hard way too. *

If it's a freebie & something I want to b really perfect yes i will test sew it first. I learned the hard way on that after runing a few things, sometimes its best but with my soft ware I can enlarge designs & look 4 problems before i sew them that way I can edit & fix prior to sewing a test & b sure I fixed problems I saw. 4U

1 comment

by bonehead 02 Aug 2008

Thanks "sew" much for all the help.

If it is going on something I don't want to ruin or waste I would do a test. If it is something that can be done again on a square I may not test.

1 comment

by bonehead 02 Aug 2008

Thank you for all your help.
:o)

There are those who test their designs, and those who wish they had....that's from some embroidery site...I don't remember which, but I almost always DO a test. I have software that will minimally alter problems so outlines, I can fix. Usually an outline problem (at least from a reputable digitizer) is the stabilizer or the hooping as Chris said. Try that same design on scrap fabic similar to what you want to sew it on and put a different stabilizer or double your stabilizer.;)

I know I should,but I don't always do my test first.Sometimes like auntbaba said I sure wish I had!Welcome to Cute!

I don't always, but I usually wish that I had!

1 comment

by bonehead 02 Aug 2008

I know exactly what you mean. . .

Think it is always a good idea to do a test sew, you really wouldn't want to spoil the garment or whatever you were putting the design on...I have found some designs that are outlined you have to watch you stabilizing and the pull can make the outline not be in the right place...

That problem doesn't necessarily have to be the design. Hooping wrong, not enough stabilizer, or something bumping the hoop can all cause the outline to be off.

most I do sew out but if I have used the digitzer before I don't ,My machine sews diferent to others