tips please for embroidering tshirts /stretch material to prevent puckering

I just attended a class on t shirt embroidery and we were told to first use sticky stabilizer and then float a piece of soft n sheer cut away on the back. I did it and had no problem. emeecat

I use a fuseable tearaway that is made for tshirts and knits, you just iron it on the wrong side and depending on the pattern I also put tearaway under the hoop and tear them together. The fuseable just peels off

Probably the most important thing with tshirt material is to be sure that you DONT stretch it. I always place a piece of cut-away stabilizer which I spray with a temporary adhesive spray to the inside of the shirt or material. Making sure that it is larger than your hoop, then when you hoop, since the cut-away doesn't stretch, you are ready to go.
P.S. Also be sure that you do not try to sew something too dense on a tshirt as it will "draw" up the design and look concave or cupped.

2 comments

by minicow 09 Jul 2007

Thankyou jrob. I've sent you a flower in appreciation. I love sewing for Grandchildren,neices and nephews and machine embroidery has opened up a whole new world for me. From minicow(I live on a farm & my hobby is miniatures or dollshouses).

by jrob 10 Jul 2007

Neat hobbies. I sew and quilt. When I got this new machine last May, however, my quilting took a back seat for awhile! I love embroidery! DH is afraid I will embroider his underwear!

I have a Janome machine and I have found that if you hoop it as firm as possible, then add a couple of layers of tear away (a reasonable heavy weight)underneath it does not pucker at all, this does not have to be hooped it can just be put underneath before doing the embroidery. Also if you use a fluffy stretch of towelling fabric also add a layer of solvy or similar which I also place in the hoop.Good Luck

1 comment

by minicow 09 Jul 2007

Thankyou dixie - you also have a flower from minicow

One thing that I have used that seems to work is to use sticky-backed paper stabilizer. I hoop only the stabilizer with the release paper still covering the sticky side, and the sticky side facing up. Then, I use a needle to score the release paper and pull it off, revealing the sticky surface going up close to the hoop. I place the t-shirt or other knit fabric on the sticky stabilizer without stretching it and making sure it is smooth, and if necessary I also pin it in place around the edge (where the machine needle won't hit) so it doesn't move. Long quilters' pins work well for this. The sticky paper stabilizer keeps anything from stretching or puckering. Hope that helps. =]

2 comments

by minicow 09 Jul 2007

Thankyou cutiepie. A flower has been sent from minicow in appreciation.

by freida 19 Dec 2007

Thanks, Cutiepie, this exactly the way I do thin woven fabrics. This will be easy technique for me. I even do the pinning. Thanks again..I just gave you another flower.