I need heIp with stitch count for density. Some designs I have tryed are to dense for the fabric I try to use them on. Is there such a thing as small, medium, and large stitch count for fabric? TU

Cross stitch goes by count 111, 13, etc stitches per inch. Most machine embroider is made to fit a hoop size. A dense pattern requires a heavier stabilizer. That way it doesn't curl up or shrink when you launder it. Always steam or lauder before embroidery, helps preshrink the fabric. You can also control the density of the pattern by using a thinner thread. The higher the number the thinner the thread. I usually use 60 weight on dense machine embroidery. Thin designs get a 40. Just experiment on somethings from the thrift shop til you figure it out. Experience is the best teacher. Happy Stitches, Freida

I would give you all flowers, however, I don't know how. I do love this site. Hugs to aLL!!!

1 comment

by ruthie 11 Feb 2008

dlmds, we too *all* love this site because it's so friendly and helpful, which is why we spend toooo much time here!!! It's a terrific place to be - especially when we're supposed to be doing housework, haha. Read my answer to coreyritajo's question - 'This may be a stupid question, but I don't know so I'll ask', it explains all about flowers, they are such fun to give, in fact I've just given everyone here a flower to say 'hi, have a terrific day everyone'.

Thanks to all of you, I am quite new to all this. Sounds like the best way to do embroidery,is to just keep trying.I was using a cotton quilt fabric+2 sheets med. tearaway stabilizer. Yes,my design was dense.

Yes, Jrob is right, the correct stabilizer is probably the most important part of a design sewing out properly without puckers, etc. and Jrob's 'article' in Q&A is right on. Whenever my designs mess up, it's usually because of hooping or stabilizing or both. Embroidery Library has some great articles on stabilizer and hooping, as well. www.emblibrary.com (I think) Kenny's Korner. Kenny is a real embroidery whiz, writes in a very understandable style as well. Good Luck! Marji

Be sure that you are using the correct stabilizer, too. That makes a WORLD of difference! Go to page 29 or last page of this site (numbers are at the bottom when you are at the question list) and read what I wrote about stabilizers in the questions there. Hope this helps you.

1 comment

by dlmds 12 Feb 2008

jrob, Thank you for having me go to page 29 for stabilizer info. It is very helpful. I found out how to give flowers also, YEA!! So a big flower for all that helped me. Thanks all!!

dlmds, good to see you here. You don't say what fabric you were using, sometimes a design is simply just too heavy/dense for a light fabric. You might need to use a heavier fabric or choose a lighter/less dense design. All the best and hope you find a solution.

If you have software it may include the possibility of lowering the stitch count. Other than that you could try a thinner embroidery thread. Same works the other way round: using a thicker thread for a design that is not dense enough (say f.i. when embroidering a towel).

1 comment

by raels011 10 Feb 2008

Thanks mops I had never thought of changing thickness of thread You learn something everyday