I did one design - double and heart and it turned out great. I then attempted to do another design (the napkin one on this site) and the stabilizer tore during the stitch out - I used 2 sheets of WSS so I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong. Do I need more WSS or is the tension too tight? The WSS hooped too tight? I'm just not sure and I really don't want to waste more WSS. Can you help?

I use badge master from OESD. It is really thick and I don't get tear outs. Do not hoop the stabilizer too tight either. That can cause tear outs too. Suzanne

Thank you everyone for all the suggestions. I will purchase some vilene and use that instead. I really appreciate all your help. I love FSL and want to do it right. There are so many different stabilizers between all the brands, etc. it is sometimes hard to figure out which to use for what but I am learning as I go, so that is good. Thanks again.

If you are using Sulky, it needs to be Ultra Solvy, the thickest one. Regular solvy or super are not strong enough. They can be used as a topper. I also now use the vilene type, one layer suffices most of the time for that. It also rinses out faster and easier.
Jo

For FSL I prefer either 'Badgemaster' heavy weight or 'Vilene'. Both do a good job and disolve completely. I am working on a large lace tablecloth for my formal dining table and I am using 2 layers of badgemaster for the pieces. I set up my 9 1/2 inch square hoop to stitch 4 pieces at the time and it is working very well. The design is one of the Zundt lace designs and each section has about 22,000 stitches. I have well over a hundred done and the badgemaster hasn't had a single tear so far.

Marcelle
http://embroideryavenue.com/
http://embroidery.gotop100.com/

Thank you all for the suggestions. I will try them and see what happens.

Perhaps you would have better luck with a different brand of WSS - I use the mesh-looking one - it provides me with less problems in stitching out FSL and I do have a love of lace.

1 comment

by punky1015 11 Jul 2011

Where do you buy your WSS? The type I have I bought from Joann's and is the Sulky brand.

I watch the design stitch out. If I see the WSS tearing I immediatly stop the machine and use a scrap of WSS or 2 to repair the tear and keep going. The trick is to catch it ASAP. Hope this is helpful and don't give up.

3 comments

by punky1015 11 Jul 2011

Do you place the WSS on top then? or underneath to repair

by shirlener88 11 Jul 2011

Either - but underneath would be out of your way - so you can view the design better.

by sewdeb 11 Jul 2011

I put it either way, since it's going to wash away anyway...but, lol, I'm no expert, so you better get more than my opinion!