by moonwillow 18 Feb 2012

okay I am new to all this and I just made a big oops :( I just purchased a bunch of appliques from Adorable..I was so excited to be able to get a great price I didn't look at the size:( they are just over 4x4 ) can they be reduced? or do I have just set them aside and wait til I get a bigger machine? pleeze help me? thank you


dominique

4105

by moonwillow 18 Feb 2012

thank you I do not have to reduce the designs very much..not like 5x7 to 4x4 ..then I would just set them aside lol..I will do a test run to make sure..now I am dealing with thread issues..I bought some from smart needle ahhh what a mess and no customer service.. so now to the next vendor..I saw Metro thread ? are they good? if so I am buying all the colors lol

2 comments
queenofhearts by queenofhearts 19 Feb 2012

I feel your pain. I have 2 boxes of thread that my machines do not like. I can use it on the bobbin but that is a lot of thread to use up that way. My Brother machines do like Metro.

moonwillow by moonwillow 19 Feb 2012

that is good to know thank you ..I liked the concept smart needle has ..each spool has a matching threaded bobbin in side..but the quality is questionable two spools came w knots in them and the colors are way off..I emailed and left voice messages , and still no response..so NEXT! lol I will try metro ..

4105
by anangel 18 Feb 2012

Oh, what a GREAT reason to get that larger "BABY" to stitch these appliques!! You will love a larger hoop, so good luck on getting one before long!!!
Hugs,
Angel

1 comment
moonwillow by moonwillow 18 Feb 2012

I am working on getting a 10 needle..unless I can do ball caps on something else ..

12500
by mary51 18 Feb 2012

You could try anyway and see what happens. I have read Applique designs are not easy to reduce because of the satin stitch. I would wait for a larger emb. area machine LOL

1 comment
moonwillow by moonwillow 18 Feb 2012

I will.. I usually ck sizes just wasnt thinking lol

26714
by eggyannie 18 Feb 2012

try sewwhatpro i have reduced designs for a 5x7 hoop to a 4x4 hoop with no problem as the program automaticaly reduces stitch density.
its a 30 day trial fully working program so you can save the files. hope this helps

1 comment
moonwillow by moonwillow 18 Feb 2012

I will once I get all my files sorted and transfered to my laptop..My son is sending me a laptop (he said early mothers day present) :)so I have my work cut out for me.

14995
by susiesembroidery 18 Feb 2012

Applique designs do not reduce very well at more than about 7 - 10% since the density of stitches and the shorter outline stitch. Please be careful.****

1 comment
moonwillow by moonwillow 18 Feb 2012

I will thank you..gonna test it ..

21543
by mops Moderator 18 Feb 2012

Problem with reducing appliques is that the width of the satinstich outlines is reduced too. So you have to be even more careful than normal in cutting away the applique fabric or you'll have a lot of 'whiskers' peeping out. The density is increased. So don't reduse the size more than 10%, less would be even better.

4 comments
parkermom by parkermom 18 Feb 2012

If my software has a function that keeps the density to scale, is it ok to enlarge or reduce more than 10-20%? I've been embroidering now for several years, and I still feel like such a beginner!

mops by mops 18 Feb 2012

When you have software you can in many cases, but I would not do it with an appliqué. The satin stitches that cover the cut edge are usually about 3 mm wide, a 20% reduction would mean you're left with only 2.4 mm - that requires very accurate cutting. But a test stitch would show you if it works for you - you don't even have to do the complete design, just the appliqué bit.

mops by mops 18 Feb 2012

So do test it! You don't have to stitch the complete design, the appliqué bit would show you if you find the satin stitches wide enough.

moonwillow by moonwillow 18 Feb 2012

thank you I will .. My kids are loving the tests lol my three yr old keeps them all in her sewing bag ...

145196
by edithfarminer 18 Feb 2012

Normal designs you can reduce up to 20% we are told. Not sure about appliquet. Hope one of the digitisers here can help you more

1 comment
moonwillow by moonwillow 18 Feb 2012

thank you

57801