Hi Cuties - I need advice. I am attempting to embroider a simple design and name on some microfiber towels. I have placed WSS on top of the towel but I have broken two different types of needles while embroidering. Can anyone tell me why or what I should do differently?

How far do you get before the needle breaks?
What is happening when the needle breaks?
Microfibre (if I'm correct) is quite thin but very stretchy, yes?
Make sure you have sufficient weight of stabiliser underneath for support and use FABRIC TYPE WSS on top, secured firmly in place, to ensure the movement of the microfibre is "in tune" with the stabiliser and not bunching. Everything needs to be TAUT, not drum tight.
I would probably use an 80/12 BALL POINT needle for stretch fabric, reduce your top tension and slow the machine down.
Hope this helps. Hugs n roses, Meganne

1 comment

by punky1015 20 Feb 2012

thanks meganne - I will try that - I didn't realize microfiber was considered stretchy and I tried both a 90/14 and 7/11 needle. I do have some ballpoint ones that I will use and definitely put stabilizer on the back as well as on top. I am able to hoop both the towel and the stabilizer so it isn't that thick.

Have you used this design before on other items? Maybe it's a bit dense, if you have not? Are you hooping stabiliser with or without the towels as well, or is the towel too thick to hoop? What else is happening? Is there bunching of the thread below the needle plate or is all okay until the needle breaks? Hope you get somewhere and are able to tell us what the answer was! Best of luck.

1 comment

by punky1015 20 Feb 2012

No I have not - but it is a simple name so I don't think it's that dense. I think it may be the material like meganne has suggested. I will let you all know.

Maybe a tutorial at OPW or Ann the Gran?

1 comment

by sewmom 19 Feb 2012

Link didn't work but it shouldn't be too hard to find from their home pages

Is it the type of fabric that has almost no weave you can see? So it's very solid? What kind of needle are you using? I'm sure there is some type of needle out there for this but I'm not sure which one.

here is a link that explains abit of how too, hopefully this is helpful to you

OESD sells something called AquaMesh topper. After you embroider the design, it tears away. I'm sure other companies sell something similar. This is used along with your stabilizer on the back.
Maureen

I use a stabilizer on the back of the towel too, check your machine manual but I think most of the embroidery needle in Canada & the States are 11.