Another post from the newbie here...

With colour work designs it is hard not to have jump stitches as there is nowhere to run the joins under and hide them.
I would turn off the automatic trim as it does leave the back messy when there are a number of jump stitches.

Designs that are well digitized do not have a lot of jump stitches if any. You can trim the back threads as you go along or do them at the end. Look for designs that are digitized well. Some free ones and cheap ones are just not worth you time and effort. Suzanne

I quite often use iron on Vilene (The soft one) to hide threads. I also use it on t shirts to stop it from being itchy.

Personally, I would contact the digitizer and ask if that is how it is supposed to look on the back. A well-digitized design really should not leave a bird nest on the back. Hugs. Nan W

Do you have the threads cut off automatically? That leaves a hairy bush at the back when there are lots of jumps. Some of the jumps, like between those yellow pips on the strawberry, are unavoidable, others may be the result of bad pathing when digitising. As a rule I cut the large ones front and back, and leave the short ones on the back. A thin fusible at the back, like Cloudcover, secures and hides the ends.

2 comments

by peaceloveknit 30 Dec 2013

Thanks for going to look at the file. Yes I so have it cutting between jumps. I like the idea of turning that off on my machine and just trimming the front threads. I so glad I found this site!

by clawton 31 Dec 2013

I turned of the automatic cut between jump stitches off long ago. I didn't like the way it looked and the threads got caught up in the other stitches.

I trim the really long "connects" on the back, but do not trim any thread shorter than about half an inch so the thread won't work through to the other side. Glad you found us! Welcome.

Hi and welcome to Cute!!! I see you have some very good answers to your question...sometimes it is the way the design is digitized...and sometimes it is just the design...I have re-digitized many designs to eliminate jumps...but if all else fails..cover it with a fusible backing...select your designs carefully to avoid this situation..

Some time i leave the thickest tearway there on the back .i think it looks better then a messy bunch of threads and it won't wash off hugs carolyn

This is a perfect place to ask the question. The Q&A was set up to answer questions about this site (although it is used for other reasons too).
Is the design on the back still messy after you trim the jumps?

1 comment

by peaceloveknit 29 Dec 2013

thanks for the clarification about where to post. That makes sense to me.
Yes the design is still messy after I trim it all up. I will post pics after I stitch the next one and before I hand it over to my Mom.

Hi there and let me welcome you to this great site. Personally, when there are a lot of threads on the back I cut them off. The other alternative is to use an iron on fusible covering. Or as you suggested covering it all together. Some designs do leave a lot of stitches and really it's up to you as to how you want to finish things off. Good luck with it all. Love Chris, Newcastle, Australia.