I'm new to this. I have an Elan820 and am doing free standing lace. Using Superior top stitch needle and proper thread but having an issue with thread bunching under plate when the design calls for overstitching in certain areas. Also the machine sort of pounds when going over these areas. Any advice from you experts out there?

I have and Elna 8300 Xperience which I believe is the old model number for your machine. I use different embroidery threads and always use prewound bobbins and have very little bird nesting on my machine. If I do its usually because I haven't threaded the machine properly. I have stitched a lot of FSL designs with no problems.
I live in BC, Canada, nice to see a fellow Canadian on board. Welcome to Cute.
Hugs Jerri

2 comments

by canadianlinda 30 Sep 2014

Thanks for replying Jerri.. I'm experimenting with different threads for freestanding lace on sulky ultra solvy and thread tension (completely rethreading after each adjustment. I guess it's a long road. Where in BC? I'm in Ontario but visit my son & his family in Campbell River.
Hugs, Linda

by jerrib 30 Sep 2014

I am in the Vancouver area. I hope you can get the problems resolved. I have had no trouble with any of the threads I have used. Sulky, Metro, Marathon and also Super B. Super B is sold by Superpunch in Montreal. this is the link to his shop. His threads are so sparkly. Another Cutie told me about his threads. The link opens to his stabilizer, but look for embroidery thread on top. I bought the 50 spools for $70 and haven't regretted it. Maybe you could get a sample to try.
http://superpunch.com/stabilizers...

Welcome Linda, I agree with everyone else. Threads are the main issue and needle size. I do a lot of FSL and love a Superior needle 75/11. I always use the same thread in bobbin as on top. As pennyhal as mentioned it could be that your machine doesn't like that particular thread. There is someone on here 24/7 so if you ever have any question just ask. Love and blessings Chris, Newcastle, Australia.

P.S. Where are you from?

1 comment

by canadianlinda 29 Sep 2014

so nice to know you're there. I'm from Ontario, Canada. I used the superior 75/11 with 40wt King Tut cotton thread doing a fsl design from Urban Threads - very dense. Got half-way through and got thread nest under the plate - machine was also knocking quite a bit (going over all previous threads?). Someone said a sharp needle is better going through ultra solvy stabilizer - prevents 'flagging' and holes in stabilizer. What think you?

Welcome to Cute.

When you say it is bunching under the plate, do you mean you get a thread nest under the throat plate, or under your fabric? I just had this problem and it was only because my machine did not like that particular thread. I gave up on the color and switched threads and my problem disappeared.

1 comment

by canadianlinda 29 Sep 2014

Thanks for the reply. Buying more thread!

Welcome to Cute!
Have you tried more than one FSL design? If you have only tried one design, it may be the design and nothing you are doing wrong. After you review the other suggestions, if none seem to work, I would use a different FSL design to see if that fixes your issues.

1 comment

by canadianlinda 29 Sep 2014

You have a point but I sure home this Urban Threads design will work.

Welcome to Cute Linda. You will get so much help here.

Hi and Welcome! I do not do much FSL myself, but lots of other Cuties do...I am sure they will drop by soon and have some suggestions for you...Tavernmaker is a great site for FSL and they have lots of free designs, too...Click on Free Machine Embroidery Designs...there is a tutorial on making FSL with suggestions on stabilizer, thread and needles...perhaps it will help...

1 comment

by canadianlinda 29 Sep 2014

Thanks!!! Awesome advice.

Welcome - you already have a great answer to your question. That is usually how it works around here!

This could be many issues. Do you have issues with the brand of thread you are using on any other designs? Are you using the same thread in the bobbin? Maybe your machine doesn't like that particular brand in the bobbin, they can be finicky. The machine is most likely pounding when you have bunching in areas and it is lifting the work higher on the throat plate making a pounding sound when it comes down. It could also be your needle. Most of us use a 75/11 sharp, not a top stitch. There is a nice tutorial for free standing lace at Advanced-Embroidery. Click on the link below to go there. Welcome to Cute Embroidery.....I'm glad you are here!
For some reason it won't let me add the link in the regular place, so try this one: https://www.advanced-embroidery-d...

6 comments

by canadianlinda 28 Sep 2014

How kind of you. I'm sort of isolated... having this link helps.
I'll change my needle and check out the link.

by spendlove 28 Sep 2014

No-one is isolated in this community!

by jofrog2000 28 Sep 2014

I would say it's the needle size. A topstitch needle has a larger eye, like embroidery needles, but I use mainly size 11 for embroidery. 14 for sewing and quilting.

by jofrog2000 28 Sep 2014

That is, an 11 embroidery or topstitch needle for embroidering, and a 14 sharp for sewing, as the thread is different.

by asterixsew 28 Sep 2014

we might not live near another person with a embroidery machine but here on Cute there is always a answer 24 hours a day

by canadianlinda 29 Sep 2014

Thanks Cuties. I've never reached out like this. Now I know what I've been missing.

Welcome to Cute. There are may experts here at stitching out fsl (free standing lace) so I will let one of them answer your question