by grossfamilie 30 Oct 2014

Seems I love to do FSL things a lot. However, if I use it

to embellish clothes - T-shirts and so on - I find it has
a very "solid" or "hard" touch. So far I use my usual embroidery threads like Madeira for upper and bobbin thread. There were some recommendations to use Overlock yarn. What is your experience and what do you use? Grateful for your advice - Maria

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by jofrog2000 30 Oct 2014

Some fsl designs are just not meant to be used on clothing, as they are digitized to have strength enough to hold their shape well enough to not be blocked while drying. I would make sure I was creating pieces of lace with a clothing purpose. Also making sure all the wss was out of the finished piece and perhaps using fabric softener or hair conditioner in the final rinse water.

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by hart 30 Oct 2014

Are you making the FSL first then applique it on to the garment? Are you making sure all the stabilizer is rinsed out? I use embroidery thread top and bobbin and when I rinse (or let soak for 15 min,) It becomes very soft, I use a water soluble mesh and add a little fabric softener to soaking water with very warm water. I have never tried serger thread I will need to experiment.

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by lovetoostitch 30 Oct 2014

I have just made my very first FSL embroidery and I used my overlocker thread. I have not washed out all the stabiliser as it's a Christmas ornament. So cannot tell if it,s soft or not -sorry :-(

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by spendlove Moderator 30 Oct 2014

I usually use overlocking thread.

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by grossfamilie 30 Oct 2014

Thanks a lot for the advice - yes, I'll try to get the recommended threads and let you know how it worked :-) Maria

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by dragonflyer 30 Oct 2014

Well, the folks at Tavernmaker recommend using just regular ole Serger Threads...most are lighter in weight than embroidery thread...usually 60 wt two ply...I use for both needle and bobbin threads...once you get the WSS washed out, it is fairly nimble...

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by 02kar Moderator 30 Oct 2014

What you are talking about is called 'bullet proof'. And FSL has to have a lot of stitches to hold together once the WSS is washed out. I have uses FSL designs on sweatshirts but not on t-shirts. Try the thinner threads mops has recommended and let us know how you like the results. Overlock serger thread is thicker than embroidery thread.

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by mops Moderator 30 Oct 2014

In FSL the digitiser goes over the lines several times to give the design "body", especially the satin outlines. And that is exactly what you don't want for items like T-shits. Embroidery thread is usually 40 wt, you might try 50 or even 60 wt. I've got some MEZ cotton in 50 wt and DMC 60wt (used for bobbin lace making- klöppelspitze) that makes a lot of difference. The 120/2 Serafil overlock thread works well too. I think the latter is German made, so it should be easy to get hold of for you.

1 comment
mops by mops 30 Oct 2014

Cotona60 is another good thread.

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