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From: tiedyejudy
Date: 11-12-2005, 09:41 AM (1 of 6)
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Help! I don't know where else to put this, so I'll start here. I bought sweat shirts for the gks and want to put decorative appliques on them. I started my first one yesterday, and the thread kept breaking. I was using a regular needle, so I switched to a ball point, since I am sewing on knit. The problem is that the stitching is coming out very irregular, bunched in some places, and not at all attractive. Does anyone have any tips for how to get even stitching? Judy P.S. I used fusible webbing to apply the appliques first. Judy Sall Originals
www.angelfire.com/retro/tiedyejudy |
User: tiedyejudy
Member since: 08-10-2005 Total posts: 78 
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From: DorothyL
Date: 11-12-2005, 10:54 AM (2 of 6)
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I use a button hole stitch -- short in length and not very wide. I sometimes have to mess with the tension a bit. You could probably stabilize the knit with something -- interfacing or something tear- or wash-away. Often I like interfacing on the applique (I usually cut out something from quilt weight cotton) just for padding. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: sharsews
Date: 11-17-2005, 12:45 PM (3 of 6)
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Hi Judy, I also recommend using a stabilizer on the back of the sweatshirt applique, preferably a cutaway, as it helps the applique keep its shape after washing. I use a softer one, sometimes 2 layers, as the stiffer ones can be itchy to wear. I have heard that some people use a fusible interfacing on the back to give a more stable stitching area for stretchy fabrics. Another idea could be the type of fusible web you are using for the appliques. Some are not good for sewing over. Heat and Bond Lite (not regular Heat and Bond) and Trans-Web are both ok and work well with machine appliquing. Some of the other ones cause the needle to get gummy and the stitches to be messed up. If this doesn't work, maybe a small adjustment in your tension so that the upper thread shows slightly on the back side. This prevents the bobbin thread from showing on top. Let me know if this helps. sharsews |
User: sharsews
Member since: 02-25-2004 Total posts: 62 |
From: bridesmom
Date: 11-17-2005, 03:51 PM (4 of 6)
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Sounds like both these ladies had my ideas! I was thinking you definitely needed some kind of stabilizer underneath the sweatshirt material. I have learned through some disheartening attempts to always do a test of my applique or embroidery first on a scrap, saves me some big headaches. Good luck!
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
From: LauraM62
Date: 11-18-2005, 07:20 AM (5 of 6)
Everyone gave you some really good advice already! I pretty much do it the same for dd or dh  Use a fusible web for applique to apply it to the fabric, then I use a cut-away stabilizer on the back of the fabric. With a knit you may want a fairly heavy cut-away to keep the fabric from moving during stitching, remember to leave the stabilizer bigger then the applique area, and trim after all sewing is done. I also love to use embroidery thread on my applique work with a satin stitch, the embroidery thread fills so nice. 
LauraM
SW Indiana If everyone cared and nobody cried; If everyone loved and nobody lied; If everyone shared and swallowed their pride; Then we'd see the day when nobody died --'If Everyone Cared' by Nickelback |
User: LauraM62
Member since: 08-10-2003 Total posts: 246 
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From: craftforyou
Date: 10-10-2006, 07:04 AM (6 of 6)
| i am brand new to sewing so i am not sure how to do applique. you place the fusible web on the fabric you are going to use for the applique and the stabilizer on the item your placing the applique on. any other tips since i am completly clueless and got what little info i have from this site |
User: craftforyou
Member since: 09-22-2006 Total posts: 3 |
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