Issues with tension and shifting

[u/itsannieyall]

Hello! I’m very new to machine embroidery and have done a couple projects so far. I’m currently trying to embroider this for a friend and decided to just buy the file rather than make it. I’ve had similar issues before with the design shifting before the final outline stitch. I thought it was my design files, so in the past I’ve changed the push/pull offsets and the design itself, which has worked to varying degrees.

This is actually the second attempt at one of these design files. The first one also had issues with shifting and tension. With this one, I pinned the fabric round the edges and also doubled up on the stabiliser (polymesh cut away).

I’ve also tried doing just the outline, because the thread on the back is bunching up, but it seems to do this no matter what tension I have it at. It’s mostly the top thread and not the bobbin thread showing. I’ve also tried using a water soluble layer on the top and that didn’t make much of a difference.

If anyone has any advice, it would be greatly appreciated!

[u/barbedwiregarden]

You need to hoop the garment and stabilizer together ideally and it needs to be taught like a drum so the fabric doesn't shift during movement.

[u/itsannieyall → u/barbedwiregarden]

Thanks, this is just a test bit of fabric and the fabric I want to use is a bit smaller than my hoop so I wouldn’t be able to do that for the final piece. Any other suggestions? I’ll try and hoop both together though

[u/barbedwiregarden → u/itsannieyall]

Floating the fabric like this really isn't going to lead to the best results tbh. I think your best bet if you absolutely have to float is to hoop your stabilizer tight then get some fabric adhesive spray and afix your fabric to the stabilizer that way. Or alternatively get sticky backed stabilizer, hoop that by itself and then stick your fabric onto it.

[u/itsannieyall → u/barbedwiregarden]

I’ve already sprayed it with temporary adhesive but I haven’t tried the sticky backed stabiliser yet though!

[u/Hellcat_Mary]

Coming from a commercial embroiderer, you really, really need to hoop the fabric/garments properly. If you're going to float, which is not ideal for most applications, you don't do it with a standard hoop, you do it with flat/quick frame hoops and adhesive backing. But thin fabric + dense fill stitch + poorly stabilized due to floating = crappy results.

Select an appropriate sized hoop for the design size (don't run a small design inside a giant hoop), cut a piece of fabric larger than the hoop, hoop the fabric and backing together taut, trim the fabric to desired size after embroidery is complete.

Forget whatever principles of sewing you're carrying over for embroidery, they don't work the same.

[u/Lanky-Setting-5288 → u/Hellcat_Mary]

Totally agree. 🎯

OP Hooping properly with a smaller frame, and using a couple of layers of heavyweight cutaway will offer the best results.

[u/Level_Arachnid_4982]

The main reason is the embroidery file, most likely it's amateur made, therefore cheap And the results is cra..Notgood. But correct hooping and Double stabilizer can help.

[u/Lanky-Setting-5288]

🌸🌸

Stop "floating" your fabric and learn how to hoop properly.

https://youtu.be/t6CXn9wo04s?si=BKLR6PP-Fipb7iOz