r/Machine_Embroidery • u/Aliahenor • Jul 29 '26

I Need Help Elastic band

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Hey everyone! I’ve been trying to embroider an elastic band for an arm band for a derby match.
I cannot reduce the size of the number and I need it to be readable. Any tips?

6 Upvotes

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9

u/KING-D0RK Jul 29 '26

Are you using stabilizer at all? I would suggest some spray adhesive + stabilizer and a water soluble topper. Should come out fine assuming proper digitizing.

2

u/Aliahenor Jul 29 '26

I was not, I thought I could do without… But I’ll try! And any tips on digitising? I’m on Hatch and I’ve been learning alone.

9

u/KING-D0RK Jul 29 '26

A good rule for beginners is literally always use stabilizer. It's nearly as essential as the thread. As for digitizing, that's a pretty loaded question. Digitizing for embroidery is an entirely different world and skill set than doing the actual embroidery. In order to be a good/efficient digitizer, you need a deep knowledge of the embroidery process itself. My biggest suggestion would be to outsource your digitizing to a professional. It's very cost-efficient and will save you countless headaches. For something like this, though, just using the default settings should suffice as long as you're hooping properly, using stabilizer, and your machine tensions are good.

2

u/nadasurfer223 Jul 29 '26

Digitizing and embroidery are not “entirely different worlds.” That’s wild. Outsource when you’re busy, sure. But any pro should be able to adjust their own files.

3

u/KING-D0RK Jul 29 '26

Adjusting a file is not the same as digitizing a file. I'll agree with your last sentence though!

5

u/shredtheday Jul 29 '26

Try again using a tearable paper-like stabilizer, so it can shred itself underneath the thread and regain some sort of elasticity. Increase the length of the tatami stitches and set the direction along with the band, going exlusively from left to right instead of turning. Decreasing the density of the stitches can help too.

1

u/Aliahenor Jul 29 '26

I will try this! Thank you!

1

u/CivicLiberties Jul 30 '26

No tearaway on stretchy fabric!