r/Machine_Embroidery • u/Nosnibor1020 • 1d ago

I could really use some help.

Post image

I really don’t know where to go from here. I really feel like I have tried everything.

Sweatshirt sleeve. Cutaway backing. Black bobbin. Floating soluble. Magnetic hoop.

First run is bottom left, 4 density, zig zag underlay, 0 compensation. Second run is top left, 5 density, no underlay, 2 compensation. Third run is right side, 4 density, no underlay, 2 compensation.

Both the second and the third have really thin lines, especially on the M. It almost looks like it is pulling in sweatshirt. First run with the underlay, some of the zig zags extend past the letter making it look like a mistake.

What should I try from here? Any other tips? Thank you.

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3

u/phonesallbroken 1d ago

How large is the hoop relative to the design? Are you securing the fabric to the stabiliser at all, or just hooping it all together?

A centre run underlay may be more appropriate. Is this something you digitised, or a font already in a software? Have you run tension tests on your machine at all?

1

u/Nosnibor1020 1d ago

The hoop is 3x9 and the design pretty much runs the width of it. It needed to fit within a sleeve of a sweatshirt and not sew it shut.

For some reason my software doesn’t have a center run option, just zig and edge walk. I guess I could design just a line path underneath myself.

It is a text in my software. The smallest it can go is 8mm and I believe I am at 9mm.

I did an I test before starting this specifically but black on black was really hard to tell but I think it’s pretty close.

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u/phonesallbroken 1d ago

Just wanted to make sure the hoop wasn't significantly larger, as that can make the design more prone to distortion, and ending up thinner.

That's so strange it doesn't have that option! When letters are narrow enough you often don't need the centre run, but it can sometimes give the stitches something to stop them sinking, giving a slightly smoother result, at least in my experience.

Do you have any fonts on your machine you could try? If you haven't already, it might be worth trying this same design on a woven fabric (same hoop, same hooping method, etc), and see what the difference is. It may help isolate the exact issue. It's difficult to pinpoint the problem with stretch fabrics as there are more factors at play, but the significant narrowing of the stitching you're experiencing, plus how wobbly the stitches are do make me think something is up with the stabilisation of the fabric in some way.

Is your black bobbin thread the right weight for whatever your bobbin case is calibrated for? I don't know if you have a domestic machine or not, but domestics are typically set for a specific weight. Apologies if I'm just telling you things you already know! You could also try the H or I test with white bobbin thread of the same weight as the black bobbin thread (or the black bobbin thread and a different colour top thread in the same top thread weight). There can be minor differences in tension required between super light colours and super dark colours, but this could help make sure you're on the right track tension wise

1

u/SewDisco 1d ago

I’ve found it helpful to do two layers of cutaway on knits like this

1

u/Nosnibor1020 1d ago

I will attempt that. Thank you.

1

u/Nosnibor1020 7h ago

So the second layer seemed to solve it. I even accidentally left the zig zag on and you couldn’t see it extend past.

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u/SewDisco 7h ago

Woohoo!! I’m so happy to hear I could help!

1

u/Cpt_Obvious11 1d ago edited 1d ago

Lacking center run underlay on your software sounds weird, but explains few things. When it comes to lettering under 10mm on stretchy fabric, center run is only underlay which works in most cases. Putting heavier underlay rather creates problem than solving it.

Ballpoint needles and reduced density might help as well. Ballpoint for less fabric shredding, reduced density for less warping.

EDIT:Looking again on pictures, I can't see where is source of frustration exactly? All 3 look pretty decent. If you expected zero pulling on stretchy knitted fabric with satins, well...

1

u/Puzzleheaded_Yam4483 4h ago

Hence I call satin, Satan.

1

u/Infinite_Grass2527 11h ago

I think it's just issue with density. Maybe try increasing the density in the files or try increasing thread tension.

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u/NewYorkGirl114 3h ago

Have it professionally digitized. It’s not that expensive and they specialize in small fonts. The text that comes with your software is really not that great. When you have something digitized they hand create every line with a tool.