Need FSL Help

[pbrey8]

OK, I have done everything my machine maker says to do. I have followed all the directions that came with the design. I used two layers of Solvy, a size 11 needle (new one). But the design stills tears the Solvy before it finishes. It ends up stitching over itself and making a big mess of the design before it finishes.

What am I doing wrong? What am I not doing that I should be doing?

I know many of you do beautiful lace. Why can't I master this?

[ginny1960]

Pat,

I am so sorry I am unable to help. I did do FSL using the aqua magic that Husqvarna Viking sells and did the freebie from Sue Box and her desings are very dense and I had good luck with making them. If I ever heard these nightmare stories about FSL I would have never done them. The ones I did make I gave away and have no pictures

[clkeck]

It might help if we knew what kind of machine you have. It may just be the design itself. Have you tried a different design? Another thing to try is place the two layers of stabilizer different ways, horizontally and vertically. Or, you might try sewing the design on tulle first to see if the design is good. I hope some of this helps!
Connie

[tndenim]

That is a good suggestion clkeck. Stith out the design and see how it stitches out. It could be the design. I've got one that does that. I just won't stitch out as a FSL design. I do a lot of FSL and that is the only one I've had issues with.

[pbrey8]

Connie, Do you use both the Solvy and the tulle or just the tulle? I have some of that here so I can try that tonight.

[srobins96]

On some designs I have had to use as much as 4 layers..I start with 2 then watch closely and if need be I add another layer or 2..Try that if nothing else, God Bless

SUE

[ginny1960]

Organza is an automatic stabilizer. With organza no stabilizer is needed. This is great but then it is not FSL, however good test to try.

[pbrey8]

Well, I am quitting for the night - too frusted to do any more tonight. Early in the morning (when my mind and nerves are fresher) I will try the design on tulle. Then try more layers of Solvy! Thanks for all the suggestions. If anyone thinks of another solution to try, please post it. I will try again in the morning. Good night HUGZ to everyone!

[windstar]

It might be the design itself that is the problem. What design are you trying to do. Maybe someone else can stitch it and see if they have the same problem. Good night, rest well and try again tomorrow to figure it out.

[la_cole]

I have had difficulty with Solvy for FSL. Save it for topping towels and other "nappy" items. The best support for FSL is a nonwoven dissolvable stabilizer. This looks more like fabric and is not plastic. I have heard many here purchase from Wal*Mart. One or two layers is generally sufficient. Stick some rubber shelf liner to your hoops with some double-sided tape to help hold it taut.

Check out this site:

http://www.k-lace.com/albums/album4/index.htm

Be sure that is a sharp needle, Pat.

[skipper]

I'm with la cole solvy seems to light to use on many FSL. A few layers tulle with the solvy help some like pbrey8 says. I hope your design goes better after you get some rest.

[dorie]

I'm with la cole, I hate solvy for fsl, would only use it as a topper on towels if I had to. I have never had it not tear when using it for fsl. I use a stabilizer that looks like interfacing for regular sewing, but it is wash away. I get mine at Wal-Mart but have some of Jenny Haskins and some from my regular embroidery store where I bought my machine. This can be so frustrating when a design doesn't work out. I have one design I got free of a nativity ornament not from this site and I finally did it on chiffon and my wash away stabilier just cause I liked it. The last stitching around the edges didn't catch so when you rinsed it, it would come apart there but after it was stitched on the chiffon worked fine just didn't look as delicate. I hope you can get it to work as fsl is so much fun.

[clkeck]

When I use the tulle, I also stabilize with Solvy. Tulle by itself is not stable enough. But it gives you a nice delicate, lacy looking design that is strong.
Connie

[ginny1960]

I went to Husqvarna Viking and they did not have the Aqua Magic in stock. Did explain I wanted it for FSL. What was suggested is called Superior Dissolve 4x Heavy Duty Water Soluble Stabilizer. It is like the wash away fibrous sold here on DBS. I do hope I do not have issues with it. It is not the lighter weight that you use for topping you fabrics that have nap. I did purchase some of the H2OGONE by Walmart, however my Walmart has discontinued selling fabric, which I do miss.

Does anyone have any feedback on this product. I sure hope this was not a mistake to by.

I would be very p@#%#@ off if I was sold something that is not good or for the proper purpose..

[kt3234]

I agree with la cole and Dorie. I use Vilene WSS and it looks like la cole describes, fabric. I am able to make fsl using just one layer of this. I tried the solvy before as well and it would always tear. Thank you, kt3234 Karen

[pbrey8]

I just ordered some Vilene (sp). Hope it comes really soon. That is the bad thing about living in the boondocks. You have to order from somewhere else and wait for it to come. Then if that doesn't work, you have to start over with the ordering. : (

[brownabel]

Pat - I am surprised that your store recommended regular Solvy for FSL. There is regular Solvy and a slightly heaier Solvy both of which do not work well with FSL. The Ultra Solvy is very heavy and works great with FSL and does not tear. I've also used the Vilene which is heavy weight just like Ultra Solvy. One of the fibrous ones I've used with FSL is the Floriani "Wet 'N' Gone." It works great with lace and all free standing embroidery. There are many other brands. If you ever get a chance to going to a Sewing Expo, you will be able to see all the choices and they can demo them for you. Cathy

[gartner]

There are 2 types of water soluble that can be used for Free Standing Lace.

The heavier plastic type such as Badgemaster and Ultra Solvy.
These heavier Plastic type would be compared to light to medium weight Vinyl.

The lighter weight Solvy or plastic type water soluble products will not stand up to embroidering FSLace they are better to use as a Topping application such as on towels to hold the nap down while embroidering.

Fibrous type water soluble look like a very light weight Tear Away stabilizer.
Vilene water soluble, Aqua Magic, Wet N Gone, Fibrous Wash Away, H2O Gone just to name a few. are fibrous water solubles and look similar but can vary in weight,


With the heavier plastic type you still may get the design punching out before you are done embroidering depending on how stitch intensive the designs are.
Usually 1 layer is used for lace
The heavier plastic type such as Badgemaster will require more soaking and rinsing to get the stabilizer out of the lace.
Also you have to store Badgemaster & Ultra Solvy in an air tight bag as both these will dry out over time and will not be useable.
They will also be affected by high humidity and can stretch in the hoop because of the humidity.

Fibrous Water Soluble stabilizers will not punch out.
Will not stretch in the hoop.
Will not dry out if left out.
Will not be affected by Humidity.
Rinses out of the design in seconds for a design that you want ot be stiff or rinses out in minutes for a soft feeling lace.
Rinses out in cold or warm water.
One or 2 layers are used depending on the number of stitches in the lace designs.
Most embroiders seem to use 2 layers for most lace designs.

If your stabilizer looks similar to the Fibrous Wash Away that is shown in the Backing Section of Designs by Sick website then it is a Fibrous type of water soluble.

Tip: you can purchase water soluble Fibrous on line at cheaper prices than you pay for it at a machine dealers or fabric store. You can purchase it by the yard or by the roll and most is offered in various widths.

Denise in Calgary

[gartner]

Dorie

Alot of the time when the final edge stitching on a FS Lace design does not stitch in the right place causing the design to fall apart is due to the water soluble stabilizer moving within the hoop while you embroider.

This is caused because the water soluble stabilizer is light weight and the fact that only the corners of our hoops are the tightest points of our hoops while the sides are less tight.

Because lace is so stitch intensive the needle action on the stabilizer can cause a pulling or pushing motion on the stabilizer and cause it to move into the hoop area.
This movement occurs from the top, bottom and the long sides of the hoop.
This can put the final edge stitching off and cause it to be stitched in the wrong place.

You can add 2 sided, water soluble, Wonder Tape and strips of holey shelf liner to the bottom of your inner hoop to hold your stabilizer taut and avoid any movement of it while embroidering out the lace.

The pictures are from the Criswell K-Lace website.
here is the link click each picture to see each up close.
http://www.criswell-emb.com/albums/album4/index.htm

I use these srtips and tape on all my hoops and leave it on for all embroidery on any fabric or stabilizer


Denise in Calgary

[brownabel]

...You can add 2 sided, water soluble, Wonder Tape and strips of holey shelf liner to the bottom of your inner hoop to hold your stabilizer taut and avoid any movement of it while embroidering out the lace.

IThe pictures are from the Criswell K-Lace website.
here is the link click each picture to see each up close.
http://www.criswell-emb.com/albums/album4/index.htm

I use these srtips and tape on all my hoops ans leave it on for all embroidery on any fabric or stabilizer

Denise in Calgary

I use the wonder tape and shelf liner in my hoops too and it works extremely well. The link for Criswell is a great one. Great link, Denise! Cathy