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Bubbling, won't stick--help? (Moderated by Sharon1952)
Posted on: 4/14/16 1:01 PM ET
I'm making some linen placemats with the decorative stitches on my regular sewing machine. I took my inspiration photo and my samples (using the fabric I intend to use for the placemats--a medium-weight linen/cotton blend) to my sewing machine/serger/embroidery machine dealer, and they recommended Floriani Fusible No-Show Mesh, two layers, as a stabilizer. I (think I?) need a fusible because these are just machine deco stitches--not hooped on a proper embroidery machine.
It worked fine on my samples--but I can't get it to cooperate at all for the real thing. It doesn't adhere very well, for one thing; too little heat and it won't stick at all, too much heat and it bubbles and won't stick at all... and trying to fuse the second layer on completely removes any adhesion from the first layer. The recommended settings are Silk/Wool, no steam. For my samples I tried some different products--Pellon Stick & Washaway, and another with some ordinary fusible interfacing. The quality of the stitches and the lack of puckering and distortion was FAR superior on the Floriani--but it doesn't seem to want to cooperate in any real way on a full-size placemat.
The shop recommended that I leave it on permanently; after the first badly-fused placemat I determined I'd have to cut it away after all... but now I'm thinking I won't even get that far, since it's not sticking!
So. Recommendations for what to do to save my $40 stabilizer investment... or for another product to try instead?
Thanks!!!
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It worked fine on my samples--but I can't get it to cooperate at all for the real thing. It doesn't adhere very well, for one thing; too little heat and it won't stick at all, too much heat and it bubbles and won't stick at all... and trying to fuse the second layer on completely removes any adhesion from the first layer. The recommended settings are Silk/Wool, no steam. For my samples I tried some different products--Pellon Stick & Washaway, and another with some ordinary fusible interfacing. The quality of the stitches and the lack of puckering and distortion was FAR superior on the Floriani--but it doesn't seem to want to cooperate in any real way on a full-size placemat.
The shop recommended that I leave it on permanently; after the first badly-fused placemat I determined I'd have to cut it away after all... but now I'm thinking I won't even get that far, since it's not sticking!
So. Recommendations for what to do to save my $40 stabilizer investment... or for another product to try instead?
Thanks!!!
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~Elizabeth in the prairie
More Plans than Sense
PR's Most Relentless Babbler 2024
More Plans than Sense
PR's Most Relentless Babbler 2024
Posted on: 4/14/16 1:17 PM ET
I've used tearaway stabilizer (non-fused) when sewing decorative stitches from my regular machines and it has been enough for my purposes (blouses/skirts, cotton and linen fabric mostly) when the area I'm adding the decoration to didn't have interfacing. I've never fused anything except for my true machine embroidery projects. But maybe folks with more experience will chime in.
Love the inspiration by the way. I might need some of those!
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Love the inspiration by the way. I might need some of those!
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Michelle
Posted on: 4/14/16 1:52 PM ET
I gave up on fusibles decades ago, for this very reason. They do have their place at times, but non-fusibles and learning to easily adjust for the non-fusible just seems more reliable to me.
Posted on: 4/14/16 2:14 PM ET
I've used the Floriani Wet n Gone Tacky stabilizer with success. Don't know if it's the same quality as Pellon though.
Keep at it!! Don't give up. All the best.
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Keep at it!! Don't give up. All the best.
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My Herd: Bernina 790 Plus Upgrade, Bernina 735, Babylock Triumph, Bernina Record 931. Sewing Makes My Crazy Life Normal.
Member #25631
Member #25631
Posted on: 4/14/16 2:22 PM ET
In reply to stirwatersblue
Return the $40 worth of stabilizer and make up some heavy starch. Soak the fabric and alliw to dry. Press. If it is not shiny and about as stiff as cereal box cardboard, apply more starch with a paintbrush and press again.
IIf it softens too much because of heavy amounts of stitching, paint again and press. When you are done, soak oveenight in 2 or 3 changes of water, launder, and press.
-- Edited on 4/14/16 at 2:24 PM --
IIf it softens too much because of heavy amounts of stitching, paint again and press. When you are done, soak oveenight in 2 or 3 changes of water, launder, and press.
-- Edited on 4/14/16 at 2:24 PM --
Posted on: 4/14/16 3:30 PM ET
Did you prewash the linen? Sometimes it has sizing that prevents fusibles from adhering.
The other thing you could try is to spritz it with water, even though the instructions say not to.
You might also consider just a second layer of linen. Or as Michelle said, use tearaway.
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The other thing you could try is to spritz it with water, even though the instructions say not to.
You might also consider just a second layer of linen. Or as Michelle said, use tearaway.
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Debbie
Viking Sapphire 930, Babylock Evolution
Viking Sapphire 930, Babylock Evolution
Posted on: 4/14/16 9:18 PM ET
In reply to dmh1
Quote: dmh1
I've used tearaway stabilizer (non-fused) when sewing decorative stitches from my regular machines and it has been enough for my purposes (blouses/skirts, cotton and linen fabric mostly) when the area I'm adding the decoration to didn't have interfacing.
I've used tearaway stabilizer (non-fused) when sewing decorative stitches from my regular machines and it has been enough for my purposes (blouses/skirts, cotton and linen fabric mostly) when the area I'm adding the decoration to didn't have interfacing.
Thank you!!! I don't even know why it didn't occur to me to just not fuse it. (headsmack) It worked beautifully, at least on the samples! The stitches look just as nice, and so far, no puckering. Plus, it solved the other niggling issue I was having--how to transfer the guidelines for the embroidery (something removable that would also withstand ironing).
Onward!
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~Elizabeth in the prairie
More Plans than Sense
PR's Most Relentless Babbler 2024
More Plans than Sense
PR's Most Relentless Babbler 2024
Posted on: 4/14/16 10:14 PM ET
In reply to stirwatersblue
Hooray! 
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Michelle
Posted on: 4/14/16 10:20 PM ET
In reply to stirwatersblue
Did you put it under or on top of fabric?
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Pfaff 7550, Bernina 185, Elna Carina, Pfaff 5.2
Posted on: 4/15/16 7:48 AM ET
In reply to stirwatersblue
Kay's suggestion of starching the heck out of the fabric is a good one.
Cutaway really is not the correct stabilizer for that fabric. (I would have chosen a tearaway or water soluble). I am surprised the dealer recommended it, but I am always learning, too, so maybe they know best.
Just as good would be a fusible interfacing...the type we use in clothing....if you plan to leave it on the project.
Cutaways are for knits and denims. Besides, it is prone to shrinking from hot irons, hot washing, dryers, etc. whenever I use it, I steam it well first. Some people on the Bernina Yahoo Group often prewash/preshrunk the non-fusible version mesh stabilizer for this reason.
I've never had trouble with it fusing. Perhaps you found the right temp but held the iron too long. The glue is delicate. A hot iron will melt the glue and it will not stick at all.
Make sure your roll has glue on it! It could be a factory defect, even tho Floriani brand is a very good brand. Their glue is flat and subtle. If I cannot feel it, I hold it up to the light and look for the sheen of glue.
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Cutaway really is not the correct stabilizer for that fabric. (I would have chosen a tearaway or water soluble). I am surprised the dealer recommended it, but I am always learning, too, so maybe they know best.
Just as good would be a fusible interfacing...the type we use in clothing....if you plan to leave it on the project.
Cutaways are for knits and denims. Besides, it is prone to shrinking from hot irons, hot washing, dryers, etc. whenever I use it, I steam it well first. Some people on the Bernina Yahoo Group often prewash/preshrunk the non-fusible version mesh stabilizer for this reason.
I've never had trouble with it fusing. Perhaps you found the right temp but held the iron too long. The glue is delicate. A hot iron will melt the glue and it will not stick at all.
Make sure your roll has glue on it! It could be a factory defect, even tho Floriani brand is a very good brand. Their glue is flat and subtle. If I cannot feel it, I hold it up to the light and look for the sheen of glue.
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iPad's auto-correct is my enema.
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