Monday, June 26, 2017

Trying something new...

I know of a few embroidery designers who like to use printed fusible soluble sheets to stitch their patterns (onto fabric) instead of tracing the design directly onto the fabric itself as I do. 

In fact I'm seeing it more and more so I thought I'd investigate.

The upside is to simply place the soluble sheet, which has a backing you peel off later, into your printer and print out the design you want to stitch. Then you can cut around the design area, peel off the backing and stick it directly onto your fabric background. 
Sounds really good!

But I've also heard mention that the embroidery needle becomes gummy from the adhesive used to stick the printed design onto your fabric and regular wiping down of the needle is required. 

Now I think for a small design or for people who embroider with medium to large stitches this may not be too much of a problem, but I stitch rather tiny and wondered just how annoying this technique may become?

The only answer was to give it a go, right?

This is one of my new July Stitchery Club patterns, stitched onto a beautiful linen background fabric...





...and these are the two types of soluble adhesive tracing papers I purchased to practice embroidering this same design onto a slightly different background.





I don't like wastage so I printed four copies of the design onto one A4 sheet of the Sticky Fabri-Solvi and if I don't use them all I may just give some away. (hint hint)

The background fabric I've chosen is one which has long tempted me, a fabric I think is well suited to this technique. 
It's a very basic plain cardigan.





Three plain cardigans in fact!

I found them at K-Mart for a whopping $7 each (only joking, what a bargain!) and decided they would be perfect for my experiments.

First off I'm going to embroider the blue cardie as I'm rather partial to a blue cardie. 





After printing the soluble stabiliser sheet I cut around one of the berry designs, peeled away the backing, and positioned it on the left shoulder of the cardigan.
Then I chose the embroidery threads...






Now all I need to do is embroider the design, then sit it in warm water and watch the fusible paper 'disappear'. 

I'll let you know how I go with the gummy needle and whether I like this technique or not.





Have you used either of the soluble stabilisers I've purchased? 
How did you find them to work with?


Mr E is home now for two weeks as it's the winter school holiday break so I may or many not be around much. I like to keep myself free in case he wants to do something, but as the Jeep is being repaired and we're waiting on parts from the USA it's doubtful we'll be travelling far. 

I'm still admiring the beautiful bouquet he gave me yesterday.
Flowers, my husband at home and a bit of news I'll share soon...all's quite lovely in my world.




May your week be wonderful too!

hugs



24 comments:

VickiLorraine said...

It looks just beautiful this design. I will follow with anticipation as I have a couple of very boring cardigans that need a little lift

Susan said...

I will be very interested to hear how you go. I hate tracing ...really hate it ...and have tried the one on the right for a really detailed design I had to stitch. it was a while ago - but I don't recall having to clean off my needle at all. What I did find was an issue was removing all the stabilizer. I used it on cotton background fabric. It took a lot of rinsing to remove it and even now I think the background is still a bit stiffer than the other blocks in the quilt. However, I imagine a small bit like that on a cardigan will not be an issue.
But I will be very keen to see how you go.

Ondrea said...

Bargain cardigans. Hopefully the embroidery will fuse nicely and peel away. I have never used these products as I usually buy patterns which I can trace or iron on. I haven't embroidered onto clothing but it could be useful to use on teatowels too. Pretty design. Loooove your flowers and hope you can get away once the parts arrive for the jeep. Hmmmmm, some good news hey? I wonder if I can guess.

Fee said...

What a wonderful idea. It's going to look gorgeous !

Leeanne said...

Lovely flowers from your beloved! I look forward to reading your thoughts on the soluble papers.

Baa. xxx said...

Very interested in how this goes. I used a different product years ago for doing cross-stitch on a sweatshirt of a teddy bear and it was great.

Antique Lane Quilts by Karen said...

Following...very interested as tracing really is laborious part!

Jacqueline said...

Will be watching for your report on how this goes for you. And nice score on those cardigans.

Gloria said...

I have used the soluable stablizer a few times.It worked great. Not much problem with sticky needle.It was sugg ested to run the needle over a dryer sheet a gew times if it becomes a problem to help it slide easily.Lpoking forward to seeing how yours goes.

Stitches said...

I have used the Sticky Solvy and also Transfer-Eze. I don't remember ever having a sticky needle. It is a quick way to get your design on your project and ready to stitch. However, I did find that on my projects, when I removed the stabilizer that my stitches seemed to be a little loose and I didn't like that. I just don't think stitches are as tight and uniform when using the sticky stabilizer..And it didn't always stick down so I ended up basting around the edge to keep it down..I wonder if anyone else had any problems? I don't normally use a back stitch and I really like the outline or stem stitch and enjoy using them instead. This is just my 2 cents worth..

Debra said...

I've used Fabri-Solvy on several projects, and I did not experience gummy residue on my needle. I like to embroider my T-shirts to coordinate with the skirts and pants that I sew for myself, and I find that the adhesive transfers are ideal! Can't wait to see your finished embroidery!

LJ said...

I used Sticky Solvy and loved using it. The project was a sampler with lots of stitching. In fact, it was necessary to use two pieces of the Solvy in order to have the complete sampler. I can only imagine how time consuming (and even frustrating) it would have been to trace it ALL. I did find that it was curling up on the edges when I began my embroidery, but basting the edges down solved the problem and held the edges in place. I never had a sticky residue on my needle. I would definitely recommend Sticky Fabri-Solvy.

Anonymous said...

Flowers, your husband and stitching - what a beautiful and blessed life. Rocks in the road, I know, but still beautiful and blessed. I look forward to seeing what you think abut this sticky stuff. Some people have told me the Fabri-Solvy - the one made by Sulky and renamed Stick and Stitch recently - doesn't gum up needles, so I'll be interested to see what happens to you. I haven't used the sticky kind, just a regular film and I didn't care for it. I'm willing to have my mind changed, though!

Paula A. said...

Lovely design! Can't wait to see the finished product!!

Unknown said...

I have used the sulky brand for my embroidery. I have not had any problems with the needle getting sticky. I really love to embroider this way. My girlfriend just purchased the pellon stick-n-washaway from JoAnn Fabrics. She really loved working on this product also.

Anonymous said...

Hi Jenny your cardigans will look gorgeous with your little spray of flowers embroidered on them,hmm this new way has me intrigued hope it works well for you xx

Suze said...

I am looking forward to the grand reveal. Enjoy the break with your husband,

Bits of Stitching! said...

I do like using Sticky Fabri-Solvy, especially for kitchen towels.
No problems with getting a gummy needle.
After done with the stitching, and rinsing thoroughly under faucet running with
warm water, I also like throwing the towel with a load of kitchen linens in the washer.
When doing smaller designs, I just rinse same as before, and then
briskly move it around a bit in a sink filled with some warm water.
In my experience, areas embroidered with white floss may take a bit more effort
to completely remove the stabilizer.
Lovely cardigans! Did you prewashed before stitching?
Have fun experimenting!

Joyce said...

I use the Fabri sticky solvi all of the time and have never had a problem with the needle gumming up. I'm looking forward to seeing your design on the cardigan. It's a beautiful design and I think it's going to look great.

Unknown said...

I also use the Fabri-Solvy with good results. I am very careful to completely rinse it away on finished embroidery. One time I was not so thorough and it ruined the whole piece. Very cute idea to put a bouquet of flowers on your sweater!

Anonymous said...

I have never used any type of transfer paper. Not only do I not mind tracing, but I actually kind of enjoy it. Maybe tracing gives me the illusion that I can draw, a skill I've never had but always envied. To me, embroidery itself is just a type of tracing. That being said, I can see where transfer paper would be very practical for clothing. Like others, I am curious to learn what you think of these products.

Cindy in NC

PS. I believe a good light table is the key to ending tracing frustrations. For years I used a homemade contraption consisting of a plastic laundry basket, a small lamp, and a piece of plexiglass. As soon as I used a good light table (which, even with a 60 per cent off craft store coupon, was a big investment) I wished I had made the switch sooner.

Farm Quilter said...

I used Transfer-Eze to do Sashiko on a wall hanging...no problem with it not sticking or in removing it. Of course, my Sashiko stitches were huge compared to your delicate embroidery!! Can't wait to see how it works for you!

Lin said...

I had not heard of either of these so it will be interesting to see how you get on. I have recently discovered Frixion pens and have found them great to use for tracing designs. xx

Createology said...

Printing in hubby's printer is a big NO-NO for me so I shall continue to be a tracer which I am not so fond of. I would love to find a commercial printer company/service to print sheets for me...so far no luck. Love your simple cardigans with the simple little flower bouquet. Enjoy your time with hubs and his gorgeous flowers. Life should be good Sweet Jenny! XO<3