Machine embroidery woes

[bigTillyMint]

DD is doing GCSE art(textiles) and this involves changing/decorating fabric in an artistic way. She has done a lot of machine embroidery - generally just straight (running?) stitch used as in pencil drawings. I have no experience of doing any machine embroidery myself (she is waaayy more creative and talented than me!) so I am looking for some advice!

When doing it at home, she has been using my, nearly 30 year old Riccar machine, but it is playing up big time - tension is not right at all and the top thread keeps breaking. She is just using a normal sewing foot as I would for sewing a seam. I have tried googling and following advice for changing the tension, but it just doesn't seem to make any difference and the thread keeps breaking/it is rucking up big time!

I am wondering if

• the machine is just unsuitable
• the machine is too old and needs looking at/repairing
• she needs to use a different foot/do something different when embroidering

Anyone got any ideas on what I can do to help as she can't get her homework done

TIA

[pertempsnooo]

I have barely done any but I do know that you don't use a foot. And it's best if you use those tapestry ring type things to make a flat straight surface. And are the grippy bits underneath covered? (technical names escape me) Anyone more informed? Hope so as I love machine embroidery! Google it + the make of machine... lots of people are at it!

[WoodBurnerBabe]

If you are doing freehand machine embroidery, you need a special foot. You can google for one that fits your machine. You should also drop the feed dogs (if your machine does this, not all do), but you can do it without doing this.

A frame helps, but I've done freehand embroidery without one, lots of practice!

[WoodBurnerBabe]

www.sewingworld.co.uk/sewing-machines-overlockers/sewing-machine-overlocker-accessories-spares/general-spares-accessories/sewing-machine-presser-feet/darning-foot-metal-low-shanks

It looks like this.

[bigTillyMint]

Oh thanks for that - it's really helpful - I will try to order the right kind of foot!

But the main problem is the tension on the machine ATM - even if I just sew a normal line it is puckering up a bit and I don't seem to be able to fix it. Is it worth trying to find a repairer/servicer, or should we get a new machine?

[WoodBurnerBabe]

If it's lasted 30 years, it sounds pretty sturdy - I would go for getting it serviced to start with, tension can be pretty temperamental and it might just need a good clean and oil.

[bigTillyMint]

Thanks WBB! I have just rung a local repair man so hopefully he can take a look at it and advise.

[bigTillyMint]

Miaow, that is great news!

I will definitely order the foot and get it serviced asap. Did you use the tapestry ring when you embroidered? DD doesn't but maybe it would help? And did you just use straight stitch?

[WoodBurnerBabe]

Miaow is referring to the feed dogs! On some machines there is a little switch, often behind the machine, in line with the dogs, that drops them down so they don't try and push the fabric through in one particular direction. Then you can effectively 'draw', but don't worry, you can do without this. Some machines have a small cover you can fit over the dogs to achieve the same effect.

Poppy Treffrey's books are pretty good for technique if your budget stretches to a new book ;-)

[Smudge588]

You definitely need to be able to drop the feed dogs or the free motion foot won't work properly. I'd check your machine can do that before you start as not all machines can. You don't have to use an embroidery hoop but it might make things easier. I tend to find I don't need one with thicker fabrics or paper but for thin fabrics it prevents the fabric from scrunching up. Sometimes I find I have to take the foot off to get the ring under and manage it all under the machine. Fiddly but easy enough.

Sounds like your machine does need a service. It can be expensive though :(. Sometimes changing needles or threads is enough to sort the tension but it sounds like you've tried all that.

Good luck and enjoy!

[Smudge588]

Sorry, I forgot about being able to cover the feed dogs up if they don't drop! I have a feeling you can do it with Teflon paper or an over liner (you can get them in the pound shop) by cutting out a small hole to match with where the needle goes down and then taping the liner to the machine. I haven't tried it but I have seen it.

[bigTillyMint]

Right, I have taken the machine into our local man. Fingers crossed he can get it sorted! He said 30 for a service. Might be more if he finds something wrong (a la MOT!)

I will ask him about dropping the feed dogs too when I go to collect.

The Poppy Treffrey books look cute - maybe I could get one for DD's birthday.

[apprenticemum]

Check out You Tube machine embroidery tutorials. They are very helpful

[BakedWellTart]

If DD is heavily embroidering into the fabric it might be worth buying some embroidery stabiliser. It comes in different thicknesses and is a fabric/paper that goes behind the main fabric and stops the stitches causing holes in the fabric. Barnyarns is a website that has a good selection of stabiliser fabrics.

Alternatively, she could paint the fabric with an ordinary emulsion and that stabilises it. I've only tried this technique a few times but maybe it could be explored. Perhaps have a set of machine needles that are purely for art.

Definitely invest in an embroidery/darning foot for freestyle embroidery. You can embroider without a foot but I find I'm more confidant knowing my finger is unlikely to slip under the needle.

Alison Holt has a few good books on technique such as using different stitches and tension above and below the fabric. I've been embroidering for years and found her books really useful to develop my work a bit.

Sorry, I can't link at the moment but the info should come up in google.

[ContentedSidewinder]

Absolutely loads of videos on YouTube on free motion quilting where they "fill" areas with patterns and free motion embroidery.

Hopefully the service will help with the tension. I would love to see some of your daughter's work if you get your machine fixed. You could upload it onto here.

[bigTillyMint]

Thanks for the tips! Have got the machine back so fingers crossed it works OK when DD tries it again! ATM she is just seeming to use straight stitch to "draw" on top of her pencil line drawings, but maybe she will try some other techniques.

[AnyaKnowIt]

Are you able to drop the feed dogs?

[bigTillyMint]

No the lovely sewing machine man tried but it seems they don't drop! And we are still waiting for the embroidery foot I ordered. But as DD only seems to be doing straight stitch, I am hoping it doesnt matter too much

[bigTillyMint]

Update! The embroidery foot finally came and I have just found the ancient machine guide online and have dropped the feed dogs

However, the top thread is not catching the bobbin thread properly and so either not sewing at all or bobbling the top thread underneath!

I have watched a few you tube videos which are really helpful, but I seem to be missing something!

[RueDeWakening]

Re embroidery stabiliser, try contacting GS Direct and ask for a few samples, they will send you a few different types for her to try and if she gets on with a particular one you can get some more.

linky

[Polkadotpatty]

If it's a really fine fabric, you can try putting a piece of felt underneath (does the job others have suggested of stabilising, and stopping the "bunching"). My machine will really only tolerate free machine embroidery if the tension is set to zero. It felt like craziness, but it worked
Also, it works best if you keep up a controlled steady speed, not too fast, and try to move the fabric around at a consistent rate too. Bit "pat your head and rub your tummy" in terms of co-ordination, but worth persevering!

[bigTillyMint]

Thanks for the advice - we are away at the moment but we can give them a try when we get back. The material is a very heavy (quite stiff) cotton.