Tips & Tricks:

1. Always test-stitch on a scrap!

2. Watch your machine carefully while the design is stitching.  If your machine does not automatically trim jump stitches, stop the machine and clip them as you go.  Uncut jump stitches can catch on your needle or presser foot and ruin your design.

3. Place a layer of fusible web under your fabric before your tack down stitch, and trim it as you trim your fabric.  You can iron over your appliqué after it stitches and the fusible will bond the appliqué fabric to the article.  Heat-n-bond LITE also works very well for this.  Don't use regular Heat-n_Bond; it will gum up your needle.

4. When embroidering on knits, such as t-shirts or onesies, stabilize with a good cutaway stabilizer.  Two layers of poly-mesh sprayed lightly with adhesive works well for me.  Use an adhesive especially made for sewing and embroidery to prevent gummy needles.  You can also use a layer of water-soluble stabilizer on top of the design.  This will keep the stitches from sinking into or shredding the knit material and your embroidery will look great!

5. Use a ball-point needle to prevent shredding on knits.  It is designed to slip in between the fibers rather than slicing through.

6. Iron a piece of lightweight interfacing or iron-on polymesh to the back of your design after it has stitched out.  This will not only make the garment more comfortable to wear, but it also helps to secure your stitches in case you accidentally snag your design on something.

About OUTLINES

Many embroidery designs have outlines.  Outlines add depth and detail to designs.  Do not fear them!  When outlines do not stitch correctly, it is very rarely the fault of the digitizer or the design.  If you purchase a design from a reputable digitizer and the outlines look correct in the design preview, the design WILL stitch out correctly if properly hooped and stabilized.  The number one reason outlines are "off" is improper hooping and under-stabilization.  I will explain WHY this is so important, especially in designs with outlines.  Embroidery causes the fabric underneath it to contract.  Knowledgeable digitizers compensate for this when the design is created.  If you do not properly hoop or stabilize, some areas of the design might pull more than others, causing the outline to be off.  A good way to prevent this is to adhere your stabilizer to the back of your fabric with spray adhesive.  Smooth it out flat before hooping.  This will keep the fabric from shifting on top of the stabilizer.  Hoop your item and tighten the hoop.  While holding the hoop securely, gently pull the stabilizer firm but not drum-tight.  Then, gently pull the fabric so that it is smooth, but not tight in the hoop.  Knits contract even more with embroidery.  You can use water-soluble stabilizer on top of knits.  This will relieve some of the contacting and prevent your outlines from being off, and will also help fill stitched areas to look consistent without any gaps.

About PUCKERING  

Puckering is also caused by the fabric contracting under embroidery.  The best way to prevent puckering is to use the correct stabilizer weight and DO NOT pull your fabric too tightly across the hoop.  Pulling the fabric tight expands the fabric, so when the fabric is embroidered and contracted, the expanded fabric around the design will appear rippled and puckered.  After hooping, first pull the stabilizer to be firm, but not drum-tight.  The gently pull your fabric smooth, but not TIGHT.  

Happy Stitching!