| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| brightmeadow |
Posted - Mar 15 2006 : 4:40:04 PM
I ran across a machine embroidery site (maybe it was a Far-East one, the language was a little formal/stilted) that mentioned using paper as a stabilizer. It wasn't a hint about saving money, it just said "paper" where I expected to see the word "stabilizer".
This is the first and only time I have ever seen this mentioned, but I thought, why not? So I tried stitching out one of my machine embroidery designs with a sheet of printer paper in the hoop, and it seemed to work OK. (I haven't washed the design yet...) It seemed to tear away just fine, and I think the paper under the stitches will eventually dissolve.
This would save a LOT of money, as stabilizer is VERY expensive, and I have a huge box of old pin-feed printer paper in my basement that I have been saving for the grandkids to color on.
Does anyone know of any drawbacks to using paper instead of commercial stabilizer?
The only thing I can think of is that maybe the needles will get dull faster, but I think maybe the savings in stabilizer would offset any increase in needle costs?
You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands - You shall be happy and it shall be well with you. -Psalm 128.2
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| 3 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| therusticcottage |
Posted - Mar 17 2006 : 3:57:23 PM
When I applique on my sewing machine I just use the cheapest paper towels that I can find. The cheaper the better. The expensive paper towels are too thick and have too much lint.
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| brightmeadow |
Posted - Mar 17 2006 : 12:22:21 PM
Good idea, Diane. The only reason I hesitate to ask questions of the machine dealers is because I bought my low-end machine at Wal-Mart! So I always feel like I am imposing on the dealer's time, even if I am asking about which thread to buy, etc. But thinking about it that way, maybe I shouldn't worry about the paper scraps because my machine was so inexpensive that even if the scraps do build up, I can probably have an excuse to upgrade my machine to a better one! (Do you think my husband will go for that?)
You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands - You shall be happy and it shall be well with you. -Psalm 128.2
Visit my web site store at http://www.watkinsonline.com/fish or my homepage at http://home.earthlink.net/~brightmeadow |
| Fabulous Farm Femmes |
Posted - Mar 16 2006 : 10:40:24 PM
I've been using notebook paper as a stabilizer for years...in fact that is how I was taught to machine applique a hundred years ago, before they HAD stabilizer. Never have had any problem with it.But then I am not using an embroidery machine either, just doing it on my regular sewing machine.
I think you might need to check into this with someone who sells those machines, as maybe a build up of teensy paper scraps going down into your machine might mess it up! |
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