Sunday, March 23, 2014

HELP! I've Got Puckered Stems!

WHY?
See the ripple at the top of the blue?  This is caused from my bias stems that have been sewn down.
Yes, I cut them on the bias and used Elmers glue to attach them.

See here…..more ripples!  
I have wondered on many reasons why.
Are my stitches too close together?
Am I pulling too tight?
( I am stitching like Piece O Cake method )

Doesn't seem to matter if the stems are really long or short.
This short stem is puckered AND twisty looking!

BUT…..my numbers here, and everything else stitches up nicely and lays pretty flat.

WHY?
Does anyone have some I-dees on how I can remedy this issue?

I think it will quilt out ok but….

I DON'T LIKE IT!

I know there are some GREAT hand appliqué-ers  out there that might have the answer!!



Sewing down this cute little bird on the 4th border is next!!!  YIPPEE!

20 comments:

  1. I don't know anything about applique, but I do know that having the piece pressed by a drycleaner may flatten the whole thing out.

    A drycleaning press closes over a large section of the piece at once, and then blows steam down from the top and sucks it out the bottom.

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  2. I'm going to guess stitches pulled tight. A good person to ask is Karen atLog Cabin Quilter.

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  3. Could be the thickness of the fabric. I have had that be an issue. It doesn't lay as flat Press it upside down on a towel and lightly steam it. See if it helps ease the fullness. Chris

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  4. It doesn't look too bad. I have seen much worse. Remember you have just stitched a bias stem to a background fabric that is not on the bias. you will get some waving & yours is only slight, it will press & quilt out just fine I am sure.
    Look pretty BTW

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  5. Beautiful!!! And those what you call puckers will quilt out.

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  6. Sorry, I can't help you out - I have no answer. But it is really lovely, and I would think it would quilt out.

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  7. Panic not, my friend! You will also be quilting that area, I assume, and all will be well. Easing your borders will help!

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  8. I suspect the stems may have been pulled/stretched a little in the glueing process. But as Annie above says, fear not, quilting will help a lot!

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  9. I agree with pandchintz. Maybe a press, be careful with steam it may shrink it even more. I think the quilting will even it out.

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  10. Could the glue be the culprit? Bias can flex and move as you stitch, but possibly the glue reduces the flexing? Maybe try a sample without the glue? Good luck. It's a beautiful piece.

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  11. The applique looks pretty, but all that work you want it to be perfect! No chance to press it out with a hot iron and starch?

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  12. From the photos I'd say this is minimal puckering and should press out with a steam iron. I think that glue might be the problem though - it makes things less giving - once it is rinsed out and the piece is pressed the wrinkles should disappear. Even without glue (I pin and baste my stems for hand applique) there is some puckering because the background fabrics is not bias - and if it was - you'd probably have another different problem LOL). Try a little less tightness in the stitches maybe and try without the glue - or rinse it and press - you'll probably be much happier when it is pressed flat.

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  13. I agree with steam pressing. I'd use a bath towel on your board and "press" up and down - no back and forth -
    good luck and let us know.

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  14. Ok, it doesn't look like you've been given this answer yet, so I'll give you my little tidbit of wisdom. Do you make a point of always stitching the concave portion of the curve first? The part that is the "inside" of the curve...even if it's a long stem that twists and turns, switch sides as the concave section changes. Doing this helps the fabrics ease with each other and give the stem some room to 'breathe' while you stitch the outer curve last. Give it a try and see if it doesn't solve your problem. Good luck!

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  15. I just love the work, the colors, the design, all of it. Sorry you're having a learning curve or obstacle here but I know you. You have a habit. You always work it out. You do!

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  16. My applique knowledge is limited.

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  17. From what I can see it looks like this will press out, but one thing I do when I have slightly wavy borders is to make sure when you are piecing together, that this wavy border goes on the TOP with your feed dogs naturally tugging along the bottom piece. That always works for me. Good luck. Beautiful work!

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  18. Try starching your bias tape after you make it but before you put it on your project. Then don't pull your stitches too tight. You can fix it by going in on the back and slitting the background fabric down the middle under the bias tape (without poking through the bias tape). Starch is magic! XO

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  19. I also applique the inside (concave) curve 1st. Then the outer curve (convex)flows nicely in to place. I don't glue baste though, but can see where it might hold a little too well. Maybe using less glue? I'm sure it will be fine. Try some practice bias stems on scraps.

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  20. It looks beautiful! Gentle press with steam would work. Sometimes if couple of stitches are far enough, it creates the pucker. An extra stitch or two between those would take care of it?

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