Evaluating a Design

Look for underlayment, a set of stitches that go at a 90 degree angle to the fill. Underlayment stitches before the fill (they are covered by the fill stitches). Underlayment helps to stabilize the fabric to prevent distortion and also increases coverage without making the fill too dense.

Look for a variety of fill angles and a little overlap between adjacent fills. This will prevent gaps.

Watch out for fills that stitch on top of each other. Small details (such as facial features), and lightweight stitches (such as shading or fur) will stitch fine over a larger fill, but beware of more than two layers of fill stitches (not counting the underlayment).

Check for jump stitches and repeated colors. Some jump stitches are unavoidable, but if the same thread color is used for two adjacent fill areas, there is no excuse for a jump stitch. Sometimes a color will be repeated for better definition, but avoid any design that has multiple repeats of several colors. You will spend way too much time changing threads. An experienced designer knows how to plan the design to minimize both jump stitches and color changes.

Next issue: outlines

from Mary Jane Allen of Perfect Little Stitches

Missed an issue of the StitchFun News? Check out the Archives Page.

SUPERIOR Titanium-Coated
Needles for Home Machines

Superior Threads and Organ Needle
Company have applied the latest
technology of titanium-coated needles
to the Topstitch style for home machines.
These new titanium-coated needles have
an ultra thin coat of titanium nitride layered
on the surface to extend their productive life
by five to eight times that of conventional
needles. Most professionals recommend
changing the needle every project or, if you
count, every 8 hours. Imagine having a
needle that will last 40 to 60 hours!