Stitch Control

[Ballyhoo]

How do I get the machine to stitch only what I want it to? I am trying to use applique text on ripstop nylon for a flag. It is not standard text (true type: gill sans ultra bold condensed). There were some issues with the stitching around corners so I converted to wireframe to do some minor editing. Once it looked good, I duplicated the text (ctrl-D) twice, set the first one as a walk stitch for the outline (cut and place), [insert color change for applique] the second as a satin stitch density 25 for a tack down; the third as a satin stitch density 9 for the cover stitch. It basically works OK except there is a lot of puckering. The material thickness is set to 2 and there is very little bobbin showing. I am using the 11 X 17 wooden hoop which is wrapped in athletic tape on both inner and outer hoops and the sides have a few extra layers. I did not use any backing. I think that at least part of the problem is caused by extra walk stitches that it adds when stitching.

The outline is retraced. The retrace box is not checked. The entry and exit points are set to the same point which is the first point on the stitch list. What makes it think that it has to retrace? Both passes are clockwise as are the points in the project window.

The tackdown starts and finishes OK at the same points as the outline walk stitch without any additional walk stitches. This stitching goes counterclockwise.

But then the cover stitch has to walk all the way around the outline before it starts. The entry and exit points are the same here as the others. The walk stitching goes clockwise and the cover stitches go counterclockwise.

Can I control the stitching to eliminate the two extra rounds of walk stitches?

Thanks.

Happy holidays.

[signman]

I have the same problem and no idea how to stop it. I was told by a tech at Melco one time that if the entry and exit points are 'crossed' this will set up a retrace. When it really annoys me or causes problems, I go in and trace it manually with a normal walk stitch and delete the original outline-and do not let my ends 'cross'.
For the puckering-without a backing you are going to get puckering on the nylon, period. You can try setting a higher MT setting-2 is pretty tight...but without the backing it is going to pull the threads up tight-and there's your pucker.
I have heard of a water soluably backing-similar to your standard thick backing material but it dissolves in water-heavier than solvy, but then you have to wash the flag. Probably not what you want to do. All the flags I have seen with embroidery on them use the applique method, but the tack down stitching is not a tight stitch-very spaced out-probably prevents the puckering. You'll have to experiment with the settings for your stitch length if no one else jumps in here that has done it.