manual settings

[cbireley]

When I took my class 2 years ago, I just kept everything on "auto" settings b/c it was the easiest thing to do and I had so many more things to learn that was more pressing (am still learning things I should know by now). When I read posts, a lot of times it is asked if where you have your settings? I'm thinking about trying to manually set my acti-feed. I know there is a little chart on the computer telling me what to use, but are there any other rules to use when deciding what to pick? For ex. I stitched on a polyester shirt sleeve recently. My auto setting made it pucker and look too bulky. When I set it at an "8" (recommended by a friend) it looked so much better, but the chart wouldn't have had me do that.
Thanks for your help...I know this sounds probably like a silly question.

[The Embroidery Authority - OLD]

Cindy,
The Auto Acti-feed setting will be determined by how much resitance the thread/fabric will offer up while sewing. Imagine this: tie a sting around a piece of steel until it's tight. The string will only stretch as much as it's going to and the steel won't stretch at all. Now tie a string around a piece of soft, squishy foam rubber. The string will stretch only so much but the foam will collapse under the strength of the string until the string's knot is tight.

This is why softer/stretchier fabrics will pucker and sink in when using Auto-Actifeed. To counter act this experience we use backing and usually a minimum of two layers of cutaway.
When you choose to use the standard thread feed, YOU are now in control of how much thread is fed to the garment. Remember that a value of 8 on one person's machine may not give the same results as an 8 on another. There are many varying factor such as thread feed roller condition, lubrication, bobbin tension, type of backing, how much backing, fabric thickness, fabric stretch within hoop, etc...
Hence, when it comes to choosing the proper value for standard thread feed, you just have to try it and see what works best for you. Know that you can change it's value while sewing so if it starts out too tight or loose, you can change it "on the fly".

Ed Orantes
Melco Tech & Trainer
504-258-6260