Having trouble with Micro Fonts

[Trish]

Hi All,
I have trouble sewing out micro letters. Any time I have a sew out with lettering at a .25 of an inch,it sews out terrible and it actually rips the fabric. I have played with denisty, pull/comp and underlays. I have been at this for three days and spent over an hour with Tech support. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I have to say I am very fustrated.

[Dorothy Compton]

I would try no underlay and a density of 4.2. What fabric are you trying to sew on with what backing?

[levelbest]

Trish:

I am guessing you already looked at the code sheets but if not take a look. Tons of good stuff there - and while not the end all and be all, they are a good start.

First - The big trick to small stuff is to use a 65/9 needle and to use 60 weight thread (Madiera among others make it). So, you are going with thinner thread and a smaller needle. We dedicate needles 15 and 16 to black and white 60 weight with the appropriate needles - so we don't have to keep changing it.

Second, make sure the type of needle you are using matches the material - sharp or ballpoint. If you are tearing, you might be using sharp on something you should be using a ballpoint on.

Third, slow the machine down a little.

Forth - DO NOT ADD UNDERLAY. Micro fonts already include it. This again is where the code sheet comes in handy. This could add to the tearing - too many stitches in too small an area.

Fifth - Decrease the density - ie. bump the number up (that always gets my wife!) Move the density up I say - she says, you want this more dense? I say, no less dense... whos on first... and the Abott and Costello routine continues.

Sixth - Use good backing. We use two sheets of 1.5 inch cut away. I know you can get away with one, but in our experience, building a good foundation always helps.

Seventh - Consider using solvy. We don't but some folks on the list swear by it.

Last - If one Micro isn't working for you, try another - and give ALL CAPS a shot for small lettering or increase the size slightly to maybe .28.

Ok, that's all for now. BTW, what font were you using.

[levelbest]

Oh, forgot one other thing... could also be the shirt quality. We once did shirts that worked great on one brand of pique, only to have the customer switch to a cheaper pique polo shirt - only to have problems with small holes like you describe. Who would have thought. Had to change the design to make it work (which of course made the design look worse).

[Trish]

Thanks for the advice. I'll let you know what happens. I am sewing on a jerzee brand 50/50 golf shirt.

[Dorothy Compton]

What is the weight of your backing. I stock 2oz cutaway and would use 2 sheets for this shirt. I wouldn't use solvy but some do. Good Luck!

[levelbest]

Dorothy is right. When we use our two pieces of 1.5 oz backing, I forgot to mention one of them is HD backing from AllStitch - which is a little more dense and holds stitches better [img]smile.gif[/img]

[Trish]

Thanks Dorothy & John for all your suggestions. I tried everything but a smaller needle only because I didn't have any on hand, but I did
order some. I actually have set up a service call
cause it still not sewing right. Thanks again for all your suggestions I have written them done for future references. Tricia