Stitching hazard: how to limit bleed hole width?

Wim · Post by **Wim** » 29 Jan 2006 04:32

This is my 3rd 32 and I'm pretty stoked with it. The only problem is: some of them bleed holes are a little too wide so one hexagon will kind of curl over the adjacent one (as shown in the not-so-clear pic^).

This happens to me a lOT. Of course I could push it in and pretend nothing happened

but there must be better solutions. Any of you have similar experience?
I'm also not sure what the problem is actually. Are the holes too wide? Should I cut the small sides of the hexes wider? Is it a matter of stitching more precisely?

Help!

shredzilla · Post by **shredzilla** » 29 Jan 2006 07:46

If you use templates that are the same size ie. pent= 16mm per side hex= 16mm long side, then that will minimize your bleed hole width.

Also gathering will help as well. It looks like you're gathering a fair ammount, but make sure it's consistant throughout the bag. Gathering, if you don't know is the amount of 'pucker' you give each pent when tieing off. Doing it too much will make the bag too puckered, and not as playable. Doing it not enough, will leave stitches showing, and your bag won't be as round. Find a happy medium.

As far as that one hex overlapping, that just happens sometimes after you finish a bag. Tuck that bad boy in, and you've fixed that situation. It most likely won't come out again. It may have popped out because of sloppy stitching on that hex, but again it should stay put once you tuck it in. Try and get your stitches to be consistant throughout the bag. Hope this helps, and looking forward to seeing your progress.

RawSko · Post by **RawSko** » 29 Jan 2006 07:55

I used to have the exact same problem.. I talked to Peng about it and she solved my problem. When I stitch around the pent, I'll put on stitch through the nearest side of the hex while I'm on my way around the corner.

I'm not sure if it's just a given that you're suposed to do this, and I'm just always out of the loop, but that's what I do, and my bleed holes are fine now.

Pengu · Post by **Pengu** » 29 Jan 2006 15:09

Dude, add me to MSN and show me what you're doing.

Where are you placing your holes? How many per side are you stitching? Are you using a running stitch or a carpet stitch? How much are you gathering your bag? Are you gathering the same on each side of your bag? Those all make a difference. The key is to be consistent on every single side.

Whenever I'm online and I have some time, I'd be more than willing to analyse why your bag looks the way it does and help you out.

Guest_2 · Post by **Guest_2** » 29 Jan 2006 19:18

You gotta sew the hexes together

hackeysnacker · Post by **hackeysnacker** » 29 Jan 2006 19:52

Yeah like the other Josh R said, you have to stitch the hexes together.
this was a diagram I made to illustrate a blind stitch but I'm sure you can see how and where the hexes should be sewn

Senor Grommet · Post by **Senor Grommet** » 29 Jan 2006 23:28

1) make the long sides of the hexes longer and the short sides of the hexes shorter. In general the hexes long sides should be LONGER than the pent, not the exact same length. Also, the shorter the small sides of the hex, the less room there will be for filler to escape. This, owever, limits the extent to which filler can be modified through these openings. Your best bet is to learn to place your connecting hexagon stitch more medially so that you minimize the bleed-hole space.

Wim · Post by **Wim** » 31 Jan 2006 05:52

Thanks guys/girl!

I don't think I'll stitch the hexes together (completely) on my next bag. I did that to my first 32 and, even though it looks sweet and even, it simply won't BREAK IN

.

I stitch fairly tightly and leave about 2mm (0.1 inch?

) of thread before I cut off. I do 4 stitches per side (as in the thread goes through both panels 4 times). Not familiar with the terms running/carpet stitch

.

What might do the trick is making the long sides of the hex shorter than the sides of the pent. I tried to do so on the above bag but apparently not enough so

.

If that doesn't work, I'll probably give that other advice a go, i.e. putting one stitch through the nearest hex when turning the corner of the pent.

I'm going to the local cloth shop later today to pick some nice colours for me next one and I'll let you know how it goes

.

Lazytowner · Post by **Lazytowner** » 31 Jan 2006 06:36

That little hint about the stitch into the nearest hex seems like a good idea..well anything seems like a good idea since I turn retarded when it comes to bleedholes..blah...Can someone explain that tip a little further though? Like what do you mean by 'putting one stitch through the nearest hex when turning the corner of the pent'? *wishes I was less of a visual learner...*

Wim · Post by **Wim** » 31 Jan 2006 06:57

Lazytowner wrote:what do you mean by 'putting one stitch through the nearest hex when turning the corner of the pent'?

Actually, check out Josh' diagram from a few posts up. That should do.
My comment refers to the odd stitch through the short side of the hexagons.

Wim · Post by **Wim** » 12 Feb 2006 05:21

Check it out. I stitched the hexes together in this one and it has come out a lot better than the last one! Thanks peepel!

Lazytowner · Post by **Lazytowner** » 12 Feb 2006 11:35

Wim wrote:
Lazytowner wrote:what do you mean by 'putting one stitch through the nearest hex when turning the corner of the pent'?
Actually, check out Josh' diagram from a few posts up. That should do.
My comment refers to the odd stitch through the short side of the hexagons.

>< I apologize lol, *was not paying attention*

mahhkohh · Post by **mahhkohh** » 12 Feb 2006 14:15

wim...that second bag you posted looks so nice...realy...man,good job on doing that.looks very very even and stuff....props man

Wim · Post by **Wim** » 14 Feb 2006 11:03

Thanks so much Mahhhhhhhhkohhhhhhh.

Believe it or not: That bag has been lying on my shelf for over a week now and hasn't been kicked or stalled even once. I would love to tell you how it shreds because it looks and feels so shreddable. But for the time being I have keine Ahnung (i.e. no clue).