I can’t believe how indispensable this tool is. Recently, I was stitching 24 onesies, a daunting task even when it’s not crammed into a heavy travel, teaching schedule. I think the only thing that kept me sane during the process was thinking of the new parents of twins who would eventually receive the onesies. I know they haven’t slept more than 2 hours at a time in over three weeks so my task paled in comparison.
Back to the embroidery – the placement for center chest embroidery on onesies was simplified with the Center Chest templates from the Children’s Perfect Placement Kit.
Instead of using a round target sticker, I used the rectangular version and placed it lengthwise on the target area. This gave me a clear visual guide when hooping the tiny garments.
I hooped Floriani Wet ‘n Gone Tacky water soluble adhesive stabilizer in a 5” x 7” hoop for my single needle machine. Then I scored the protective paper and remove it to expose the sticky surface. I placed the hoop under PAL2, aligning the beam with the hoop’s centering marks.
I turned the onesie inside out and lifted the back of the shirt away from the front to expose the target sticker. Then I carefully placed the center of the target sticker under the beam.
Once aligned, I smoothed the shirt to the sticky stabilizer, working above the target and then below.
When it comes to quilting, PAL2 can multitask. I use it to find the center of a block.
And to make sure my seams are square.
I’ve been know to use it to trim blocks and cut fabric strips – all without using a ruler! I just align the beam with a line on the cutting mat, place the fabric edge on another straight line and then slice on the beam of light. Makes large cutting jobs fly by!
Do you want to win a PAL2? Leave a comment over at SewMamaSew and you’ll be entered in their Handmade Holiday giveaway.
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58 COMMENTS
Gail Beam
12 years agoThe PAL2 looks like a really neat tool to have for machine embroidery!
Gail
Barbara
12 years agoI love mine!
Martie
12 years agoThis tool looks like the perfect thing to make my embroidery easier. Great invention!
Sharon
12 years agoMy friend has a PAL, and loves it. I would love one too.
Sharon
12 years agoI left a comment over at SewMamaSew.
Mary
12 years agoJust what the doctor ordered 🙂
Becky
12 years agoI left the comment on SewMamaSew – It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Wait, do I hear a song. I’m dreaming of peace and good will for all. May all your days be merry and bright and Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas to all.
Barbara Rowlan Wong
12 years agoI love my Pal and would love the addition of Pal2!
Super idea and sure makes things easier.
Happy Thanksgiving all
Mary Haggenmaker
12 years agoI can see where this would be a magnificent time saver.
Diane Cockman
12 years agoLeft my comment over on SewMamaSew. So many prizes and ideas. Thank you Eileen.
Carol
12 years agoLove that you have discovered other uses for the PAL2! Recently moved and this would be a great addition to my new full basement sewing room!
Jean
12 years agoThe PAL2 would be a great addition to any sewing room….so many time saving uses!
Marilyn Kirby
12 years agoHow I dread trying to get items centered and straight. I would love a tool like this to help me out of my misery!
Berenice
12 years agoThanks for the link to SewMamaSew. That’s a site I will revisit. So much neat stuff!
Dale Fedor
12 years agoI’ve registered at SewMamaSew & waiting for approval. Pal2 looks like it would really help me put my design on my shirts where I would like them. And since I am a new quilter, I REALLY need help making sure my blocks are straight.
Ruby Ridgeway
12 years agoI got this pal several months ago. It doesn’t work for me. I can never get it to sit right.
judy williamson
12 years agoI would love to have a Pal 2.
Renee
12 years agoHow were you able to keep the onesie from coming back on itself?
eileenroche
12 years ago AUTHOROh…you’ll have to keep coming back for that information! In the January/February issue of Designs, I’m doing a feature on baby embroidery and I’ll show three ways to hoop a onesie.
maria elena
12 years agoI would love to have one too, and my family would love me to have one too, so they can stop tilting their heads like I instructs them to in order to see designs perfectly straight!!
eileenroche
12 years ago AUTHORToo funny! That comment reminds me of a student I had many years ago, who mirror imaged the word, guest, on a towel. She said she didn’t care she just would just hang the towel opposite the mirror in the bathroom!
Michelle Wagner
12 years agoI am sorry to post an unrelated post here. But I am in desperate need of assistance. I am trying to sew from the “Designer Handbags.” I am attempting the “Everyday Bag.” I am stuck on the corner peices. I have read, watched videos, everything, can any one please help me? Thanks so much!
eileenroche
12 years ago AUTHORHow can I help you Michelle?
Betsy
12 years agoI’ve been intrigued with the PAL2 and how it would improve my embroidery skills…and now it can square up my blocks? Ingenious!
Genelle
12 years agoI love that the PAL 2 has multiple uses. As I embroidery and quilt I am always looking for various products that will aid me in my projects.
Barb
12 years agoI have it, just haven’t used it yet. Sure will now I have onesies to do to!
Rosalyn
12 years agoI have been trying to decide if a Pal or a Pal2 would be best for me. It’s on my Christmas wish list.
Shirley R
12 years agoThank you, Thank you!….. for giving us the name of the stabilizer you used for embroidering the Onesies!!! I could not wait to buy the original Pal, and Pal2 is on my Wish List. I think the Pal is the most valuable machine embroidery tool I own; I use it constantly.
eileenroche
12 years ago AUTHOROh that’s so good to hear! I really don’t know how I hooped before PAL – such a time-saver.
Nancy Borger
12 years agoreally, really really want the Pal-2 !! looks like an amazing tool.
judit z
12 years agoDream list #1 Pal 2
Friend is having twins girl and boy perfect idea
to use tool on her onsies.
Judit
left comment on sewmamasew
eileenroche
12 years ago AUTHORHi Judit – our January-February issue will feature adorable projects for twins! How timely for your and your friend!
Kim C
12 years agoI would love the Pal-2. It looks like it would be so helpful!
KathyA
12 years agoA Pal-2 just what my centering problem needs. Item one on the Christmas List.
Jane Anderson
12 years agoI didn’t think I wanted a Pal-2, but you have convinced me!
Jane
Donna Schell
12 years agoI can’t wait to get a Pal 2 for Christmas. Although I could actually use it beforehand to help me make the gifts I am planning. Christmas may just have to come early for me!!
Kathy
12 years agoI so need one of these! I cannot line things up, no matter what I do. This tool looks great.
Debbie Bernard
12 years agoI have one of these. Now I know how to use it!! Thanks
Rhonda W
12 years agoI love my PAL!!
Patricia Lanter
12 years agoI am making my Christmas list.
(1) Extra Large Snap Hoop
(2) Pal2
(3) Children’s Perfect Placement Kit
(4) A Subscription Renewal for Designs in Machine Embroidery Magazine.
I have been a good girl Santa….
e costello
12 years agoif you have a serger an easier way to do a onesie is to take out the side seam do your embroidery then serge it up again. that way it lies flat while you embroider.
Jane
12 years agoWow, so many people mentioning the PAL2 on SewMamaSew maybe Eileen could donate two over there or give one away here… it is a tough year here in Connecticut, with two hurricanes and one blizzard and our newest snowstorm yesterday. All in 12 months…
My wish list – 1. PAL2
2. Designer Handbags by Eileen and Nancy
3. A new sewing/embroidery machine with large hoops… Santa, I’ve been good…most of the time…
Cathy Van Daalwyk
12 years agoJust got my pal2 and it seems the support base is awful wobbly it does not hold tight. Is there something missing? I think this is a great idea but shouldn’t the screw hold it to the base tighter?
eileenroche
12 years ago AUTHORHi Cathy – gee I haven’t seen any issues with the PAL2’s base. Do you have the post completely inserted into the clamp? Check that the bottom of the post is past the screw. You’ll have to unscrew the screw until it is almost completely out of the clamp. Then insert the post, and turn the screw so that it firmly holds onto the post.
Cathy Van Daalwyk
12 years agoEileen, just before you reply ed to my comment I made contact with your customer service and the nice lady sent me a new clamp. PROBLEM FIXED! I AM NOW LOVING MY PAL 2. Thank you!
Cathy Van Daalwyk
12 years agoI should tell you the hole that you insert the lamp into is smaller on the new base and the screw is about three times bigger then the original one sent.
Wendy
12 years agoGreat tutorial – helped me to feel more confident in trying to do successful embroidery on a onesie. Looks like a Pal should be on my wishlist! I have the perfect placement set but confess I have not used it yet. I really need to get practice as my first grand baby is due next week!
Pam
12 years agoFriends are great but a Pal2 could be very helpful indeed!
susan
12 years agooh I could use a Pal2, finally a successful way to find just the right spot.
MarciaW
12 years agoThanks for the informative post! Now I’m off to SMS.
Mary Gordon
12 years agoWere the replies taken from both sites? I left one at the other site about using to line up features on doll faces and the trims for their clothes, but I don’t see it here. Should I have left it at both places?
Anyway there are some wonderful suggestions here and I think it is a very worthwhile tool.
Mary
Chris Brewer
12 years agoHi,
I would love a PAL, it loks like it makes life so much easier. is there anywhere in australia that stocks them, as postage from the US more than doubles the price
jennifer
12 years agoI left my reply. Hoping i came across this post early enough to win! so many generous gifts everyone is giving away!
Benita
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Cordie
12 years agoPal2. what a wonderful tool. going to be a GreatGrandma # 3 in august and have a lot of work ahead of me and the Pal2 would make everything go a lot faster and easier. Love the web site with all of the great ideas.
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Cindy
9 years agoThis is a first for me. Still quite the newbie, but I can see how thos might be a wonderful tool to use. Thank you for teaching me new ways to make sewing easier to work fun.
Vivienne Westwood UK
5 years agoI think the only thing that kept me sane during the process was thinking of the new parents of twins who would eventually receive the onesies.
Vivienne Westwood Online Shop https://www.vivienneswestwoodoutlet.co.uk/