Using stitching dies - hints for not getting crease lines?

[smower]

I was very disappointed to find that the dies I ordered from Ellen Hutson called Stitching Lines (https://www.ellenhutson.com/essentia...ulie-ebersole/) leave marks on the edges of the wider dies! I sent an email to them asking if they had any suggestions and got the response that they didn't, that's the way the dies work and if I had any suggestions to get back to them. I am NOT complaining about Ellen Hutson - they did answer and they have great products but I'm a little upset about this die set. I do have a Lawn Fawn set of stitching dies but they are smaller on the sides. I know this is where the problem is - the edge of the die is far from the stitching so it is creating a very noticeable mark where a thinner die like a basic stitched line, isn't as noticeable.

Just wondering if anyone else has had issues with this kind of thing. MFT has a set of stitched line dies as well but I hesitate to even spend the money for these in case I run into the same problem (My Favorite Things Die-namics, Basic Stitch Lines)

Thanks in advance for any help or suggestions or if you have used some other dies that don't have this problem, would love to know!

Susan

[shazsilverwolf]

If I'm understanding this right, I have had the same problem with some dies, most recently the TH Mixed Media dies. Some leave an imprint of the die edges. The only way I know to resolve this, I think, would be the same way as getting rid of edge lines from an Embossing folder. You would need to cut one or two chipboard/ thick card pieces that are slightly smaller than the size of the die, and use these on top of the die. I think you would have to have cutting edge down on this idea, but it may work with cutting edge up. You could tape the card to your baseplate. ( Just thinking as I type here). Then you could make up a sandwich with more cardstock/plates that would allow you to cut your piece out. As long as your cardstock 'shims' are slightly smaller than the die, then the edges should not be pressed into your card. And once you've made up some 'shims', the process would be quicker in future. Hth.
I think this may be more involved to explain than to actually do!

[smower]

Thanks for the suggestion - I tried a couple things - thin cardboard, aluminum flashing and just a small piece of cardstock. The results were much better when it took some of the weight off the edges and centered it in the middle of the die. The cardboard paper fell apart after and the flashing didn't work - maybe it was just a little too thick. I think just a small skinny piece of cardstock might be key here. The lines still show a little but now as much! Great suggestion. You explained it perfectly! I had played with all kinds of shims and making the sandwich looser but I hadn't thought to focus right down the center of the die.

Thanks!
Susan

[shazsilverwolf]

Happy to be able to help. Thats what I love about this forum, there is always someone who has either had whatever your problem is, or has seen info/ a video somewhere that helps.

[mitch1]

I've seen popsicle sticks be used for the thin border embossing folders. Not sure if it would work with the dies as they might be too wide, but worth a try. You use that on top of the die and use only one acrylic plate.