| This article will help you to do embroidery on fleece. | | | | fabric and prevent stitches from sinking in. This |
| Fleece has become very popular in my shop and I'm | | | | becomes especially important with textured fleece. |
| sure you all have been asked to create beautiful | | | | There are many different types of toppings available |
| designs on it. Here are some tips for making the task a | | | | so be sure to check with your supplier to see what |
| little easier and with a professional end result. | | | | the company offers. Toppings can be either |
| I think it's important to take the time to practice | | | | water-soluble (which means it will dissolve when the |
| embroidering on different types of fabrics. A trip to the | | | | garment is washed) or permanent in nature. |
| local fabric store will give you a strong indication of | | | | Fleece has a loft to it that can be crushed in the |
| current, as well as upcoming, trends in the garment | | | | framing process. It is important to remember that |
| industry. Start by buying yourself some sample | | | | proper tension on the frame can eliminate hoop burn. |
| yardage to play with. If you are digitizing, use fabrics | | | | Emphasis should be placed on how taut the fabric is in |
| similar to the finished garment for your sew-outs. By | | | | the hoop, not how tight the hoop is. There is a balance |
| practicing, you can be prepared for even the toughest | | | | of tightness and tautness that ideally supports the |
| jobs. If you have not tried fleece, now is the time. | | | | fabric without creating hoop burn. Place the bottom |
| Before you know it, you will be ready to tackle this | | | | section of the hoop behind the fabric to be |
| popular outerwear item. | | | | embroidered and place the backing on top of the back |
| Underlay stitching is especially important for stabilizing | | | | hoop. Now smooth out the fabric to be embroidered |
| this type of fabric. Supplying accurate information on | | | | and place the top of the top hoop into the back hoop, |
| fabric type to your digitizer will result in better | | | | smooth the fabric again with the other hand and press |
| embroideries and increased productivity for the | | | | the two hoops together. Ideally you should feel a slight |
| embroidery machines. Digitizers need as much | | | | 'POP' when they connect. The taut fabric should |
| information as possible before they begin creating the | | | | resemble the top of a drum. Perfect! |
| design. Once a design is digitized, using the proper | | | | After your fleece has been embroidered clipped and |
| combination of backing, topping, thread and needle will | | | | cleaned, you may notice hoop marks on the darker |
| enhance a properly digitized design and give you | | | | colors. This is caused by the fibers in the fabric being |
| fantastic embroidery results. | | | | pinched. I just mist the area lightly with water and rub |
| With a properly digitized design, one to two pieces of | | | | lightly with my fingers to help the fibers return to |
| medium to lightweight cutaway backing should be | | | | normal and eliminate the hoop mark. Even if there are |
| sufficient for most types of fleece. Cutaway backing | | | | no hoop marks, you still want to present the |
| in conjunction with adequate underlay will stabilize the | | | | customer's goods to them with a professional |
| fabric and maintain proper registration throughout the | | | | appearance. Finishing plays an important role in repeat |
| design. If you find yourself placing more than two | | | | business. |
| layers of backing under a design to get it to sew | | | | When stitching fleece, the most important tip to |
| properly, chances are the design needs to go back to | | | | remember is experiment until you find the right |
| the digitizing department. Two layers - and in most | | | | combination of backing, topping, hooping technique, |
| cases one - is all you should need for proper | | | | thread and needles to give you the best finished |
| registration. | | | | designs. By paying close attention to quality, you're sure |
| A topping is a layer of water-soluble material placed | | | | to have many repeat orders from your fleece |
| on the top side of the fabric being stitched. Topping | | | | customers. |
| helps to stabilize, cover and hold down the nap of the | | | | |