t hink . mak e . d o. EMBROIDERY TECHNIQUE Like this article? Read more embroidery articles at impressionsmag.com/embroidery. Basics for Hooping Caps Follow this step-by-step guide for hooping this embroidery staple. BY MIKE DOE, CONTRIBUTING WRITER Embroidering caps on commercial embroidery machines can cause struggles and stress. Most cap styles are unique in their shape and the way they are made. Here, let's consider different cap styles and ways to hoop them, as well as different types of cap frames that are available. Caps can be made out of materials ranging from heavy wool to thin nylon. The material that makes up the front of the hat is called buckram, and it can be soft and flexible, or something that feels like heavy fishing line. Between these different parts, the seam connects the buckram to the rest of the cap. Hooping some caps can be challenging, so practice is key. The goal is to hold the cap as tightly as possible while keeping the front panel low to the needle plate for the best embroidery. The following step-by-step guide shows how to hoop a cap using a wide-angle cap frame. Step 2: Slide the cap frame onto the cap gauge. Swing the metal strap open. Please note that some wide-angle cap frames may have two straps. Place a piece of cap backing over the frame's gauge and teeth. Ensure the backing is long enough to support the full embroidery area. For most wide-angle cap frames, a length of 16 inches will suffice. Step 1: Preparing the cap before it is hooped will help the sewing quality and ease the hooping process. Remove any cardboard from the inside and straighten the bill as much as possible. Pull the sweatband to the outside of the cap. It may be sewn into the cap near the back, so it may need to be folded a bit to fit in the frame. P.40 IMPRESSIONSMAG.COM APRIL 2022 Step 3: Slide the prepared cap onto the cap frame with the visor pointinghttp://www.impressionsmag.com/embroidery http://www.IMPRESSIONSMAG.COM