Impressions - February 2016 - 41

If letters are spaced
too far apart (top),
use the kerning setting in your software
to push letters apart
or pull them together
until entire word
looks presentable
(bottom).

rave to others about the great
work you do.
During past vacations, my family would be embarrassed when I
would inspect shirts from the
inside-out at tourist shops. But
I did it because I wanted to see
which backing the decorator used
and how everything was trimmed.
I would inspect the embroidery
placement to see whether it was
correct and if the design was
aligned. (I also did screen printing, so I would inspect whether
the ink was fully cured or colors
were properly aligned.)
The moral of the story? Don't
think an error will go unnoticed;
you never know who could be looking at your work.
Topping Cleanup
If you use water-soluble topping,
remove all of it before folding
and packing. Pull as much off as
possible, then dab the leftovers
with a damp cloth - one that will
not leave a trace of lint - until
they are gone. I have found that
a small piece of muslin with cold
water works really well. It won't
leave lint or color residue because it is a neutral color that
won't bleed.
If you like to spray water to

or pull apart each letter, making
the entire word more presentable.
Another helpful command in lettering software is "pull-comp,"
which affects column width. You
can increase or decrease the
value, and it is important when
stitching on soft or stretchy
fabrics, as it adds compensation.
Each time your needle goes back
and forth to make a satin stitch,
it pulls the fabric and makes
your column look smaller. So your
column must be wider before you
start stitching to ensure it will
be a normal size after stitching
is complete.
When your work is done, trimmed
and cleaned, folding items and
placing them in stacks by size
or color also adds value to your
work. Nothing will garner more
praise from a customer than opening a box that has been packed
professionally.
None of these things may seem
like part of quality control,
but they are. Each item should be
regarded as if it were the only
one you had to complete that day.
Remember, your work is part of
you, so make sure it represents

remove the topping, remember that
doing so can leave a water mark on
the fabric. Let it dry completely
before packing the garment. You
don't want your customer to open
a box with mold and mildew all
over his order.
Removing
hoop marks is
easy with MagKEEP INFO ON FILE
ic Sizing. You
can get this
in any grocery
Making index cards with placement information for all customers and
store. Just
including them in their files is one way to ensure every order has the
mist the area
correct placement. If you have a hooping system, make note of the
with the hoop
hooping information and directions. You can never have too much
marks and they
of the former. If you hoop on a table and "eyeball" it, maybe taking a
will disappear
picture and printing it for the customer file could work best for you.
in a matter of
seconds. Drying only takes
you and your shop in the best
a few minutes and it won't leave
possible way.
a water mark. This adds value to
Even the small details matter
your work and could be something
- before, during and after emyour competition doesn't take the
broidery. It may seem like a lot
time to do.
to remember, but the results of
not checking and rechecking your
Lettering Tips
orders could be devastating to
your business. 
When setting up lettering from
your downloaded fonts, there are
some techniques you can use to
Connie R. Smith has been in the embroidery indusmake it look better. If letters
try for more than 30 years and has been an industry
are spaced too far apart, use the
speaker and consultant. She also is an award-winning
kerning setting in your software.
digitizer. For more information or to comment on this
It will allow you to push together
article, email Connie at lickatstitch@yahoo.com.
FEBRUARY 2016

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