Impressions - January/February 2021 - 40

Testing the Hooped Fabric

HELP WITH HOOPING
Some locations on placket shirts can be
tricky when it comes with hooping. Try
the following tips for hooping above a
pocket or at the sleeves.
Above a pocket: Cut a piece of paper,
cardstock or stabilizer to act as a hooping
gauge. Place it at the top of the pocket
and adjust the hoop so that the top of the
gauge just touches the top of the inner
hoop ring. This simple, hand-made tool
regulates the distance from the top of the

After hooping a knit shirt, you should
perform tests to ensure the fabric is taut.
The following two tests will indicate
whether the fabric is too loose, which
could lead to shifting during embroidery.
The Snowplow Test: Lightly run
your forefinger across the hooped shirt's
surface.The fabric shouldn't " snowplow, "
or bunch up in front of your finger.
The Lift Test: With your thumb and
forefinger, try to lift the knit fabric from
the stabilizer. If the garment is hooped
correctly, it should be somewhat difficult
to separate the two layers.

pocket to the logo so the placement is
exactly the same each time.

Wear, Stitch & Sell Your Faves

Hooping a sleeve: Marked hoops are the

Knowing how to handle any placket
shirt type is a plus. Of course, you may
embroider some types more easily than
others, and some may be more comfortable to wear while some simply may
become your favorites to sell.
Fabric type and style differences separate quality levels and price points in
the placket category. Color-block styles,

easiest way to hoop sleeves because they
often are hooped with the sleeve only
partially in the hoop. Align the bottom of
the sleeve with a predetermined mark on
your hoop each time and your placement
will be consistent.

Lines on the Durkee Project Station help get
consistent placement when hooping multiple
sleeves. Stabilizer should be completely in the
hoop, even if the sleeve isn't.

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I M P R E S S I O N S M A G . C O M JAN./FEB. 2021

button colors that match the fabric and
additional construction steps add to cost.
These features often mimic retail styling
and contribute to a higher perceived
value.
You can parlay these factors into a
higher profit margin if you know the
talking points of your placket shirt. For
example, knowing terms like " taped neck
seam " and " extended tail, " and why they
are benefits, goes a long way toward maximizing a product's selling price.
Adding some long-sleeve placket styles
to your sample bag can boost sales during
colder months. This often-overlooked
option is even dressier than its shortsleeve cousin and gives your customers
a reason for a seasonal wardrobe switch.
Select your core placket offering and
make plackets part of your year-round
profit plan. 
Deborah Jones has more than 30 years of experience in the computerized embroidery field. She
runs myembroiderymentor.com. For more information or to comment on this article, email Deborah
at djones@myembroiderymentor.com.

http://www.myembroiderymentor.com http://www.IMPRESSIONSMAG.COM

Impressions - January/February 2021

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