Impressions - September/October 2010 - (Page 42)

EMBROIDERY >> HANDS ON Technique EMBROIDERY HANDS ON DIGITAL DECORATING HANDS ON ITAL DECORATING >> HANDS ON CREEN PRINTING >> HANDS ON TECH TIPS HANDS ON Use Proper Techniques to Easily Embroider Fleece >> SCREEN PRINTING HANDS ON TECH TIPS HANDS ON From the right needles and stabilizers to correct hooping, here’s what you should know when tackling a job involving ﬂeece. Fleece fabric is conventionally used for making comfort clothing. While basic ﬂeece construction hasn’t fundamentally changed, today’s ﬂeece is better than ever and has evolved into an elite casual mainstay. Sold in ﬁne gift shops and upscale resorts, ﬂeece casual wear carries a high perceived value and is sold for prices that usually are in line with traditional jackets and vests. Premium blank garments manufactured using ﬂeece usually are highly marketable. However, when it comes to decorating, the quality of embroidery on ﬂeece can make or break the sale. This high-end blank must sport high-quality embroidery, or it may not sell at any price. Fleece doesn’t have to be difﬁcult to embroider as long as you consider its characteristics and use appropriate methods to handle them. When working with ﬂeece fabric, water-soluble topping can be applied to the top of a design by hooping or with a basting stitch. This helps create a smooth embroidery surface. FLEECE CHARACTERISTICS Fleece is a knitted fabric, usually constructed of polyester or a polyester blend containing other ﬁbers. It is very warm, comfortable, soft and wicks moisture away from the body. This makes it a popular choice for lightweight vests and jackets. Years ago, ﬂeece garments looked old prematurely because they had a tendency to pill excessively. All fabrics pill (bunch up into little balls) when ﬁbers are subjected to friction or abrasion, but strong ﬁbers like polyester hold on to the pills after they have formed. The introduction of microﬁbers into newer versions of ﬂeece fabrics has reduced pilling while improving other characteristics, such as softness and water repellency. Fleece is made by brushing the fabric with wire brushes and shearing the surface. Most ﬂeece that is used in blanks for sports and activewear is plush ﬂeece, which is sheared to a uniform height. The depth and density of ﬂeece can vary 42 Impressions >> September/October 2010 Because of its thickness, ﬂeece is ideal for designs using negative space to create an embossed effect. widely, making it impossible to use a single method of embroidery to handle all ﬂeece. Note that material used in inexpensive ﬂeece blankets may be lower quality than ﬂeece used in garments. NEEDLES AND STABILIZERS Because ﬂeece is a knitted material, you can use light or medium ball-point needles, which probably are already in your embroidery machine. The blade should be size 75/11 or 80/12. The choice of stabilizer for ﬂeece fabrics depends on three factors: the quality of the ﬂeece, the height of the pile, and the size and detail of the design. Lowerquality ﬂeece, such as an inexpensive blanket, will likely need more stabilization. While it may be tempting to use a wash-away stabilizer, remember that the fabric must support the embroidery even after the stabilizer is gone. If in doubt, use a Polymesh no-show type of stabilizer beneath the hoop. impressionsmag.com http://www.impressionsmag.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Impressions - September/October 2010

Impressions - September/October 2010
Contents
First Impressions
FYI
Product Gallery
2010 Top-Volume Decorators
Back to Basics
Inside Outerwear
Technique: Use Proper Techniques to Easily Embroider Fleece
Technique: Water-Based Ink and the Environment
Production
For Screen Printers Only
Online Directory
Tech Tips
Using Layer Styles for Digital Printing
On Design
Business to Business
Classifieds
Ad Index

Impressions - September/October 2010