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Embroidery Tips

Type of Knits
Single Knit - often called t-shirting is a single knit that is found in t-shirts and lingerie. This fabric is moderately stretchy with a tendency to curl at the edges.

Double Knit - interlock is a double knit that is often used in clothing. This double knit fabric looks the same front and back and has a large amount of stretch.

Fleece - Jogging fleece is a single knit with a felted backing. It is used for sweat suits, jackets, sweat shirts. This fabric has a small amount of stretch.

Bunting Fleece -Arctic or Polar Fleece, as it is often called is used for jackets. It has a small amount of stretch. It is however a napped fabric and requires special care when embroidery is being applied.

Tricot - is a single knit with a moderate amount of stretch. It has a tendency to snag if the incorrect needle is used.

Action Knits - contain cotton or nylon combined with lycra. Special care must be taken to prevent runs or releasing the lycra strands through the fabric.


Stabilizers
Depending on the type of knit fabric the following stabilizers are used:
- totally stable
- sticky or filmoplast
- cut away
- light-weight interfacing
- solvy


Machine Set-up
Be sure that you have enough bobbins wound.
Set up the machine for embroidery.
Insert a new needle.
Select your design and colours.
Hoop and/or stabilize the fabric.


Needles
- Embroidery 75/11
- Universal 80/12
- Microtex 70/10


Steps for Pucker Free Embroidery on Knits

1. Iron on Totally Stable.
2. Hoop the fabric.
3. Place hoop on the machine.
4. Insert 1 layer of heavy cut away stabilizer under the hoop.
5. *Place 1 layer of solvy on top of fabric (optional).

Be sure the needle has not burrs on it or the knit will snag and cause puckers and pulls.

In place of Totally Stable, you can iron on lightweight interfacing. This interfacing will remain in the garment where as the Totally Stable is removed after embroidery.

The key to selecting the correct stabilizer is to remember why stabilizer is used:
it stabilizes the fabric so that the machine can create a well formed stitch. The less stable the fabric the more need for stabilizer. Professional embroiderers use tear away stabilizers for woven fabrics and cut-away stabilizers for knits.