Tips For Embroidery on Shoes

November 09, 2009

Footwear, especially athletic shoes, is a booming retail market with shoppers readily shelling out big bucks for the hottest styles. The concept of personalization fits in naturally with the consumer mindset, making shoe embroidery a great niche for savvy embroiderers. And using shoe embroidery for branding purposes opens up a world of interesting possibilities including spiritwear, team uniforms, resort wear and private labeling.

The question is, how do you do it? To make the task a bit easier, Tajima USA Sales & Support by Hirsch Intl. Corp. recently introduced a shoe clamp. The device, manufactured by EMS/Hoop Tech, Fairfield, Ohio, attaches to the pantograph of an embroidery machine in place of a traditional hoop. Slide a shoe into place between the upper and lower clamping windows and position it for embroidery. A thumb screw allows the operator to apply additional tension to the clamp to lock the shoe securely in place during production. The sewing area is approximately 1" x 2.25".

When working with standard shoes, the sides are the most logical place for embellishment, though the construction may limit the choice of placement. For sandals, the straps provide several creative possibilities.

The choice of design is dictated by the style of footwear. Intricate details and small letters should be limited to slippers or canvas shoes, as the materials used in their construction are typically lightweight in nature. Athletic and work shoes are more rigid and will be more challenging to sew, but not impossible. Stick with larger needle sizes, such as the 80/12 (or larger) sharp point, and keep the speeds low—in the range of 600 stitches per minute. Additionally, use simple designs and/or lettering as you may be sewing through several thick layers. — From the Impressions archives

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