5 Things All Embroidery Shops Should Have

June 07, 2010
By Steven Batts, Contributing Writer

Most embroidery supply houses offer some sort of starter kit, a collection of supplies that supposedly includes everything you need to get started in embroidery. Most of these kits come with a variety of common colors of thread, bobbins, several varieties of backing, snips and more.

While these kits are really helpful when you’re getting started, they don’t include some of the basic tools that I use on an almost daily basis to help get my embroidery work done. Some of these are well-known among embroiderers, while some may be a little less than conventional.

1. Rulers (Lots of Them)
In embroidery, there are so many things to mark, measure and line up. I am constantly using a ruler of some sort and I like to have lots of them — of different varieties — in my shop. My favorite type of rulers are the little plastic ones with inches on one edge and centimeters on the other. I like them for two reasons: They are just the right size to measure left-chest and cap logo placements and they help me convert inches to centimeters or millimeters easily.

I also have a tailor’s tape measure to help with longer measurements and odd-shaped items. Also, I use a yardstick, more so for the straight edge than for measuring. It helps when framing things in the larger hoops.

2. Masking Tape
This sounds odd for embroidery, but it is incredibly useful. Many people use pins, chalk or other things for marking alignment. I prefer masking tape primarily because it comes off easier than a pin or chalk. Secondly, I can write on it, drawing a crosshair for better accuracy, if needed.

Occasionally, customers want something placed on an item in an odd location. When this happens, I simply hand them the roll of tape and say, “Put a piece of tape right where you want the embroidery to go.” I also use masking tape to tag items. When customers bring items that need different names put on them, I simply write the name on masking tape and place it on each item.

I also prefer to use regular beige masking tape. The blue tape doesn’t adhere well to garments and falls right off in some cases. I don’t want the tape to adhere permanently, but I want it to stick well enough to stay there until I am ready to start embroidering.

3. Lighters
A cigarette lighter can be useful for a number of things, mainly cleaning up the look of your work.

If you have embroidery that has a couple of loops in it — specifically with polyester thread — you can pass the lighter over it and the heat of the flame will draw up the thread to make the loops disappear. It also can be used to clean up the backside of the embroidery if there are a lot of thread tails and such.

When making patches, I appliqué them to a piece of tearaway backing to get the over-sewn edging. I then use the lighter to clean up the edges, melting away the “hairs” of backing that are left after the patches are torn out. It also will clean up the edges of the heat seal backing, if that is used.

The key to doing this successfully is to move the lighter quickly. Don’t let it dwell on any particular spot. It can burn or singe the item if you are not careful, but the overall benefits are worth the risk.

4. Fray Check
There are many fray-blocking solutions out there, but I use Fray Check, which is a clear liquid that dries quickly. It can be applied to the edge of cut fabric to keep it from fraying. For embroiderers, Fray Check can keep stitches from unraveling.

Occasionally, we will miss a tie-off in a design or we will snip something that shouldn’t have been snipped. When this happens, the thread can unravel with the slightest friction against the surface of the embroidery. By applying Fray Check, you are effectively gluing the stitches so they can’t unravel. Being that it is clear, Fray Check is not noticeable. It also is alcohol-based, so it dries quickly.

5. Clips, Clamps or Clothespins
Take your pick. I originally used clothespins, but have switched to using small plastic squeeze clamps, which can be found at any home-improvement warehouse.

The purpose of these would be to clip together parts of the garment so they don’t fall into the framed sewing area while you are sewing. There is nothing more frustrating than having a garment sewn together because it flopped over into the hoop while you are sewing.

I switched from clothespins to clamps for a couple of reasons: They are manlier and also can be used for other things. I also use them occasionally to help the hoop stay together on really thick items.

This may not be a list of conventional items found in embroidery shops, but mine would not function nearly as well without them. I have a feeling many other shops use these items too. I should know; how do you think I found out about them?

Steven Batts, a consultant with 17 years experience in the embroidery industry, owns Righteous Threads, Greensboro, N.C., which offers digitizing, embroidery and machine maintenance services. Steven regularly leads seminars at ISS shows and is an industry speaker and consultant. For more information or to comment on this article, e-mail Steven at righteousthreads@gmail.com.



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