| There are important considerations you have to bear | | | | Underlay stitches, though often overlooked, plays an |
| in mind before creating or ordering your own, custom | | | | important part in the final embroidery quality and design. |
| embroidery designs. For D-I-Y (Do-it-yourself) people, it | | | | This is because they stabilize the material held in the |
| is easy to get yourself a hi-tech embroidery machine | | | | embroidery frame. The method in which underlay |
| complete with digitized programs, but the quality of | | | | stitches are sewn into the material also paves the |
| your work will depend on your own artistic instincts | | | | way for the top stitches. |
| and knowledge of specific embroidery techniques. | | | | Backing Materials: |
| In order to create a high quality embroidery product, | | | | The amount of stability and support provided by |
| there are a few basic, but significant components that | | | | backing materials often determines the quality of the |
| you have to watch out for when creating your own | | | | finished product. Backing materials like Cutaways and |
| embroidery. These include: | | | | Tearaways should be chosen according to the type |
| The Thread: | | | | of garment or fabric used. For example, cutaway |
| The two main types of embroidery threads are | | | | backings are ideal for knit fabrics. Tearaways can be |
| Polyester and Rayon. Though the best looking designs | | | | great for those who want work quickly done because |
| are stitched with Rayon, Polyester is much sturdier | | | | they are the easiest to use. |
| than the former. This is because Rayon is very thin in | | | | The Topping: |
| comparison to other thread types, which also makes it | | | | Toppings prevent fibers from getting caught in |
| hard to adjust tension. | | | | between stitches on some rough textured fabrics |
| The color of the thread also has to complement the | | | | such as Fleece. This is made possible by stitching the |
| colors in the embroidery design, along with the color of | | | | embroidery through the topping, the fabric, and the |
| the fabric. Remember that threads can also appear to | | | | backing material. Topping such as water-soluble films, |
| be of different shades of color depending upon the | | | | when laid over stitches-observing fabric types prevent |
| angle from which they are viewed. So choose | | | | embroidery stitches from sinking into the fabric. |
| accordingly. For example, less contrast between the | | | | Locations: |
| colors of the fabric and the design can hide small | | | | The most noticeable area of the garment should be |
| flaws. | | | | chosen as the central location of the embroidery |
| Stitches: | | | | design. However, this may be modified according to |
| Fill-stitches form different patterns and stitch directions, | | | | the type of garment on which the embroidery is to be |
| and cover large areas. Too many stitches will create | | | | applied. For example, the primary location for Short |
| small gaps and too few will show through the design. | | | | Sleeve Shirts and Long Sleeve Shirts is the Left Chest, |
| So decide what type of design will be most | | | | but secondary location for Short Sleeves is more |
| appropriate for your Fill Stitch. Keep in mind that fabric | | | | appropriate on the Left Arm; while for Long Sleeves, |
| tends to absorb small stitches, so they should be | | | | Center Back location looks better. |
| avoided. | | | | |