#embroidery backing

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Top Applications for Solvy and Why

Solvy is a product that has been developed by the Gunold company for use during embroidery. It’s a revolutionary film that you can place on either the top or the bottom of a fabric that you’re attempted to embroider. The main selling point of Solvy is as a stabilizer. When using it, it ensures that you will get a top-notch stitch every time.

Some of the best fabrics to use Solvy on are bulky, thick fabrics that tend to ‘eat’ embroidery, like towels, terry cloth robes, or other such things that are great for monogramming. Because of the thickness of the material, the sewing has a tendency to get lost in the fabric causing uneven and distorted embroidery. Solvy fixes this problem by providing a barrier between the stitching and the fabric creating a buffer that holds the stitches in place. Once the embroidering is finished, you simply remove the rest of the Solvy sheeting. Since it’s water soluble, it comes off easily either in the wash or by hand.

Not only is Solvy great for ‘soft-pile’ fabrics like terry cloth, but it’s also just as effective on thin fabric, such as the tissue-thin t-shirts that are popular today. Instead of acting as a barrier to hold the stitching in place, Solvy in this instance can keep the fabric from moving in the embroidery machine. By using it as a stabilizer the embroidery will come out consistent and crisp every time. For double the protection, use Solvy on both sides to stabilize the fabric and create a buffer for the lettering.

It is recommended, though, that you still use a hoop along with the Solvy. You want to make sure it has a smooth surface when you hoop it onto the fabric. If not, then the needle has a tendency to push the fabric around, creating unsightly stitching.  

When it comes to embroidery, the goal is a consistent look. Whether lettering or adding and appliqué, you want the fabric to look as professional as possible and to get it right the first time. Using Solvy is a great way to provide the kind of reliable stitching you want. And since it’s water soluble, it’s easy to work with and remove. If you want crisp, tight embroidery stitching, Solvy will quickly become your best friend.

[gunold-blog]

What Embroidery Backing is Right for You?

With the wide variety of embroidery backings on the market, finding the right application is of utmost importance, but can prove extremely difficult.  Finding the ideal backing for your embroidery application can be difficult.  Luckily, we’re here to help you find the backing you need to finish the job.

Tear Away Backing

Tear away backing is a common application for most embroiders due to ease of use and clean finish.  Often tear away backings provide a thinner or more flexible backing option, although some applications are stiffer such as our Stiffy Backing.  As long as the backing can withstand a number of perforations for the given application it will serve it’s purpose.  The great thing about tear away backing is the ease of removal.  Never use a tear away backing that is tough to tear or requires unusual amounts of pressure as it will cause distortion if a large amount of pulling is needed.  Our  quicktear backing is the most popular option as it’s available in a number of sizes and thicknesses, yet provides ample support for a variety of jobs.

Cut Away Backing

If you’re looking for the most solid backing, cut-away is perfect for you.  Ideal for stretchy or sensitive fabrics, cutaway backing will reduce the likelihood of fabric pulling through the backing when being embroidered.  It is also ideal for jobs that require the embroidery to maintain constant shape and stability both during and after embroidery.  These are also designed to be more durable backing options for jobs that will be washed repeatedly once complete such as work wear and badges.  Cut away backing will likely leave some remnants after the project is complete.  To ensure continued stability it’s important to not cut too closely to the edge of the embroidery.  Let the backing do its job, and don’t try and cut too closely to the edge of the garment as it could cause the backing edges to lose contact with the thread edges.

Specialty Backing

Water Soluble Backing is a must.  Available in a number is sizes and thicknesses; SOLVY is perfect for projects that require the backing to be all but gone after completion.  With a water soluble backing, simply spraying with water one complete will remove the excess backing.  This is perfect for heavier or bulkier fabrics that cause threads to be lost or distorted leaving visible backing. 

For small jobs you’ll want a filmoplast type embroidery backing applies strait to the garment and simply pulls away once complete.  These self-adhering backing applications cans save time and money because they can be reused. 

For light or delicate knit materials using a cut away backing specifically designed for this material is important.  Other backings will supply too stiff a backing for the embroidery, or allow too much sagging and stretching during the embroidery as well as after, once washed.   Backing not designed for these applications can be seen through sheer fabrics and leave an unsightly finish.  Don’t use a common backing for your projects that need a specialty application.  If you do the end result won’t be as satisfactory as it would with a backing designed for that use.

In the end, be educated on why and how backings you choose are designed and what applications they were developed for.  Using inappropriate backings can lead to faulty embroidery.  When your reputation is on the line, cutting corners isn’t the answer.  Have the right backing for your projects and see the best end results possible.  It’s that simple.

[gunold-blog]

Why is Embroidery Backing so Important?

Embroidery designs are difficult when done correctly, but attempting to embroider a design with no backing or the inappropriate backing can spell disaster.  At Gunold it’s our goal to help you find the right stabilizer for your project.  So how do you know what backing is best for your application?

There are a few simple rules of thumb for the backing applications.  First, backing is “support” for fabric.  When adding to existing fabric it’s important to be stabilized.  If it’s not stabilized you risk ruining a garment, producing inaccurate embroidery designs and other frustrating situations.  Because of this, you should always use a form of backing when embroidering. 

Next, is the thickness of the backing.  Typically, the heavier the fabric being embroidered the lighter or thinner the backing you need.  This also goes for lighter fabrics needing a heavier application to help support the fabric.  If you don’t use the appropriate backing for your embroidery design there could be some major consequences.  In the case of heavy fabrics with backing that’s too heavy, it’s common to see bunching.  On the other hand if you use to light a backing on a light fabric it’s possible to see gaps in the fabric and possibly even risk pulling out the thread all together.

Lastly, having the right backing can save you some frustrating times when removing it after the project is complete.  At Gunold we offer tear away and cutaway backing options in numerous sizes and designs.  Our tear away backing is designed to actually tear away.  If you find yourself with a backing that doesn’t tear properly you could find yourself with messing strands of backing left after removal or even one way pulls that require tugging.  It’s not uncommon for these backing styles to stretch or distort embroidery.  It’s important to find a backing such as ours at Gunold that easily and cleanly tears away.  When looking at cutaways it’s important to find a product that is both washable and dry cleanable.  Typically used on stretchy fabrics, a quality cut away backing can produce crisp designs for materials normally difficult to embroider.  When considering a cutaway backing consider the ease of cutting, wash durability and perforation resistance. 

When in doubt, contact Gunold to troubleshoot your embroidery application for the appropriate backing for the project.  At Gunold we also accommodate conversion requests .  We are able to convert most of popular and most used backings into special order for your exact backing needs.  This saves you money in the long run on your backing purchases.  Contact Gunold for more information on our backing applications or conversion requests.  No project is too big or too small.  We’re here to help to contact us today.

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Top Embroidery Headaches You Can Prevent

Quality embroidery is important, but creating attractive and well-constructed designs isn’t easy.  Although there are some common headaches in embroidery, we’ve come up with our take on the top embroidery headaches you can prevent.  The good news is, they can be prevented.

Wrong Stabilizer

Finding the right stabilizer for the fabric you’re working with is of utmost importance.  We all know how frustrating it is to start on a project only to realize the stabilizer or backing we’ve got lying around simply doesn’t hold the thread appropriately.  There’s nothing worse than thread that simply won’t hold or distorts because it doesn’t have enough backing to support it.  Depending on the material you’re embroidering, and the thread being used, there is an ideal application for all your embroidery needs.  Luckily, we have a variety of stabilizers and backing for every project you could have.

Broken Needles

We all know the feeling of the dreaded needle break.  Finding the right needle for an application is a must.  Every fabric requires its own type and sized needle.  Typically, there are some common rules to abide by when choosing the right needle for your embroidery project.   First is the needle size.  For finer materials, the smaller the needle should be.  For instance, silk will use a much smaller needle than canvas will.  Also, the thicker the thread the large the needle should be.  Needle heads need to be larger than the thread being used so consider this when choosing a needle.  Next is the needle head.  Ballpoint needles tend to be used in sewing machines and tend to prevent runs in knit fabrics.  To prevent breaks and ruined projects, make sure the needle you’re using is adequate for the project you’re undertaking.

Broken or Distorted Thread

Simply put, you’ve got the wrong thread for the job.   Having thread break or distort is a common problem but is luckily preventable.  Although often caused by poor quality thread, breaks can also occur when you are using a wrong thread application combination.  As mentioned in with broken needles, the thread being used on a project must be smaller than the head of the needle used.  Not following this practice could cause unneeded tension on the thread and eventual breaks.  Another problem with using the wrong thread is that it doesn’t conform properly to the material being embroidered.  If you’re lacking backing or have chosen the wrong backing, distortions can form from tearing them away improperly or if the backing is too thin for the material being embroidered.  Purchasing the highest quality thread and appropriate backing for the material being embroidered is a must. 

We all know the headaches involved with embroidering.   The good thing is most embroidery headaches can be prevented. Not cutting corners and being educated on practices and appropriate products is important to enjoying embroidery.  For more information on the appropriate embroidery supplies for your next project contact Gunold today or register for one of our training events today.