Ann The Gran Community

Can someone tell me the best way to embroider a name on fleece? My local sewing center told me to use spray glue on a stabilizer and not hoop the fleece. Is there a better way to do this as I am not comfortable using the spray glue? Do I need to use two different stabilizers or can I use just one and what would that type be?

I am sure Pattiann or Pat can give you the right answer but when I do fleece I use iron on tear away for the top and bottom.  If the fleece is thick and hard to hoop I use a piece of stabilizer that is large enough to hoop  iron on the area where I will embroiderand a little more so that i have "loose" stabilizer and just hoop the stabilizer.  I know doing it that way also avoids hoop burn.  But as I said if you want the expert answer keep your fingers crossed that Pat or Pattiann  or one of the more experienced gals will answer.

My experience comes from making blankets for my grandkids or putting designs on their fleece jackets and they aren't too concerned about perfection

Good Luck

Marsha

Try your design and stabilizing method on scraps first.  This site hoops and the marks from the hoop will come out (wash or steam).

http://www.emblibrary.com/EL/elprojects/SimpleProduct_ELP.aspx?CS_ProductID=PR1323&CS_Catalog=Elprojects

I have used both Sulky and 505 temporary spray adhesives without any issues.

Hoop the stabilizer, lay a frame of cardboard over the hoop and lightly spray.   The frame can be an empty cereal box with a section cut from one side.  This helps to keep the hoop from getting gummy.   

Allow me to add that you will want to place a piece of water soluble stabilizer, generally light to medium weight, on top of the fleece.  Your stitches will not 'sink' into the fabric.

You have other options if you are not comfortable with glue.  I am not a glue fan either.  I use a water soluble adhesive stabilizer and the one here at ATG is excellent!  You can use a double face tape in the corners and place your fabric upon that.  You can place the fabric on the hooped stabilizer and use a baste or frame stitch around your design to secure the fabric.  Play with some old fabric or check with a used clothing store for fabric. 

There is always more than one way to do anything, you will find the one that works best for you.  I have stiffness in my hands and need something that is friendly for me. 

Pat, The Avid Embroiderer

I am not the pro here, but I have been working with fleece for 4-5 months now and about the only stabilizer that I have used is the ATG water soluble on top and bottom and it has worked great for me. I have been doing pillows and throws which doesn't have to be perfect, but mine have all turned out very nice. If the stabilizer is not going to show a good cut away will work great also.

Mary

Gee, Mary, I am not a pro either!!  I do my input based on my experiences and sometimes on my thought process.  For instance, if a fabric might be slipping, I would think that the stabilizer is not doing its job.  I have never had fabric 'slip' specifically, but I do think that the answer is in the stabilizer.

Stabilizer is not particularly expensive, usually less than 50 cents per project, but choosing the wrong or inadequate stabilizing will ruin a project that you have worked on for hours and/or clothing that is quite valuable. 

You are so right about ATG's wss adhesive, it is quite a flexible and excellent for so many projects.  If you read my posts, you know that I believe it is often possible to UNDER stabilize, but it is difficult to OVER stabilize.  Of course, if the stabilizer is too heavy or thick, that won't work either.  But, over all, that is my philosophy.

Pat, TheAvid Embroiderer

As I've said before, I don't hoop much of anything if it's heavy or stretchy. I have much better luck with the spray glue in combo with a stitch around the design to ohelp hold it down. Many of the machines have that built in, and my Embird will do that to any design. But I so totally agree that the stabilizer is key.