Ann The Gran Community

I am new at machine embroidery designs on clothes. I have 6 Tee Shirts and I would like to machine embroidery on the left  side of shirt 3 embroidery lines  for a family renuion and I do not know how far down from the shoulder I should start the embroidery. To get the embroidery straight on shirt how do you measure the shirt? Over whelmed in Maryland.

Hello Overwhelmed in Maryland!

The easiest way to find the right area in which to embroider would be to purchase one of the placement aids on the market currently.  I purchased and swear by the Place 'n Stitch software program which is offered on the Ann The Gran website.  Ann the Gran website also offers other types of placement aids.

You may not wish to have the expense of one of these aids at this time.  When I first started, I had to embroider on an expensive shirt for my husband's EMS.  I held up another shirt that had embroidery on it against the one I had to embroider and marked with straight pins the center and the beginning line (drop from the shoulder).  I then matched the center of the shirt markings with the center of the hoop.  This was before websites like this one existed with "chat" areas to learn the correct way of doing!!

You might want to check out some of the blogs that have been written on this site.  They are very imformative for beginners.  We were all beginners at one time and keep learning more as we go!

Good Luck.

Joan/NJ

There may be a chart here at ATG.  I have not looked as I have been using this chart - http://www.emblibrary.com/EL/elprojects/holder.aspx?page=PR1152

Work on a firm surface with plenty of room. 

Use a light hand when working with knits so they do not distort.

I use a ball point embroidery needle.

There is the hoop-less method and the hooped method.

This is how I do the hooped method:

On the right side of the shirt, using the placement chart to determine where you want the design, mark center for the embroidery with a sticker marked with a + in the center.

On the back side of this area, place iron-on or sticky back tear-away stabilizer.

Back to the right side - open the outer-hoop a few turns so you will not have a struggle hooping the shirt.

Carefully slide the outer-hoop under the shirt.

Lay the template for the hoop into the inter-hoop and position it over the sticker, making sure it is aligned - you may have to gently slide the outer-hoop a bit until the two hoops match.

Remove the template and bring the back of the shirt up around the hoop in a "donut" fashion.

This is how I do the un-hooped method;

Hoop sticky-back tear-away stabilizer or 505 spray and tear-away.

Determine where the design center will be on the shirt and with a ruler mark a very long + with a disappearing ink pen made for sewing/quilting/embroidering. 

Center the template over the + and lightly tape it to the shirt with first-aid paper tape or painter's tape.

Gently slide the hoop under the shirt, aligning the template with the notches on the hoop. 

Once centered, gently press with your hand so the stabilizer and shirt are tacked together - just enough to hold them until you remove the template.

Finish gently hand pressing the shirt to the stabilizer.

Bring the back of the shirt up around the hoop in a "donut" fashion.

When using a disappearing ink pen - if the mark is not covered by the design, DO NOT IRON until the ink as totally disappeared.  This may not take very long, or you can spritz it with water to help the process.  Ironing the mark may make it permanent.

Best wishes and many, many successful projects.

Pattiann

Hi Overwhelmed, Here are some guidelines.

For a man's shirt size S,M, L   8" down from left shoulder and 4" right of the center

Mans's XL & XXL   9" down from left shoulder and 4.5" right of center.

Women's S. M. L   6.5" down from left shoulder and 3.5" right of the center.

XL & XXL   7" down from left shoulder and 4" right of center.

Child's    4"  - 6" down from left shoulder seam and 2.5" - 3" over from center.

Hope this helps.

If you have software, it is a good idea to print what you want to embroider and pin it on the shirt to see if you are satisfied.

Marlene in Maryland too!!!!!

This is a lot of very good information.   I personally remember my first attempt at this type of embroidery.  I have to say, it was a disappointment to say the least.

Placement kits are absolutely the way to go on t-shirts because there are so many variables.  A placement kit will allow for your design NOT to 'run down hill' which is a common problem with home ME.  Then there is the fabric.....

In the meantime, you are going to an event that is special and you want to have your shirts be a special part of that time. 

May I recommend that you consider centering it on the shirt rather than on the side because that will be easier for your placement.  Another choice might be to do your design on another (non-stretch) fabric, trim carefully and attach with a fabric adhesive.  When you place your design, be careful not to stretch the t-shirt. 

Look at items at your local stores for embroidered items and their placement.  Sometimes you can find something that will be an approximately similar size and give you some direction.  If you look at the back of the stores' embroidered items, depending on the quality of the garmet, you will also see some interesting differences between quality embroidery and the other type of embroidery.

Pat, The Avid Embroiderer

Hi Pattiann! 

I am wondering what you mean by "donut" fashion.  I have not heard this term before and am interested in what that means.

Perhaps a photo could help show the method.

Pat, The Avid Embroiderer

Here is a tutorial for embroidering a sweatshirt that shows what I call the "donut".  The back of the shirt is rolled up around the hoop.

http://www.emblibrary.com/EL/elprojects/SimpleProduct_ELP.aspx?CS_ProductID=PR1284&CS_Catalog=Elprojects

Hi Marlene!

Thanks for the chart.  Will be copying and placing inside the covers of my Place 'n Stitch book.  Never hurts to have a little more information!

Joan/NJ

Hi Joan/NJ  You are most welcome. I have been using these guidelines for many years. There is always something to learn about ME.

Marlene 

here I was chalking my shirt while I wore it.  Funny.  Actually chalking the shirt works best for my husband, because he is a weight lifter his shirts fit different across his very broad chest.  I have him wear the shirt and with a paper printout we decide where he wants the design, then I use dress makers chalk and trace the outline, still on his chest.  The chalk mathod works well for me too, because I am busty.  I prefer my designs higher on a polo shirt or t-shirt. 

carol 

This is a particularly good idea for several reasons, but the main one is that getting a design straight on a woman is difficult because of her chest causing a a mount.

Pat