Many times we are asked, "What is the best way to launder our embroidered shirts?"

As you read in a previous post, we use Isacord Polyester tread.  It is a high sheen polyester embroidery thread which offers maximum washability and durability and is, with correct handling, safe for Hypochlorite bleaching processes. Note: this does not include a local spotting treatment! The high resistance to abrasion under normal and even wet conditions is a clear advantage for its use on frequently or harshly washed garments (i.e athletic sportswear and shoes, leather, work uniforms and stone washed garments).  (Some of this was quoted from the Amann website.)

A Few Additional Tips from Isacord:

Washing

• Colored embroidery should always be washed separately.


• A large washing tub should be used so that the embroidered article can circulate freely and is not pressed together.


• Dry embroidered garments quickly, but never wring out. Prolonged contact, pressure, or friction with other garments under wet conditions is to be avoided.


• Isacord embroidered garments can be washed with bleaching agents and stain removers. Do not spot treat, always wash the entire garment.


• Safe for industrial laundering and dry cleaning.

Ironing

• Dampen slightly before ironing then iron from the back side. Always use the lowest heat setting over embroidery.


• Avoid continuous contact to irons, heat press systems, etc.


• Use caution when using heat-press systems! Varying factors such as temperature, pressure, vapor and duration of contact may cause unpredictable results.


• A test of materials is highly recommended.

Was this helpful?  Need more information?  Just ask!!

Labels: Embroidery, Isacord, Kristie's Kreations, Laundering Instructions, logos, thread

One very important necessity to embroidery, that most do not even think about, is the thread.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="153" caption="Isacord Thread"][/caption]

There are many different threads to choose from.  In fact, we can drive to the local sewing store and
purchase thread for the machine.  We would not do this though!  We are very particular with the thread that we use!  We have tried several different kinds over the years and have decided on our favorite.

You may talk to 10 different embroiders and receive a few different answer although there are really two leading embroidery thread companies in the world ;  Isacord and Mandeira.  The thread that we choose is a very high quality thread.  It is Isacord Polyester which is the benchmark by which all other polyester threads are measured.  It was also the first thread company to market while remaining the top choice of embroiderers around the world.

According to the Isacord website, "it is the thread of choice for maximum productivity and the highest
quality of embroidery among the largest embroidery houses.  Isacord is the smoothest running and most reliable thread produced.  It has been engineered from the finest raw material to provide just the right
amount of elasticity to allow for high speed running without looping or puckering with virtually eliminated thread breaks."

Many times, our customers will request that we use the Pantone colors in their logo.  This is typically not an issue as Isacord is available in over 500 Pantone colors. Now if you know anything about Pantone colors

then you know that there are many more than 500.  If there is not a direct match then we will call the manufacturer and find out what color they recommend for that particular Pantone color. To date, we have not had an issue with this not working.  As you may know, every monitor shows the colors a little bit differently as well as everyone's eyes see colors differently.  Because of this, getting the closest to the Pantone Color is acceptable.

I will talk more about Laundering your Embroidered Apparel in the future but one quick note about it,
"Isacord is a high sheen polyester embroidery thread which offers maximum wash ability and durability and is, with correct handling, safe for Hypochlorite bleaching processes."  (Quoted from the Ackerman website)

I have only touched a little on thread.  There is so much more out there to learn.  If you are interested or have any additional questions, let me know!

What do you think?

Did you learn something new about thread that you did nto know before?  If so, what was it?

Labels: Embroidery, Kristie's Kreations, Laundering Instructions, logos, Pantone Matching, thread

Embroidery is great!  When done well, it looks very professional and neat!  There are some limits to embroidery though.

One limit, which many of you have heard me say, is if I can get it into my machine then I will embroider on it.  The embroidery machine

[caption id="attachment_143" align="alignright" width="300" caption="KK's Embroidery Machine"][/caption]

is similar to a sewing machine in that it has a needle (15 in fact) and a bobbin.  The item that is being embroidered on has to go between these two objects.  It also has to to fit in the area, go into a hoop and move around once in the area.

Another limit to embroidery, which I am not so sure if it is a limit or just something we really do not recommend, is embroidery on t-shirts.  I say this because the t-shirts are not made of the best material to embroider on and many of them have been dyed over and over to get to the right color.  Each time they are dyed the material becomes a little bit weaker.  The embroidery will outlast the t-shirt.

This can also be the case for cheaper items that may be purchased at discount warehouses and then brought to us to embroider on.  These items are not made for the decoration industry and therefore sometimes do not last as long.  I have had customers that have purchased their items from their favorite warehouse store and brought the shirts to me to embroider on.  They had to continue doing that every few months because the shirts just did not last.  Sometime it is better to spend the extra money on nice shirts and shirts that are made specifically for the decoration industry so that they last longer.

Now I am not saying that my shirts are always going to be perfect!  Any item is going to wear when it is washed and worn over and over again.  I just think that most of my items are going to last much longer than others.

Other limits to embroidery which I hope to talk more about in the future are hoops, backing, small fonts and other things that I just can not think of right now.

Labels: Embroidery, embroidery machine, hoops, Kristie's Kreations, limits, logos, t-shirt, thread