Tips for Embroidering Fleece

Aug 1, 2008

As one of the industry's most popular fabrics, fleece is warm, soft and fuzzy on the inside, making it super comfortable to wear. However, it has a few hidden quirks that can make it tricky to embellish. Embroiderers must prep properly to produce crisp, sharp embroidery in perfect registration.

To fully understand how to deal with this unique fabric, you must first develop a good working knowledge of how fleece's characteristics and the stitch formation process work together. Because fleece is soft and stretchy, the stitches compress the fabric, causing them to sink into it. This compression pushes against the stitches, causing them to divide and spread out, which makes the design look sparse.

To compensate for these concerns, you must do two things. First, increase your column widths and/or pull compensation factors. Second, increase the density settings.

A medium-weight cutaway backing is required to stabilize the fabric, and depending on the type of fleece, you may want to use a water-soluble topping as well. Toppings work best when dealing with a textured surface, as they tend to provide a smoother surface for the upper threads to lay on. They can reduce some of the "sinking in" effect caused by fleece, but the compensation is minimal. Your best defense is to adjust the design properties via your software. In addition to proper backing, a 75/11 ball point needle is typically the best choice. — Jimmy Lamb, senior manager, Marketing Services, Hirsch Intl., Hauppauge, N.Y.

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