What Is Machine Embroidery Floating?
Machine embroidery floating is a process of hooping the fabric without actually securing the two separate pieces of the hoop together. Machine embroidery floating is done to prevent the pulling and stretching of the fabric that can occur when you screw down the hoop. Instead of a hoop, sticky stabilizer is the material used to secure the fabric so it does not move while being embroidered. It prevents unnecessary stretch and marks on the fabric.
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Significance
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The float technique works best for small, simple designs where using the traditional hooping method is difficult, such as pockets, pant cuffs, shirt sleeves, belts, purses, baby clothes, doll clothes and crafts. Working with delicate fabric or fabric that easily marks or stretches when it is locked in an embroidery hoop are other occasions when you might opt for the machine embroidery float technique.
Function
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Machine embroidery float function is used when the traditional way of securing a hoop to the fabric is either impossible or will cause distortion in the fabric. All size hoops may be used with the floating technique. When purchasing sticky stabilizer, the quality of the product will make a difference in how easily the completed project may be removed.
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Features
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Sulky Sticky is one brand machine embroiderers use because it is gridded and the sticky releases with ease. The grids on Sulky Sticky help to position the hoop and mark the design to be embroidered. The sticky stabilizer has a waxy coating that helps to hold the hoop in place. The paper coating removes easily for fabric placement.
Time Frame
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The time involved to use sticky stabilizer for machine embroidery floating is only a few minutes longer than traditional locked hoop embroidery. The tasks include centering the sticky stabilizer, taking off the paper backing, marking the fabric for design placement, sticking the fabric, completing the design, and removing the finished design from the sticky back. The difference in time revolves around not having to secure the fabric in the embroidery hoop, sticking the fabric to the sticky stabilizer and removing the finished design from the sticky stabilizer.
Potential
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The machine embroidery floating technique is an easy way to add an embroidered design to a small item or to fabric that distorts when using regular machine embroidery techniques. All embroidery machines are capable of completing the floating technique.
The sticky stabilizer needed for the floating method is readily available. It provides a foundation to hold the fabric secure without distortion. Once the design is complete, the sticky stabilizer releases the design for a professional appearance.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of João Paulo Corrêa de Carvalho
