E.g. a swimsuit? If so how do you stabilize it? I could imagine it would tear around the embroidery when stretched?

tip: put also WASHAWAY on the top, then less elasticity!!
I hope you understand me, my english is not so good, sorry!!* greetings 10tje

2 comments

by asterixsew 12 Jun 2009

Brilliant English, thanks for the advice

by 10tje 12 Jun 2009

Thank you!!*:)

Yes I have embroidered on lycra a number of times. My daughter had made a few items of cycling gear and embroidered on the over socks. I also embroidered a patch to go over the hole my husband made when he was on the track and came off at speed... (I made a patch saying where and when he came off) I used plenty of stabiliser and the results were ok. My daughter got orders for the oversocks so they must have bee fine. Sublimation printing would produce the best result for fine work.

ee, I am not sure that I would stitch a dense design - maybe something very lightly stitched. *4U

embroiderylibrary has instructions on how to embroider on spandex. That may help.

Hi Cuties,
I had to have a play!!! so now we know one thing, cross stitch (open type designs) can be done!! this is how I did it:- I placed the lycra & 1 sheet of medium weight tear-a-way together in a hoop, you may stretch a very small amount if lycra isn't sitting entirely flat in hoop. Next I placed another piece is tear-a-way (same as other piece) between hoop & machine. Then let the machine do it's bit, I didn't change anything on machine or needle. After the work is finished, remove hoop from machine carefully. Take the embroidery out of the hoop gently. Now VERY SLOWLY & VERY CAREFULLY cut & tear the stabliser from the fabric. Pics:- 1st of front, 2nd of back after taking stabliser off. OHHH & NO tearing of the fabric!!!

2 images:[1]
[2]

1 comment

by moonz328 12 Jun 2009

Lol, love your description. That looks great. My worry is that the design I have to do is not X/S and that it tears/ladders the lycra when worn because of the stretch around the outside of the design. Thanks for experimenting, I will have to find a piece of lycra and try this design I have on it using your hooping/stabilizing method!

Oh, wow. Also remember about the design, that where the design is, the material WON'T stretch, and where it isn't it WILL stretch. Maybe that could look funny when it's worn? Don't know, stretch materials are really hard! Best of luck to you, you'll need it!! Hugs, Marji

1 comment

by moonz328 12 Jun 2009

My thoughts were that it may tear around the design because of the stretching away from the embroidery. I don't want the swimsuits to end up with a nice round hole in them where the embroidery was! Thanks.

It is NOT E-Z...don't stretch it when you hoop...and the stabilizer to use would be the nylon mesh...try for a VERY small design IF you can! And a ball point needle if you have one...can ya get a scrap to practice on??? I know it was done on a lg. commercial machine when I worked at a shop..but I haven't done it personally!

3 comments

by moonz328 12 Jun 2009

Thanks, unfortunately it is quite a large design - a club logo. I guess the density should be pretty low too? I also guess it wouldn't be a good idea to use iron-on, lol. I will have to find some fabric to test on I think.

by mops 12 Jun 2009

If it's a club logo could you do it as a badge and sew that on by hand? Those stitches won't tear the material.

by moonz328 12 Jun 2009

It would be difficult with the design I have as parts of it are outlines not filled but it's an option if all else fails!

This is a very interesting question as we were discussing it the other day!!!! Result....not good.
I have never done it myself. hopefully someone will come along with a better answer...

1 comment

by moonz328 12 Jun 2009

I imagined as much but I thought I would check, thanks.