How to do Machine Embroidery on Puffy Foam

Isn’t it fascinating to see the effect of the three-dimensional shape on embroidered items? Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes? How do they do it? If you are in search of how to make those amazing 3D-puff designs with machine embroidery. Then take a pause as in this article we will talk about how to do embroidery on 3D puffy foam with the machine. Without any further ado, let’s dive into the topic!

To make it simple, there is a foam underneath the embroidery. It gives the design some extra depth and makes it pop out. Another benefit of machine embroidery on foam is that helps stitches from sinking when doing embroidering.

Using the Craft Foam in Embroidery Machine

To incorporate the foam in the embroidery machine, match the colour of the foam to the thread colour. After that, lay down the thread like a topper before you start to stitch. Once you are done with the stitching process, you can tear away the unnecessary. The underlying foam will stay underneath the embroidery design, glowing it up a bit.

The Best Use of 3D Foam Effect

You can use the foam to create a 3D effect on a variety of different items. However, it is commonly used on a cap or a hat with lettering giving the emblem a broader look. 

Alongside that, it is also used on kids clothing giving it a funnier look. It is also helpful when you are embroidering a porous material like straw. The foam provides embroidery machine with another layer that helps the stitches to maintain their rhythm. 

Which 3D Foam Should You Buy?

It depends on your requirements. The complexity of the project and the design you are working on. The most commonly used type of foam is the craft foam. The foam comes in sheets. But it is not recommended for machine embroidery. It is because the foam is not machine washable. The foam is also not durable as it can disintegrate underneath the stitches. It can tear apart during the stitching process while causing damage to the machine embroidery.

The best bet is to purchase the foam that is specifically for machine embroidery. It is important to know that the wrong foam can damage your embroidery machine. If you are using the craft foam, make sure that you buy the non-adhesive foam. The reason behind this is that the foam’s sticky surface can gum up your embroidery machine. 

If you are willing to stitch letters or a design that creates a dramatic 3D effect, then it is better to buy a thicker foam that is made specifically for machine embroidery. You also need to use the designs that are specifically digitized for 3D effects. 

Difference Between the 3D Embroidery Designs and Regular Embroidery Designs

To make it simple, if you are stitching out embroidery designs having a 3D effect, you should use designs that are specifically digitized for foam stitching. These specifically digitized designs differ from the regular embroidery designs. Especially, the underlay is removed. Moreover, the density is also increased. This accommodates the foam and prevents it from squishing. 

Using regular embroidery fonts for 3D effects

There are some unique steps that you can imply to have a better output. For instance, a good tip here is to add running stitches. This will hold down the running stitches. After that, you can go for satin stitches and make them at the end of the letterforms. You can also increase the density of the stitching at points where there is an intersection between the satin stitching lines. 

To can easily do the adjustments with the help of digitizing software and can convert any satin stitch to a desirable 3D effect design. Make the adjustments according to your requirements. For instance, start increasing the start to 1.2 and test it. If it is too thin or looks skinny, adjust the pull to make it a bit thicker. To can add some extra effects according to your requirements. 

If you are using a narrow or thin layer of foam, you can use 3D fonts and adjust the design accordingly. It will protect your stitches from sinking into the fabric you are embroidering. As an example, if you are using a craft foam underneath the monogram, you can use the regular embroidery font. However, you need to know that there is a difference between the thin craft foam and thicker foam. Thicker foams are specifically designed for machine embroidery.

If the stitches are not covering the foam and there are gaps in the thread, you can use a hairdryer or a heat gun to melt away the foam. 

This is all that you may need to know to do machine embroidery on puffy and 3D foam. If you are still having any issue in the process, you can reach out to us. Our customer care team will assist you with your problem.