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Cap Embroidery Basics

Detailed Application Instructions

Caps offer the opportunity for several design placements. Obviously the front is the most common location, but backs are quite popular as well. However, sewing on the back can be much more challenging that sewing on the front. The primary difficulty is the limited space available for sewing. This is further complicated by adjustment strap, as it too limits the sewing area and makes it difficult to firmly grasp the cap in a frame or hoop. Typically embroidery on the back of a cap is limited to one line of text, which is usually arced around the opening in the rear of the cap. (The opening is sometimes referred to as the “keyhole".) However, the shape and size of the opening varies between different styles and brands of caps. Furthermore, most keyholes are NOT a true arc. In addition, the shape is altered depending upon how the strap is adjusted. Thus, programming a simple line of text becomes a somewhat complex task.







METHOD #1 - Tubular Hoop

Many Embroiderers use a 12cm tubular hoop (part# 100575 or 100576 at the Hirsch Online Store) to frame the back of a cap. Since this is a standard hoop for most machines, it's a simple solution. However, there are some drawbacks to this method.

If you have to run a lot of cap backs, this method of hooping can be quite slow and labor intensive, especially for multi-head machines where it is critical that each back be hooped exactly the same. In addition, the sewing area itself is quite limited, simply because of the hoop size. Also, its important that the cap strap is not hooped, which means the bottom edge of the hoop must be above the top edge of the strap. This in turn forces, the widest portion of the hoop to be in alignment with the top of the keyhole. The end result is that you cannot embroider very far down either side of the keyhole





METHOD #2 - Clamping System

The Hoop Tech clamping system is a quick and easy way to hoop the back of a cap. There is a specific clamp window (part #107209) created for this purpose that is an option for the TSC-1 base (part #107205). Some of the other general purpose clamp windows may work as well.

The advantage of a clamp over a tubular hoop is that it is faster and easier to use. In addition, since the “gripping power" of the clamp window is much stronger that that of a hoop, the cap strap can be captured in the hoped area without adverse effects, which in turn will allow you to hoop lower on the cap back, thus giving you a larger sew area.

HoopTech Clamps can be found at the Hirsch Online Store.




METHOD #3 - Semi Wide Cap Frame

Another great method is to use a semi-wide cap frame (103365). Most machines come with a wide (270 degree) cap frame, but not a semi-wide cap frame. It has to be ordered separately.

This was the standard cap frame for many years, before the wide cap frame was developed. It sandwiches the cap between two rectangular windows, rather than gripping it with one strap and clips. The window width is about 7" with the height being variable from 2.5" to 3.5". This provides a larger sewing area than either a tubular hoop or a clamping system.

But perhaps the most significant fact, is that the semi-wide cap frame is curved, as is the cap, so there is less distortion of the fabric when hooping, ensuring the highest quality of sewing over the largest area.

In addition, the semi-wide cap frame fits the same cap driver as the wide cap frame, so there is no need to reconfigure the machine when switching from cap fronts to backs.

NOTE: All of the framing options discussed here are available at the Hirsch Online Store