Hat Backs Help Please

Loretta · December 3rd, 2008, 09:35 AM

I did a search and read a little about sewing hat backs but nothing really answered my concerns/questions in a way that would help me now.

I'm trying to sew single and double lines of text on the back of hats, is there a way to hoop them other than using the sticky backing? My needles are getting gummed up and the thread is breaking every other number on the phone number on the back of one of the hats and it's killing productivity.

Any tips as to how you hoop the hat backs would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

-Loretta

Robert Young · December 3rd, 2008, 09:41 AM

Depending on your machine you can hoop them flat in either an oval or small round hoop... this works without adhesives.

Loretta · December 3rd, 2008, 09:55 AM

I've tried using my hoop master, it's the one with the 6.5 diameter. I have a smaller hoop but I have to line that one up by hand and it's not very easy. Any tips on using the hoops with the hat backs?

Earl Smith · December 3rd, 2008, 10:22 AM

Had the same problem. Try using , as suggested , the smallest hoop. Mine is 11cm. Sorry I dont know in inches. To help with the hooping take a piece of wood about a foot long and a little narrower than the hoop, clamp or screw half of it to a bench. 6 inches sticking out. Take the hoops outer ring and cut a hole in a piece of cardboard so the ring will fit snugly inside it. Tape this to the sticking out piece of the wood. Now you have made a mini hoopmaster for cap backs, sleeves, and tube items. The cap back will now fit around the ring and you can hoop it without it moving. Not easy to describe making something but it works.
Good luck.
Earl.

Web Star · December 3rd, 2008, 06:48 PM

Hoop it with smallest hoop allowed for your logo (depends on how big is your text logo).
Hoop it flat and place a masking tape between the edge of the hat and the backing pellon.
It's only text, not something like fills with outline. No need to use sticky backing.

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SunEmbroidery · December 6th, 2008, 10:47 AM

Its sounds like you need less gummy sticky backing. Some sticky backing is very tacky while some brands are less sticky and much less likely to gum up needles. I've used Madeira's sticky backing without having problems. Some people use Sewer's Ease (purchased at sewing supply store) to lubricate needles so they are less likely to gum up. Hat backs can be hooped but sticky backing is great for items that can't be hooped such as stiff bags.

Loretta · December 8th, 2008, 12:08 PM

Thanks Jennifer. I'm going to try a few things and possibly have to purchase some new backing. I read it helps to put the backing in the freezer so I'm trying that now. If that doesn't work I'm rolling my machine out onto the highway into oncoming traffic. LOL.

Flint54 · October 15th, 2009, 03:32 PM

Hoop with 11-12 cm hoop, don't use sticky backing use a heavier tearaway. The Hoopmaster Freestyle arm or something similar as a hooping station is ideal. Hoop Tech also makes frames that are designed to do specialty hooping on caps and many other items using different windows but they are a bit on the $$ side. I will try to post some pictures down the road.