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EMBROIDERY TRAINING
FurtherTraining
A perceived lack of formal training within the embroidery industry is now troubling a
number of leading firms. Printwear expert Tony Whitmore speaks to YES
embroidery’s Roy Burton on the company’s plans to address this important issue.
A
couple of months ago we brought you a Framing: Because there are devices in today’s difficult to master. Tension comes in a variety of
story about how Roy Burton, Managing market that make this task easier many forms but here we are talking about how tight the
Director of Your Embroidery Services Ltd., embroiderers no longer take the time to perfect thread runs on the machine and not how you feel
had become increasingly disappointed that this skill but it is one that all should have as it can at the end of a strenuous day. This is most
training had seemingly disappeared from the make the difference between good and bad definitely an area where skill is needed. Yes there
embroidery industry. embroidery. “It used to be something that was a are devices on the market that will help you set
Not a man to rest on his laurels, Roy set about standard part of training” said Roy “but, thread tensions correctly but they are, at the end
trying to redress the balance by introducing a unfortunately, that is not always the case now”. of the day, an aid and not a solution. There really
training program aimed at technicians and But why is it so essential? To understand this you is no replacement for good old fashioned
machine users alike. The idea is to separate the must first understand what happens to the fabric knowledge and experience where this one is
two as the depth of knowledge required by the as it is embroidered and, in this instance, we will concerned. Many mistakenly think that setting
machine users for instance would fall well short concentrate on knitwear as that still constitutes thread tensions only applies to the top thread
of that needed by a technician. Well known in the bulk of embroidery media. Knitwear, because it whereas it is really a balance between top and
the industry for breaking new ground Roy has stretches, is unstable when it comes to embroidery bottom. Getting this wrong may result in an
approached this subject in a non-partisan way as and correct framing is one of the techniques used increase in downtime or simply untidy embroidery
the course(s) will be open to all embroiderers to combat this. If the garment and the backing are which your customer will not accept. Mistakes
whether or not they are a SWF customer. correctly framed then the pattern will be sewn as with tensions may still allow you to produce
The idea is to reintroduce the basic knowledge the digitiser intended. If, however, this task has not embroidery but it may not be good enough to
that was second nature only a few years ago and been carried out correctly then the fabric is liable encourage repeat orders from your customers.
the time to starting is now and Roy was keen to to flex and the design will, seemingly, move off Some will find a few of the above comments to
point out that much of the training will be about pattern. When embroiderers see this for the first be obvious and maybe even patronising but it is a
embroidery and not about how a specific time they are inclined to blame the design or the sad fact that there are many embroiderers out
machine or model works. machine but all too often the cause is faulty or there who do not understand the basics of their
By the time you read this the first of the incorrect framing. Learning how to do this properly trade.
planned courses may well have taken place but will stop this problem from occurring. They say that a little knowledge can be a
don’t worry because there will be plenty more to dangerous thing but a little well informed
choose from. In this article though we thought Backing: This comes from a variety of sources in knowledge can make the difference between
we would look at the reasoning behind the an equal variety of types but, wherever it comes continuing production and waiting for the
decision. from and whatever it is like, it all has one main technician to arrive. If you can handle some of the
‘If a thing is worth doing then it is worth aim which is to help stabilise the area being technical aspects of the machine then you may not
doing well’ as the old saying goes but you can embroidered. You would think that adding a piece even have to call out the tech’ in the first place
only achieve that if you know what you are doing of non-woven backing to the process would be not only saving time but also the cost of the call
in the first place. In this age of automation there easy but, believe it or not, there is a technique to out. Standard subjects that should be covered in
is a tendency to think that everything is simpler this and this can vary depending on the type of training when a machine is purchased are often
than it was and very often that is true but there backing used. Learning how to adjust the way you not covered to the right degree or sometimes even
is always going to be a greater depth of use your backing can save numerous problems missed completely but this is not a blame game.
knowledge needed if you want to go that extra further down the production line. For instance do Unfortunately the level of training within the
step. There is no doubt whatsoever that modern you need one piece or two? When is it better to industry is not what it used to be so the trainers
embroidery machines are simpler and easier to use heavier weight backing? Should you always themselves are very often working from a
use than past models and it would be fair to say use easy tear or is there sometime a case for using disadvantaged position.
that many of the previously arduous tasks have cut away? It is this that set Roy to thinking about how it
been de-skilled to the point where just about The answers to these and many other questions can be changed and hence his commitment to
anyone can tackle them with little or no training will determine your success and it is far better to setting up training courses for both users and
but that is only as it appears on the surface. In be taught about them than have to rely on your technicians.
truth there are still many areas of embroidery own mistakes to learn more productive and
that demand skill and expertise and by acquiring efficient methods. Further information on the available courses this
these you can save valuable time and product. year can be found by contacting Your Embroidery
We asked Roy to give us a heads-up on a few of Tensions: This is probably the most Services Ltd. on 01623 863343 or e-mail
the skills that have become either lost or hidden. misunderstood subject of all and one of the most sales@yesltd.co.uk
www.printwearandpromotion.co.uk February 2009 | 62 |
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