Machine Embroidery on Fleece

Yesterday we used our serger to sew a simple fleece blanket. Today, we decorated the blanket with a monogram using our new Brother PE700II embroidery machine.

There are a number of  worries when embroidering on fleece. First, fleece is stretchy, so the material needs to be well stabilized. Second, embroidery has a tendency to sink into fleece and disappear. Third, since I decided to embroider as an afterthought and not as part of the original design, I did not want to ruin what my kids thought was already an awesome blanket. Despite the worries, the embroidery turned out fine and the blanket was exactly as I hoped.

Tools
Embroidery Machine
Embroidery scissors

Materials
40 wt polyester embroidery thread in white
Solvy
Ultra Solvy
Sulky KK 2000

Step 1
Hoop the area to be embroidered. Embroidery can be scratchy. I wanted the initials in the bottom right-hand corner of the blanket so the embroidery would not cause the blanket to be less soft.

Step 2
Stabilize the top of the fleece that will be embroidered. Some folks prepare the material before hooping, but I like to conserve stabilizer so I hoop first. Cut a piece of Solvy a tad larger than the monogram.  Spray the top of the fleece with a  Sulky KK 2000 or another fabric glue and stick the solvy on the top of the fleece. The Solvy will prevent the embroidery from sinking into the fleece and disappearing.

Step 3
Stabilize the bottom of the fleece that will be embroidered. Cut a piece of Ultra Solvy also a tad larger than the monogram.  Spray the bottom of the fleece with a  Sulky KK 2000 or another fabric glue and stick the Ultra Solvy on the bottom of the fleece. The Ultra Solvy will stabilize the fabric as your machine embroiders.

Step 4
Select the thread and stitches for your embroidery machine. Thread the machine. Attach the hoop to the machine. Check your programming. Begin stitching.

Step 5
Use embroidery scissors to snip excess threads.

Step 6
Remove the hoop from the embroidery machine and then remove the fleece from the hoop.

Step 7
Trim stabilizer. Use scissors to cut away excess Solvy and Ultra Solvy. Set aside for future use. Tip: Small or warped pieces can be dissolve in water and used as paint on stabilizer.

Step 7
Dissolve the stabilizer. Hold the embroidered corner of the blanket under warm running water until the Solvy and Ultra Solvy dissolve away.

Step 8
Set blanket aside to dry.

Further Reading
"Machine Embroidery With Confidence: A Beginner's Guide"; Nancy Zieman; 2005
"Creative Beginnings in Machine Embroidery: Innovative Ideas for Expert Results"; Patty Albin; 2006.
"Embroidery Machine Essentials: How to Stabilize, Hoop and Stitch Decorative Designs";  Twigg Jeanine; 2001.
"Machine Embroidery on Difficult Materials (Book & CD Rom);  Deborah Jones; 2009.
"Machine Embroidery Wild & Wacky: Stitch on Any and Every Surface"; Linda Turner Griepentrog, Rebecca Kemp Brent; 2006.