Issue link: https://docs.hic.us/i/403552
Backing is not necessary when sewing on leather, except in extreme cases. Very thin leather such as kidskin stretches and backing should be used to stabilize it. If you use tearaway, be very careful when removing it; always tear away from the embroidery. Backing also is suggested if you are forced to run a design that was not digitized for leather. Cut-away backing will help keep the leather from ripping, but it is not a foolproof solution and you should avoid the problem whenever possible. Avoiding Hoop Marks The last point to consider is hooping. You cannot iron out hoop marks when working on leather, so you have to avoid making them in the first place. Ideally, you will be working with cut pieces of leather rather than a complete garment. If this is the case, then you can use the hoopless method described earlier in this chapter. Essentially, you will hoop a piece of adhesive backing, with the adhesive side up, then press the leather panel onto the backing. If you are embroidering on assembled pieces, you will probably have to use a conventional hoop. In this case, you can wrap your hoop with athletic tape to help minimize the hoop mark. Only tighten the hoop as much as you need to hold the garment. Never overtighten the hoop. Another possibility is to hoop the garment with a piece of backing on top of the leather and then cut out the center area where the embroidery will be sewn, creating a window. The backing will act as a cushion between the leather and the hoop, decreasing the chance of a hoop mark. If you still get hoop marks after taking these precautions, they usually can be removed by rubbing the leather against itself. Polyester Thread Preferred Thread also is a very important consideration. Rayon still is the most popular thread for most applications, but Polyester definitely is the thread of choice for leather. Strength is the key advantage of polyester, as rayon does not possess the tensile strength necessary for sewing without thread breaks. Cotton also will work very well, but because of its lack of sheen, it is not very popular for leather applications. If you follow all these parameters, embroidering on leather should be as trouble- free as any other sewing application. www.hsi.us care@hsi.us 208