Barudan BEXS, Instruction Manual

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Too much backing is just as bad as not enough. Use one piece of medium-weight backing or
two pieces of light-weight backing as a general rule. Heavier fabrics generally have a tighter
weave and will need less backing.
Backing should be cut to completely fit in the hoop, not just as a strip to fit across the center
of the hoop. When dealing with an open weave fabric that you don’t want to move or gather,
using spray adhesive on the backing will help keep the two together, adding stability.
Softouch
Softouch is a woven backing material made of 100% non-shrinkable polyester. Softouch
backing is used with many knits and stretch fabrics. These materials cannot be pulled tightly
in a hoop by themselves because they will stretch out of shape. Softouch is used to add
stability to the garment while it is being sewn. Without Softouch backing, knits will not hold
the stitching and can even be forced down into the hole in the throat plate.
To use Softouch backing, cut a piece slightly larger than the hoop you are using and place it
underneath the area of the garment that is going to be monogrammed. Hoop the garment as
usual, using the backing material as though it were part of the garment. Make sure that the
garment is as smooth and snug as possible in the hoop. You may wish to use a dissipating
bonding adhesive spray to bond the backing to the garment for better stability.
Cut away the excess backing after embroidering, leaving a small margin around the
embroidery. Do not cut the backing between letters and designs. Leaving it in place gives
added stability to the embroidery after laundering.
Softouch can also be used with thinner woven fabrics to give better clarity and detail to
intricately embroidered designs.
Tearaway
Tearaway is a non-woven material that provides some of the stability of Softouch, but can be
torn away like paper. It is used with non-stretch fabrics. It is hooped in the same manner as
Softouch, but it is not strong enough for heavier knits or stretchy materials. Tearaway gives
body to thin materials and is well suited for nylon jackets, blouses, sheets, etc. It will help
reduce puckering and pulling on these fabrics.
Cutaway
Cutaway backings include a large assortment of fabrics: heavy nonwovens, woven cotton
buckram; and woven nylon polyester. A cutaway backing is a fuller product and provides
more support than tearaway backing. Cutaway backings are generally more expensive but are
more popular with experienced operators.
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Series Mechanical Guide 1-27