Hooping a Stadium Blanket

[Debbie Garifi]

I am trying to figure out how I would embroider a logo using a 14.25 X 11.75 Rect. hoop (the logo is approx. 12 inches in length and 4 inches wide) on the SanMar item BP81 stadium blanket with zipper pocket for folding/storing blanket.
Thank you
Debbie
Design WIzard Embroidery

[signman]

I have used the blankets so I know what you are up to. IF you can get the 'bottom' of the hoop inside the zipper (I can't remember if it opens enough) then slide the hoop into placement so your logo ends up in the middle of it. Place it on a flat surface to make it easier, side you are going to sew on 'up' and facing you.
Take the largest piece of backing the fits the hoop and spray one side with adhesive lightly...work this into the blanket and stick it to the back side of the side you want to embroider using the hoop as a guide under your hand. More excess backing than needed helps so you don't have to be 'dead center'.
Now hold the top of the hoop above it and think carefully-which way is the design going-do you need to have the hoop 'upside down' and rotate the design to sew it? Remember which way is the blanket going to slide 'on' the nose of the amaya...then place the top of the hoop and press down. Same thing I do with jacket backs that have the 'port zipper' from Sanmar-you end up flipping the design 180 degrees and the hoop frame the same.
IF this is what you end up doing, NOW FLIP THE DESIGN in Amaya BEFORE you do anything else or you will end up with an expensive mistake.
TRACE design first and make sure all excess blanket is out of the way and the backing stayed in place. If everything traces right-one more time-look at the blanket and make sure the design will 'read' correctly when done.

[Debbie Garifi]

Well I can say I have done all that you suggested and came to put it on the machine and in order to put the nose of the Amaya through the zippered section my rectangular hoop would have to be turned so the longer part of the hoop is going accross the shorter part of the rectangular blanket pocket. I don't think the hoop will fit inside that area with it turned that direction and the logo won't fit the shorter width of the pillow section.
I don't have any other type of hoop or clamp this size either. What should I do?

[signman]

Sorry about that...I have used the blankets with the Port Pocket-not the 'storage' pocket. This is a case where you have to explain to the customer that you are limited to a logo size that fits the size HOOP that in turn fits the size POCKET. And irregardless of whether he says by 'measurement' it fits on the OUTSIDE of the blanket-you have to explain that the problem is with EQUIPMENT-in order to fit the machine inside the pocket and have room for the 'nose' to move sideways and front to back without popping the material out of the hoop, the logo has to shrink. In jackets you have to turn the hoop anyway it will go to get through the zipper but once inside the back of the jacket you can turn it to line up properly. Trying to get inside the POCKET you are limited by the size of the pocket. No way he can get that big a logo if you can't use the big hoop-he will have to shrink it and understand the limitations. There are smaller hoops available that are still larger than the 7.5" 'round' hoop that came with your machine so if you don't have it you may have to order it-if the customer's orders warrant the expense. In any case, if you need it for this order you most likely will use it for something else down the road.