Sewing on a 100% Nylon Jacket (outershell)

[GameDayDesigns]

Hi all! I am getting ready to do a jacket back design and the jacket(quilted inside) has a 100% nylon shell. I am worried about puckering. I don't have any material comparable to this to practice on and may be worrying about nothing. It seems awfully slippery and satin'y'. Anyone have any experience sewing on these type of jacket? Thanks to all!

[smt by debbie]

Use tear away backing, and make sure everything is smooth and tight. You shouldn't have any problems.

[signman]

Is there a 'hoop pocket' like the Sanmar jackets have? If not, can you open up the bottom seam so you can get inside the back?
I use Sanmar jackets, they have the hidden zipper to get inside the backs of most of their jackets. I reach in with a spray can of adhesive and hit the 'back' of the jacket, then lay down a large piece of tearaway backing. Hoop right inside, get it aligned straight, then sew. After that you can tear off excess backing or leave it if it doesn't show, close the zipper (or resew the hem) and you haven't touched the jacket liner itself.
Otherwise, for the really lightweight 'coaches' lined jackets, carefully lay the jacket down flat on a table and look to see if the lining 'puckers' around the sewn sides. If it does, you have 'excess' lining and have to make sure you keep it even once you hoop it. Otherwise when you sew the design on, the liner is not in the right place and that will make the jacket hang funny.

[Dorothy Compton]

Nylon is notorious for slipping. Some have wrapped their hoops to prevent slipping. I have had great success with using a tear-away backing on top of the garment, hooping and then tearing a window in the backing for the embroidery area. Once this "window" backing is made, you can use it over and over. Hoop relatively tightly and once everything is ready to go, tighten the hoop firmly. The backing will help prevent hoop burn. Also, loosen the screw a bit when unhooping rather than just pulling the hoop apart. Good Luck!

Dorothy Compton, Owner
Bee Embroidered
www.BeeEmbroidered.com
(916) 635-7467

[GameDayDesigns]

Thanks for your responses. The jacket turned out beautiful! I took the suggestion about making the "window" out of tear away as well as the tightening the hoop and loosening before unhooping. Worked perfectly - thanks Dorothy!! Once again my embroidery colleagues gave me great advice!!