In the world of embroidery, toppings serve a critical role: they help ensure a design appears crisp, well-defined, and free from interference caused by underlying fabric texture.
What Is Topping, and Why Is It Important?
Toppings are thin overlay films applied atop the embroidery fabric during hooping. Their primary function is to prevent fibers, especially from pile fabrics like fleece, towelling, or knits—from poking through the stitched area. Without topping, dense stitches can sink into soft fabrics, resulting in loss of definition and clarity.
Among the most commonly used toppings is Aquafilm, a clear, cling-film-like material. Framed above the fabric, it acts as a barrier during stitching and is later removed—often by washing or steaming—because it’s water soluble.
Types of Toppings
- Water-Soluble Films: Dissolve when wet, leaving no residue.
- Heat-Soluble Films: Melt away under heat.
- Water-Soluble Non-Wovens: A more robust option combining the benefits of film and fabric.
Each type offers specific advantages depending on the fabric, stitch density, and design complexity.
How to Use Toppings
- Hoop your backing and fabric as you normally would.
- Lay the topping film over the fabric and secure it in the hoop along with the backing.
- Stitch your design.
- Once embroidery is complete, remove the topping via washing or steaming (for water-soluble types) or with heat (for heat-soluble variants).
Choosing the Right Topping
Selecting an appropriate topping depends on:
- Fabric type: Fleece, knits, and towels benefit most.
- Design density: More intricate or dense designs often require more durable toppings.
- Removal method: Your preferred or available means, wash, steam, or heat.
At ETC Supplies, we offer a variety of high-quality options so you can match topping to your specific needs.