ImagesMagUK_May_2021

www.images-magazine.com 38 images MAY 2021 Prepare to shine I t's incredible," says Andrea Bommarito, "how versatile embroidery equipment can be." By adding accessories to industrial embroidery machines, special effects and unique finishes are easily possible, reports the decoration specialist at ZSK USA. After 2020, using sequins to celebrate the return of kids’ parties, the restarting of indoor activities such as dance, gymnastics and – hopefully – live music and, well, anything we haven't been able to do for many months, seems like a brilliant idea. Even better, with the right attachment, it's simple to do: the sequins are sewn onto a textile using the embroidery needle in conjunction with a special foot, explains Andrea. The first thing to know is that sequins are available in different shapes, sizes, and finishes. "They typically come spooled on a reel all connected – each sequin has a small hole that allows the needle to stitch through it to adhere to the textile," she explains. "The hole is typically positioned in the centre of each sequin, but some styles have an offset hole to create a different effect by 'hanging' the sequin by a stitch – this way, it can move and swing to catch light from different angles." Unique foot The embroidery equipment requires a unique foot that feeds the reel's sequins individually onto the textile – in this step-by-step, a ZSK Sequin Device V6.1 was used with a ZSK Sprint 6 single-head machine. In addition to feeding the sequins, the foot cuts each sequin independently in coordination with the needle – so, as the needle stitches through the sequin's hole, the foot cuts it away from the rest of the reel. "The machine can handle this at 800 stitches per minute," she notes. On the design side, the designer must use software that can create a sequin design with the appropriate commands to raise and lower the foot and feed the sequins. To make the design, the operator must follow specific rules to avoid potential mishaps that could damage the sequins, Andrea warns. "Several guidelines can aid in executing a fantastic design. First of all, the designer should ensure that all stitches fall inside the sequin hole or outside the sequin and not tear the sequin elsewhere. As well, it’s a good idea to stitch in a particular direction so that the stitching stays in line with the sequins' feed. The design can have overlapping sequins to create a layered or scaled effect, but it must be so that there are no needle penetrations that disrupt the sequin reel or material. "Typically, the digitiser makes all these decisions based on the design – choosing the stitch type, overlaps, and fills for the final design," she adds. There are many options and, when using proper design software, the results can be stunning. www.stocks.co.uk Andrea Bommarito of ZSK USA explains how to use sequins to add some much needed sparkle in 2021 "