Puffy foam fonts
Tips for Using Puffy Foam Fonts
Materials and Preparation
- Embroidery Puffy Foam: This is required for 3D designs. For the projects shown, I used 3mm Gunold foam.
- Cut a piece of foam slightly larger than the design area. You can secure it with tape, but it doesn't need to be extremely tight; the initial stitching will adequately attach the foam to the fabric.
- Foam Color: Using foam that matches your thread color can enhance the final appearance of your design.
- Stacking Foam: For a more pronounced 3D effect, you can stack multiple layers of foam. You can bond them together with a temporary spray adhesive like 505 or KK100.
Machine and Stitching Tips
- Stabilization: Puffy designs are typically dense, so good stabilization is necessary. A single layer of medium-weight stabilizer is usually best, depending on your project.
- Needles: Opt for ballpoint needles, as they make a slightly larger hole than sharp-tip needles, which allows for a cleaner cut through the foam as it stitches.
- Tension: Slightly loosen your top thread tension to provide more flexibility and ensure the thread has complete coverage over the foam.
Finishing
- After the design has stitched and you have torn away the excess foam, I recommend passing over the design with steam. This helps ensure that any small "fringe" of foam disappears, giving a cleaner and more professional finish.
Care Instructions for Puffy Foam Embroidery
Washing
Puffy foam is non-toxic, water-resistant, and machine washable.
Dry Cleaning or Stain Removal
DO NOT dry clean, as Puffy Foam can absorb dry-cleaning fluid, which would make it flammable.
Ironing
Use steam only. Do not press directly with an iron.
Drying
Machine dry at a low temperature.
