How to embroider a cap
Anni from HandmadebyAnni walks us through the steps to embroider a cap on the Brother PR machine, using the flat brim cap frame.
Materials needed
- Cap
- Temporary marking pen or chalk
- Tearaway stabiliser
- Optional: basting spray
Equipment needed
How to
Preparation
Install the cap frame driver on the machine.
Tip: consult your manual or support.brother.com for instructions on installation and setup.
Step 1
Attach the mounting jig for the cap frame to a table and tighten the thumb screw. Attach the lower frame of the cap frame to the mounting jig.
Step 2
If your cap does not have a seam down the centre, mark the centre with a chalking wheel to ensure exact positioning of the embroidery.
Step 3
Cut the tear-away stabiliser to the desired size, mark the centre, and guide it into the holder on the mounting jig. Press firmly over the row of pins so that the stabiliser is slightly perforated and secured.
Tip: an alternative is to attach the stabiliser directly to the cap with basting spray.
Step 4
Set the lock knob on the lower frame to the locked position.
Step 5
Place the grey plastic bow – the upper frame - around the cap so that it lies directly on the seam of the cap. Make sure that the centre marking of the upper frame aligns exactly with the centre seam or centre mark on the cap.
Tip: squeeze the cap slightly before fitting it into the upper frame.
Step 6
Fold the internal sweat band downwards and out of the way.
Step 7
Carefully place the cap and the upper frame over the lower frame, with the tab on each side of the upper frame fitting into the opening on each side of the lower frame.
Make sure that the teeth of the upper frame are fitting into the base of the cap brim and the centre of the cap is still aligned with the centre mark on the upper frame.
Press down firmly to snap the upper frame into the lower frame.
Step 8
Smooth the fabric and pull it down gently to remove any slack.
Pull fabric down and secure with the clips to add a little more tension to the area to be embroidered.
Step 9
Remove the upper and lower frame together with the cap from the mounting jig.
Tip: you need to use a little force.
Step 10
Check that the stabiliser is still in place.
Step 11
Attach the clamped cap to the embroidery machine.
Turn the cap sideways to the left and carefully guide it under the row of embroidery needles. Then turn the cap so that the embroidery area faces upward and attach it to the cap frame driver on the machine – apply a little pressure until it snaps into place.
Step 12
Select the embroidery file and adjust size if necessary. Trace the embroidery position on the cap.
Step 13
If the centre of the embroidery is not exactly aligned with the cap seam (or marking), adjust the position manually on the embroidery machine screen. When positioning is correct, stitch out the design.
Tip: some machine models have an LED pointer or crosshair that makes adjustment easier. If the Brother embroidery machine you are using does not have one, the needle can be pressed down slightly to check the positioning of the design.
Step 14
When the embroidery is done, carefully remove the clamped cap from the driver, turn it to the left again and guide it under the row of embroidery needles.
The lower frame can now be set to the unlocked position and the plastic bow of the upper frame removed.
Step 15
Remove the stabiliser and push the sweat band back into position. Your cap is complete!
