3D embroidery appliqué

3D embroidery appliqué

3D embroidery consists in giving volume to the embroidery to create a three-dimensional effect.

3D embroidery can be done with thread embroidery, using tear-off foam or wadding and following few simple but precise digitizing techniques. Often, a final finishing is required to be done by hand, to remove any parts of foam getting out from the thread. Hence, technique and experience are essential for optimal result.

If you want to replace the thread embroidery with applications, with a laser bridge the work is done quickly and you can create truly unique processes in less time!

Steps to 3D appliqué

The work can be done into two steps:

  1. stitch and cut the material that will give the 3D effect, usually foam or wadding
  2. sew and cut of the material being applied. For this, you can range from synthetic fabric, to natural fabric, micro-fiber, leather or eco-leather (i.e. in automotive sector).

When you draw the design, take into account the thickness of the filling material and how flexible the application material will be.

Here are some examples of 3D appliqué cut with the GMI laserbridge system, made with wadding, minimal thickness, and with 3mm foam.

Practical tips

When drawing the designs, we recommend starting keeping fairly large margin between the sewing and the cutting. Always make some tests on the machine, then you will know if you can reduce the distance until you achieve the desired effect.

The thickness of the foam affects the distance between the cutting line of the foam and the cutting line of the appliqué material.

In the end, choose whether the cut of the application must be covered with column stitches or left unfinished.

To receive information on both 3D thread embroidery and 3D embroidery with laser applications, contact us.

GMI Academy: embroidery laser decoration

New section: techniques (and tricks) of laser embroidery decoration

Today we inaugurate a new section that will illustrate the laser embroidery decoration techniques. In particular, we will focus on those that can be made with a laser bridge cutting system installed on embroidery machines.

Our aim is to make an overview of possible processes that can be carried out with a GMI laser bridge system. We will give you ideas to create unique embroideries with great added value. We will reveal some small “tricks” to get optimal results and we will show photos of works made with the GMI Moda Laserbridge system.

We will talk about different laser embroidery decoration techniques, like:

  • embroidered appliqué,
  • laser cutting
  • laser etching
  • photographic engraving
  • bleaching
  • embossing/debossing effects
  • laser cutting of natural leather and much more.

Each month, we will publish a new article that will introduce a laser embroidery technique with related photos or videos.

Beyond the information you can read in our articles, any time our customers can ask for the support to our team of technicians and experts.

Don’t miss any of the articles in this section and other news, subscribe now to our newsletter.

Finally, we leave you with a small gallery of laser embroidery processes taken from our archives. Some are now 20 years old but still amaze many embroiderers.

embroidery laser

In this regard, we would like to thank the embroiderers who from the beginning believed in the vision of Arrigo Battiston. He is the owner of GMI and creator, in 2000, of the first laser bridge cutting system for embroidery machines.

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