5 Niche Embroidery Tools For Every Shop
You’re probably familiar with the essential tools for an embroidery machine—scissors for trimming backing, Allen wrenches for adjustments, and tweezers for threading needles. But what about the tools you might not think of? Here’s a list of unexpected but incredibly useful tools that can make a big difference in your shop’s workflow!
1. Locking Pliers/Hemostats
If you’re new to embroidery, changing needles can be tough on your fingers. I’ve lost count of how many needles I’ve dropped over the years thanks to sweaty or shaky hands! Sometimes, a little extra help goes a long way. Hemostats are a great tool for holding needles during a change—they lock and unlock easily with one hand, so you can keep your screwdriver in one hand and the pliers in the other.
2. Needle Orientation Magnet
Staying on the needle changing train, your needle angle really matters, but it’s almost impossible to see when looking at the needle alone. You could use the old pencil eraser trick, but constantly poking holes in the eraser will mess it up over time, meaning you’ll need to keep tons of spare pencils on hand.
In your machine’s operator’s kit, we include a little magnet that’s meant to stick to the face of your needle, giving you a very visible reference point to determine your needle angle. I tend to leave this attached to the side of my thread tree for easy access whenever I need it. You can also purchase a spare magnet on ShopMelco.com.
3. Masking Tape
Masking tape is a must-have in any shop, with countless uses. Use it to mark placement on garments, secure topper when you forget to hoop it, or even hold backing in place as you slide a hoop into a backpack pocket. It’s a simple tool with endless possibilities for everyday tasks. Pick some up at your local craft store or hardware shop.
4. Canned Air or an Air Compressor
Compressed air is a must for daily maintenance, but it’s also handy for other tasks around the shop! Use it to quickly change threads when a spool runs out or to blow away loose trimmed threads after a run. You can easily pick up canned air at an office supply store, online from Madeira, or buy in bulk. It’s compact enough to keep a can by each machine, while an air compressor, though less portable, offers unlimited refills—giving you an endless supply of air.
5. The 3D Puff Tool
Cleaning up puff embroidery can be tricky. Even with a heat gun to shrink the foam, small bits can still peek through the stitches. That’s where the 3D PuffPro comes in! This handy tool has a flat edge to help release foam from the design and a pointed tip to tuck stray bits under the thread. While tweezers can do the job, sometimes having a tool designed specifically for the task makes all the difference. Buy one today at 3Dpuffprotools.com.
Honorable Mention: Multi-tool
Chances are, many of you already have a multitool lying around your shop—but if not, it’s definitely worth grabbing one! From opening boxes and tightening machine screws to handling minor maintenance, a multitool comes in handy for all sorts of tasks. While it’s not strictly an embroidery tool, it’s more of a life tool, and I’ve used mine enough in the shop to know it deserves a spot on this list!