Fuwari, Tufting or Carpet Embroidery?

What happens when You mix Japanese blades with Italian creativity

It doesn't really matter what you call this decorative style, what matters is how you create it. When we talk about Fuwari or Tufting, we refer to a particular embroidery technique that allows you to develop "raised" or 3D stitches by using normal threads plus specific thicknesses of recycled fabric or EVA puff, which are then removed using a laser beam.

But how does this simply ingenious process really work?

The technique of shaving the top of the embroidery stitches using a blade seems to have originated from Japanese ingenuity. The first automatic machines capable of performing this particular technique were indeed produced in Japan over 20 years ago, but the production technique received a significant boost a few years later when the creativity of Italian embroiderers allowed them to realise that the blade of this special embroidery machine could be replaced with laser cutting using laser bridges directly on the embroidery frame (also laser bridges are a product of Italian creativity, but not of embroiderers of Seit Elettronica S.r.l ??).

Here is a 5-point mini guide to start experimenting with this technique:

1. Select the appropriate threads for embroidery, laser cutting prefers fibers like viscose or natural cottons, forget about polyester or other synthetic blends, especially if you're a beginner.

2. Select the right thicknesses to insert on the fabric to be embroidered, and remember that the final layer is worked by the laser, so a resistant material that does not tend to melt or burn will have a better effect.

3. Choose the technique to secure the embroidery to the fabric after cutting the top of the stitches. It seems trivial to say, but when we cut the "crest" or top part of the stitch, it will no longer be bound by the underlying lock-stitch and will tend to unravel. Various products can be used, including adhesive gauzes to be applied on the back of the fabric or polyurethane films, even spreadable glues. I personally find that using thermally bonding crochet thread gives a completely different feel and lightness to the product.

4. Work to optimize the embroidery file and create areas with homogeneous stitch density, play with different heights and colors to create always different optical and tactile effects. The laser allows this enormous advantage over the blade: you can alternate high and low thicknesses as you please!

5. Perform laser filling of the embroidered figure, reducing as much as possible the areas to be worked with the laser and choosing the right filling step according to your work area, dose the power and speed of the laser beam to obtain a cleaner processing that will require less finishing.

Is everything clear? Maybe not, but don't worry! I also took some time before understanding all the tricks and different possibilities offered by this wonderful decorative technique. However, I was very fortunate because I had the best embroiderers as teachers, and by "stealing with my eyes" from the best, I was able to understand quickly. So here is a short video that summarizes all the production phases. If this is not enough and you want to know how to apply Fuwari or Tufting to various products such as clothing, footwear, bags or home furnishings, or if you want to share your own product and ideas, don't hesitate to contact me! (Of course, I can't share all the secrets in this post, I always keep the best ones for my clients ??)

Wondering why I am so prepared about these kind of decoration style or about textile? Well to make a 25 years long story short: Seit Elettronica is producing automatic laser machines for the embroidery field since more than two decades, as a sales person I am promoting our machines since more than 18 years and to explain these complex products I can not limit my knowledge to the technical specs of the systems like watts, cutting speed, RPM and so on... I love to learn how the creativity of our customers is capable to extract new decoration styles that are then used by all mayor brands and I love to re-share that knowledge when I am allowed. Isn't fascinating how a steel, electronics and laser are combining to provide endless decoration possibilities to the most creative individuals of our sector?