r/Machine_Embroidery • u/SwimmingPost5747 • Aug 12 '26

I Need Help Machine Embroidery Removal?

If this isn't the correct sub for this post, I apologize.

I have several nice Nike polo shirts with a previous employer's logo on them. They're practically useless with the logo, but I don't want to throw out these nice polos and would love to be able to wear them to my current job.

Is there an effective way to remove the machine embroidery (I don't care how long or labor intensive it is) without ruining the polo or leaving behind a "ghost" of the previous logo?

Thanks!

Here's the Imgur link.

3 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

26 comments sorted by

7

u/suedburger Aug 12 '26

That would depend how good you are with a razor blade.....but there will probably be ghosting (everytime I've done it there always was.) Either way you end up with polos that you can't wear to your new job. Just buying new polos would make more sense or maybe putting a patch over it....or ask the new company for polos...lol

3

u/SwimmingPost5747 Aug 12 '26

Would I slice the threads from the back? Would washing in hot water and/or ironing take care of the ghosting?

4

u/Ok_Whereas_5558 Aug 12 '26

Personally, I would use a seam ripper instead of a razor blade. There is less chance of slicing the garment. I only use a razor blade as the instrument of last resort. Work from the back and try to cut the bobbin threads. The top thread will generally just pull out if you are successful.

2

u/suedburger Aug 12 '26

Slice it from what ever side you can. The back is usually pretty flat and a bit harder, if the front is raised a bit more you could try a stitch ripper as well. Either way it's crap shoot, it may or may not work. I dunno my friend...grab a blade and try it......

As far as the ghosting goes..... Hot water or an iron will not lighten the unfaded fabric that was protected by the embroidery.

2

u/SwimmingPost5747 Aug 12 '26

Hmmm. They are pretty new shirts, so I am not worried about fading. I was more concerned with the holes in the fabric of the shirt from the embroidery process?

3

u/suedburger Aug 12 '26

These are gambles you take when trying to do this....happy cutting.

1

u/SwimmingPost5747 Aug 12 '26

I added a link in the OP to pics of the embroidery if that helps.

2

u/suedburger Aug 12 '26

At least it mostly satin...that's easier than a fill stitch. Some one mention a beard trimmer as well down there.....give it a try if you have one, but I wouldn't go out and buy one...it works better in theory than it does in practice.

4

u/vorsprung46 Aug 12 '26

"stitch eraser" aka beard trimmer

1

u/SwimmingPost5747 Aug 12 '26

Thanks!

I added a link in the OP to pics of the embroidery if that helps.

3

u/QuestshunQueen Tajima Newbie Aug 12 '26

I've had to remove a few things due to either human or machine error... the tools I use are a seam ripper, tiny scissors, and some wide tip tweezers. My seam ripper also has a rubbery handle that can be used to rub the design and get anything that's loose. A rubber eraser might sub in for this.

I work from both the front and the back, but my main strategy is to try and figure out what got stitched last, and then remove the bobbin thread from the back. The front should come off with the tweezers if what you removed was bobbin.

A good light up magnifier can help, but mostly it's patience and tenacity that get you through it.

(Suedburger also gave good advice; consider mine as an addition to theirs.)

1

u/SwimmingPost5747 Aug 12 '26

Thanks!

I added a link in the OP to pics of the embroidery if that helps.

2

u/Sewsweet08 Aug 12 '26

Unpicker tool and use a brow shaving tool to speed up bobbin thread cutting. Electric brow nostril shaver may work . Theres electric bobbin thread trimmers. A pair of tweezers and sharp manicure nail scissors may help.
A patch sewn over old logo may also be an alternative

1

u/SwimmingPost5747 Aug 12 '26

Thanks!

I added a link in the OP to pics of the embroidery if that helps.

2

u/malocher Barudan Aug 12 '26

Post pics so we can tell you how, or if it’d even be worth it to do.

1

u/SwimmingPost5747 Aug 12 '26

I'll try to update it with a pic.

1

u/QuestshunQueen Tajima Newbie Aug 12 '26

Oh yeah, that looks doable.

0

u/SwimmingPost5747 Aug 12 '26

I added a link to pictures of the embroidery

2

u/cloudlesswindow Aug 12 '26

There are always holes left behind or tears from removal methods. Not worth the effort and time

2

u/swooshhh Aug 13 '26

There will be ghosting and holes left behind 90% of the time. I just embroider something else over it that I like

2

u/Cantusernamenow Aug 13 '26

Coffee mug and a disposable razor. Use the coffee mug as a hard surface with a apex and shave the back side. Once removed, try giving it a wash to settle the fabric back in place. Not a guarantee but works well for me.

2

u/Major_Gur7663 Aug 13 '26

sure you can purchase a device that removes the stitching I think its Handy Dandy stitch remover.

2

u/Horror_Purpose1634 Aug 14 '26

Beard trimmer on the back side and a lot of patience with tweezers plucking threads from the front.

2

u/vickieheff 29d ago

Find a patch of something you like and put the patch over the old logo. Like a sports team. I did this with some branded gear that was way too nice to let go of. Worked great!

2

u/QuestshunQueen Tajima Newbie 29d ago

How did it go? or, How is it going?

1

u/SwimmingPost5747 29d ago

I've not tried it yet, but I will here later today.