Tag Archive for: structured hats

In this video we are going to show you a step-by-step process on how to frame up your structured cap on a Gen 2 cap frame system. The cap frame system is truly that because it requires a framing gauge to set up the cap and the cap frame to hold the fabric and cap in place when we take it to the driver on the machine. When you take your cap frame out of the box it’ll probably look like this. This is a flexible item. It is not necessarily straight but when it’s working holding a cap it becomes straight. So when a cap is latched in place this is straightened out. This is designed being very flexible so that it will accommodate different types of cap styles and thicknesses.

Step 1

Attach the T-bar framing gauge to your workstation put it at a comfortable working height its pictured here on the Hooptech framing station. You can also attach it to your work table or your machine stand

Step 2

Place the frame on the framing gauge and tilt the frame up and away from you to set it on over the two tabs at the back of the framing gauge. Then set it down until it lays flat

Step 3

Open the Gen 2 cap frame. Release the latch and open the top of the frame the top will rest in an open position. The framing gauge has an orange lever underneath which allows you to move the top plate in and out. The position of the top plate will vary depending on what kind of hat you are framing up. For a Richardson, New Era or Pacific head wear type hat, we need to push the plate all the way in so to stretch the fabric all the way down. this will result in a better so out fewer needle brakes and fewer thread breaks.

Step 4

Slide the backing underneath the backing clips on each side. Take a piece of three and a half by 11 tear-away backing and slide one side under the clip and bring the backing over to the other clip and slide underneath.

Step 5

Push on the backing to push through the tabs until they are visible. This is important because these tabs will hold the bill of the hat during stretching.

Step 6

Turn out your sweat end holding your hat facing away from you turn your sweat band out.

Step 7

Put your hat on the frame. Hold the cap and sweatband at the pointy ends of the bill and place the hat on the frame it is easiest to put the right side of the cap in first on the hinge side work the left side over so it sets on the support at this point look to make sure the sweatband is still turned out.

Step 8

Position the T-bar inside the bottom of the hat. Place your index fingers inside the sweat band and pinch the sides of the cap near the bottom. Pull out in the opposite direction to open up the hat. Pick up the T-bar with the rest of your fingers and tuck it inside the bottom of the cap. Make sure it’s in as far as it will go past the sweatband; this ensures that it stays in place once you begin to apply pressure

Step 9

Center your hat to make sure that the cap is in the right location for stretching. Hold the bill on each side and push the cap forward until it is sitting in front of the two tabs we pushed the backing through earlier. You should be able to feel the tabs on each side under the fabric on the cap. Center your hat on the gauge.

Step 10

Apply pressure with your right hand push straight down on the T-bar handle. Apply enough pressure for the fabric to lay down flat; not every hat pulls down the same so make adjustments as you work with the hat.

Step 11

While still applying pressure close the frame. Use your left hand to grab the top of the frame and pull it over to close hook the latch and then close.

Step 12

Take the frame off of the gauge. Lift up on the T-bar and remove the back of the cap grabbing the top of the frame. Lift it straight up off of the T-bar frame. Because the bill is pressed down you are able to sew closer to the bill and because the backing is supported so tall you are able to sew taller designs.

Step 13

Click onto your cap driver. Make sure that the latches engage on both sides. Now you are ready to sew.