The Leading Innovation in Fashion Technology lab (FX LIFT) provides our students and industry partners with a suite of technologies that will bring products to market in a faster and more sustainable way—producing designs locally and with less waste. We are excited about the potential to transform the fashion industry. Implementation of these new technologies provide local industry with access to equipment to conduct research, to integrate innovation and bring their products to the market faster.
- The ancient art of embellishing textiles with needle and thread for decorative purpose is translated with digital files to computer-controlled embroidery machines.
- Decorative embroidery continues to be used on all types of apparel, accessories and home textiles.
- Machines can be programmed to embroider many types of stitches at variable stitch lengths, density, thread colour, and size to achieve the desired effect.
- Technical embroidery was developed first for heated car seats. Machine embroidery of conductive circuits to position wires under seat fabric is now adapted to embed conductive materials to textiles in apparel for smart wearables.
- Very specific embroidery machines are needed to lay down conductive wires and threads. FX has ZSK technical embroidery machines.
In the FX LIFT Lab, our ZSK embroidery machines allow us to work on decorative embroidery and advanced technical embroidery applications.
- Decorative embroidery can include standard embroidery, addition of sequins, cords or ribbons and chenille.
- Technical embroidery enables innovative projects like wearable technology and smart textiles with the application of conductive wires or threads for circuits, sensors and connectors.
After decades of developing advanced embroidery equipment, ZSK is an expert in manufacturing embroidery machines with unique, specially developed applications. https://www.zskmachines.com/
- The raised effect of chenille embroidery is typically associated with team jackets and crests.
- Chenille embroidery requires a special type of embroidery machine that draws the thread from below the machine to create the thickness and height of the chenille patterns.
- Chenille is used with conductive thread to create sensors in garments for wearable applications.
Ribbon, Taping and Cording Embroidery
This application allows you to achieve very unique and unusual decoration looks by utilizing different digitizing techniques. For Ribbon, taping and cording embroidery, a special device is added to the side of the embroidery machine head which will feed cording or ribbon from a roll and stitch it onto the textile.
Embroidery can be use to create multiple sequin applications. Designers will be able to boost their creativity. Sequins come in all different shapes, sizes, finishes and patterns. And with ZSK machine can be placed within an embroidery design or create continuous lines or fills. There is no limit to your imagination.
Smart Textile and Wearables
Conductive filament fibers, yarns and metallic wires can be integrated into/onto a textile or finished garment by using embroidery. In the FX LIFT Lab, our ZSK embroidery machines allow us to work on a wide range of advanced technology applications.
Embroidery of conductive materials can create circuits, connections and sensors for smart devices to collect signals, transmit and allow communication with wireless devices. This can be used for a wide variety of applications including medical, athletic, workforce and safety.
Types of devices:
- Biomedical (hart rate, skin temperature)
- GPS location devices
- Performance related devices
- Communication devices
Start your project with FX
Contact Us - Review meeting
Preparation of Digital file
Test samples on client fabric
Final digital file set up
Approve Sample - Embroidery process
Fill out the form below to contact us and discuss your project for the FX LIFT Technology Lab.
EDUCATION, RESEARCH AND INFO
Rosa Fracassa
Associate Dean, School of Fashion and Jewellery | Fashion Exchange
[email protected]
416-415-5000 x 2997
Ula Zukowska
Facility & Production Manager
[email protected]
416-415-5000 x 4037
Gagan Singh
Facility & Production Manager
Shahrzad Sadeghi
Community Engagement Manager
shahrzad.sadeghi
@georgebrown.ca
Program Registration / Education Support / Field Placement
Jeanine Larmour
Student Success & Industry Liaison
Kathy McGown
Program Support & Industry Liaison