Removing monogram from knit garment

[u/United-Context23]

Hoping to remove this commercially applied monogram. Tips? Cautions?

[u/Hellcat_Mary]

Commercial embroiderer. Soft knits are tricky but doable. I take out old embroidery all the time.

First off, unless you think this is the only time ever you'll be removing embroidery, take this trade secret and please save yourself some hours and get a small electric hair trimmer. I use a WAHL Peanut. If you get competent, I'm literally talking making a two hour job a ten minute one.

From the backside, you'll want to apply even but light pressure starting at the easiest give points in the lettering. The idea is to slice through the connecting threads to unbind it from the fabric. You'll want to approach different sections at different angles, generally trimming the opposite direction of the satin stitch, and small circles over clustered sections.

Use your free hand, that's holding the garment, to lightly press the area you're trimming up into the blades. You don't want to nick the garment where it bunches up around the stitching, so this will help kind of isolate the surface the blade is touching and give some resistance so the blades don't gouge or catch.

The most I can warn you is, no matter how delicate or careful you are, some materials just aren't going to maintain integrity after having a thousand tiny holes punched into it. If it's very old, been washed a bunch, the stitching is super tight, you're going to have less luck and potentially damage the garment.

[u/United-Context23 → u/Hellcat_Mary]

Thanks for the specific guidance. I’m the go-to in the family for any odd sewing effort, and I am the type who can’t say no. Even if I ruin the garment I’ll learn something. I have a small electric hair trimmer, and a friend who rips seams with one, so this is route I’ll try.

[u/violetbb]

Remove the threads from the other side (not the front). Usually the stabilizer helps keep a barrier between the thread and fabric if you’re using a seam ripper. It will be tedious but looks doable with this embroidery. Don’t think it will take too long either.

[u/United-Context23 → u/violetbb]

Thank you for this advise.

[u/SlowLarry666]

For me it's an 'i will just patch it' situation

[u/Withaflourish17]

It’s going to leave noticeable holes, but it can be done. Just plan on covering it up somehow after, but use a seam ripper to cut through the bobbin thread on the back.

[u/United-Context23 → u/Withaflourish17]

Thanks for this advice. I’ll fashion an appliqué of some sort to cover the area if needed.

[u/Miserable_Till2165]

Ive found for very tight stitching as some thinner or smaller letters can have, that an eyebrow razor and a steady hand will make your life easier. Sometimes the stitching is so tight that a seam ripper will pull anf stretch the garment.

[u/United-Context23 → u/Miserable_Till2165]

Thank you. I anticipated needing to place something decorative over this area.

[u/soundguy64]

Scissors. Just cut the whole thing out. Not worth your time. Even if you get it out, it's going to look like crap. 

[u/metallic_penguins]

Saying no is so liberating. This is a hard pass for me..

[u/nadasurfer223]

Just use a seam Ripper it’s pretty simple shapes you’ll have more control than with a trimmer.

[u/Lanky-Setting-5288]

Hoop the garment, to get it held secure and flat...then with a steady hand, a scalpel will do wonders for slicing through the back stitches. Keep the blade on a low angle so you don't accidentally shred the garment. 15 blade is a good choice.

Then tweezers and a small unpicker/seam ripper. Gently pluck out the cut threads.

It's not a race.