Embroidering a Custom Dog Collar with 8‑in‑1 Fast Frames (Ricoma EM‑1010)

Primer: What this project does well—and when to use it

Personalized collars are ideal for bold names and quick identification. Here, the name “BUSTER” is stitched in a varsity 1.25-inch font on a 1.75-inch wide collar so there’s a small top and bottom margin for a balanced look.

Use this method when your collar is firm enough to “float” on sticky stabilizer and you want to avoid squeezing bulky hardware into a standard hoop. It’s especially handy with long, narrow items where a traditional hoop leaves too little clearance. fast frames embroidery

From the comments: Some embroiderers prefer a dog-collar specialty hoop; this guide shows that 8-in-1 fast frames also work well for this application when properly stabilized and traced.

Prep: Materials, files, and workspace

Gather these items so you can work without stopping:

• Dog collar (example width: 1.75 inches)

• Digitized name design (example: “BUSTER” in a varsity style); paper printouts at 1 inch and 1.25 inches for testing

• Neon orange embroidery thread

• Sticky stabilizer (for fast frames)

• 8-in-1 Fast Frames and small clamps

• Ruler or clear grid ruler, tape

• Ricoma EM-1010 embroidery machine

• Screwdriver (for the machine’s frame carriage adjustment), scissors, optional lighter

Pro tip: One commenter asked where to source frames; they’re available from Ricoma’s accessories store. If you’re using a different setup, comparable fast-frame systems exist; always confirm compatibility with your machine. durkee fast frames

Quick check

• Printed template fits with safe margins inside your frame’s sewing field

• Collar length is adjusted to your dog and laid flat

• Stabilizer, thread, and clamps are within reach

Setup: Frames, stabilizer, and why alignment matters

A paper template lets you preview the result without committing stitches. The 1.25-inch varsity letters read clearly on a 1.75-inch collar; the 1-inch printout looked small in comparison.

Apply sticky stabilizer to the underside of the 8-in-1 Fast Frame so the collar can adhere without a traditional hoop. Flip the frame over, press the stabilizer taut, and fold/tear excess so the adhesive surface is smooth.

Watch out: Wrinkles or slack stabilizer are common causes of shifting. Smooth the stabilizer fully, then press the collar down firmly so it doesn’t creep during tracing or stitching.

Centering using notches. Align the vertical and horizontal lines of your printout with the frame’s center marks. A clear ruler helps you square the name to the strap. Once aligned, press the collar onto the sticky surface and lightly tape the paper in place if needed.

Decision point

• If your collar is thick and resists the adhesive: add a pair of small side clamps.

• If the adhesive alone holds firmly: clamps may still be used as insurance but confirm they won’t enter the trace path. embroidery magnetic hoops

Add clamps carefully at the sides, outside the planned stitching area, and check that they sit low enough to avoid the needle path or the machine’s bobbin case when tracing.

Setup checklist

• Sticky stabilizer applied smoothly, adhesive side up

• Template centered to frame notches; collar pressed firmly

• Clamps placed clear of design area

Operation: Step-by-step embroidery workflow

1) Adjust the machine’s frame carriage

On the Ricoma EM-1010, slightly loosen the two frame carriage screws to slide the attachment left or right to fit the 8-in-1 Fast Frame. Do not remove the screws—only a tiny loosening is needed. Tighten once the frame is seated and snug.

Watch out: Unscrewing completely can cause parts to fall off and complicate reassembly.

Quick check: With the frame inserted, give it a gentle nudge—there should be no wobble.

2) Load and align on the machine

Load the hooped collar onto the machine. Use the control panel to position the needle at the design’s center and align it to the paper crosshairs on the collar.

Pro tip: Hold the collar surface flat with a fingertip while nudging the needle to the crosshair. This prevents the template from sliding as you align. ricoma embroidery hoops

3) Trace to verify clearance

Run an outline or contour trace. Watch for collisions: clamps, frame edges, or contact with the bobbin case door. If the trace nudges a clamp or pops the bobbin case, stop and reposition or swap the clamp for a lower-profile one, then trace again.

From the comments: A viewer noted they use a dog-collar specialty hoop. This project shows an alternative: when you trace and adjust clamps, fast frames handle collars well. magnetic embroidery hoop

In the video reference, replacing one clamp solved a bobbin-door contact during trace. After the swap, the trace cleared—placement locked. Remove the paper template before stitching.

4) Stitch the name

Start the embroidery. The example stitches “BUSTER” in neon orange, forming crisp varsity letters across the strap. Monitor the first letters to confirm smooth feeding and consistent tension.

Needle note (from a creator reply): a 75/11 ball point was used here.

Operation checklist

• Frame carriage tightened; no wobble

• Needle centered on design crosshair

• Trace completes with no collisions

• Template removed; thread/needle verified

Quality Checks: Verify before you stitch

• Alignment: The first letter should land square to the strap edges. If the top or bottom margin looks uneven, stop before the fill completes and adjust.

• Clearance: During trace, there must be no contact with clamps or machine parts.

• Stability: The collar should not lift off the stabilizer during the first few stitches. If it does, pause and re-press or add a clamp.

Quick check: After the first letter’s outline, confirm margins still look even. A small misalignment is more noticeable on narrow straps—catch it early. mighty hoop embroidery

Results & Handoff: Clean removal and finishing

When stitching is finished, remove the frame and clamps. Peel the collar off the sticky stabilizer. Any leftover adhesive bits on the back can be picked away later. Trim stray thread tails with scissors; a careful pass with a lighter can singe tiny whiskers if appropriate for your material and thread.

Outcome expectations

• Bold, readable lettering across the collar, centered with small top/bottom borders

• Back side free of loose loops, fronts filled evenly with no gaps

From the comments: Some embroiderers add a phone number instead of a name. The same workflow applies to lettering as long as it fits the available strap width.

Troubleshooting & Recovery: Fixes for common snags

Symptom → likely cause → fix

• Trace hits a clamp or pops the bobbin door → Clamp profile too tall or placed too close → Reposition or swap for a lower-profile clamp; trace again.

• Design looks off-center on the strap → Template or frame not aligned to center notches → Recenter with the ruler; verify needle over crosshair; retrace.

• Collar shifts during stitching → Inadequate adhesion or wrinkled stabilizer → Reapply fresh sticky stabilizer; press collar down firmly; add side clamps.

• Wobble when moving the hoop → Carriage screws not tight enough → Tighten screws until the frame is snug.

• Frayed holes or inconsistent penetration on webbing → Consider a ball point needle; check thread path and tension; monitor stitch-in.

Watch out: When adjusting the carriage, loosen screws only slightly. Removing them can drop parts and stall your progress.

Pro tip: If your frame surface has old adhesive build-up, a dedicated adhesive remover can help clean it so fresh stabilizer grips better. Test cleaners carefully and avoid contact with the machine head. hoopmaster

Quick check: Before every run, perform a contour trace with clamps in place. This 20-second habit prevents most collisions. magnetic embroidery hoops for brother

From the comments: Answers to popular questions

• Which frame is this on a Ricoma EM-1010? One of the frames from the 8-in-1 fast frames set.

• Where can I get the fast frames? From Ricoma’s accessories store.

• What needle was used? 75/11 ball point.

• Is a specialty dog-collar hoop required? Not required for this workflow. With sticky stabilizer, careful alignment, and a clean trace, fast frames work well.

Step-by-step recap (at-a-glance)

1) Size the design: Test with paper printouts; for a 1.75-inch strap, the 1.25-inch varsity letters read clearly.

2) Prepare frame: Apply sticky stabilizer to the underside; smooth flat and tear/fold edges.

3) Place and align: Center the printout to frame notches; press the collar onto the adhesive; add low-profile clamps.

4) Adjust machine carriage: Slide to fit the fast frame; snug the screws.

5) Load, align, trace: Center the needle to the template; run a contour trace; fix any clamp interference. Remove the paper.

6) Stitch and finish: Monitor the first letters; remove collar; peel stabilizer; trim thread.

If you’re exploring other fixture styles for narrow items, many readers look into systems beyond fast frames, including options marketed for narrow straps and sleeves. Choose what fits your machine and workflow best. durkee fast frames