Firesuit Embroidery

Just got my new Sparco suit and I'm thinking of getting a little embroidery done to dress it up.

Anybody have experience with businesses doing this?

I know for patches, you want to use nomex thread. I suspect the embroidery company should have access to that thread.

Most patches aren't nomex, so why the requirement for nomex thread to hold them on?

Find a place that sells firefighting gear. They're everywhere.

DaveEstey wrote: Most patches aren't nomex, so why the requirement for nomex thread to hold them on?

Because it passes through the nomex and can transfer the heat.

Basically, you can get burned in the outline of the patch through your suit.

Such pussification we have arrived at in this day an age. Just sew them on as normal. If you catch on fire I'm sure the last thing you'll worry about it having a toasty outline of a patch.

Aeromoto wrote: Such pussification we have arrived at in this day an age. Just sew them on as normal. If you catch on fire I'm sure the last thing you'll worry about it having a toasty outline of a patch.

I'd rather not have a brand burned on my chest, thank you anyway.

How much thread can it take to sew on a patch? $10 buys you one ounce of nomex thread. $15 buys two.
http://www.thethreadexchange.com/miva/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=TTE&Category_Code=nomex

Heck buy a roll and set up a cottage industry putting patches onto your race buddies' suits.

$5 at amazon, but the quantity looks TINY
http://www.amazon.com/Nomex-Thread-race-alterations-repairs/dp/B005HISWQY

Mine came pre-embroidered...my name is "Ed Johnson" when I race.

Apexcarver wrote:

DaveEstey wrote: Most patches aren't nomex, so why the requirement for nomex thread to hold them on?

Because it passes through the nomex and can transfer the heat. Basically, you can get burned in the outline of the patch through your suit.

I was told to use an Iron on patch or use regular cotton thread. It was what I use on my suit. The idea behind cotton thread is that it will burn off clean (patch just falls off). It is the reason why you always use natural fibers such as cotton underneath your suit (if you dont use special undergarments). Would rather not have something melt onto or cling to you in a fire.

Dave, I think the issue is if the embroidery goes through the nomex layer. If you look at the pro suits the embroidery is just on the outer shell and doesn't poke through the inner layer.

Aeromoto wrote: Such pussification we have arrived at in this day an age. Just sew them on as normal. If you catch on fire I'm sure the last thing you'll worry about it having a toasty outline of a patch.

Such dismissal of safety concerns we've arrived at in this day and age... ;-)