Join the Movement: Introducing ActiveSeam 2.0

JOIN THE MOVEMENT:

Add value to your product with the only branded, technically-superior stitch.

INTRODUCE ActiveSeam 2.0 INTO YOUR PRODUCT TODAY!

From performance apparel to medical compression, ActiveSeam improves product performance and leads the industry as the first branded marketable stitch, bringing purpose-built stitching and improved garment construction from the sewing floor to the point of sale.

What is the ActiveSeam 2.0 Platform?

The ActiveSeam 2.0 platform is driven by Merrow's MB-4DFO-2 Series machines. The MB-4DFO-2 series platform accommodates a wide variety of needles and feed eccentrics, including two different needle plates and up to six different needle sizes. It also includes six distinct versions of the machine, allowing users to work on projects with a multitude of variations, from lightweight to heavyweight material, or from general to specialized applications.

MODEL VARIATIONS

MB-4DFO 2.1 - for lightweight knits
MB-4DFO 2.2 - for midweight knits, including rip-stop nylon, outer layers, lightweight fleece, or upholstery
MB-4DFO 2.3 - for mid to heavy-weight material, specifically footwear, including mesh
MB-4DFO 2.4 - with a wider slim, comfort, and infused stitch for knits or industrial fabrics
MB-4DFO 2.5 - for medical and compression garments
MB-4DFO 2.7 - for high lift/high pile materials

• When compared to a 6-thread flatlock seam with identical thread, fabric, and SPI, Merrow ActiveSeam 2 & 3-thread seams proved to be more than 30% stronger and had the ability to stretch (linear travel) 100% further
• With twice the stretch built into the seam, and a flat profile, Activeseam garments are extraordinarily comfortable and do not restrict athletic movement
• ActiveSeam 2.0 accommodates a wide variety of needles and feed eccentrics, including two different needle plates and up to six different needle sizes
• The MB-4DFO​-2​ machines have also been shown to increase production speed: "...we just finished a time study and 'Mrs. Betty Blue' [MB-4DFO​-2​] has cut our production time almost in half." - Kate Sauls, Livell Co.

With ActiveSeam 2.0, the possibilities are truly endless!

• ActiveSeam’s 3D Infused stitch allows users to add design without sacrificing function
• ActiveSeam is almost undetectable when applied next to skin
• With more stretch built into the seam, the garment can be designed to fit the human body better without restricting athletic movement

ActiveSeam is the future of seam and garment construction. Individuals or companies interested in learning more about ActiveSeam are encouraged to contact Merrow to have samples generated at the Merrow Stitch Lab. The Merrow Stitch Lab is an opportunity for individuals or companies to collaborate on the development of product in a unique and creative environment, connecting the designer to the factory and yielding practical, production-ready solutions for the construction of new products.

What can ActiveSeam by Merrow do for YOU? 

Medical Compression

Neoprene Fabrics

Athletic Apparel

Men's & Women's Apparel

HAVE A DESIGN LAB AND WANT TO SEE

WHAT Merrow CAN DO FOR YOU?

Merrow has an Education and Designer Discount Program,

contact us to find out more.

LOOKING TO USE ActiveSeam 

TO IMPROVE YOUR PRODUCTS? 

Merrow offers in-house, hands-on training, check out our

new training dates for 2017.

WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT 

Merrow OR ActiveSeam?

Visit our ActiveSeam Website.

Any other questions? 

Feel free to email us for more information: alex.s@merrow.com

Building a Tradeshow Booth - for Activeseam

The evolution of a successful tradeshow booth. Or How to build a cost effective trade show display.

Why this post? We found that  it cost dumb money to have someone produce a booth - So in the interest of democratizing the tradeshow development process, we're going to share with you a quick synopsis of how we built an ass-kicking 10X20 booth without breaking the bank.




THE BACKSTORY -

After the success of the show in Mexico in March, we decided it was time to introduce Activeseam to the US market, and the opportunity was the Texprocess show produced by SPESA in Atlanta in April.

We had three weeks from the moment we made the decision - Nothing existed to display prior to this show.

Nate Murray was given the task of building from scratch a tradeshow booth designed to show off the new program, while supporting our legacy machines as well.

He also had 100% responsibility for booking the space, the hotels, and travel arrangements for three people.

Here's how we did it.

1. Sketch-up
It's free, and after three days or so of design work we landed on something we thought made sense.

2. IKEA
It's not free - but it's cheap. Here's what we used
A. the SLATTEN flooring @ .65/ft
This took about 90 minutes to put in the 10X20 space. It is a two man job...but when you're done, damn does it look good.
B. EXHIBIT for showing off machines and line cards
C. MOBIUS for portable tables

3. NEGOTIATE
Everything was negotiable (except IKEA and the plane tickets). We were able to adjust booth space price, the hotel price, the freight charges, the posters etc.

4. http://www.ultratruss.com/
These guys - who don't know that we're going to say really nice things about them - were helpful, quick and most importantly, they make a really nice product. Nate and I set it up in 20 minutes. It was a piece of cake. Push comes to shove - i'd call it essential. With all of the other problems you'll have at a show, having this remarkably well built/easy to assemble truss will be like that first chest full of cool fresh air after 10 hours on well over capacity 105 degree bus with busted half shut windows, shoulder to shoulder, non-stop, Guatamala city to Puebla. It will just feel nice.

5. POSTERS
Order them online - direct ship to the show.
Make twice as many as you need - order the retractable ones, and use them as wall backing to cover the back and sides of the booth. Yeah, it could have been tighter, and the zip ties weren't perfect- however for short money you get a versatile, reusable thing that is very easy to ship. I can't say enough about the stand-up 33"X80" posters. The booth space is always a little different than you expect, and these let you change the blocking of the booth while you're there to better handle traffic.

6. TIME
We blew it on time. Assume you need 6 hours to assemble the booth, and then double it. I think all told, it took two of us 8 hours to put this one up

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Get there a day early - and leave a day late. Expect that the union will exact a pound of flesh to deliver your stuff - DON'T PANIC. These are the things to let happen. There is no rational argument that will change the idiocy of union organized trade show organization.

Bring tools - but not too many! You need a screwgun, a hammer, an allen key, a rubber mallot and a couple of large screw drivers. You need Zip ties and lots of packing tape, shrink wrap and packing foam.

Remember velcro with an adhesive backing!

Pack Acrylic stands for Line Cards.

That's really it. With a few tools and the aforementioned display items you end up with: