Printed graphics can crack and fade. Embroidery is thread sewn into the fabric, so it keeps its texture wash after wash. That's why our Chicago crewnecks are embroidered, not printed. Here's how each one comes together.
1. It starts with a year
Every design begins with a name and the year it got its start. For the city itself that is Chicago, Est. 1837, the year it was incorporated. For the neighborhood crews it is the year the neighborhood took shape: Logan Square and Bridgeport in 1836, Hyde Park and West Loop in 1853, Bucktown in 1854, Lakeview and Andersonville in 1857, Lincoln Park in 1865, Wicker Park in 1870, Pilsen in 1875, Ukrainian Village in 1905. We set the name in a classic collegiate arch, the kind of lettering you'd find on an old campus sweatshirt, with CHICAGO and the year underneath, and keep everything else off. No logos, no slogans.
2. The design becomes a stitch file
A flat design can't go straight onto a sweatshirt. It is first turned into a stitch file that tells the embroidery machine where every stitch goes, in what direction and in what order. We use a smooth satin stitch for the letters, which gives them that slightly raised, glossy look.
3. Made to order
Nothing sits in a warehouse. When you order, your crewneck is hooped and stitched just for you by our U.S. production partner. The arch runs about 9 to 9.5 inches wide across the full chest, so it reads clearly from across the room.
4. Five thread colors, chosen for contrast
The secret to embroidery that looks sharp in photos and in person is contrast between the thread and the fleece, so each thread is offered only on the colors it stands out against:
- Navy thread on White and Sand for the Chicago crew, plus Ash, Light Blue, Light Pink and Sport Grey on the neighborhood crews.
- White thread on Navy, Black, Maroon, Forest Green, Military Green and Dark Heather, plus Red on the neighborhood crews.
- Chicago-flag red thread on White, Sand and Ash.
- Old gold thread on Navy and Black.
- Sky blue thread on Navy and Black.
Navy and white are the classics. Red, gold and sky blue are the colors of the Chicago flag, and they are available on the neighborhood crews.
5. The sweatshirt itself
The crewneck is a 50% cotton, 50% polyester midweight fleece with a classic unisex fit and ribbed collar, cuffs and waistband. It gets softer with every wash. For an oversized look, size up one; the size guide photo on every product page has exact measurements.
6. Why it looks different up close
A printed graphic sits on top of the fabric. Satin stitch is hundreds of parallel threads laid side by side, so the letters catch the light differently as you move, and the edges stay crisp instead of softening with every wash. It is the same technique we use on the cuff of our Chicago beanies and neighborhood beanies, scaled down to two lines of text. If you have ever compared a stitched campus sweatshirt with a printed souvenir one, you already know the difference.
Caring for your crewneck
Machine wash cold, inside out. Tumble dry low. Never iron directly on the embroidery. If a loose thread ever appears, snip it with scissors rather than pulling it. That's it.
Start with Chicago
Our first and favorite is home: the Chicago Est. 1837 crewneck in white thread, or the navy thread version on White and Sand. Then find your block in the Chicago neighborhood crews, with the matching neighborhood beanies for sixteen neighborhoods from Wicker Park to Rogers Park. See them all in the Chicago Embroidered Crews collection. Every crew ships free in the U.S.