Embroidery Digitizing

The art of embroidery has two classifications in itself. They are classified according to which is being stitched on top of the fabric and which is stitched through the fabric. On one hand, we have free embroidery. On the other, we have counted-thread embroidery.

Free embroidery involve designs that are applied with no concern to the weave of the fabric used. The best example as a form of free embroidery is crewel embroidery, which is popularly used for embroidery work on cushions, pillows, and curtains. Crewel embroidery uses a variety of stitchings and techniques and with this creates designs that have a raised and dimensional look to them. Other examples of free embroidery are traditional Chinese and Japanese embroidery.

The other type of embroidery is counted-thread embroidery. Counted-thread embroidery is the more contemporary of the two forms of the craft of embroidery. The patterns here are created as such that the stitches are made over a predetermined number of threads in the fabric. Tis form of embroidery is easier done on even-weaved fabrics such as embroidery canvas and aida cloth. Specially woven cotton and linen cloth are also fine for counted-thread embroidery.

There are many well-known examples of counted-thread embroidery. Canvas work is one of them. Canvas work is a form of embroidery where the yarn is stitched through a canvas or fabric. The yarns use can either be knitting yarns, tapestry wools, silk, synthetic, or metallic threads. Fine ribbons, plastic thread, raffia and string is also used for canvas work embroidery. Under canvas work, we have more specific forms of embroidery that includes needlepoint, petit point, and bargello. Canvas work embroidery can be done for pillows, purses, rugs, and upholstery.

Another example of counted-thread embroidery is blackwork embroidery. In blackwork embroidery, any black thread is stitched in even-weave fabrics. Traditionally, silk thread on white or off-white linen or cotton is what characterizes blackwork. In recent times, firmly twisted threads are preferred to give off a better look to the design.

Consequently, there is also what we call scarletwork, where the thread used is red and not black. There is also whitework embroidery wherein the stitching is done with the same color as the fabric (usually white). Whitework is usually done on blouses and christening gowns.

Perhaps a more popular example of counted-thread embroidery is cross-stitch. X-shaped stitches are sewn through the fabric to create a design or picture. The fabric used is even-weave and countable, and the stitches are made in the same size and appearance.

Drawn thread work is a form of counted-thread embroidery that is described as removing threads from the warp or weft of a fabric. The threads left on the fabric are then grouped together, forming them into various patterns. Going over into more elaborate styles of this form of embroidery, though, dawn thread work also uses other stitches and techniques.

All these forms of embroidery are still popular today. Whether it is free embroidery or counted-thread embroidery, the craft has given creative and colorful designs for our clothing, upholstery, carpets, and other fabrics.

Source: The Two Classifications of Embroidery

When you're into embroidery and needlecraft you may have come across embroidery digitizing. Embroidery digitizing is the process of converting artwork into a stitch file that can be read by an embroidery machine and then sewn into fabric.

How do we go about embroidery digitizing? Is it as easy as it digitally sounds? Here's how it generally goes.

The digitizer must first analyze the artwork to see if it should be edited for embroidery. We have to understand that not all logos and designs will work for embroidery. There are those that need to be simplified and correctly sized up. There may also be elements in the artwork that will be eliminated, and there will be some that will be altered, like enlarging small text and eliminating outlining.

After finishing up on the modifications on the artwork in the program or software, the digitizer will then decide on how the "pathing" of the stitches will run. Pathing, or mapping, refers to the sequence of stitches in the design, from start to finish. This is an important process because if the design is not embroidered in the correct sequence, there may be unwanted gaps and uneven text. This process is also a factor on how long the design will be running on the machine during embroidery process. A smoother design made in a shorter time costs less.

The digitizer then assigns stitch types to sections of the design. These will be based on what stitches will best bring out the beauty of the artwork. The underlay stitches will be added first. The underlay stitches should be done correctly because it helps the other remaining stitches have a smooth surface to embroider on. It also adds density to the design. When not done correctly, the stitches will sink into the fabric or allow the shirt fabric to show through the design.

There are only three basic stitch types. These are run, satin, and fill stitches. There are many variations of these stitch types, however. The digitizer will have to decide what variation of the stitch to use, along with the direction of the stitch, where it should start and where it should stop. The digitizer also has to consider the type of fabric that the design will be embroidered on and make more adjustments. There are types or fabrics that may only ruin the design. A logo made for denim, for instance, does not look good when embroidered on fabrics where the stitches tend to sink into the fabric.

There is also what we call the "push and pull" in embroidery digitizing. While being embroidered, a design may move and may cause some of the stitches to shift. This happens when using bulky and rough fabrics, long stitches, large areas of thread and a tight bobbin thread. A digitizer also has to consider the 'push and pull' effects and make the necessary adjustments.

Embroidery digitizing is indeed faster and easier. Designs with fine detail, small text, and lots of colors obviously needs more set-up time for the digitizer. Time and experience is essential to digitizing, since there are a lot of stitches, fabrics, and factors to consider in the art of embroidery digitizing.

Source: Expert Articles

Embroidery isn't all that hard these days, because of digitizing. It has actually become faster and easier for many of us. Embroidery digitizing is basically putting in digital data into a computer with a digital file or scanned image and then creating stitch types, directions, density settings, and adjustments to make perfect embroidery. It's like recreating an image or a pre-made pattern with the help of a digitizing software or program and saving it as an embroidery machine code.

The first step towards embroidery digitizing is to know what type of embroidery software to use for the project. We can find many embroidery digitizing softwares on the Internet. Once you have your program ready, you can scan in the artwork you want embroidered and start digitizing the image. You can use any image for the project --- scanned from a magazine, a personal drawing, etc. If you have any worries as to whether the image is right for the project, don't think on them too much. Part of the digitizer's job is to make adjustments on the settings to make perfect embroidery.

Convert the size of the image to a bigger one, with the recommended size 3 to 6 times its actual size. Decide on the colors you want to use and apply them on the image. Be creative and try to bring out the sharpened beauty of the image you want embroidered.

Check the settings of the digitizer, as it should be programmed to lay out and make adjustments on the different stitch types to use, as well as the stitch directions, and density settings. It should also make considerations for the type of fabric to use. The digitizer will also do some "pathing," or mapping, where the starting point for the stitching is determined along with the path of the stitches and the end point. This is how the digitizer became something of a "puncher" in embroidery. It lays out the map through which the embroidery machine follows through.

Preview the result of the digitized artwork after you've made the necessary additions, alterations, and adjustments. See that the image is clean. Zoom in if you have to. If there's anything that's out of place or incorrect, then make the necessary adjustments. When you've found the result satisfying and correct, only then do you go ahead with the embroidery. Make sure your machine will be able to read your file to transform it into stitches. This machine code is entered into the embroidery machine to be sewed onto the fabric.

If you want the project to be perfect, process a sample of the design by sewing it out on the same fabric or material. If there are flaws in the result, then go back to editing and adjusting it until the design looks perfect!

Many people now experience easy and faster embroidery because of today's computer technology and embroidery digitizing. It only takes a while to learn embroidery digitizing, that even a beginner in embroidery will be able to make a beautiful piece.