Embroidery Basics Articles

Stitchitize Embroidery Design Learning Studio
LESSON 1 - Digitizing Basics & Theory
Lesson one covers the basics of digitizing artwork for embroidery. We have broken down the art of digitizing into some basic
fundamental elements. Each element is important to understand, as they are the tools you will have as control factors over
how your designs sew out. We will refer to these principles throughout the lessons and will expand upon them as we do. At
the top of each lesson there are links to the various topics in that lesson, so that you can easily return to review a topic. Try
the glossary for any terms that we may use that you are not familiar with. If you have questions about any of the topics please
use the bulletin board in the student lounge to post them. Perhaps the answer you are looking for is already there from a previous
student. This way we can all learn together and from each other.
Stitch Types
The goal of the Stitchitize embroidery Design School is to break down modern computerized embroidery, or Swiss Embroidery,
into the most basic elements. The embroidery machine understands movement from one stitch to the next and has
settings for either needle up (jump) or needle down (stitch). The needle remains stationary in Swiss embroidery and the movement
comes only from the hoop. The modern stitch types we use in creating embroidery designs are formed by moving the
hoop in a similar pattern for a series of stitches that produce an effect or "stitch-type". There are three main types of stitches
to choose from with many variations of each. The three basic types are "Satin stitch", "Fill stitch" and "Run stitch". Many different
names are used for each stitch type. For example, Satin stitch can be called a "Blat", Fill stitch can be referred to as
"Tatami" and Run stitch is also known as "Detail" or "Underlay". For your convenience, a glossary has been created with commonly
used embroidery terms and explanations. We hope to make our glossary one of the most extensive tools available and
welcome any input from our students.
Basic Stitch Types
Satin Stitch
This stitch is formed by placing stitches in a zig-zag pattern to form a column. The stitches can be varied in distance from each
other, can be at any stitch angle, and different stitch lengths. Satin stitches are used in a wide variety of ways, and can be
found in most embroidery designs. The most common uses for satin stitches are to form letters, to create borders, or patterns.
The letter “E” is made up of two
Satin stitch columns.
This Fill stitched box has a Satin
stitch border that will help give it a
clean edge and keep it looking
straight.
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This flower is made up of a series of
Satin stitch columns.