Embroidery Basics Articles

Underlay Types
Underlay is the most effective technique used to produce quality embroidery. It is the inital stitches used within an object as
a foundation for the top stitching. Underlay is used to help objects maintain their digitized shapes, reduce the pull of the thread
and the stretch of the various materials. Underlay is also used to stop the top stitching from sinking into the material or other
layers of embroidery. More than one type of underlay can be used on an object when necessary. For example, a large filled
area may require an edge run as well as a tatami or grid underlay.
Center Run (Underlay)
This type of underlay is used to provide lift for the satin stitch column. To create a center run underlay we would use a combination
of one and two ply runstitch depending on the object.
To underlay the letter "i" starting at the bottom and finishing at the bottom we would walk to the top with center run underlay
and satin stitch back to the bottom. However, to digitize the letter "i" starting at the bottom and finishing in the middle, we
would center run underlay from the bottom to the top and then satin stitch to the middle. Then we would center run from the
middle back to the bottom and satin stitch back to the middle. The result is half a letter with one-ply center run and the other
half with two-ply center run underlay.
Edge Run (Underlay)
This type of underlay is used to provide loft for satin stitches and also to provide a clean sewing edge to an object. We use it
to stop stitches from sinking into the material or into a previous layer of embroidery that is sewn on the same stitch angle. To
create edge run underlay, the thread is placed just inside the outer edge of the top stitches, and travels around the entire
perimeter of the object.
TIP
This effect can be combined with a heavy cotton batting between the material and the backing
so that the areas that are not stitched will puff out and look even more raised.
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