Digitizing Fundamentals XII Embroidery Project

It takes many things to bring a design to life, as a good design is the result of sound engineering combined with an artistic flair.

Beautiful embroidery is created by combining stitches and stitch variations in such a way as to bring the embroidery to life. Special attention should be paid to making the best use of stitches above all else. One concept is to focus on bringing the design to life using stitch variations rather than color. Approach each design as if it must be embroidered in one color, regardless of how many colors are in the artwork.

Take into account the following concepts:

Embroidery should flow

By varying angles and direction of a satin column, you can create flow, which is very pleasing to the eye. Using the same concept, motion can even be simulated in some cases.

Embroidery should be three-dimensional

Embroidery was not meant to be flat! Screen-printing is flat, vinyl letters are flat. Not Embroidery! Combine different stitch types, directions, textures, overlaps and under-lays to achieve a 3D look and feel.

Create texture with overlaps and overlays

One of the simplest ways to accomplish texture is to create layers of stitches. Overlapping a fill segment with a satin column adds an instant 3-D look and fill. For a more complex overlap, try two or more layers of fills with different densities and stitch directions.

Create texture with stitch variation

Design texture can be created easily by manipulating basic stitch parameters including: stitch direction, stitch density, stitch type, stitch patterns.

Create texture with light reflection

Long Stitches reflect more light than short stitches. Increasing density increases reflectivity. Different angles have different reflectivity. In general - satins are shiny, fills are dull.

Of course, all of these concepts have to be balanced with the engineering side of things. For example, three layers of stitches may be just the thing to add texture to a given element, but it may also be too thick, resulting in thread breaks and needle breaks. So a compromise will have to be made between the artistic and engineering departments to make this happen the right way.