Embroidery Terms and Meanings

Customizing and editing allows you to edit and manipulate a design. Merging two designs is an example of customizing. Software is required.

Digitizing is the process of taking any form of art work and transforming it into a language that the sewing machine will understand and stitch it out. Digitizing is for someone who enjoys a challenge and wants to create their own designs. It requires many steps from starting with a simple clip art to a stitched out design. Digitizing Software is needed for this process.

Design files
Digitized embroidery design files can be either purchased or created. Many machine embroidery designs can be downloaded from web sites and one can be sewing them out within minutes. If you download them you will need a reader and a blank card to upload them to your machine, this is a wise investment as buying ready loaded cards can be costly. There are many different brands of machines, and each may use a different format. When purchasing or downloading free designs, you need to make sure you get the format used by your machine. If your format is not available, you can get a conversion program to convert from one stitch file format to another stitch file format - from PES to HUS or from DST to PCS, for example. Different conversion software programs are available like Wilcom TrueSizer, Designer's Gallery, SmartSizer Gold, demo versions may be available from the manufacturer's websites.

Stabilizing the fabric
To prevent wrinkles and other problems, the fabric must be stabilized. The best is the medium weight tear away, a favourite is precut 20cm squares or you can save money and buy in rolls and cut to size yourself.