Machine Embroidery

Overview

Machine embroidery is a term that can be used to describe two different actions.

The first is using a sewing machine to "manually" create (either freehand or with built-in stitches) a design on a piece of fabric or other similar item. The second is to use a specially designed, computerized, embroidery or sewing-embroidery machine to automatically create a design from a pre-made pattern that is inputted into the machine.

With the advent of computerized machine embroidery, the main use of manual machine embroidery is in fiber art and quilting projects. While some still use this type of embroidery to embellish garments, with the ease and decreasing cost of computerized embroidery machine, it is rapidlly falling out of favor.

History

Computerized machine embroidery has rapidly grown in popularity since the late 1990's. As of 2005, the average user can buy a machine and special digitizing program to create their own designs for less than $500 total. Many machine manufacturers sell their own lines of embroidery patterns for those who don't want to create their own. In addition, many individuals and independent companies also sell embroidery designs.

The embroidery pattens can be transferred to the computerized embroidery machines in a variety of ways, either through cables, CDs, floppy disks, or special cards that resemble flash and compact cards. Different machines use different methods and design file formats. The most common home design format is .pes, which works in Brother, BabyLock, some Bernina, White, and Simplicity embroidery machines. The commercial format .dst (Tajima) is also very popular. rah rah rah

Cost

Some machines are for embroidery only. Some machines are a combination of embroidery and sewing. Machines range in price from $400 all the way to more than $125,000.

Software

You can buy programs to "digitize" graphics and turn them into embroidery designs a machine can sew. You can also buy programs to edit designs, such as resizing, density, and splitting programs. Some programs not only create but edit designs as well.

Thread

Machine embroidery commonly uses either polyester or Rayon embroidery thread. Other threads are used, but those are the two most popular. 40wt thread is the most commonly used embroidery thread weight.

Definitions

Applique French term meaning applying one piece of fabric to another. A cut piece of material stitched to another adding dimension, texture and reducing stitch count.

Backing Material which is placed inside or under the item to be embroidered. The backing provides support and stability to the garment which will allow better results to the finished embroidered product. Backings come in two types. Cutaway and Tearaway. With cutaway, the excess backing is actually cut with a pair of scissors. With tearaway, the excess is simply torn away after the item is embroidered.

Bobbin A bobbin is a spool that is inside of the hook. The bobbin thread actually forms the stitches on the underside of the garment. The bobbin on an embroidery machine works in the same manner and for the same purpose as on a home sewing machine.

Fill Stitch Fill stitches are series of running stitches formed closely together to form different patterns and stitch directions. Fill stitches are used to cover large areas.

Running Stitch A running stitch is one stitch which goes from Point A to Point B. A running stitch is often used for fine details, outlining, and underlay.

Satin Stitch A satin stitch is a series of zig-zag stitches which are formed closely together. A satin stitch is normally anywhere from 2 mm to 12 mm.

Underlay Underlay stitches are used under the regular stitching in a design. The stitches are placed to provide stability to the fabric and to create different effects. Underlay is normally a series of running stitches or a very light density fill often placed in the opposite direction that the stitching will go.

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Thanks to wikipedia for these definitions.