Stitch reinforcement

Embroidery appearance and quality depends a lot on underlay which serves as a foundation for cover stitching. Without an underlay, embroidery lies flat on the underlying fabric which can often show through. New digitizers might be tempted to increase stitch density but it is much more effective to apply an automatic underlay. Although it increases the stitch count, underlay helps to stabilize fabrics and reduce puckering and pulling especially on larger designs. It also provides ‘loft’, raising cover stitches and preventing them from sinking into soft fabrics. It is also used to prepare a napped fabric by flattening it.


Use Context > Underlay to apply or exclude automatic underlays to new or selected objects.

Automatic underlay

The Underlay tool is a toggle button that allows you to apply automatic underlay to new or selected objects. 

In addition to the basic underlay stitch types – Center Run, Zigzag, Edge Run, and Tatami – the software also provides a selection of underlay combinations such as Double Zigzag, Center Run + Zigzag, etc. This allows you to apply dual underlays to design objects.

UnderlayTypePurpose
Center Run underlayUse to stabilize narrow columns – e.g. 2-3mm wide. You can't use Center Run with Tatami fill objects.
Edge Run underlayUse to stabilize somewhat larger shapes such as letters.
Zigzag underlay

Use Zigzag underlay stitching to support wide columns. You can set stitch length properties for Zigzag underlay. The stitch length is the length of each zigzag stitch.

Tatami underlayTatami underlay is used to stabilize large, filled shapes. It resembles an extremely open Tatami fill stitch, where rows of stitches are placed across the object to create the support.

Use Context > Underlay to apply or exclude automatic underlays to new or selected objects.

Underlay settings

The software lets you adjust values to suit different fabrics, lettering appearance and size. Larger areas and stretchy fabrics such as knits and pique generally need more underlay than smaller areas and firm fabrics such as drill or leather. At times, when you want a full design with extra lift under the stitches, a tatami underlay is preferable. On knits, edge run is best. To change underlays, select and double-click a filled object. Go to the Stitching tab and open the Underlay settings. If not already checked, select the Underlay checkbox and make a selection from the droplist.

Underlay stitching has similar settings available as the cover stitch except that default stitch spacing is much more open.

Stitch length: 2.0 mm
Stitch length: 4.0 mm

Use Context > Underlay to apply or exclude automatic underlays to new or selected objects.

Pull compensation

Embroidery stitches tend to pull fabric inwards where the needle penetrates. This can cause fabric to pucker and gaps to appear in the embroidery. Experienced digitizers can manually compensate for pull by overlapping objects as they digitize. Automatic pull compensation, however, counters the pull effect by ‘overstitching’ outlines of filled shapes on the sides where the needle penetrates.

The Auto Fabric you choose applies a calculated amount of pull compensation automatically. However, you can adjust overstitching yourself in the Object Properties dialog. This is handy if you want to override auto fabric settings to compensate for varying degrees of stretch.

Applying underlay stitching, and using appropriate backing and topping when stitching out can also reduce the push-pull effect.


Use Digitize > Backtrack to reinforce an outline, stitching it in the reverse direction to the original. Typically used with open shapes.

 

Use Digitize > Repeat to duplicate an outline in the same direction. Typically used with closed shapes.

Reinforce outlines

Use Backtrack and Repeat to reinforce outlines while specifying the direction of the stitching. Backtrack stitches in reverse direction to the original. It is typically used to make run stitch outlines thicker without creating unwanted connecting stitches. Repeat duplicates the original stitch direction and is typically used with closed shapes. If you use it with open shapes, a connecting stitch is inserted from the end to the start of the object. This will require trimming. To reinforce outlines...

  • Select the object (or objects) to reinforce. Both tools are enabled when Single Run Lines, Triple Run Lines, or Satin Lines are selected.
  • Choose the best tool for the task, depending on whether you have chosen an open or closed object. Generally:

    Use Repeat for closed shapesUse Backtrack for open shapes

    The object is duplicated and placed on top of the original. It is the same color and is positioned after it in the stitching sequence.

  • Check that the object has been duplicated by the following means:
    • Check the stitch count in the Status Bar.
    • Use Stitch Player or travel through the stitches. See also Travel through designs.