Edit stitches

With embroidery designs, stitches are automatically generated from design outlines and properties. This means you can scale, transform and reshape designs without affecting stitch density or quality. However, the software also lets you edit individual stitches.

For example, you can insert stitches in an object to fill gaps, or move and delete individual or clusters of selected stitches. You may need to do this, for example, when working with ‘stitch files’ which do not contain design outline data. In essence, you simply select and manipulate stitches like any other object.

Where possible though, edit object properties rather than individual stitches. All stitch edits are lost when an object is modified and regenerated. For that reason, stitch edits are mainly applied to stitch files rather than design files.

 

Use Edit Objects > Stitch Edit to place stitch cursor at selected insertion point. Allows editing of individual stitches.

Select stitches

The Stitch Edit feature lets you select single stitches, several stitches, or a range of stitches by selecting their needle points.

  • Zoom in and display the needle points for easier selection.
  • Select the object and click Stitch Edit.
  • Select individual stitches in Stitch Edit mode by selecting their needle points.
  • The needle point and stitch colors change and the needle position marker moves to the selected stitch. All stitches after the needle position marker in the stitching sequence appear in black.
  • To select multiple stitches, hold down <Shift> or <Ctrl> as you click.
  • Alternatively, drag a selection marquee around them.
  • Press <Delete> to eliminate unwanted stitches.

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Insert stitches

You can insert stitches in an object to fill gaps. Inserted stitches are incorporated into the object. They will, however, be lost if the object’s stitches are regenerated.

  • Select a needlepoint. The needle point and stitch colors change and the needle position marker moves to the selected stitch. All stitches after the needle position marker in the stitching sequence appear in black.
  • Use the arrow keys to travel between stitches.
  • Move the mouse pointer where you want to insert the new stitch, and right-click.
  • Continue right-clicking as needed.

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Move stitches

You can move individual or groups of selected stitches. As always, if an object’s stitches are regenerated for any reason, all stitch editing functions are lost.

  • Zoom in, select the object and click Stitch Edit.
  • Select the stitches to move.
  • Drag them to a new position. The stitch shadow outline shows the new position.

Use Travel > Select While Traveling to toggle on to select stitches, objects, or colors while traveling through a design.

Select while traveling

Traveling through a design is usually associated with checking the stitching sequence. However, you can also select objects as you ‘travel’. With the Select While Traveling tool activated, use any of the Travel tools and as you move through design, objects are selected. In order to select while traveling, you must be working in stitch edit mode. See also Travel through designs.