presents... - Creative Machine Embroidery

Transcription

presents...
Informative
Embroidery
Software
Tutorials
2
4
3
Informative
Embroidery
Software
Tutorials
Embroidery software may seem complicated and intimidating to use, but software
takes designs to another level and actually simplifies the embroidery process. To
help ease some of the confusion of embroidery software, we included four great
tutorials that will give you confidence behind the computer.
First, look to “Software Primer” to learn about the numerous embroidery software
types available and to choose the one that’s right for you. Next, reference “Back
to Basics: Stitch Editing,” “Back to Basics: Monograms & Lettering Software” and
“Back to Basics: Resizing Software” to learn helpful tips and techniques for using
these specific software varieties.
With these four awesome embroidery software tutorials, we’re sure that you’ll
be a software aficionado in no time!
Thanks for reading!
Colleen Exline
Associate Editor, CME
TABLE OF CONTENTS
“Back to Basics: Software Primer”
Jeanine Twigg........................................... PAGE 3
2 “Back to Basics: Stitch Editing”
Jeanine Twigg..................................... PAGE 7
3 “Back to Basics: Resizing Software”
4 “Back to Basics: Monogramming & Lettering”
Machine embroidery 101
back to basics
By Jeanine Twigg
Software Primer
Embroidery software is an extension of your embroidery machine
touch screen. Whether you have an old or new, low-end or high-end
embroidery machine, using a computer with embroidery software,
its larger screen workspace, precision attributes and enhanced
capabilities will no doubt make your embroidery life easier.
O
ver the next year, we’ll be systematically
working through the variety of embroidery
software available and showing you how to use
it. Next to your embroidery machine, software
makes embroidery more creative by adding a
whole new dimension to your designs.
Getting started
The first step in the embroidery process is
to learn about your embroidery machine
capabilities. Once you say to yourself “I wish my
machine could do _____.” Then, you’re ready
for embroidery software as it can literally make
your wishes come true!
Learning to determine the difference between
what your embroidery machine can’t do and
what embroidery software can do to compensate
is the key to your wishes. Some embroidery
machines have limited capabilities as far as resizing, rotating, combining and general customizing. Embroidery software is the perfect solution
to enhance your embroidery machine capabilities. Some embroidery machines have a full
range of features—even simple design digitizing.
Embroidery software works in tandem with an
embroidery machine to take advantage of fullfeature or specialty software capabilities.
3
Creative Machine Embroidery
Embroidery software is available with varying
features and price points. There are two software
purchasing strategies—purchase “all-in-one”
software or purchase software individually,
“ala carte.” All-in-one embroidery software
is the most expensive as it offers the most
features. It performs customizing, stitch
editing and digitizing with all the bells and
whistles. Ala carte software is purchased
individually depending on the feature,
such as customizing, stitch editing,
digitizing or specialty capabilities.
Specialty software is available for specific
tasks, such as monogramming, lettering, resizing, cross stitch, cataloging and more. Most
machine manufacturers have an assortment of
software packages available. There are also independent software developers.
Software needs
How do you know what software to purchase?
The best place to begin is with a paper and pen.
Start a notebook of “wishes” your embroidery
machine could do, a list of the embroidery
machine(s) and equipment you own, and a list
of designs you own. Show the list to your local
embroidery machine dealer. The dealer
Software programs can
enhance your embroidery
and stretch your design
library to new levels of
creativity.
4
Tech Savvy
To get started with
embroidery software,
you’ll need an up-to-date
computer and a printer.
Today’s computers are
loaded with everything
you need for embroidery
and the costs are very
reasonable. Next, you’ll
need to take lessons
from a local computer
shop or a local community adult education center on how to use a computer if you don’t already
know how. Visit your local
embroidery machine
dealer to let them know
what you’re doing in
preparation for purchasing embroidery software.
Learning about a computer in advance of purchasing software will
make the process much
smoother for you and the
dealer.
A Use customizing, stitch editing, or
digitizing software to combine designs.
5
will be able to ascertain what software is
compatible with your embroidery equipment and offer advice as to getting started.
Ask the dealer to sit down with you
and explain the software options. This may
require a longer visit at another time. It
may be best to schedule an appointment for
a one-on-one consultation to discuss the
options.
The dealer should offer many software
and accessory options depending on your
embroidery equipment list. When software
is used, the work done on your computer
needs to be transferred to the embroidery
machine. For an older model machine, you
may need a card read/writer box along with
the appropriate software to transfer designs
to a blank card for the machine. For a more
current model machine, you may need a
cable, specialty USB key, PC card or disk
along with the appropriate software designs
to transfer designs to the machine.
Note: Some newer model computers are
not equipped with “floppy” disk drives. An
accessory drive can be purchased for a
nominal fee to bring this function to your
machine.
You may have a collection of designs on
cards or disks that you’d like to customize
in software. All cards are copyrighted, but
some cannot be transferred to a computer
for customizing. Let your dealer know what
designs you own to determine which ones
can be customized in software. Designs on
disks can be saved to a computer, and then
transferred to an embroidery machine with
a card read/writer box and personal card,
cable, specialty USB key or disk.
Software is available through your
embroidery machine dealer or directly
from manufacturers on the Internet. Ask
about the availability of trial versions of the
B Use stitch editing software to move
design elements or remove and replace
design segments.
software. Sometimes there are limited-time
access versions available either on the
Internet or on disk. Once you’ve identified
the software available for your equipment,
test-drive versions at your dealer or review
and determine if the software is right for
you.
Check with friends or sewing groups
as to what software is the most popular for
equipment the same or similar to yours.
Keep in mind that just because one friend
finds software easy or difficult, doesn’t
mean you’ll have the same experience.
Software knowledge varies; take your time
and learn at your own pace.
Software capabilities
Embroidery software can be helpful when
it comes to customizing, stitch editing and
digitizing designs. Depending on the software, additional features may be available.
Here’s a listing of the features and
functions embroidery software can offer:
Customizing. Combine two or more
designs (A), directional design rotation and
mirror imaging, change thread colors, add
lettering to designs and print templates.
Stitch editing. Add, remove and edit
stitches, combine two or more designs, split
designs for multiple hoop use, resize with
or without stitch changes, distort motifs with
or without stitch changes, remove overlapping stitches and print templates (B).
Digitizing. Create designs from original art; automatic digitizing available with
or without manual changes to underlay
stitches, density, pull compensation, fill patterns and other digitizing features and print
templates (C).
Lettering. Use built-in upper and lower
case alphabet letters to create words or sentences, add embroidery designs to words or
C Use graphic software to create, import,
or clean-up artwork for digitizing.
sentences, stylize words and sentences
with built-in shape templates and print
templates.
Monogram. Use built-in upper case
letters to create 1-3 letter monograms with
shaping templates, corners and decorative
design accents and print templates.
Resizing. Change design sizes with or
without stitch density changes (adding or
reducing stitches to compensate for the
new design sizes) and print templates (D).
Cross stitch. Create designs from original art with hand cross stitch features, thread
color change and print templates (E).
Cataloging. Keeps track of embroidery designs on your computer, shows
where designs are located on hard drive
with thumbnail to large design images,
may convert designs from one file format
to another and print templates (F).
Specialty software. Colorizing
(change thread colors), Decorative Fills
(change plain fills to decorative stitches),
Picture (digitize life-like designs from
photographs), Quilting (create outline,
stippling, appliqué designs) and Hoops
(customize multiple designs to fit into
specific hoop sizes).
D Use a resizing program to increase or
decrease design sizes proportionately.
Original design size.
Training
The purchase of embroidery software from
a local dealer may come with training,
depending on the package. There is an
assortment of software available for purchase on the Internet from manufacturers.
Be aware that if you purchase software
over the Internet, training may not be
available or may come in the form of
Printable Document Files (PDF). It may be
necessary for you to purchase training
from a local dealer, should you require
additional help. Local embroidery software
dealers are not obligated to offer free lessons for those that purchase software on
the Internet. However, one of the perks of
purchasing software from a local dealer
is that you may receive lessons and additional help, should you need it.
Also, look for additional information
about the software directly on the installation
disks or on the Internet at manufacturer’s
Web sites. “Help” screens accessed directly
from the software main menu offer valuable
insight to difficulties you may encounter. If
software is purchased at a local dealer, consult their expertise when needed.
Increased design size and stitch count
more than 25%.
On the Internet, there are many message boards with software users just like
you who are seeking help with commonly
asked questions about embroidery software. Do a search on the Internet with the
key words “group embroidery boards” to
find groups for software help.
Embroidery software is amazing and
can help you with your “wish” list of capabilities. If you remember that software is
an extension of your embroidery machine
touchscreen, you’ll be free to explore the
many exciting possibilities embroidery
software has to offer. Jeanine Twigg is the author of the Embroidery Machine
Essentials series, published by KP Books. She is also the
contributing editor for Creative Machine Embroidery
magazine.
Resources:
Amazing Designs
www.amazingdesigns.com
Baby Lock
www.babylock.com
Bernina
www.berninausa.com
Brother
www.brother.com
BuzzTools
www.buzztools.com
Cactus Punch (U.S. Distributor for Echidna Easy Sizer,
Echidna Easy Lettering, Punto Letter Plus)
www.cactuspunch.com
Corel
www.corel.com
HobbyWare
www.hobbyware.com
Husqvarna Viking
www.husqvarnaviking.com
Janome America
www.janome.com
Kenmore
www.sears.com
Needleheads
www.monogramwizard.com
E Use specialty software to digitize cross
stitch designs.
F Use cataloging software to keep track of
embroidery designs, printing templates,
and for file conversion.
Oklahoma Embroidery Supply & Design
www.embroideryonline.com
Pantograms
www.pantograms.com
Pfaff
www.pfaff.com
Singer
www.singershop.com
Thread Artist
www.threadartist.com
Vikant-emb
www.vikant-emb.com
White
www.whitesewing.com
6
back to basics
By Jeanine Twigg
Stitch Editing
There’s so much more to embroidery designs than what meets
the eye. Look beyond the face value of a design to recognize
that it can be split apart, rearranged, altered, added to and so
much more for the ultimate adventure in creativity.
ed·it 1. to assemble by cutting and
rearranging; 2. to alter, adapt, refine or to suit
a particular purpose; 3. to eliminate, delete;
4. to modify or adapt so as to make suitable
or acceptable
Load design to be edited into software.
Highlight
or lasso individual design elements.
Some software allows for “clicking on” segments
using the mouse control, other software requires
the use of a lasso or drawing element to highlight the areas to be changed. Once the area
is highlighted, move, rotate or change thread
colors according to the software instructions.
BuzzEdit
In the May/June ’06 issue of CME, we went into
detail about design customizing. The basics of
stitch editing were covered; here we will expand
on the subject.
Stitch editing features can be a part of all-inone software, purchased separately as specialty
software, or be a part of digitizing software.
Determine what software you own that has stitch
editing capabilities. When in doubt, consult your
local embroidery machine dealer where software
can be purchased. Ask the dealer if your software has stitch editing capabilities.
Begin by selecting a design. Look at the different colors or design elements. Determine which
segments can be removed, rotated, thread colors
changed or copied to give the design a
makeover.
BuzzEdit
Design makeover magic
Highlight design segments and change thread
colors.
7
Stitch editing software allows
you to split, rearrange, alter, add to
designs and more. Stretch your design
library with this creative software.
Edited Design
Copyright Laws
The same copyright law that protects digitized
designs also protects modified or altered designs.
No matter how much you change an embroidery
design, it is still the property of the original copyright
owner, digitizing individual or company. Before making
design changes, make sure you have the right to
alter an original design. Some individuals or companies
require permission to change a design from the
original. Most, if not all, licensed designs cannot be
altered from the original appearance. For more
information, visit www.embroideryprotection.org.
Original Design
Copy
Save
Design splitting
the design as a new file name. Do
not copy over the original file name. Save
the file often during the changes. Use the
“undo” command if changes are not
pleasing. Center the design in the hoop
and print a template for design alignment
on fabric.
BuzzEdit
and paste elements from other
designs if possible. Open another file, copy
the segments and paste them directly onto
the screen of the design in process of
being changed.
Once the elements are altered, move
them into position by highlighting and
using the mouse arrow to move sections
into a pleasing manner. Mirror-image,
rotate and duplicate are just several of the
commands that can be used within editing
software.
BuzzEdit
Center and save design changes using
new file name.
Highlight, rotate, move, copy and paste
elements.
Stitch editing doesn’t just stop at combining, altering or eliminating stitches; it
serves as a design splitter as well. Perhaps
you have hoop size restrictions, such as a
4" square hoop, and you want to embroider a larger design. Stitch editing software
can assist in splitting larger designs to
accommodate a smaller hoop. There are
two options when it comes to splitting
designs—either split designs in a straight
line across the entire motif or break apart
the design into smaller sections—both
options provide smaller design files for
embroidery in multiple hoopings.
Determine the hoop sizes available
to you. Some machines offer multipleposition hoops. Specialty design splitting
software will automatically split the design
into two or more sections to accommodate
Print templates onto vellum paper that can be found
at an office supply or scrapbooking store.Vellum is opaque and
allows you to see the fabric through the template. Be sure the
software prints the center point and cross marks to make it
easy for you to mark your fabric.
8
Hoopworks
Original
First Hooping
Stitch Info.
Second Hooping
Automatic splitting software creates multiple-hoop stitch files and file with new design
details.
The
Move
software will separate the split
sections into multiple files.
the single element to the hoop
center and save this section as the design
name plus a letter “A” to indicate the first
hooping.
Hoopworks
a multiple-position hoop. This allows you
to embroider a large design in smaller
sections by moving the hoop throughout
the embroidery process. Consult your
owner’s manual or your local embroidery
machine dealer to determine what hoops
are available for your equipment.
Some specialty software offers automatic splitting of large embroidery
designs.
Load the design into the software.
Choose the hoop size.
BuzzTools
Select hoop size appropriate for
embroidery equipment.
The
software automatically splits the
embroidery design into two or more files
ready to embroider.
BuzzEdit
User-controlled design splitting is
available in some software.
Hoopworks
Move element to hoop center and save.
It is also possible to split designs
manually by separating sections within the
design into areas that will fit into a smaller
hoop.
Highlight or lasso design segments and
move them away from the rest of the
design elements.
Some embroidery software automatically splits the design into multiple stitch
files. A separate file with specific instructions for embroidery is a nice feature to
help you determine how to embroider the
multiple-stitch file.
Some software splits designs with a
line that the user controls.
Open the design into the software and
use the software options to draw a line
across the area to be split.
9
BuzzEdit
Automatic design splitting software
shows exactly where split(s) will take
place.
Highlight the section to be isolated and
move it out of the way.
Highlight
or lasso the remaining design
components and delete them from the
design.
Repeat
this process for the remaining
sections saving multiple letter files indicating the hoop positions for embroidery.
Putting it all together
Once large designs are split into smaller
files for embroidery, it’s time to embroider
the sections seamlessly.
Print a template from software for each
section to be embroidered.
Use the template to mark the fabric
for the first hooping. Be sure the fabric
piece is large enough to accommodate all
the hooping and embroidering of each
section.
Draw a horizontal line longer than the
design. This will be the design centering
and the upper and lower hoop notch
alignment line. For the first hooping, use
the first template to draw a vertical line to
represent the left and right hoop notch
alignment. Hoop the fabric using these
lines to match with notches on the hoop.
Use the center cross mark to align the
It may be necessary to resize individual design elements to fit smaller hoop sizes. Be sure to resize in software that
will change the stitch count by reducing stitches as you make the design smaller to fit the hoop.
needle before stitching. After the embroidery of the first section, use the next section template to align the marked horizontal line with the previously embroidered
design. Mark the next vertical line and
repeat the hooping and embroidery
process for each section.
Hoop the fabric with the appropriate
stabilizer.
Be sure the marks on the fabric align
with the hoop notches and that the inner
and outer hoop arrows are aligned.
Single hoopings
Place the hoop on the machine.
Align the needle with the center cross
marks.
Embroider the first section.
Remove the hoop from the machine
and remove the fabric from the hoop.
Remove the stabilizer from the design.
Align the next template to the first
embroidery to determine the placement
of the next design and mark the fabric.
Repeat this process to hoop and
embroider the remaining design
sections.
software created to embroider the
second portion of the design, or the
center cross marks.
Note: The software may have split the
design into two, three or more sections.
If your hoop has three sections for
embroidery, it may be necessary to skip
the middle section and embroider in the
first and last sections to complete the
design. Your machine and software user’s
manuals will have more information on
how to determine hoop placement on the
machine arm. Parameters change with the
design size and software capabilities.
Repeat this process to embroider each
section.
To avoid gaps in the split, some software adds needlepoints to the design to
soften the combined effects. Some software adds a positioning stitch to aide in
alignment of the next stitch section. Align
the needle with the last stitch from the
previous section embroidered and continue the embroidery process. Bernina
www.berninausa.com
Brother
www.brother-usa.com/homesewing
BuzzTools
www.buzztools.com
Capital Resource Corp.
www.crcsales.com
Compucon
www.compuconusa.com
Corel
www.corel.com
Designer’s Gallery
www.designersgallerysoftware.com
DRAWstitch Technology
www.drawstitch.com
Elna
www.elnausa.com
Embird
www.embirdusa.com
Generations
www.generationsemb.com
Great Notions
www.greatnotions.com
Husqvarna Viking
www.husqvarnavikingsoftware.com
Janome
www.janome.com
Kenmore
www.sears.com
Oklahoma Embroidery Supply & Design
Buzz Tools
Multiple position
hoopings
Place the hoop on the machine in the
first hoop position.
Embroider the first section.
Some embroidery software adds an
alignment stitch that may stitch last in
each section. Use this stitch to align the
needle to embroider the next section.
Keep the hoop on the machine and
move the hoop to the next area to
embroider.
There are multiple locations the hoop
can be attached to the embroidery arm.
Consult the owner’s manual or your
local dealer, should you need more
information or help in determining the
hoop placement.
Align the needle with the last stitch in
the previous section, the extra stitch the
Baby Lock
www.babylock.com
User controlled design splitting is
available in some software.
Pantograms
www.pantograms.com
Pfaff
www.pfaffsoftware.com
Singer
www.singerco.com
Simplicity
www.simplicitysewing.com
Jeanine Twigg is the author of the Embroidery Machine
Essentials series published by Krause Publications. She is
also the contributing editor for CME.
SWF America
www.swfamerica.com
White
www.whitesewing.com
Multi-flowers: Dakota Collectibles, Disk #970148,
design qhl02959
Rose: Sudberry House, Disk #D3100, design 3104
Basket: Cactus Punch, Disk #GST09, design Gst0908
Sage: Dakota Collectibles, Disk #970110, design
GD0011
Resources
Amazing Designs
10
back to basics
Resizing
Software
By Jeanine Twigg
Small, large or somewhere in between, designs come in all sizes.
If you want to change the size of a design, use resizing software to
make this task easy and worry-free.
At the machine
Designs can be adjusted larger or smaller on
the touch-screen of the embroidery machine.
Some machines have simple arrow keys to
make the adjustments while other machines
have percentages that designs can be enlarged
or reduced. Some embroidery machine manufacturers, have the capabilities of adjusting the
stitch density as designs are scaled or resized.
Changing the stitch density of a design
will alter the stitch count to make it proportionately larger or smaller than the original. Most
machines, however, only have the capabilities
of enlarging or reducing designs plus or minus
20% without changing the stitch count. This benefit can be helpful during the test-stitch process
when you determine the design is slightly too
dense or has too much space between stitches
when using standard 40-weight embroidery
thread. Enlarging or reducing the design to
adjust for design or thread changes can be a
benefit without changing the stitch count.
11
In software
Stitch editing, digitizing or specialty resizing
software can make adjusting a design’s size an
easy task. Simply highlight the design and drag
the box or circle in or out to achieve the size
desired.
Buzz Tools
resize (v): change the size of; make the size
more appropriate.
Resize using specialty software.
Or, depending on your software capabilities,
enlarge or reduce the design by percentages.
Look for an on-screen field that indicates a
design’s size and stitch count. It’s important
to notice both fields changing when altering
a design. As the design is reduced in size,
so should the stitch count. The opposite
applies when increasing a design.
Design enlarged 100% in resizing software and stitch
density has been modified. New size is 3.65" x 3.66"
with 16,368 stitches. The software automatically
added stitches as the design was enlarged.
The original design size
is 1.82" x 1.83" with
5,819 stitches.
Design enlarged 100%
in resizing software without
modifying stitch density.
New size is 3.64" x 3.66"
with 5,819 stitches.
What you need
to know
Some design manufacturers
do not recommend altering the
size of their designs. Some digitizers
build in depth and dimension to their
designs that when altered, causes stitch
problems and spacing irregularities.
In these cases, limit changes to plus or
minus 10% to 20%.
On the other hand, there are design
companies that supply free resizing
software or services with a purchase.
Whether designs are downloaded or
purchased in a retail store, check to see if
resizing software recommended by the
digitizer is available with a purchase.
Specialty or decorative fills may be
lost when resizing, depending on the
software’s sophistication. It may render
the design area of decorative fills solid or
remove stitches all together. Depending
on the complexity of the enlargement
(greater than 100%), it may be best to
import the design into digitizing software
to make the necessary changes. This way
additional design options are available,
such as adding or deleting stitches, fills
or density changes.
Using resizing software
Resizing designs is best performed in
the original digitizing software. This way
all the stitches remain as the digitizer
intended. All software packages not native
to the original design will interpret stitches
in an effort to recreate the design within
the software. With so many different
digitizing programs and languages, the
software will interpret designs in the most
simplistic stitches—running, satin and fill.
Be sure to resize a design
proportionately—height and width.
Reducing a detailed design could cause
distortion or build-up of stitches. Remove
unwanted stitches with software if possible.
Enlarging a detailed design could cause
gaps between stitches. Add stitches with software, if possible.
The age of the embroidery machine
or software will make a difference in the
resizing capabilities. Most older machines
and software do not have stitch regulators
that alter design densities when resizing.
Therefore, resizing is limited to plus or
minus 20%. Resizing without changing
the design density squeezes stitches into
a smaller space or lengthens stitches into
a larger space.
A built-in stitch regulator within
software automatically reduces or adds
stitches as a design is resized. Some
embroidery machines have this same
capability. Stitch processing works best
when limited to no smaller than half the
original size and no larger than twice the
original size—depending on the software
limitations.
Test drive software at your local embroidery machine or software
dealer. Embroider before and after resizing to determine which
one does the best job for you.
12
The most current software available
will have the latest stitch processing features. It pays to upgrade to the next level
as the manufacturers keep making software easier to use with each subsequent
upgrade. Digitizing companies
or individuals create
designs to be
embroidered in a specific size. Changes to the
design size can
alter the original intent
of the design. Some
companies frown on
changes being made to
their designs. Be sure to
read the fine print
as to what is allowed
with the designs before
you purchase.
Jeanine Twigg is the author of the Embroidery Machine
Essentials series published by Krause Publications. She is
also the contributing editor for CME magazine.
Snowman designs: Anita Goodesign, Sparkly
Snowmen, design HDSN05
Resources
Amazing Designs
Baby Lock
www.babylock.com
Bernina
www.berninausa.com
Brother
www.brother-usa.com/homesewing
BuzzTools
www.buzztools.com
Capital Resource Corp.
www.crcsales.com
Compucon
www.compuconusa.com
Corel
www.corel.com
DRAWstitch Techonology
www.drawstitch.com
Elna
www.elnausa.com
Embird
www.embirdusa.com
Generations
Great Notions
Husqvarna Viking
www.husqvarnavikingsoftware.com
Janome
www.janome.com
Kenmore
www.sears.com
OESD
Pantograms
www.pantograms.com
Pfaff
www.pfaffsoftware.com
Singer
www.singerco.com
Simplicity
www.simplicitysewing.com
SWF America
www.swfamerica.com
White
www.whitesewing.com
Tips For Success
Resizing software does have its limits. Larger width satin stitches
could cause an embroidery machine some difficulties such as a
reduction in speed or changes to the way it interprets the design.
Keep your hoop size limitations in mind as you increase or decrease
design sizes. Do not increase designs beyond the hoop sizes that are
available for your machine.
Always test-stitch before and after altering a design. This way you’ll
know what the original appearance of the design should be before
and after changes.
Save the original design with a new file name before making
changes. Do not save changes to the original. When in software, use
the “undo” function if changes are undesirable.
Always resize from the original design file. Do not resize a resized
design as degradation can occur.
13
back to basics
Monograms &
Lettering Software
By Jeanine Twigg
Creating lettering or monograms using embroidery software is a
great way to make any project personal. Whether it is a full name
or monogram initials, a host of embroidery software programs
can make it easy.
Software selection
If you own or are looking to purchase embroidery software for lettering or monogramming,
look for components in software that allow for
the addition of fonts, letters or the importing
of designs. Read the manufacturer’s software
packaging or a description of the software
(at your local retailer or online) to determine
the capabilities for creating lettering or
monograms.
There are product specific embroidery software programs that make the creation of lettering or monograms simple. These programs have
a large range of font choices for initials or
names as well as accompanying motifs to surround or accent your initials or words.
Some software
programs offer
a range of font
choices plus
companion motifs
to surround letters
and words.
14
Use buttons or pull-down menu options in
embroidery software such as “Open,” “Insert”
or “Import” to determine if the addition of
lettering or monograms are an option for creation. Do not hesitate to experiment with the
software to see how it works. Owner’s manuals
may either be in the form of hard copy pages
that come with the software or pages printed
from the installation CD-ROM. Use the “Help”
menu within the software to assist in determining
the software capabilities.
Most customizing and editing software packages allow for the importing of digitized embroidery designs, letters and monogramming elements. Some software packages have built-in
fonts in multiple sizes and styles. With the use of
built-in letters or computer true-type fonts, creating lettering or monograms can be as simple
as typing in alphabetic characters. Use the mouse
pointer to click, move or drag the elements into
the desired location on screen.
Automatic digitizing or standard digitizing
programs can offer additional freedom for creativity. Use digitizing software in the same way
you would create a single design. Import or
Use lettering for
monograms or to
create greetings
and verses on
projects. These
sample projects
were created with
Designer’s Gallery
LetterWorks
software.
Glossary of terms
Here is some basic terminology to help you better understand monogramming and lettering software.
let·ter·ing n. The process of forming letters, words or
sentences.
Lettering is the creation of words, names or sentences
involving upper and lower case alphabetic letters for
embroidery. It can consist of complete first or last
names, business names and sentences with or without
punctuation.
mon·o·gram n. A design composed of one or more
letters, typically the initials of a name, used as an
identifying mark.
Monogramming consists of uppercase alphabetic
letters in initial formats. A traditional monogram consists
of three uppercase letters. The first letter signifies the first
letter in a person’s first name. The second letter is usually
larger and signifies the first letter in a person’s last name.
The third letter is usually the size of the first initial and
signifies the first letter in the person’s middle name.
There are variations for couples where the first letter
signifies the first letter in the husband’s first name. The
second letter is usually larger and signifies the first letter
in the couple’s last name. The third letter is usually the
size of the first initial and signifies the first letter in the
wife’s first name.
font n. A complete type set of one size and style.
type·face n. The letter or character size or style of a
font.
A font is a set of typesetting characters in all one
style. A typeface is the font expression, such as italic bold,
bold italic, and normal. A font size is depicted by a point
value. The higher the point value the larger the font.
A font can have a style that is either a computer standard or labeled as a “True-Type.” A true-type font is in a
scalable format with characters that have a creative
styling. You will have the most versatility in style when
using a “true-type” font for lettering or monogramming.
15
Monogram Styles
This sample shows a traditional monogram for an individual: The larger center
motif is the last name initial, smaller left
motif is the first name initial and the
smaller right motif is the middle initial.
This example shows a traditional single
monogram for an individual or family:
The last name initial.
This is an example of a traditional double monogram for an individual. The
letters are the same size for the first
name initial and last name initial.
select a font, enlarge it to the desired size,
and use the software automatic digitizing
capabilities to add stitches to the lettering
or monogram outline (A).
In the software of your choice, either
import or use the built-in letters to create
the lettering or monogram.
Begin with a new file. Use the desired
hoop size as a guide to aid in placement.
The hoop also helps to keep the design
size within the hoop confines. It may be
necessary to select the hoop size from a
pull-down menu or type in the hoop size
manually.
Choose a border or frame if desired.
Borders may be available in assorted
shapes and sizes controlled by the software. Frames can come in more than one
part for use with monograms (B). Frames
and borders are optional depending on
the desired look.
Add the lettering or monogram text.
Some software packages only allow for the
insertion of capital letters, such as in specialty monogram software. When inserting
lettering, determine if you want one line or
multiple lines. Sometimes this feature must
be selected in advance.
A Use specialty monogram and lettering
software that allows for selection of
unique font styles and coordingating
designs in variety of interests.
D Type in font size
B Choose border or frame if desired.
E Determine shape by clicking on desired
tab or pull-down menu.
16
C Select font style.
F Change thread colors per word, letter or
monogram initial.
The underlay
Make sure there are underlay stitches under the letters you create.
under topstitches to make sure the fabric is
secure during the embroidery process.
stitches form a foundation
Select the font style. Font styles can be
numerous and may require scrolling
through multiple pages to select the type
desired. Select one style and if you don’t like
your choice, it can always be changed (C).
Type in the font size desired and space
between letters (D). Again, if you don’t like
your choice, it can always be changed.
Simply select the tab or pull-down menu
and type in another size. Keep in mind
font sizes vary according to the type style.
Experiment until the correct font and size
is determined.
Once the choices have been finalized, add
the lettering or monogram to the border.
Depending on the choice of frame, the lettering may not fit the space without selecting
additional parameters.
Determine the shape by clicking on the
desired tab or pull-down menu. The lettering can contour into a variety of shapes and
envelopes (E). This may result in an additional step depending on your software.
Rotate, move, or shape the lettering or
monogram to fit with the frame or design.
Some software packages can change
thread colors per word, letter or monogram initial, if desired. While this will add
color stops, the effect adds a bit of whimsical creativity to your end result (F).
Insert, import or copy and paste
embroidery motifs from within the software or from an outside company if this
feature is available on the software (G).
Create lettering and monograms
with built-in digitized fonts and design
elements (H).
Software benefits
G Insert, import or copy and paste
H Create lettering with built-in digitized
embroidery motifs.
Using embroidery software to create
monograms and lettering can provide
added benefits over the touch screen on
the embroidery machine. Instead of
embroidering one letter at a time and trying to align it on the touch screen of your
embroidery machine or with individual
hoopings onto fabric, allow software to
make the embroidery process easier. Here
are some of the many features you may
find useful when using software:
Note: Software options vary by manufacturer; consult your local embroidery
machine dealer for the software that best
suits your needs.
Resize, reshape, rotate and change font
styles simply.
Automatically or manually adjust the
space between letters (kerning).
Choose from a large selection of lettering and monogram envelope shapes (arcs,
circle, line, concave, convex, banner and
pennants).
Align multiple lines of text (left, right or
center), shape text around a design or fit
the text within a border or frame.
Create single or multiple lines of text, or
one, two or three letter monograms.
Adjust the density, pull compensation
and underlay stitches of monograms or
individual letters.
Align text with a simple “click, drag and
drop” method.
fonts.
Print templates directly from software to
aid in exact placement onto fabric.
Change stitches within a design motif
or decorative fill pattern for monograms
or large letters. Jeanine Twigg is the author of the Embroidery
Machine Essentials series published by KP Books. She
is also the contributing editor for CME magazine.
Resources
Check with your local machine or software dealer to
find out more information on monogramming and lettering software.
Amazing Designs
Baby Lock
www.babylock.com
Bernina
www.berninausa.com
Brother
www.brother.com
Cactus Punch (U.S. Distributor for Echidna Easy
Lettering and Punto Letter Plus)
www.cactuspunch.com
Capital Resource Group
www.crcsales.com
Embird
www.embirdusa.com
Generations
Great Notions
Husqvarna Viking
www.husqvarnaviking.com
Janome
www.janome.com
Kenmore
www.sears.com
Needleheads
www.monogramwizard.com
OESD
Pantograms
www.pantograms.com
Pfaff
www.pfaff.com
Singer
www.singerco.com
White
www.whitesewing.com
17
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