Stitch Types

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Satin

Satin stitches are stitches that travel from one edge of the object to the opposite edge of the object in one step. A normal satin uses one straight stitch and one angled stitch. The maximum effective distance for a satin stitches is about 6 mm for general embroidery. Satin stitches longer than this tend to pull out and unravel. Therefore, satin stitch type is not normally used for Freeform shapes with Normal fill.

Step 1:1

Step 1:1 is a fill type stitches where all of the needle penetrations align giving the illusion of rows of satin stitching. The image at the right shows how the needle penetrations in every row align.

Step 1:2

Step 1:2 is a fill type stitches where the needle penetration on every other row of stitches fall in between the previous rows (half split) making for a flatter appearance to the stitching. In the image at the right, the rows of stitching are numbered. Notice how the stitch points in row 2 and 4 fall in between the points for rows  1 and 3.

Step 1:3

Step 1:3 is a fill type stitches where the needle penetration on every other row of stitches fall 1/3 the distance  between the previous rows  making for a flatter appearance to the stitching. In the image at the right, the rows of stitching are numbered. Notice how the stitch points in row 2 and 4 fall at 1/3 the step length between the points for rows  1 and 3.

Step Satin

Step Satin divides 3 rows of stitches equally into thirds.  This is the most common step fill type of stitch and is sometimes generically referred to as Tatami or even simply Fill Stitch. 

The image at the right shows how the needle penetrations in in the second and third rows split the first row. The fourth row resets the repeat established in row 1.

Step Angle

Step Groups

Step 1/2 Wave

Step Sine Wave

Step Sine Wave creates a wave pattern in the fill area. The height and  width of the pattern is set in the embroidery settings

Width:

This setting defines the width of 2 cycles of the wave as indicated by the W in the image below..

Height:

This setting defines the height of the wave as indicated by the H in the image at the right.

Step Pattern

Free Step

Free step allows for 2 additional parameters which function similar to Minimum Border Satin. The Free Step stitch type is based upon 3 repeating rows of stitching. The first row uses the Minimum Border Satin to determine the stitch offset (start stitch), The Second and Third  row offsets are controlled by the settings below.

Second Row Offset:

The amount in 1/10 mm to add to the Minimum Border Satin  parameter to offset the second row of stitching 

Third Row Offset:

The amount in 1/10 mm to add to the Minimum Border Satin parameter to offset the third row

Random Step

Produces a random effect for use in organic designs such as animal fur, grass etc. Random Step is based upon Step Satin with one additional parameter for randomization.

Random Percent:

This setting controls the percentage of randomness inside the fill area. A setting of 0 will provide no randomization, while a setting of 100 will apply maximum randomness.

Sequin

E-Stitch

The E-Stitch is used primarily to hold down an appliqué, but it can also be used to produce other effects such as grass.

Motif

Motif stitches are low density fill patterns used to enhance the fill areas of your design. The Motif fill utilizes a repeating pattern of a small stitch design. The resulting stitch count for areas filled with Motif stitches vs standard step stitches can be dramatically lower

Refer to the Tutorial "Motif Stitch Settings" for detailed information on Motif Stitches

Custom Step

Custom Step allows you set up your own custom fill stitch pattern. A Custom step is unlike Pattern Step in that it does not use a Motif, or Pattern to generate the custom fill. It instead allows you to define how many stitches are in a group and how many splits to apply to that group

Refer to the Tutorial "Creating a Custom Step Stitch Type" for detailed information on Custom Step

Bitmap Step

Bitmap Step can be used to recreate intricate details in an area where a normal pattern step is not quite right. In the Images directory of your program you will find 2 images BSDragon.BMP and BSFlower.BMP. Open one of these images and create a block of stitches on any part of the image. Set stitch type to Bitmap Step and apply. You will notice that the stitch penetration points will be orientated on any black line in the image.