How to Select the Right Types of Stitches in Embroidery Digitizing?

All machine embroidery designs are digitized using only 3 types of stitches Run, Satin and Tatami. Even the most intricate design is digitized with these three stitches in embroidery digitizing. These stitches produce stunning digitized embroidered designs, whether used individually or in combination.

For embroidery digitizing, you must understand the 3 machine embroidery stitch types, when they should be used, and what to consider while applying each stitch type particularly.

In this blog, you will learn the types of machine embroidery stitches in embroidery digitizing to help you to become a master of machine embroidery stitches.

Types of machine stitches in embroidery digitizing can be confusing to choose, it is hard trying to pick the right one for an embroidery design.

Not all stitches used in embroidery digitizing are suitable for every embroidery design, and every stitch type has some considerations to consider before applying them, these considerations can be the stitch density, embroidery underlay and stitch lengths.

These considerations can vary according to the fabric, design, and the use of stitch type.

Different fabrics react differently to stitches. Lightweight fabrics may require lighter stitches to prevent distortion, while heavyweight fabrics can handle denser stitches for more stability.

Complex designs may benefit from the preciseness of the run stitch, while bold designs or large areas are better suited for satin or tatami stitches.

Adjusting stitch density, underlay, and stitch length based on the fabric and design requirements is important.

For example, if you utilize run stitch for lightweight fabrics like cotton and linen, the stitch density should be low to avoid puckering on light fabrics.

But if you plan to use satin stitch on medium-weight canvas, you must increase stitch density for a solid, smooth satin finish.

Unlike run and satin stitch, if you desire to digitize larger areas or solid fills on heavyweight fabrics like twill or felt with tatami stitch, you must use a high stitch density for a dense and even fill.

Therefore, to achieve high-quality embroidery digitizing for machine embroidery, it’s important to understand how factors like fabric type, design, underlay, and stitch density contribute to selecting each stitch type.

Here are three types of machine embroidery stitches in embroidery digitizing:

• Run/Walk Stitch: Run stitch type is considered the most simple and creative stitch in digitizing embroidery.
• Satin Stitch: The most commonly used stitch in embroidery digitizing is the Satin Stitch, which can change angles after each penetration.
• Fill/Tatami Stitch: Fill stitches are created by rows of running stitches that follow specific needle penetration patterns to create intricate designs. Generally, objects created with fill stitches have a consistent stitch angle throughout.

Embroidery machine follows the digitized lines with the needle and thread to create evenly spaced run stitches.

This GIF shows the needle's movement, showcasing how satin stitches are used to fill and form the letter.

Needle pushes thread into the fabric, and the hook pulls it back up, forming loops under the fabric. This repetitive process results in a dense, solid tatami stitches.

Run stitch is created by running a single thread through the fabric and then looping it back through the same hole to create a continuous line.

Run stitch is easy to digitize and used to create a various effects, depending on the thread type, design type, stitch length, and spacing.

Run stitch is also used as the foundation of most ‘Underlay’ and ‘Fill’ stitches. Areas that are 1mm shorter in width generally have a running stitch.

• Commonly used for delicate lines in embroidery.
• Involves closely spaced, continuous, straight stitches for a smooth appearance.
• Versatile and essential, ideal for outlining, detailing, and creating small objects of an embroidery design.

If we define run stitches in millimeters, the measurements refer to the length of each individual stitch. Here's what each measurement typically represents:

• 0.5 millimeters: This indicates that each individual stitch in the run stitch pattern is 0.5 millimeters long. It is a relatively short stitch length commonly used for fine details or intricate designs.
• 1 millimeter: A 1mm stitch length offers a slightly longer option than 0.5mm, providing a balance between detail and coverage. It is commonly employed for general outlining and filling smaller areas in embroidery.
• 1.5 millimeters: A 1.5mm stitch length is notably longer, suitable for larger areas or achieving an open, textured look. Ideal for bold outlines or efficiently filling larger spaces in embroidery designs.

Important to remember!

1.5mm stitch length is considered risky due to thread and needle mass, resulting in stiff and distorted stitches when too closely packed.

Optimal 1.5mm movement between penetrations is recommended to avoid issues and this results smoother machine embroidery designs with fewer harsh stitches.

Maximum 7mm run stitch length is generally recommended for wearables to avoid problems and exceeding this may cause issues.

For non-wearable items, the limit is 12.1mm to prevent the machine's trimmer from activating which results in invisible embroidery.

Satin stitch is the most common machine embroidery stitch, satin stitch displays a glossy, flat and even texture that resembles to satin fabric.

A satin stitch is created by placing closely spaced stitches at different angles and lengths. The width of a satin stitch ranges from 1.5 mm to 12 mm, but remember wider stitches are more prone to snagging and are not ideal for children’s clothing. To maintain sharp corners without bulging, shorter stitches should be used.

• Satin creates a smooth and shiny appearance in embroidery digitizing.
• It is deal for enhancing texture, depth, and dimension, especially for detailed letters, logos, and intricate designs.
• Satin stitch is suitable for filling large areas with a solid color, requiring careful consideration of thread and stitch density for a perfect result in machine embroidery.

To apply satin stitches in embroidery digitizing, you must consider some important aspects:

• Avoid using a satin stitch greater than 10mm for large areas in embroidery. Most machines have a maximum length of 10mm. Longer stitches may cause skipped stitches and imperfect results.
• While embroidery digitizing, choosing the “split stitch” option creates a “trough” in wide lines of satin stitch. Although the stitch may appear large on the screen, it will be smaller in real life.
• When using satin stitch for clothing, never exceed 7 mm to avoid snags against rough fabrics.
• Avoid creating stitches on top of each other by not making satin lines or objects less than 2mm wide.
• Avoid using “Auto Split” when digitizing foam. It results in satin-like fills up to 10mm, and don't forget to check your density settings.

Tatami stitches are used to fill in larger areas of a design. They normally create a solid, opaque background for other design elements, such as lettering or outlines.

Tatami stitches also serve as the base for other types of machine embroidery designs, mainly when working with delicate fabrics like silk and trying to create a stable surface for intricate designs.

In embroidery digitizing, fill stitches can be turned into patterns, adding diversity to machine embroidery projects such as weaving or chain stitching.

• For a basic fill that covers an area with no stitching on top, using 1 square inch of "Fill" stitches at average density with a stitch of 6mm would require 1000 stitches.
• To create a basic "fill" for an area with lettering or other stitching on top, use 1500 stitches per square inch at normal density with a 4mm stitch. The stitch length should be shortened to prevent the stitches from pulling apart when additional stitching is added on top.

Now, after learning the types of machine embroidery stitches in embroidery digitizing you must have questioned yourself how I can choose the right stitch type for my embroidery design?

We made it easier for you by suggesting some basic recommendations:

Lettering: You can use satin stitch up to 7 mm wide.

Fill: To fill larger areas you can go for tatami, and in smaller cases use satin.

Lines: Run stitch is ideal for embroidering lines.

Puffy Foam: Use satin stitch to create 3D effects.

Letter or Object Outlines: To embroider or digitize smaller lines or tiny objects use run or satin stitch.

Borders: For digitizing borders satin stitch type is perfect.

Understanding these three types of machine embroidery stitches in embroidery digitizing is important to become a professional embroidery digitizer. Each stitch type has unique characteristics and uses; mastering them can help you create stunning designs.

No matter which type of stitches in embroidery digitizing type you choose, digitizing is a fun and rewarding hobby that allows you to add a personal touch to clothing, home decor, and more.