Converting and Re-Sizing

Have you ever stitched a design that had missing stitches or areas where the stitches were too sparse or too dense? Chances are, it was converted and/or re-sized from the original. So what happened?

Re-sizing software analyzes the design, identifying fill areas, running stitches, satin stitches and accent stitches, then tries to re-create the design in a new size. If a designer spends a bit of time tweaking a design, making adjustments by adding, deleting or moving individual stitches, the software becomes confused, as the stitches don't fit neatly into the categories. The resulting design will not have the integrity of the original. If you choose to re-size, be sure to test-stitch.

Conversion software also analyzes the design, identifying color changes and stitch sequence. Some conversion programs will not recognize a fancy fill. Often the new design is ever so slightly larger or smaller than the original. Duplicate stitches may be removed, or extra stitches may be added where a long jump stitch was intended. If the design is converted from the original to a new format (say pes to hus), then converted again to a different format (hus to art), the minor alterations are compounded. Each conversion takes the design farther from the original.

The designer does her best to convert with the fewest errors, selecting the best color options from the thread colors available in each format. You should always purchase the format you intend to use. If your format is not available, ask the designer which is the original format.

Next issue: embroidering pillowcases

from Mary Jane Jane Allen of Perfect Little Stitches

Snuggle Bugs
and Snuggle Bees
are just right for
snuggling.

This "in the hoop"
pattern requires no
machine sewing
to finish.

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