Before You Test-Stitch

Before you test-stitch a design, take a look at the design in your embroidery software. Zoom in to look for underlayment (stabilizing stitches under the fill). Check the stitch length (be sure you are not counting jump stitches). If the design lacks underlayment or has fill stitches greater than 6mm, it is probably not even worth test-stitching. Such designs are created by auto-digitizing software.

A good design will have underlayment, consistent stitch length, fill areas with different stitch angles, slight overlapping between fills and a minimum of color changes and jump stitches. You will be wasting your time test-stitching designs that lack these basic elements. Delete any such design to free up space on your computer.

Look for designs that come with a picture of the actual stitch-out. If all you see is a computer-generated graphic, how do you know the design has been test-stitched? If you see a design that looks promising, but the graphic is not the real thing, ask the designer if she can provide a picture of an actual stitch-out. If she has test-stitched the design, she should be able to place it on the scanner and send you the image.

Next issue: what's that sound?

from Mary Jane Allen of Perfect Little Stitches

This little bubble suit can be
made with a 6x10 hoop and
pattern from Heart N Sole.
All pattern pieces are made
in the hoop and there is just
a little bit of machine sewing
required to complete it.

Matching bib included.

Graduation Keepsake Book
embroidery designs,
Giftcard, and 5x7 Frame
all in one package!
There is a pocket on
the back just the perfect
size for gift cards or cash. 

A wonderful keepsake to
put pictures of the graduate
for every grade in school.
If you don't want to use
school photos, you can use
your own text to create a
special photo album for
your graduate.