| Machine embroidery digitizing is an art form. Using | | | | Sometimes digitizing an image to thread is often not |
| embroidery digitizing software, a skilled embroidery | | | | possible nor feasible. Thread is three dimensional; it is |
| digitizer transforms an image or text to stitches, | | | | not oil paint or digital pixels. An embroidery digitizer |
| creating the image in a file format an embroidery | | | | must have an artist's creativity and problem-solving |
| machine can read. | | | | skills. A digitizer's canvas is the computer monitor, the |
| That's a fine definition but the reality is somewhat | | | | keyboard and mouse are the brushes and the |
| more involved. Just as typing words into a word | | | | embroidery digitizer's pallet is the embroidery software. |
| processor does not make one an author, being able to | | | | But the embroider's canvas is the fabric, her brushes |
| open digitizing software on a computer does not make | | | | are the machine, needles and thread and her pallet is |
| the operator an embroidery digitizer. Embroidery | | | | the program produced by the digitizer. The machine is |
| digitizing is not a click-the-button-and-sit-back process. | | | | only a robot awaiting instructions and then doing |
| Digitizing an image for embroidery requires an artist's | | | | precisely what it is told to do in the order it is told to do |
| ability to see the big picture and the smallest of details. | | | | it. Ruling out mechanical problems or operator error, if a |
| Experienced embroidery digitizers mentally dissect | | | | pattern does not sew out correctly it is not the |
| each image, breaking it out into sections and layers, | | | | machine or embroider's fault. |
| noting how each section relates to the others, how the | | | | So the digitizer's work is not confined to a computer |
| colors blend and merge and how the shadows play | | | | screen. Knowledge of fabric types and the push-pull |
| with the light to create the mood or atmosphere the | | | | factor of each is also required. The embroidery |
| image evokes. | | | | digitizer also needs to know about needles, thread, and |
| Then the digitizer utilizes the software's tools to | | | | stabilizers and, perhaps most importantly, must |
| separate those sections for redrawing or resizing, | | | | creatively expand the 'boundaries' of machine |
| stitching in underlay and overlay threads, assigning | | | | embroidery. |
| stitching sequences, using thread to apply shading, and | | | | A professional embroidery digitizer's attitude is: "Nothing |
| colorizing. The design is reassembled to create that | | | | is impossible!" And that is what makes machine |
| original impression, as much as is possible, in thread and | | | | embroidery digitizing a fun and rewarding career! |
| it is ready for its first sew out. | | | | |