Digitizing is for everybody!

By | August 17, 2017

 This blog post will challenge the following false statement “only skilled digitizers can digitize designs well”.  Digitizing is an advanced skill but it can be learned.

The statement above prevents many new users from even trying.  It is supported by an industry that suggests that unless you have to have lots of training and use very expensive programs you won’t be able to create a professional result.  This is not true.

Digitizing takes time to learn, but anyone with sewing skills can figure it out.  Think of digitizing as sewing but the XY mechanism is your hands.  If you are an avid sewer you can figure this out.

If you can tailor a suit, make a dress, or piece a quilt you all ready have enough skills to figure embroidery out.  Don’t let anyone tell you differently.

EmbroideryWare was created to break the barrier for manual digitizing affordability.  Most of the competition has tiered products that have several levels.  Generally only the highest level let you manually digitize.  Embroideryware is not tiered at all.  All features exist in one version.

Typically new users want to convert complicated artwork automatically into an embroidered design.  This approach is a poor one.  Even though auto digitizing has advanced a lot, it is still far better for you to digitize the design manually.  You will learn so much more with this approach.  Also it is a lot of fun to create something that you have complete control over.

Most new users want to create an overly complicated design as their first project.  This is a mistake.  It is much better to start with a simple design, and watch it stitch out .  Do simple designs over and over until you quickly discover what does and doesn’t work.

Also it is not a good idea to copy something to the nth degree.  Instead try and simplify the design and add dimension buy using different stitch angles and stitch types.  Thread is three dimensional object and reflects light is so many interesting ways.  It is really comes alive if done properly.

Watch as many videos and read as many articles you can on machine embroidery.  Try these techniques for yourself. Join forums and join the conversation.  There is so much to be learned.

If all this seems like too much work  for you reanalyze why you want to do this in the first place.  If it is just to copy some design you don’t want to buy you will be disappointed.  It would be better to just purchase it or have someone digitize it for you.  If instead you want to unleash your creativity and create something truly your own, embroidery digitizing is for you.

Most importantly have fun!