Understanding Embroidery Machine Terms
Appliqué is a French term that means to apply one piece of fabric
to another. A cut piece of material stitched to another creates
dimension and texture, as well as reduces the stitch count.
Backing is also known as the stabilizer. These are the materials
that are usually placed inside or underneath the item that is to be
embroidered. This backing gives the item stability (thus stabilizer)
and provides your product with more body and a better finished
product. There are two main stabilizers that are primarily used;
these are the cutaway and tearaway. Cutaway is a stabilizer that is
used wherein the extra backing is cut with a pair of scissors.
Tearaway is the stabilizer that is used wherein the extra backing is
torn away after the item has been embroidered. Other backings can be
used which dissolve by water or heat.
Bobbin is the small spool that is inside the rotary hook unit. The
bobbin stitches are those which are underneath the top embroidered
stitches. The bobbin stitches give the design (top stitches) the
support they need.
Digitize is to use an embroidery program to turn an image into a
design that can be read and sewn by a computerized machine.
Fill Stitches are sequences of running stitches that are formed
close together to create different patterns and stitch directions.
These stitches are primarily used to cover widespread areas.
Running stitches are lines of stitches going from one point to
another. They are often used for detailed, outlined or underlay
stitches.
Satin Stitches are a series of zigzag stitches formed close
together.
Underlay stitches are used under the top embroidered stitches of a
design to provide stability and create various effects. They are
usually running stitches formed in a series. They can also be sparse
stitches formed in the opposite direction that the top stitches will
go.
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