presents...

Informative
Embroidery
Software
Tutorials
2

3
 Informative
Embroidery
Software
Tutorials
Embroidery software may seem complicated and intimidating to use, but software
takes designs to another level and actually simplifies the embroidery process. To
help ease some of the confusion of embroidery software, we included four great
tutorials that will give you confidence behind the computer.
First, look to “Software Primer” to learn about the numerous embroidery software
types available and to choose the one that’s right for you. Next, reference “Back
to Basics: Stitch Editing,” “Back to Basics: Monograms & Lettering Software” and
“Back to Basics: Resizing Software” to learn helpful tips and techniques for using
these specific software varieties.
With these four awesome embroidery software tutorials, we’re sure that you’ll
be a software aficionado in no time!

Thanks for reading!

Colleen Exline
Associate Editor, CME

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 “Back to Basics: Software Primer”
Jeanine Twigg........................................... PAGE 3

2 “Back to Basics: Stitch Editing”

Jeanine Twigg..................................... PAGE 7

3 “Back to Basics: Resizing Software”

Jeanine Twigg..................................... PAGE 11

4 “Back to Basics: Monogramming & Lettering”

Jeanine Twigg..................................... PAGE 14
 Machine embroidery 101

back to basics

By Jeanine Twigg

Software Primer
Embroidery software is an extension of your embroidery machine
touch screen. Whether you have an old or new, low-end or high-end
embroidery machine, using a computer with embroidery software,
its larger screen workspace, precision attributes and enhanced
capabilities will no doubt make your embroidery life easier.

O ver the next year, we’ll be systematically

working through the variety of embroidery
software available and showing you how to use
it. Next to your embroidery machine, software
makes embroidery more creative by adding a
whole new dimension to your designs.
Getting started
The first step in the embroidery process is
to learn about your embroidery machine
capabilities. Once you say to yourself “I wish my
machine could do _____.” Then, you’re ready
for embroidery software as it can literally make
your wishes come true!
Learning to determine the difference between
what your embroidery machine can’t do and
what embroidery software can do to compensate
is the key to your wishes. Some embroidery
machines have limited capabilities as far as resiz-
ing, rotating, combining and general customiz-
ing. Embroidery software is the perfect solution
to enhance your embroidery machine capabili-
ties. Some embroidery machines have a full
range of features—even simple design digitizing.
Embroidery software works in tandem with an
embroidery machine to take advantage of full-
feature or specialty software capabilities.
Embroidery software is available with varying
features and price points. There are two software
purchasing strategies—purchase “all-in-one”
software or purchase software individually,
“ala carte.” All-in-one embroidery software
is the most expensive as it offers the most
features. It performs customizing, stitch
editing and digitizing with all the bells and
whistles. Ala carte software is purchased
individually depending on the feature,
such as customizing, stitch editing,
digitizing or specialty capabilities.
Specialty software is available for specific
tasks, such as monogramming, lettering, resiz-
ing, cross stitch, cataloging and more. Most
machine manufacturers have an assortment of
software packages available. There are also inde-
pendent software developers.
Software needs
How do you know what software to purchase?
The best place to begin is with a paper and pen.
Start a notebook of “wishes” your embroidery
machine could do, a list of the embroidery
machine(s) and equipment you own, and a list
of designs you own. Show the list to your local
embroidery machine dealer. The dealer

3 Creative Machine Embroidery

Software programs can
enhance your embroidery
and stretch your design
library to new levels of
creativity.

Creative Machine Embroidery 4


Tech Savvy
To get started with
embroidery software,
you’ll need an up-to-date
computer and a printer.
Today’s computers are
loaded with everything
you need for embroidery
and the costs are very
reasonable. Next, you’ll
need to take lessons
from a local computer
shop or a local commu-
nity adult education cen-
ter on how to use a com-
puter if you don’t already
know how. Visit your local
embroidery machine
dealer to let them know
what you’re doing in
preparation for purchas-
ing embroidery software.
Learning about a com-
puter in advance of pur-
chasing software will
make the process much
smoother for you and the
dealer.
A Use customizing, stitch editing, or
digitizing software to combine designs.
5 Creative Machine Embroidery
will be able to ascertain what software is
compatible with your embroidery equip-
ment and offer advice as to getting started.
Ask the dealer to sit down with you
and explain the software options. This may
require a longer visit at another time. It
may be best to schedule an appointment for
a one-on-one consultation to discuss the
options.
The dealer should offer many software
and accessory options depending on your
embroidery equipment list. When software
is used, the work done on your computer
needs to be transferred to the embroidery
machine. For an older model machine, you
may need a card read/writer box along with
the appropriate software to transfer designs
to a blank card for the machine. For a more
current model machine, you may need a
cable, specialty USB key, PC card or disk
along with the appropriate software designs
to transfer designs to the machine.
Note: Some newer model computers are
not equipped with “floppy” disk drives. An
accessory drive can be purchased for a
nominal fee to bring this function to your
machine.
You may have a collection of designs on
cards or disks that you’d like to customize
in software. All cards are copyrighted, but
some cannot be transferred to a computer
for customizing. Let your dealer know what
designs you own to determine which ones
can be customized in software. Designs on
disks can be saved to a computer, and then
transferred to an embroidery machine with
a card read/writer box and personal card,
cable, specialty USB key or disk.
Software is available through your
embroidery machine dealer or directly
from manufacturers on the Internet. Ask
about the availability of trial versions of the
B Use stitch editing software to move
design elements or remove and replace
design segments.
software. Sometimes there are limited-time
access versions available either on the
Internet or on disk. Once you’ve identified
the software available for your equipment,
test-drive versions at your dealer or review
and determine if the software is right for
you.
Check with friends or sewing groups
as to what software is the most popular for
equipment the same or similar to yours.
Keep in mind that just because one friend
finds software easy or difficult, doesn’t
mean you’ll have the same experience.
Software knowledge varies; take your time
and learn at your own pace.
Software capabilities
Embroidery software can be helpful when
it comes to customizing, stitch editing and
digitizing designs. Depending on the soft-
ware, additional features may be available.
Here’s a listing of the features and
functions embroidery software can offer:
Customizing. Combine two or more
designs (A), directional design rotation and
mirror imaging, change thread colors, add
lettering to designs and print templates.
Stitch editing. Add, remove and edit
stitches, combine two or more designs, split
designs for multiple hoop use, resize with
or without stitch changes, distort motifs with
or without stitch changes, remove overlap-
ping stitches and print templates (B).
Digitizing. Create designs from origi-
nal art; automatic digitizing available with
or without manual changes to underlay
stitches, density, pull compensation, fill pat-
terns and other digitizing features and print
templates (C).
Lettering. Use built-in upper and lower
case alphabet letters to create words or sen-
tences, add embroidery designs to words or
C Use graphic software to create, import,
or clean-up artwork for digitizing.
sentences, stylize words and sentences
with built-in shape templates and print
templates.
Monogram. Use built-in upper case
letters to create 1-3 letter monograms with
shaping templates, corners and decorative
design accents and print templates.
Resizing. Change design sizes with or
without stitch density changes (adding or
reducing stitches to compensate for the
new design sizes) and print templates (D).
Cross stitch. Create designs from origi-
nal art with hand cross stitch features, thread
color change and print templates (E).
Cataloging. Keeps track of embroi-
dery designs on your computer, shows
where designs are located on hard drive
with thumbnail to large design images,
may convert designs from one file format
to another and print templates (F).
Specialty software. Colorizing
Training
The purchase of embroidery software from
a local dealer may come with training,
depending on the package. There is an
assortment of software available for pur-
chase on the Internet from manufacturers.
Be aware that if you purchase software
over the Internet, training may not be
available or may come in the form of
Printable Document Files (PDF). It may be
necessary for you to purchase training
from a local dealer, should you require
additional help. Local embroidery software
dealers are not obligated to offer free les-
sons for those that purchase software on
the Internet. However, one of the perks of
purchasing software from a local dealer
is that you may receive lessons and addi-
tional help, should you need it.
Also, look for additional information
On the Internet, there are many mes-
sage boards with software users just like
you who are seeking help with commonly
asked questions about embroidery soft-
ware. Do a search on the Internet with the
key words “group embroidery boards” to
find groups for software help.
Embroidery software is amazing and
can help you with your “wish” list of capa-
bilities. If you remember that software is
an extension of your embroidery machine
touchscreen, you’ll be free to explore the
many exciting possibilities embroidery
software has to offer.

Jeanine Twigg is the author of the Embroidery Machine
Essentials series, published by KP Books. She is also the
contributing editor for Creative Machine Embroidery
magazine.
Resources:

(change thread colors), Decorative Fills about the software directly on the installation Amazing Designs
disks or on the Internet at manufacturer’s www.amazingdesigns.com
(change plain fills to decorative stitches), Baby Lock
Picture (digitize life-like designs from Web sites. “Help” screens accessed directly
www.babylock.com
photographs), Quilting (create outline, from the software main menu offer valuable
Bernina
stippling, appliqué designs) and Hoops insight to difficulties you may encounter. If
www.berninausa.com
(customize multiple designs to fit into software is purchased at a local dealer, con-
Brother
specific hoop sizes). sult their expertise when needed. www.brother.com
BuzzTools
D Use a resizing program to increase or Increased design size and stitch count www.buzztools.com
decrease design sizes proportionately. more than 25%. Cactus Punch (U.S. Distributor for Echidna Easy Sizer,
Original design size. Echidna Easy Lettering, Punto Letter Plus)
www.cactuspunch.com
Corel
www.corel.com
HobbyWare
www.hobbyware.com
Husqvarna Viking
www.husqvarnaviking.com
Janome America
www.janome.com
Kenmore
www.sears.com
Needleheads
www.monogramwizard.com
E Use specialty software to digitize cross F Use cataloging software to keep track of Oklahoma Embroidery Supply & Design
stitch designs. embroidery designs, printing templates, www.embroideryonline.com
and for file conversion.
Pantograms
www.pantograms.com
Pfaff
www.pfaff.com
Singer
www.singershop.com
Thread Artist
www.threadartist.com
Vikant-emb
www.vikant-emb.com
White
www.whitesewing.com

Creative Machine Embroidery 6

 Machine embroidery 101

back to basics

By Jeanine Twigg

Stitch Editing
There’s so much more to embroidery designs than what meets
the eye. Look beyond the face value of a design to recognize
that it can be split apart, rearranged, altered, added to and so
much more for the ultimate adventure in creativity.

ed·it 1. to assemble by cutting and

rearranging; 2. to alter, adapt, refine or to suit
a particular purpose; 3. to eliminate, delete;
4. to modify or adapt so as to make suitable
or acceptable

Design makeover magic

BuzzEdit
In the May/June ’06 issue of CME, we went into
detail about design customizing. The basics of
stitch editing were covered; here we will expand Load design to be edited into software.
on the subject.  Highlight or lasso individual design elements.
Stitch editing features can be a part of all-in- Some software allows for “clicking on” segments
one software, purchased separately as specialty using the mouse control, other software requires
software, or be a part of digitizing software. the use of a lasso or drawing element to high-
Determine what software you own that has stitch light the areas to be changed. Once the area
editing capabilities. When in doubt, consult your is highlighted, move, rotate or change thread
local embroidery machine dealer where software colors according to the software instructions.
can be purchased. Ask the dealer if your soft-
ware has stitch editing capabilities.
 Begin by selecting a design. Look at the differ-
ent colors or design elements. Determine which
segments can be removed, rotated, thread colors
changed or copied to give the design a
makeover.
BuzzEdit

Highlight design segments and change thread

colors.
7 Creative Machine Embroidery
 Stitch editing software allows
you to split, rearrange, alter, add to
designs and more. Stretch your design
library with this creative software.

Edited Design

Copyright Laws
The same copyright law that protects digitized
designs also protects modified or altered designs.
No matter how much you change an embroidery
design, it is still the property of the original copyright
owner, digitizing individual or company. Before making
design changes, make sure you have the right to
alter an original design. Some individuals or companies
require permission to change a design from the
original. Most, if not all, licensed designs cannot be
altered from the original appearance. For more
Original Design information, visit www.embroideryprotection.org.

 Copy and paste elements from other
designs if possible. Open another file, copy
the segments and paste them directly onto
the screen of the design in process of
being changed.
 Once the elements are altered, move
them into position by highlighting and
using the mouse arrow to move sections
into a pleasing manner. Mirror-image,
rotate and duplicate are just several of the
commands that can be used within editing
software.
 Save the design as a new file name. Do
not copy over the original file name. Save
the file often during the changes. Use the
“undo” command if changes are not
pleasing. Center the design in the hoop
and print a template for design alignment
on fabric.
BuzzEdit
Design splitting
Stitch editing doesn’t just stop at combin-
ing, altering or eliminating stitches; it
serves as a design splitter as well. Perhaps
you have hoop size restrictions, such as a
4" square hoop, and you want to embroi-
der a larger design. Stitch editing software
can assist in splitting larger designs to
accommodate a smaller hoop. There are
two options when it comes to splitting
designs—either split designs in a straight
line across the entire motif or break apart
the design into smaller sections—both
options provide smaller design files for
embroidery in multiple hoopings.

Determine the hoop sizes available

to you. Some machines offer multiple-
Center and save design changes using position hoops. Specialty design splitting
new file name. software will automatically split the design
into two or more sections to accommodate
Print templates onto vellum paper that can be found
BuzzEdit

at an office supply or scrapbooking store.Vellum is opaque and

Highlight, rotate, move, copy and paste allows you to see the fabric through the template. Be sure the
elements. software prints the center point and cross marks to make it
easy for you to mark your fabric.
Creative Machine Embroidery 8
 a multiple-position hoop. This allows you
to embroider a large design in smaller
sections by moving the hoop throughout
the embroidery process. Consult your
owner’s manual or your local embroidery
machine dealer to determine what hoops
are available for your equipment.
Some specialty software offers auto-
matic splitting of large embroidery
designs.
 Load the design into the software.
 Choose the hoop size.
Hoopworks
Select hoop size appropriate for
embroidery equipment.
 The software automatically splits the
embroidery design into two or more files
ready to embroider.
Hoopworks
Automatic design splitting software
shows exactly where split(s) will take
place.
Some embroidery software automati-
cally splits the design into multiple stitch
files. A separate file with specific instruc-
tions for embroidery is a nice feature to
help you determine how to embroider the
multiple-stitch file.
Some software splits designs with a
line that the user controls.
 Open the design into the software and
use the software options to draw a line
across the area to be split.
9 Creative Machine Embroidery
Hoopworks
Original Stitch Info. First Hooping Second Hooping
Automatic splitting software creates multiple-hoop stitch files and file with new design
details.
 The software will separate the split  Move the single element to the hoop
sections into multiple files. center and save this section as the design
name plus a letter “A” to indicate the first
hooping.
BuzzTools
User-controlled design splitting is
BuzzEdit
available in some software.
Move element to hoop center and save.
It is also possible to split designs
manually by separating sections within the  Repeat this process for the remaining
design into areas that will fit into a smaller sections saving multiple letter files indicat-
hoop. ing the hoop positions for embroidery.
 Highlight or lasso design segments and Putting it all together
move them away from the rest of the
design elements. Once large designs are split into smaller
files for embroidery, it’s time to embroider
the sections seamlessly.
 Print a template from software for each
section to be embroidered.
 Use the template to mark the fabric
for the first hooping. Be sure the fabric
piece is large enough to accommodate all
the hooping and embroidering of each
section.
BuzzEdit
Draw a horizontal line longer than the
Highlight the section to be isolated and design. This will be the design centering
move it out of the way. and the upper and lower hoop notch
alignment line. For the first hooping, use
the first template to draw a vertical line to
 Highlight represent the left and right hoop notch
or lasso the remaining design
components and delete them from the alignment. Hoop the fabric using these
design. lines to match with notches on the hoop.
Use the center cross mark to align the
 It may be necessary to resize individual design elements to fit smaller hoop sizes. Be sure to resize in software that
will change the stitch count by reducing stitches as you make the design smaller to fit the hoop.

needle before stitching. After the embroi- software created to embroider the Baby Lock
www.babylock.com
dery of the first section, use the next sec- second portion of the design, or the
tion template to align the marked horizon- center cross marks. Bernina
www.berninausa.com
tal line with the previously embroidered Note: The software may have split the
Brother
design. Mark the next vertical line and design into two, three or more sections. www.brother-usa.com/homesewing
repeat the hooping and embroidery If your hoop has three sections for BuzzTools
process for each section. embroidery, it may be necessary to skip www.buzztools.com
 Hoop the fabric with the appropriate the middle section and embroider in the Capital Resource Corp.
stabilizer. first and last sections to complete the www.crcsales.com

 Be sure the marks on the fabric align

design. Your machine and software user’s Compucon
manuals will have more information on www.compuconusa.com
with the hoop notches and that the inner Corel
how to determine hoop placement on the
and outer hoop arrows are aligned. www.corel.com
machine arm. Parameters change with the
Single hoopings design size and software capabilities. Designer’s Gallery
www.designersgallerysoftware.com
 Repeat this process to embroider each
 Place the hoop on the machine. DRAWstitch Technology
section. www.drawstitch.com
 Align the needle with the center cross
To avoid gaps in the split, some soft- Elna
marks. ware adds needlepoints to the design to www.elnausa.com
 Embroider the first section. soften the combined effects. Some soft- Embird
 Remove the hoop from the machine ware adds a positioning stitch to aide in www.embirdusa.com
alignment of the next stitch section. Align Generations
and remove the fabric from the hoop. www.generationsemb.com
 Remove the stabilizer from the design.
the needle with the last stitch from the
Great Notions
previous section embroidered and contin-
 Align the next template to the first www.greatnotions.com
ue the embroidery process.

embroidery to determine the placement Husqvarna Viking
www.husqvarnavikingsoftware.com
of the next design and mark the fabric.
Janome
 Repeat this process to hoop and www.janome.com
embroider the remaining design Kenmore
sections. www.sears.com
Oklahoma Embroidery Supply & Design
Multiple position www.embroideryonline.com
hoopings Pantograms
www.pantograms.com
Buzz Tools

 Place the hoop on the machine in the

Pfaff
first hoop position. www.pfaffsoftware.com
User controlled design splitting is
 Embroider the first section. Singer
available in some software.
 Some embroidery software adds an
www.singerco.com
Simplicity
alignment stitch that may stitch last in www.simplicitysewing.com
each section. Use this stitch to align the Jeanine Twigg is the author of the Embroidery Machine SWF America
needle to embroider the next section. Essentials series published by Krause Publications. She is www.swfamerica.com
 Keep the hoop on the machine and also the contributing editor for CME. White
move the hoop to the next area to www.whitesewing.com
embroider. Multi-flowers: Dakota Collectibles, Disk #970148,
 There are multiple locations the hoop
design qhl02959
Rose: Sudberry House, Disk #D3100, design 3104
can be attached to the embroidery arm.
Consult the owner’s manual or your Basket: Cactus Punch, Disk #GST09, design Gst0908
local dealer, should you need more Sage: Dakota Collectibles, Disk #970110, design
GD0011
information or help in determining the
hoop placement. Resources
 Align the needle with the last stitch in Amazing Designs
www.amazingdesigns.com
the previous section, the extra stitch the

Creative Machine Embroidery 10

 Machine embroidery 101

back to basics

Resizing By Jeanine Twigg

Software
Small, large or somewhere in between, designs come in all sizes.
If you want to change the size of a design, use resizing software to
make this task easy and worry-free.

resize (v): change the size of; make the size In software
more appropriate.
Stitch editing, digitizing or specialty resizing
At the machine software can make adjusting a design’s size an
Designs can be adjusted larger or smaller on easy task. Simply highlight the design and drag
the touch-screen of the embroidery machine. the box or circle in or out to achieve the size
Some machines have simple arrow keys to desired.
make the adjustments while other machines
have percentages that designs can be enlarged
or reduced. Some embroidery machine manu-
facturers, have the capabilities of adjusting the
stitch density as designs are scaled or resized.
Changing the stitch density of a design
will alter the stitch count to make it proportion-
ately larger or smaller than the original. Most
machines, however, only have the capabilities
Buzz Tools

of enlarging or reducing designs plus or minus

20% without changing the stitch count. This ben-
efit can be helpful during the test-stitch process
when you determine the design is slightly too
dense or has too much space between stitches
when using standard 40-weight embroidery
thread. Enlarging or reducing the design to
adjust for design or thread changes can be a
benefit without changing the stitch count.
Resize using specialty software.
Or, depending on your software capabilities,
enlarge or reduce the design by percentages.
Look for an on-screen field that indicates a
design’s size and stitch count. It’s important
to notice both fields changing when altering
a design. As the design is reduced in size,
so should the stitch count. The opposite
applies when increasing a design.

11 Creative Machine Embroidery


The original design size
is 1.82" x 1.83" with
5,819 stitches.
What you need
to know
Some design manufacturers
do not recommend altering the
size of their designs. Some digitizers
build in depth and dimension to their
designs that when altered, causes stitch
problems and spacing irregularities.
In these cases, limit changes to plus or
minus 10% to 20%.
On the other hand, there are design
companies that supply free resizing
software or services with a purchase.
Whether designs are downloaded or
purchased in a retail store, check to see if
resizing software recommended by the
digitizer is available with a purchase.
Specialty or decorative fills may be
lost when resizing, depending on the
software’s sophistication. It may render
the design area of decorative fills solid or
remove stitches all together. Depending
on the complexity of the enlargement
(greater than 100%), it may be best to
import the design into digitizing software
to make the necessary changes. This way
additional design options are available,
such as adding or deleting stitches, fills
or density changes.
Design enlarged 100% in resizing software and stitch
density has been modified. New size is 3.65" x 3.66"
with 16,368 stitches. The software automatically
added stitches as the design was enlarged.
Design enlarged 100%
in resizing software without
modifying stitch density.
New size is 3.64" x 3.66"
with 5,819 stitches.
Enlarging a detailed design could cause
gaps between stitches. Add stitches with soft-
ware, if possible.
The age of the embroidery machine
or software will make a difference in the
Using resizing software resizing capabilities. Most older machines
and software do not have stitch regulators
Resizing designs is best performed in that alter design densities when resizing.
the original digitizing software. This way Therefore, resizing is limited to plus or
all the stitches remain as the digitizer minus 20%. Resizing without changing
intended. All software packages not native the design density squeezes stitches into
to the original design will interpret stitches a smaller space or lengthens stitches into
in an effort to recreate the design within a larger space.
the software. With so many different A built-in stitch regulator within
digitizing programs and languages, the software automatically reduces or adds
software will interpret designs in the most stitches as a design is resized. Some
simplistic stitches—running, satin and fill. embroidery machines have this same
Be sure to resize a design capability. Stitch processing works best
proportionately—height and width. when limited to no smaller than half the
Reducing a detailed design could cause original size and no larger than twice the
distortion or build-up of stitches. Remove original size—depending on the software
unwanted stitches with software if possible. limitations.
Test drive software at your local embroidery machine or software
dealer. Embroider before and after resizing to determine which
one does the best job for you.
Creative Machine Embroidery 12
 The most current software available DRAWstitch Techonology
www.drawstitch.com
will have the latest stitch processing fea-
tures. It pays to upgrade to the next level Elna
www.elnausa.com
as the manufacturers keep making soft-
Embird
ware easier to use with each subsequent www.embirdusa.com
upgrade.

Generations
Digitizing companies www.generationsemb.com
Jeanine Twigg is the author of the Embroidery Machine
or individuals create Essentials series published by Krause Publications. She is Great Notions
www.greatnotions.com
designs to be also the contributing editor for CME magazine.
Husqvarna Viking
embroidered in a specif- Snowman designs: Anita Goodesign, Sparkly www.husqvarnavikingsoftware.com
ic size. Changes to the Snowmen, design HDSN05 Janome
www.janome.com
design size can Resources Kenmore
alter the original intent Amazing Designs www.sears.com
www.amazingdesigns.com OESD
of the design. Some www.embroideryonline.com
Baby Lock
companies frown on www.babylock.com Pantograms
Bernina www.pantograms.com
changes being made to www.berninausa.com Pfaff
their designs. Be sure to Brother www.pfaffsoftware.com
read the fine print www.brother-usa.com/homesewing Singer
BuzzTools www.singerco.com
as to what is allowed www.buzztools.com Simplicity
with the designs before Capital Resource Corp. www.simplicitysewing.com
www.crcsales.com SWF America
you purchase. www.swfamerica.com
Compucon
www.compuconusa.com White
Corel www.whitesewing.com
www.corel.com

Tips For Success

Resizing software does have its limits. Larger width satin stitches
could cause an embroidery machine some difficulties such as a
reduction in speed or changes to the way it interprets the design.

Keep your hoop size limitations in mind as you increase or decrease
design sizes. Do not increase designs beyond the hoop sizes that are
available for your machine.

Always test-stitch before and after altering a design. This way you’ll
know what the original appearance of the design should be before
and after changes.

Save the original design with a new file name before making
changes. Do not save changes to the original. When in software, use
the “undo” function if changes are undesirable.

Always resize from the original design file. Do not resize a resized
design as degradation can occur.

13 Creative Machine Embroidery

 Machine embroidery 101

back to basics

Monograms &
Lettering Software By Jeanine Twigg

Creating lettering or monograms using embroidery software is a

great way to make any project personal. Whether it is a full name
or monogram initials, a host of embroidery software programs
can make it easy.

Software selection
If you own or are looking to purchase embroi-
dery software for lettering or monogramming,
look for components in software that allow for
the addition of fonts, letters or the importing
of designs. Read the manufacturer’s software
packaging or a description of the software
(at your local retailer or online) to determine
the capabilities for creating lettering or
monograms.
There are product specific embroidery soft-
ware programs that make the creation of letter-
ing or monograms simple. These programs have
a large range of font choices for initials or
names as well as accompanying motifs to sur-
round or accent your initials or words.
Some software
programs offer
a range of font
choices plus
companion motifs
to surround letters
and words.
Use buttons or pull-down menu options in
embroidery software such as “Open,” “Insert”
or “Import” to determine if the addition of
lettering or monograms are an option for cre-
ation. Do not hesitate to experiment with the
software to see how it works. Owner’s manuals
may either be in the form of hard copy pages
that come with the software or pages printed
from the installation CD-ROM. Use the “Help”
menu within the software to assist in determining
the software capabilities.
Most customizing and editing software pack-
ages allow for the importing of digitized embroi-
dery designs, letters and monogramming ele-
ments. Some software packages have built-in
fonts in multiple sizes and styles. With the use of
built-in letters or computer true-type fonts, cre-
ating lettering or monograms can be as simple
as typing in alphabetic characters. Use the mouse
pointer to click, move or drag the elements into
the desired location on screen.
Automatic digitizing or standard digitizing
programs can offer additional freedom for cre-
ativity. Use digitizing software in the same way
you would create a single design. Import or

14 Creative Machine Embroidery

 Use lettering for
monograms or to
create greetings
and verses on
projects. These
sample projects
were created with
Designer’s Gallery
LetterWorks
software.

Glossary of terms
Here is some basic terminology to help you better under-
stand monogramming and lettering software.
let·ter·ing n. The process of forming letters, words or
sentences.
Lettering is the creation of words, names or sentences
involving upper and lower case alphabetic letters for
embroidery. It can consist of complete first or last
names, business names and sentences with or without
punctuation.
mon·o·gram n. A design composed of one or more
letters, typically the initials of a name, used as an
identifying mark.
Monogramming consists of uppercase alphabetic
letters in initial formats. A traditional monogram consists
of three uppercase letters. The first letter signifies the first
letter in a person’s first name. The second letter is usually
larger and signifies the first letter in a person’s last name.
The third letter is usually the size of the first initial and
signifies the first letter in the person’s middle name.
There are variations for couples where the first letter
signifies the first letter in the husband’s first name. The
second letter is usually larger and signifies the first letter
in the couple’s last name. The third letter is usually the
size of the first initial and signifies the first letter in the
wife’s first name.
font n. A complete type set of one size and style.
type·face n. The letter or character size or style of a
font.
A font is a set of typesetting characters in all one
style. A typeface is the font expression, such as italic bold,
bold italic, and normal. A font size is depicted by a point
value. The higher the point value the larger the font.
A font can have a style that is either a computer stan-
dard or labeled as a “True-Type.” A true-type font is in a
scalable format with characters that have a creative
styling. You will have the most versatility in style when
using a “true-type” font for lettering or monogramming.

Creative Machine Embroidery 15

 Monogram Styles
This sample shows a traditional mono-
gram for an individual: The larger center
motif is the last name initial, smaller left
motif is the first name initial and the
smaller right motif is the middle initial.
select a font, enlarge it to the desired size,
and use the software automatic digitizing
capabilities to add stitches to the lettering
or monogram outline (A).
In the software of your choice, either
import or use the built-in letters to create
the lettering or monogram.

Begin with a new file. Use the desired
hoop size as a guide to aid in placement.
A Use specialty monogram and lettering
software that allows for selection of
unique font styles and coordingating
designs in variety of interests.
D Type in font size
16 Creative Machine Embroidery
This example shows a traditional single
monogram for an individual or family:
The last name initial.
The hoop also helps to keep the design
size within the hoop confines. It may be
necessary to select the hoop size from a
pull-down menu or type in the hoop size
manually.
Choose a border or frame if desired.
Borders may be available in assorted
shapes and sizes controlled by the soft-
ware. Frames can come in more than one
part for use with monograms (B). Frames
B Choose border or frame if desired.
E Determine shape by clicking on desired
tab or pull-down menu.
This is an example of a traditional dou-
ble monogram for an individual. The
letters are the same size for the first
name initial and last name initial.
and borders are optional depending on
the desired look.

Add the lettering or monogram text.
Some software packages only allow for the
insertion of capital letters, such as in spe-
cialty monogram software. When inserting
lettering, determine if you want one line or
multiple lines. Sometimes this feature must
be selected in advance.
C Select font style.
F Change thread colors per word, letter or
monogram initial.
 Make sure there are underlay stitches under the letters you create. The underlay
stitches form a foundation under topstitches to make sure the fabric is
secure during the embroidery process.

Select the font style. Font styles can be Software benefits
Print templates directly from software to
numerous and may require scrolling aid in exact placement onto fabric.

Change stitches within a design motif
through multiple pages to select the type Using embroidery software to create
desired. Select one style and if you don’t like monograms and lettering can provide
added benefits over the touch screen on or decorative fill pattern for monograms
your choice, it can always be changed (C). or large letters.

Type in the font size desired and space the embroidery machine. Instead of
between letters (D). Again, if you don’t like embroidering one letter at a time and try-
Jeanine Twigg is the author of the Embroidery
your choice, it can always be changed. ing to align it on the touch screen of your
Machine Essentials series published by KP Books. She
Simply select the tab or pull-down menu embroidery machine or with individual
is also the contributing editor for CME magazine.
and type in another size. Keep in mind hoopings onto fabric, allow software to
font sizes vary according to the type style. make the embroidery process easier. Here
are some of the many features you may Resources
Experiment until the correct font and size Check with your local machine or software dealer to
is determined. find useful when using software:
find out more information on monogramming and let-

Once the choices have been finalized, add
Note: Software options vary by manufac- tering software.
turer; consult your local embroidery Amazing Designs
the lettering or monogram to the border. machine dealer for the software that best www.amazingdesigns.com
Depending on the choice of frame, the let- suits your needs. Baby Lock

Resize, reshape, rotate and change font
tering may not fit the space without selecting www.babylock.com
additional parameters. Bernina
Determine the shape by clicking on the styles simply.

Automatically or manually adjust the
www.berninausa.com
desired tab or pull-down menu. The letter- Brother
ing can contour into a variety of shapes and space between letters (kerning). www.brother.com
envelopes (E). This may result in an addi-
Choose from a large selection of letter- Cactus Punch (U.S. Distributor for Echidna Easy
tional step depending on your software. ing and monogram envelope shapes (arcs, Lettering and Punto Letter Plus)
www.cactuspunch.com
Rotate, move, or shape the lettering or circle, line, concave, convex, banner and
monogram to fit with the frame or design. Capital Resource Group
pennants). www.crcsales.com
Some software packages can change
Align multiple lines of text (left, right or Embird
thread colors per word, letter or mono- center), shape text around a design or fit www.embirdusa.com
gram initial, if desired. While this will add the text within a border or frame. Generations

Create single or multiple lines of text, or
color stops, the effect adds a bit of whim- www.generationsemb.com
sical creativity to your end result (F). Great Notions
Insert, import or copy and paste one, two or three letter monograms. www.greatnotions.com
embroidery motifs from within the soft-
Adjust the density, pull compensation Husqvarna Viking
ware or from an outside company if this and underlay stitches of monograms or www.husqvarnaviking.com
feature is available on the software (G). individual letters. Janome

Align text with a simple “click, drag and
www.janome.com
Create lettering and monograms
with built-in digitized fonts and design Kenmore
drop” method. www.sears.com
elements (H).
Needleheads
www.monogramwizard.com
G Insert, import or copy and paste H Create lettering with built-in digitized
OESD
embroidery motifs. fonts. www.embroideryonline.com
Pantograms
www.pantograms.com
Pfaff
www.pfaff.com
Singer
www.singerco.com
White
www.whitesewing.com

Creative Machine Embroidery 17

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