What is Computerized Embroidery
Has it ever occurred to you how a machine can carry out the intricate art of embroidery with precision and accuracy? This tutorial will guide you through the process of computerized embroidery that has changed the outlook of modern sewing.
The embroidery art is no longer thought to be the sole pride of grandmothers and homemakers. Machines have long stolen this ancient art away from women who had made this their favorite leisure activity.
Today you have the most intricate designs being done by computerized machines. Let’s learn more about this machine art so you can design all those time consuming and tedious designs with ease.
Before we get to know more about embroidery art using computers, it is worthwhile first to understand what this machine art is all about.
What Is Computerized Embroidery?
Contents
Computerized embroidery is when the embroidery is done using computerized designs. It is also popularly known as machine embroidery or computer-controlled embroidery.
Computer created design is then used to stitch the design on the fabric or material.
You will be able to find such computerized embroidery machines for small independent sewing enthusiasts as well as for large scale commercial production.
These embroidery machines are specifically designed to translate the drawings or designs made by the computer into beautiful decorative stitches on the fabric.
Is It Hard To Use Computerized Embroidery?
Seamstresses good at the art of embroidery can create wonders using their hands. This mostly depends on their innate skills or flair for the job.
Some people even do well once they have acquired their skills through training and practice. However, computerized embroidery is different.
The prerequisite for this machine-controlled design is that you should possess a certain level of computer skills and basics of sewing and embroidery.
You should be well-versed with using computers to be able to edit existing designs that come as part of specific embroidery software. These skills will come quickly to you with experience.
However, if you want to create designs on your own, it requires you to go through some specific courses on Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) or Computer-Aided Design (CAD).
You can subscribe to online courses that will help you with the technical details of computerized embroidery.
Essentials Required To Do Computerized Embroidery
Stock up the following things to get started on your computerized embroidery
1. Firstly, you will need the sewing machine that can-do embellishment from the file formats. Most modern computerized embroidery machines have the pre-designed patterns embedded in them.
You could also add more designs by way of downloading them to USB, which can then be used with these specialized sewing machines.
2. A variety of embroidery threads to be used for the decorative stitches.
3. Pair of sharp scissors and other sewing supplies (which is inevitable in sewing projects)
4. Good quality fabric to create decorative patterns.
Benefits of Computerized Embroidery
Computerized embroidery machines can be used to sew some very complicated designs which involve a lot of time and labor.
Easy to operate and understand
You can easily sew designs of your choice using computerized embroidery. Using these machines does not require a lot of professional knowledge and expertise.
If you are good with your sewing machine, you could also work on a computerized embroidery machine. The only thing is that you should have a basic knowledge of its working.
Using the manual is a great way to learn how to use your embroidery machine to give you stunning designs on any fabric of your choice.
Accuracy
Machine made designs are usually high on accuracy as it has all the parameters well defined before the machine starts to translate the designs into stitches on the material.
All that it requires is a lot of supervision to ensure the design is getting stitched as per the design file.
Speed
Hand-made embroidery is sure expensive. However, it requires a lot of human labor, and the reason for the high price is justified. Machine-made embroidery is faster and more efficient.
Patterns can be converted into digital formats, which in turn can be sewn onto fabrics. It saves a lot of time and is ideal for large scale production.
A computerized machine can help complete designs in a few minutes, which otherwise would take more than a week by hand.
Flexible
You can use the pre-designed templates and make precise adjustments to it. Thus, it allows for editing of the designs before using them on materials.
How to Use A Computerized Embroidery
Step 1. Create a design or edit the existing designs
This requires you to put to the test your creativity. Digitizing will require you to create your designs, which can be time-consuming.
However, the artist in you will feel satiated if you can create something unique on your own. You could also use the pre-designed patterns that come when you purchase the embroidery software.
You could also explore several designs that are available on the internet by downloading them on to a USB device, which can be further used with your embroidery machine to give you beautiful, intricate designs.
Also, keep in mind the capacity of your machine, as to how many needles you can use, how many colors it can accommodate, and so on.
Otherwise, your design might look quite distant from what you had in mind.
Step 2. Save and transfer the file into the machine
Once you are done with the designing or editing part, save the file in a format that is compatible with the software. The format should also be one that can be read by your machine.
It is essential to save the file in the format that is compatible with your software and machine so that any future editing can be done with ease.
You could either use a USB cable to transfer the design or use a USB device to allow your machine to read the design in a digital format.
Step 3. Start the stitching process
Before the machine gets started with the embroidery function, you will have to make a few manual inputs. The program assigns specific numbersfor each of the different colors and the stitching order as well.
Your embroidery machine will also have numbers on the needles for a particular color. You will have to fill out these details so the machine knows which color thread has to be chosen at different stages of the embroidery.
Step 4. Frame the fabric using the hoop in the machine
This will help the fabric to be in place while the machine is sewing the designs on it. Framing also ensures the fabric stays firm enough for the needles to move around while making the stitches with accuracy.
Embroidery designs are created as a loop by using the bobbin and top thread like in ordinary sewing.
Step 5. Get the embroidery machine started
Wait for the machines to complete a specific specified field of stitching to ensure the looping is happening correctly.
Once you have input the needle numbers for the different colors and order of stitching, you will also inputa specific field for which you will run the stitches.
The machine will run until it completes the specified field and not venture out of the parameters mentioned.
Step 6. Monitor the progress
As an operator, you are required to monitor the functions of your embroidery machine continuously.
Machines that have a single needle requires special care as they end the stitching process once they are done stitching a particular color.
Once it is done with one color, the operator will have to change the color. It is ideal to have a machine with many needles if you are frequently working with designs that require many colors.
Where To Get Embroidery Designs?
The Internet is a great source to get designs of your choice. There are many free websites where you can get to download them.
Also, embroidery machines come with standard pre-designed embroidery patterns. As mentioned earlier, you are at liberty to create and digitize your own designs using the embroidery software.
How Much Will A Computerized Embroidery Machine Cost?
A computerized embroidery machine can cost you anything between $300 to $600, depending on the various features it offers.
It also depends on the size of the embroidery works on the fabrics. You have large machines that can cater to larger designs, which will cost more than the normal ones.
Final Thoughts
The needle and thread art has always been a great way to create fantastic works of art. With the help of modern technology, you can create unique designs that will help you make a name for yourself in the world of fashion.
This work of art requires a lot of patience and time to master it, though, a good portion is handled by the machine.
We believe in having reduced the ambiguity you had around the concept of computerized embroidery at the beginning of the article.
We would be happy to hear if this tutorial helped you with your embroidery feat. Drop-in your suggestions or feedback so that we can make our articles better and also help budding sewists to achieve perfection.
Crafting has always been a deep-seated passion of mine, one that has flourished and evolved over the years.
I've dedicated considerable time to both studying and practicing in the realm of fashion and sewing, amassing a wealth of experience and skills.
It brings me great joy to share these insights and experiences with you all, hoping to inspire and foster a similar passion for the art of sewing.
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