How to Do Embroidery Digitizing for Foam
Digitizing is the process of converting a design to a data format used by embroidery machines. Embroidering with foam, also called 3-D embroidery or puff embroidery, under letters and numbers gives a raised look to your projects. Use foam embroidery on cap brims and heavy fabrics. Buy tear-away foam at craft and sewing stores.
Things You'll Need
- Digitizing software
- Font software
- Fabric
- Embroidery hoop
- Needle 75/11
- Embroidery thread
- Scissors
- 3-D foam
- Painters tape
- Paintbrush
Instructions
-
-
1
Open your digitizing software and select a font with letters that have rounded ends. Bush Script works well for lettering. Type a letter. Select a running stitch to form the outline of the letter. Use a 1 mm stitch length and a thread density of seven. Set the running stitch to sew first. The completed design should be 1 inch or larger.
-
2
Select a satin stitch setting it to sew second. Set the satin stitches to extend slightly beyond the running stitches.
-
-
3
Set up the fabric in the hoop and attach it to the embroidery machine. Change the needle to a 75/11 needle. Use embroidery thread and stitch out the running stitch, stopping after the stitch finishes.
-
4
Cut a piece of foam larger than the design. Use small pieces of painters tape to secure the foam on top of the partially stitched design. Repeat the running stitching again; this cuts the foam into the design. Stop the stitching again after the running stitch finishes.
-
5
Remove the excess foam from the outside of the running stitching. Complete the satin stitching. Brush away any small loose pieces of foam with a stiff paintbrush.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Whenever sewing decorative stitches, slow down the machine speed to allow more time for the machine to complete the stitches. This prevents missed or skipped stitches.
Always use rounded edges with the foam for a finished look.
Use the shortest stitch your machine has for the running stitches and the narrowest width for the satin stitches.
Choose a thread color close to the foam color to hide any small areas that the machine did not stitch.
Always stay close to the embroidery machine while it is stitching. If a malfunction occurs, you can stop the machine before any damage happens.
