Machine Embroidery Terms and Definitions

There are many terms used in the language of embroidery. This article will touch on a few of them and hopefully help you understand machine.

Embroidery Digitizing is the process of taking any form of artwork and transforming it into a language that the sewing machine will understand and stitch it out. Digitizing is a complex process which uses the machines running, satin and fills stitches to create an embroidery design. It requires many steps from starting with a simple clip art to a stitched out design. Digitizing Software is needed for this process.

Conversion Software converts a design from one format to another so that it can be read by a different machine than it was digitized for. For Example; Bernina designs are in ART format, in order for a Baby Lock machine to read the design, it needs to be in PES format. Conversion software is needed to change the design form ART format to PES format.

Customizing or editing allows you to edit and manipulate a design. Merging two designs is an example of customizing. Software is required. A converter allows you to read from various card formats and save on to a blank card in the format you need for your machine to read the card.

These are just a few of the most common terms heard in an embroidery shop. There are many other details and steps but this is a good start to helping you understand embroidery language.