Photostitch or Sfumato
It depends which software you are using…if you are using Embird Digitizing Studio then it is called “Sfumato”. If you are using any other software, then it is called Photostitch. Both are the same which squiggly
lines that make up the design. I believe the name Photostitch came from the idea of transferring photos into embroidery. A great idea!
I’ve never been very fond of photostitch or sfumato. Both techniques are excellent just that I am not fond of letting a software take over to create the design. With that in mind, I have been experimenting to create a photostitch look type techniques. My Studio lesson group has been extremely patient with me and I really don’t want to keep them guessing and waiting any longer. So finally I think I have created a new technique for them to learn and work with. And what an easy method it is indeed. One can take pictures of family members, pets, vintage photographs, etc and create embroidery designs with them. I must give credit to one of my favourite places on the net for vintage postcards: http://www.lacetoleather.com/VictorianGraphics.html These are excellent for anyone who wants to digitize something vintage yet not feel that any toes will be stepped upon. The lady with the hat was my first experiment. I did do an extensive lesson on Sfumato some years ago and although it is an excellent way to create embroidery using photos yet I was not satisfied with the auto selection of stitches. Besides I want embroidery to be quick and without a lot of stitches.
Literally all digitizing softwares now offer the pentool type effect. This is where one can digitize without the clicking of placing the stitches. The stitches happen fast and one must keep a certain pace to allow the fluidity of the stitches to occur…otherwise you end up with a gob full of stitches in one area. The pencil etching type design on the side is what I came up with using the pentools in Embird 2006 to create a Sfumato or Photostitch type design. The number of stitches is phenomally low and it is a 5×7 hoop design with absolutely no jumps at all. Great for decorating T-shirts for the summer! The time it took me to create the design….about 10 minutes. WOW! Okay, I’m kidding. It did take ten minutes to draw it out but to get all the jumps out and then to enhance by duplicating stitches and adding took another ten to fifteen minutes. So basically about half an hour and then to stitch out…well, the design has 3,500 stitches which means about ten minutes of stitch time.
There really is not a lot in the technique except one has to watch the light and dark areas
of the photograph. Eyes and mouth are another important area to watch. Too much lingering with the mouse in those areas can cause needle breaks due to too many stitches. As the pentools option allows the mouse to move without using the right/left mouse clicks the stitches are automatically placed. The lady with the hat sketch is one of my favourites. I love the taupe look of the photograph and the fact that the eyes are so much to the side that one must be extremely careful to not give the effect of the pupils missing. The feathered collar is another area to watch. Lots of dark areas there with light in the center. Notice in the stitchout how the eyes are so very very light. The Napolean type hat with its dark and light areas was another place to watch.
I’m just about finished with the lesson and the technique. And YES….did I say I’m in total control while digitizing….LOL.
Posted: May 11th, 2008 under Machine embroidery tips, Journey, Main, machine embroidery, Digitizing, Embird 2006, Digitizing Softwares.
Comments: none







completely nine months as I would work a bit now and then. Nevertheless, it has taken a long long time and am I sick of seeing the various greens…you bet. LOL. I had no idea that Mother Nature has so many shades of green.
the case in creating the “Needle Lace I” files. I have to admit that even I am surprised at the delicate feel and workmanship that has finally taken shape. They do have a definite hand created look which was my ultimate goal along with low stitch count.
so than the one above. Btw, voile is a superb fabric….I simply love it. Not only does it hold its shape well but as it does have a bit of poly mix to it, the shrinkage is not so much as regular cotton. It is also a great fabric for summer weight blouses, baby heirloom items etc. I purchase mine from
during the week (yes I live away from home during the week and return home on the weekends) has a lovely master bath with toile wall paper in black. The laces along with the Marrakesh designs were perfect for the towels!
vintage laces and embroideries. A year ago I ventured into testing out a new type of stitch which is completely manually punched to create “Needle Lace”. Not only did I vie for extremely low stitch counts but also stability as well regardless of the type of thread used. The final result as you can see is a lace that is so extremely fine that it can be pulled through a ring! Not only is the stitch count very low but also the stitch time is extremely fast as well. A piece such as the runner on the side would take several months to create….however, on a home embroidery machine would take only two hours!
and so hard, not to mention the number of changes ….but that is what art is all about. One simply cannot say that the finished product will always be the same idea as what one started with.




















