Sadia’s Blog

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.