Machine Embroidery Is an Embroidery Process

Machine embroidery is an embroidery process whereby a sewing machine or embroidery machine is used to create patterns on textiles.It is used commercially in product branding, corporate advertising, and uniform adornment.Hobbyists also machine embroider for personal sewing and craft projects. There are two main types of machine embroidery.The first, free-motion sewing machine embroidery, uses a basic zigzag sewing machine.The second, computerized machine embroidery, uses an embroidery machine or sewing/embroidery machine. Free-motion machine embroidery In free-motion machine embroidery, embroidered designs are created by using a basic zigzag sewing machine.As it is used primarily for tailoring, this type of machine lacks the automated features of a specialized machine. To create free-motion machine embroidery, the embroiderer runs the machine and skillfully moves tightly hooped fabric under the needle to create a design.The operator lowers or covers the "feed dogs" or machine teeth and moves the fabric manually.The operator develops the embroidery manually, using the machine's settings for running stitch and fancier built-in stitches.In this way, the stitches form an image onto a piece of fabric.An embroiderer can produce a filled-in effect by sewing many parallel rows of straight stitching.A machine's zigzag stitch can create thicker lines within a design or be used to create a border.Many quilters and fabric artists use a process called thread drawing (or thread painting) to create embellishments on their projects or to create textile art. Free-motion machine embroidery can be time-consuming.Since a standard sewing machine only has one needle, the operator must stop and re-thread the machine manually for each subsequent color in a multi-color design.He or she must also manually trim and clean up loose or connecting threads after the design is completed. As this is a manual process rather than a digital reproduction, any pattern created using free-motion machine embroidery is unique and cannot be exactly reproduced, unlike with computerized embroidery. With the advent of computerized machine embroidery, the main use of manual machine embroidery is in fiber art and quilting projects.Though some manufacturers still use manual embroidery to embellish garments, many prefer computerized embroidery's ease and reduced costs. Computerized machine embroidery Most modern embroidery machines are computer controlled and specifically engineered for embroidery.Industrial and commercial embroidery machines and combination sewing-embroidery machines have a hooping or framing system that holds the framed area of fabric taut under the sewing needle and moves it automatically to create a design from a pre-programmed digital embroidery pattern. Depending on its capabilities, the machine will require varying degrees of user input to read and sew embroidery designs.Sewing-embroidery machines generally have only one needle and require the user to change thread colors during the embroidery process.Multi-needle industrial machines are generally threaded prior to running the design and do not require re-threading.These machines require the user to input the correct color change sequence before beginning to embroider.Some can trim and change colors automatically. A multi-needle machine may consist of multiple sewing heads, each of which can sew the same design onto a separate garment concurrently.Such a machine might have 20 or more heads, each consisting of 15 or more needles.A head is usually capable of producing many special fabric effects, including satin stitch embroidery, chain stitch embroidery, sequins, appliqué, and cutwork. Source:www.answers.com