ImagesMagUK_May_2021

In this piece, straight stitch and satins are alternated for open, airy linework and dense, dark areas. Rather than use flat fills to create the dense areas on the tyres, overlapped satins were used to create more texture and imply a grooved surface millimetres when art calls for flat or patterned textures, or even when rendering an object that requires the curved lines present in curved fills to insinuate a convex or concave surface. Angling for coverage The most common angle for fill is nearly horizontal, partly because vertical fills can fall into the vertical grain in some knits or into vertical seams on caps, causing show-through and warping. Horizontal fills suffer, however, when flat-topped or bottomed shapes are outlined with satin stitch, as the overlapping satin may pull apart the fill’s rows of stitching, causing show-through. However, attempting to avoid a satin stitch ‘grabbing’ these rows by using a 45 degree-angled fill can cause undue shape distortion as many materials stretch considerably on the 45-degree angle to their grain. An angle as little as 15 to 20 degrees off the horizontal is generally enough to reduce this edge-splitting effect without excessive distortion. Like a satin stitch, the angle of a fill can also be used to dictate light reflection, meaning that many fill elements will use an angle that follows the natural angle of the surface depicted to create a realistic shine or to differentiate separate objects that are next to each other in the art. Speciality stitch types Digitising software suites offer every manner of method to fill areas, from contour stitches that mimic the edges of the digitised shape, to spirals and repeated programmable motif patterns, and even to simulations of counted cross-stitch. The same can be said for outlines, with motifs, blanket stitching, back stitching, and much more on offer to follow any path you would like to draw. While they can be useful, most of these decorative styles are more suited to home décor or fashion embroidery, rarely finding their way into the logo and branding work that makes up the largest part of commercial digitising. Even so, it’s worthwhile to familiarise yourself with the wide range of treatments your software offers. The ability to employ creative, textural treatments can be a point of differentiation between your work and the standardised interpretations commonly seen in the industry, and speciality stitch types can help. R115F • BESPOKE SERVICE • SOURCING & FULFILMENT • EMBROIDERY & PRINT • ONLINE ORDERING 24HRS 0800 328 3868 I.S.Enterprises International Limited sales@isenterprises.co.uk www.isenterprises.uk IT’S ALL ABOUT CHOICE PROMOTIONALMERCHANDISE SINCE 1971 R332X R233M R039X R115M 8 www.images-magazine.com PROMOTIONALWEAR LEISUREWEAR Pyjamas come with... • Matching printable eye mask • Matching Scrunchie • Plain white presentation box that can be personalised with stickers • Satin lustre brushed- back fabric • Totally unbranded • Sizes: Kids age 2/3 to Ladies XXL • Inside back neck half moon for printed branding • Mix and match: long & short sleeve styles • No minimum order quantity angie@gazellesports.biz | 01204 575860 NEW Ladies & Kids Pyjamas KB TIPS & TECHNIQUES 80 images MAY 2021 Erich Campbell is an award-winning digitiser, embroidery columnist and educator, with more than 20 years’ experience both in production and the management of ecommerce properties. He is the programme manager for the commercial division of BriTon Leap. www.erichcampbell.com