Embroidery has been around for thousands of years, and was in use all over the world throughout history. However, the art form has much changed today with the advent of computers and software specifically for embroidering, as well as machines that are autonomous or nearly autonomous and create your designs on the fabric for you. Some who have not kept up with the latest advances in embroidery technology may be surprised at how far embroidery has come and how easily anyone can create complex and professional looking embroidery designs.
History of Embroidery
Embroidery has been used in history for both use in the home like on pillows and other personal items, and for garments for religious purposes like priest and monk’s clothing and wall hangings as well as in costumes to denote rank or status. Embroidery has changed a great deal throughout the ages but is generally thought to have begun at around 500 A.D. during a period of time known as the Anglo-Saxon Period, which extends to about 1000 A.D., or fifty or so odd years afterward. The embroidery during this period was extremely unique because it showed off the extraordinary skill of the English embroiderers. Generally, the embroidered items of the period were centered around Christianity, which was sweeping across those nations, and the skill of the English embroiderers was used to create ecclesiastical articles of clothing, tapestries and other decorative items in the churches of the time.
During the Norman Period, embroidery was used to denote the rank and the status of those who wore the clothing, much as embroidered police and military designs are used today. Also, there were embroidered tapestries that were left behind, like the Bayeaux tapestry, that showed off the architecture, clothing and styles of the period. In fact, it is considered by archeologists to be an incredible record of the time, because it was so intricately detailed. The tapestry is an example of the skill and precision that was used to create embroidered items in history.
Embroidery during the middle ages reflected the customs, clothing and building style of the period, showing us what life was like in vivid detail. Once again, it was the English who emerged as the artists in embroidery and fine clothing and other decorative items may have taken hundreds of hours of work to complete. Embroidery also continued throughout the sixteenth, seventeenth and eighteenth century, but the work declined in quality and did not come anywhere close the intricate styling of the ages past. This was even more pronounced during the 19 th century, partially because people – especially women – were spending less time at home doing arts and crafts and also because clothing with ornate decoration from embroidery was no longer required or appropriate.
Embroidery Today
Today, embroidery is completely different than in years past. Embroidery is still done with needles and thread but uses fairly complex sewing machines that are operating by computers in order to create an embroidery pattern. These digital embroidery machines use files of images that the sewing machine can read and images are converted into these files through special embroidery software that can create extremely professional looking patterns and designs. Nearly anyone can create digital embroidery designs using these machines and software.
Embroidery Designs
It all starts with the image that you want to make into an embroidery. You can get the image several different places. If you are an artist yourself, you may want to create the drawing that you are planning to use with paper and pencils or whatever other drawing tools that you work with. Once you have drawn out your design and you have it complete, you can upload it to your computer. Then, you can work with it digitally and use your digital embroidery software to convert it into a format that you can create an embroidery design with. Scanning may lose some of the quality of the image, depending upon the power of your scanner, but you should be able to get a good image with any of the latest technologies.
You don’t have to necessarily go with an image that you have already created. There are many pre-made patterns that are already out there for you to create a digital embroidery. These can be found online for a price, generally for around $2 or $3 depending upon how complex of a design that you want and where you get it from. However, you should also be aware that there are many that are available for free, and you still have to find patterns that will work with your embroidery machine. However, if you want a specific design, you may need to spend a few dollars to get it.
You can also choose to use an image that you find on the internet. If you have digital embroidery software, you should be able to load your picture in quite easily and then convert it into whichever format your digitalizer machine will take. However, if you decide to use images on the internet you should look for those that aren’t protected by copyright. Most search engines will let you search for images that are free to use, via their advanced search tools. If you want, you can also look on Flickr, and other websites that allow users to post images for others to use.
Embroidery Machines
Whichever type of design that you are going to use, you will need a digitalizer machine to be able to translate those designs onto the fabric of whatever you are going to embroider. You will need to decide which features that you want, because embroider machines can vary in price depending upon how much they can do, as well as by what brand you choose, and whether you go with new or used. Getting your files, once they are created, in formats like XXX, JEF, EXP, DST, HUS, VIP, PEC and PES, can be done with whatever is integrated with your machine like a floppy drive or a memory card reader.
The low end for digital embroidery machines starts at about $500 but they can reach around $1500 or $2000 depending upon the brand that you choose and the features that you want with your machine. You should also be aware that you can get a great deal on digital embroidery machines if you look at used ones, but you should also be careful to make sure that they work like they should. If you find that $500 – $1500 is out of your price range for your new hobby, then check online auction sites and other places where used items are sold.
Some of the features that you might see on digital embroidery machines include a built in sewing machine so that you can do your regular sewing as well as digital embroidery. Also, most embroidery machines will have many different designs that are already build in, as well as a large selection of sewing stitches. They may have a touchscreen or some other type of interface, depending upon the model, and they will also incorporate a selection of fonts that you can use for monograms and other lettering, with the ability to add more if needed.
Embroidery Software
You will need software to be able to convert your artwork, images or other designs into a file that can be read by your digital embroidery machine. This software can be expensive depending upon how fully featured it is, but the good news is that you may already have software that came with your digital embroidery machine. This is why you should buy your machine first before you look at software. However, if your machine doesn’t come with any software, of if it doesn’t have the features that you need you still have some options.
First, you should look at software that offers a free trial download. This will give you the ability to see what works with your machine, as well as to try out some of the features of software that you may not be familiar with. You may find that several features that you didn’t think you needed are coming in very handy. The other benefit to using trial software is that it usually gives you a time period of between fifteen and sixty days, and trying out three or four different embroidery software suites can allow you to wait six months or so before you have to spend money on your software. If you have just purchased a digital embroidery machine then this extra time can allow you to save up enough money to get a good software suite.
Digital embroidery can be a fun and rewarding hobby, and with the right equipment and a fair amount of skill, you may even be able to turn your hobby into something that can make you money. Many people enjoy embroidered items and you will love the quality items that you will be able to create, whether you are doing it for fun or to make some extra money.