How did you learn?

[Ken]

We are relatively new to the business. I have Tom Moore (Strawberry Stitches) book. Also have John Deere's videos. While I can do simple logos and such, I have a long way to go.

I was curious as to how most here have learned to digitize?

[kjembroidery]

I come from a home embroidery background and have Artista V5 software, which is based in Wilcom. I've learned mostly from trial and error, reading and trying it out. I've been to a couple of Floriani workshops which were helpful to me. I haven't moved into the "professional" software yet since mine is very powerful and I can do most everything with it.
Karen

[kensebren]

I hope one day to be able to take the Wilcom classes at Strawberry Stitch, or with Balboa Threadworks.

From what I hear, the are both pretty awesome to learn from.

[lindasstitches]

Understanding theory of embroidery is a MUST prior to being able to successfully digitize. I have been LEARNING to digitize for 8 years now and still learn on every design. I couple of tools in addition to books, classes or other training aids is to obtain designs digitized by the respected and established digitizers and study their pathing. Analyze their work and ask yourself. “Why did the artist do that?” or “How can I improve on what they have done?” Also ask of those same established digitizers to help you by looking at your work and provide critical feedback. Most are very willing to review your work.

[kensebren]

I agree. It has helped me alot by just standing by the machine and watching "others work" stitch out. The pathing on some of them is amazing!

[In House Digitizing]

Both Balboa and Strawberry Stitch would be good companies to emulate. They both do quality work.
Anyone can use the tools and create shapes, but it takes someone that has run a machine in production to fully understand the complexities of a digitized design. You need to retrain your eyes to look at art differently.

Simple basics:
Understand what values your software works in and ..
UNDERSTAND what those values mean
Work from the background forward
Work in small sections at a time
DO NOT stick with the same density for satin stitches throughout your design
- wider columns need more stitches and narrower columns need less
Understand stitch length, both maximum and minimum

Create 6 letter I's on your screen. Make the first one with a density of 1.2 mm (21 stitches per inch) and increase the next one by .2 mm .. for example: 1.2mm 1mm .8mm .6mm .4mm (standard) .3mm (I will not go lower than .3mm unless I'm working with puffy foam).
Sew them off and keep those by your computer for reference.
Do the same with running stitches. Start at 1.8mm and gradually increase to 5 mm.

I hope this helps in your digitizing quest.