In general, underlay stitches are the most unnoticed arteries of embroidery, which adds subtlety to the basis of the stitched design and helps the upper stitches to stand out. For those working on a detailed small graphic or a large stripe, it is impossible to avoid coming across the underlay and baste stitch that are important for creating high-quality embroidery.
This guide will cover the following information:
- What are underlay stitches?
- Why underlay stitches are essential.
- How do you properly apply underlay stitches in embroidery digitizing?
What Are Underlay Stitches?
Back stitches are laid before sewing embroidered ones on the material to create a settling base on which the embroidery will rest. They support the fabric and anchor the design firmly while also preparing the area for the final sewing.
Types of Underlay Stitches:
Center Walk: One that passes vertically through the design element. It is fast and perfect for lines and stripe motifs.
Edge Walk: A straight stitch drawn parallel to the edges of the design of a sewing component.
Zigzag Underlay: A stitch with a zigzag formation gives a broader base than the stitch just described.
Tatami (or Fill) Underlay: A pattern in a grid form used under larger fill areas.
Why underlay stitches are significant?
Underlay stitches are vital to determining the success of an embroidery project.
Here’s why they’re essential:
Stabilization: They inhibit the movement of the fabric during embroidering so that it does not wrinkle.
Support: Working underlay stitches precede the main stitches as they keep top stitches from sinking into the fabric.
Shape Definition: They contribute to establishing the edges of the designs so that adequate sharpness of the edges and details is achieved.
Enhanced Appearance: By lifting the top stitches, the underlay stitches add to the depth and surface qualities of the embroideries.
When to Use Underlay Stitches
Underlay stitches are only sometimes necessary for some designs. Still, they are crucial in certain situations: Underlay stitches are not always required for every design, but they are essential in certain situations:
Dense Fabrics: As for additional techniques for wedges on thick or dense fabric matrices, underlay stitches prevent the occurrence of distortions and maintain the contrast in the drawing.
Large Designs: For the major design types, underlay stitches provide the support necessary for the fabric to remain stable.
Loose Weave Fabrics: Hence, underlay stitches were introduced in more delicate fabrics, such as knits, since they reduce distortion due to the openness of the stitches in these fabrics.
Complex Designs: Many complex patterns have underlay stitches, and even if the design has small details, it must have underlay stitches.
The general procedure on how to choose the right underlay stitch is as follows;
When selecting the proper type of underlay stitch, a person must consider numerous factors, such as the type of fabric, size, style of the pattern, and preferred general appearance.
Fabric Type: Properties with softer and more pliable fabric require more support, so using underlay stitches such as edge walk and zigzag is recommended.
Design Complexity: Where the design was simple, a centre walk underlay would be used, whereas where the design was complex, several underlay types could be used.
Stitch Density: In high-density design, a tatami underlay gives a good structure, while the zigzag underlay may be used in low-density design.
Underlay Stitch Techniques in Digitizing
In embroidery digitizing, it is noted that the underlay stitch is as valuable as the top stitch. Here’s how to effectively incorporate underlay stitches in your digitizing process: Here’s how to effectively integrate underlay stitches in your digitizing process:
- Plan Ahead: To match the type of underlay stitch according to the design of the knits and the fabric used. Planning underlay stitches should be one of the first things to be considered before digitizing.
- Layering: Reflex underlay the underlay stitches so that you have created robust and sturdy stitches to provide support. For instance, an edge walk underlay and a zigzag underlay can be performed in designs needing more support.
- Adjust Settings: Different embroidery software enables the most convenient change in density, length, and type of underlay stitch. Adjusting these settings is advised to fit the requirements of a particular project.
- Test Samples: However, to identify the actual appearance of the underlay stitches, it is recommended that you test your design on a fabric sample before solidifying it. This way, you can rectify problem areas and achieve a favourable outcome.
Optimize for Efficiency: Although underlay stitches are very important, they also increase the stitch count. It is advisable to employ the most appropriate underlay type and parameters that produce the desired result but do not involve extra stitching.
