Raise your hand if you've never purchased a disastrous machine embroidery design. Yup, it happens to all of us. Before starting digitizing my own machine embroidery designs I bought many machine embroidery designs; some good, some disastrous.
The disappointing ones often had poor stitch quality, misaligned patterns, and overly dense sections that made the fabric pucker or tear, and broke my machine needles. These flawed designs wasted both time and materials, not to mention money, leading to frustration and a steep learning curve. However, they also taught me valuable lessons about what to look for in high-quality designs, such as clear instructions, well-planned stitch sequences, and appropriate density levels. This experience ultimately motivated me to refine my own digitizing skills to ensure every design I create meets a high standard of excellence.
Today, I would like to share my experiences and knowledge with you so that you don't make the same mistakes I did. That way you can recognise a good machine embroidery design right from the bat, saving you loads of frustration and money.
So how do I avoid buying badly digitized machine embroidery designs?
Not all embroidery designs are created equal. It goes without saying that purchasing high-quality digitized machine embroidery designs can make a significant difference in the final outcome of your embroidery project. To avoid buying poorly digitized designs, consider the following tips:
Go Detective: Do Your Research
Firstly, research the source of the designs. Reputable sellers and well-known brands often maintain high standards for their digitized products. Look for reviews and testimonials from other customers. Positive feedback and a strong reputation in the embroidery community are good indicators of quality. Websites and forums dedicated to machine embroidery can also provide valuable insights and recommendations.
Grab The Magnifying Glass
Secondly, examine the design details before purchasing. Many sellers offer a preview or sample stitch-out of their designs. Pay close attention to the density, alignment, and overall appearance of these samples.
Is the design:
- Smooth: The stitches should lie flat and the image should not pull in any direction, distorting the design.
- Have well-defined lines: If the edges of the objects are blurry (unless it is shading, or an intentional design feature) the design might not be well digitized.
- Without jagged edges and gaps: Gaps and uneven lines are a definite indicator of bad digitizing.
- Overly Dense: Stitches shouldn't be so dense that the design looks hard and bulletproof. This can often be seen when satin stitch lines cross and the lines make a bump.
- Pulling the fabric: The design should, again, lie flat on the fabric without causing creases and puckering.
- Digitizes with broad satin stitches: Satin stitches shouldn't be to broad. When they start becoming to long, the digitizing software will often split the stitches, resulting in an uneven look. Satin stitches shouldn't be longer than 7mm as the stitches in the finished garment will snag when washed and worn.
Customer Support Means Caring
Lastly, consider the level of customer support and guarantees offered by the seller. Reliable sellers often provide a satisfaction guarantee or offer to correct any issues with their designs. Look for sellers who are responsive and willing to assist with any problems that arise.
Freebies
Additionally, some sellers may offer free test designs, allowing you to assess their quality before committing to a purchase.
Have a look at our Free Designs.
The Do's and Don'ts:
The Digitizer Is Not Always To Blame
Keep in mind, a high-quality machine embroidery design can be compromised by incorrect machine tension, needles, stabilizer, and fabric choices. If a new machine embroidery design didn't work out, retrace your steps and try stitching the design with different materials or settings.
After downloading a digital machine embroidery design, there are certain things you should and shouldn't do to ensure you get the most out of your purchase.
Firstly, you should always check that you buy the right size design for your hoop size. With that said, you should also avoid resizing the design as it can lead to distortion and loss of quality.
Your Softwary May Be The Culprit
Never open your design with any design software. This is important as the settings in the software can alter the design in such a way that it cannot be used or your machine will no longer be able to read the design.
Secondly, it is important to take note of the thread type and colors recommended in the design file and try to use them as closely as possible. This will ensure that the final product comes out as intended. Additionally, you should always test the design on scrap fabric before embroidering on your intended project. This will help you identify any issues with the design or thread colors before it is too late.
I cannot emphasize using good quality embroidery thread. If you would like to learn more about embroidery thread, head to my blog post Machine Embroidery Thread - What To Know Before You Buy
Let us know in the comments what your experience was buying machine embroidery designs online. Have you purchased some of our designs? Tell us all about it.
Consider sharing your thoughts by leaving a review of the machine embroidery designs you bought and stitched from Stitches & Strokes. Your feedback helps us build a good online reputation and help fellow embroidery enthusiasts choose quality designs from your recommendations.
Get Inspiration: Browse our Machine Embroidery Design Collection
Happy crafting!