Here’s a new Digitizing Practice! Digitize this fun image and I guarantee you will be lucky!
Fill out the form below and the image and a PDF guide will be sent to your email inbox.
Download the image from your email and use your creativity to trace and digitize the image, however you would like. The PDF guide will include a numbered digitizing plan and suggestions and tips for tracing the image.
Create A Digitizing Plan
Decide which shapes to trace first – look at the image and think of it as layers. Trace the layers in back first. Trace the shapes that should stitch first and leave the details for last.
Digitizing suggestions
The following notes are a few suggestions to help you follow a digitizing plan for this image.
These notes include the order in which I suggest you trace the shapes and the stitch tools that would be the most appropriate for the that shape.
Of course, I encourage you to use your creativity and use whatever stitch and thread colors that you would prefer! That is the benefit of digitizing our own designs. No two will ever be the same!
hat – right side
- trace this side of the hat first, with the Fill stitch tool
Text – St patricks
- trace the text using the FTCU text tool
- choose a font that is similar (or one that you prefer)
- NOTE: this text is the same thread color as the shaded area on the hat – that is why it should be traced after the hat – to avoid an extra color change later
hat – left side
- trace the shape using the Fill stitch tool
- change the fill pattern to something interesting
hat – brim
- trace the shape using the STEIL tool
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to create the rounded ends of the brim:
- in the properties box – change the START LINE CAP to Rounded
- in the properties box – change the END LINE CAP to Rounded
shamrocks
- use the Fill tool to trace one shamrock
- copy and paste – drag to place each new shamrock
- resize as needed
- rotate some of them for more visual interest in their textures
- don’t forget the 3 below the text!
lines
- trace each of the lines with the Steil Satin tool
- use the gridlines on your workspace to line up, as needed
hat band
- trace the shape using the Fill stitch tool
text – kiss me
- use the text tool and choose a font that you prefer
- NOTE: this is traced after the hat band to avoid another thread color change later
buckle
- use the Steil satin tool
- in the properties box, on the CORNER tab -make sure the corner style is: MITERED
Digitizing Steps
Follow these 4 digitizing steps for each shape, as a guide, to get you started.
editing suggestion
- Make sure you have followed the suggested digitizing order (digitizing plan) to minimize the amount of thread color changes
- Try editing the angle lines in the Fill stitches for a different texture effect in the shapes – especially the two shapes in the hat – two shapes next to each other should not have angle lines in the same direction
For those of you who belong to the Embroidery Gatherings Membership Club, here is a link to the Lesson Directory to find coordinating lessons to help you trace and edit this practice design.
need help?
Here are two ways to get the help you need to digitize your own designs.
1. Have a digitizing question?
Join the Embroidery Gatherings Facebook group and ask your questions, anytime.
2. To receive lots of extra TLC with FTCU digitizing….
You can get one-to-one digitizing help by joining our Embroidery Gatherings Membership Club. There are over 75 step-by-step written lessons and videos to help you learn to digitize your own embroidery designs using the FTCU software. We can create a personalized “journey” for you to learn to digitize!
Click HERE to find out more information.
share your design!
After you have finished, you are welcome to share your design image with our Embroidery Gatherings Facebook group. We would love to see your creativity!
Fill out the email form below and a PDF copy of this digitizing practice and the image, will be emailed to you!