Embroidery Gatherings

tracing-a-fill-stitch-shape-floriani-FTCU

How to trace a Fill Stitch

This beginner tutorial will show you how to trace a Fill Stitch in Floriani FTCU.

Fill stitches are one of the basic digitizing stitches.

Once you learn to trace the basic stitch, then you can experiment and try different fill patterns from the list in the properties box. Changing the fill patterns will make your designs creative and unique.

Skill Level: Beginner

Digitizing skills in this tutorial:

  • fill stitch tool
  • editing the tracing line
  • adjusting the angle
  • changing the fill pattern

 

If you would like a PDF written copy of this tutorial,

fill out the email form at the end of this lesson and it will be emailed to you!

sm separator

Before you start this lesson, I suggest that you set your FTCU workspace settings to match mine. Then, when you are working through the steps in the lesson, you will see the same view that I am showing you.

I recommend these settings when you are first learning to digitize. Later, you can change your preferences to some of the Advanced settings and give those a try.

Learn to setup your workspace in Floriani FTCU

 

open a backdrop image in Floriani FTCU

OPEN THE IMAGE:

  • you will be tracing an image from the Backdrop Library in Floriani FTCU.
  • click on NEW page icon  on the top tool bar (under the word FILE).
  • click on the Backdrop Library tool (on the top toolbar)
  • scroll to image FBD092. Click on the image and OPEN.

Digitizing a Fill Stitch in Floriani FTCU

how to size an image in Floriani FTCU

Determine the finished size of the design and the hoop size you will use. Adjust the size in the properties box:

  • click on the Backdrop tool (on the left toolbar) – this will select the image
  • in the properties box, change either the width OR the height (it will adjust the aspect ratio for you)
  • click APPLY.

image size in Floriani FTCU

tip - how to resize an image in Floriani FTCU

Digitizing Tools Menu:

To locate the Run stitch tool that you will be using in this lesson, left click on the blue satin icon on the top toolbar in FTCU.

In the fly-out menu, you can choose the Run Stitch Digitizing Tools:

FTCU stitch tools-digitizing tools menu

Let’s get started!

digitizing a design in Floriani FTCU

basic digitizing steps in Floriani FTCU

 

Digitizing Order #1 – left side of heart

For this segment you will be using the FILL stitch tool

Step 1: Choose the stitch:

  • left click on the Stitch Tools icon on the top toolbar stitch tools menu icon
  • in the fly-out menu, left click on the FILL stitch fill stitch tool - floriani FTCU icon on the top tool bar.

Step 2: Choose the thread color:

  • left click on a pink thread color

Step 3: Trace the shape

  • enlarge screen to 200% or more, if needed
  • trace around the edge of the heart using left clicks to place anchor points
  • place the last node directly on top of the beginning node to close the shape
  • notice that I only placed a few nodes, (you will edit those in the next step)
  • RIGHT click on the workspace to finish

tracing a heart shape in floriani ftcu

Step 4: Edit the shape segment

  • in the sequence view, click on the plus sign to open the stitch (if not open)
  • click on FILL to select the stitch segment
  • click on the EDIT SHAPE tool edit shape tool in floriani FTCU (on the left toolbar)
  • hover the cursor over one of the traced lines of the segment
  • drag the lines to adjust or drag the blue nodes to adjust (as needed)
  • adjust the angle line
  • enlarge the screen to 200% or more to see the details
  • RIGHT click when finished to set the changes

edit the angle line with Floriani FTCU

edit the fill pattern

  • in the sequence view, make sure the FILL is still selected

select the fill stitch in the FTCU sequence view

  • in the properties box, click on the drop down arrow and choose a FILL TYPE and PATTERN that you would like to use
  • you can experiment with different combinations – Be CREATIVE!
  • click APPLY to set the changes

edit the fill pattern in Floriani FTCU

This is the FILL PATTERN that I choose to use:

edit the fill pattern in floriani ftcu

 

digitizing tip how to see the 3D view

Digitizing Order #2 – Right side of heart

For this segment you will be using the FILL stitch tool

Step 1: Choose the stitch:

  • left click on the Stitch Tools icon on the top toolbar stitch tools menu icon
  • in the fly-out menu, left click on the FILL stitch fill stitch tool - floriani FTCU icon on the top tool bar.

Step 2: Choose the thread color:

  • left click on a new thread color

Step 3: Trace the shape

  • enlarge screen to 200% or more, if needed
  • trace around the edge using left clicks to place anchor points (see image below)
  • place the last node directly on top of the beginning node to close the shape
  • notice that I only placed a few nodes, (you will edit those in the next step)
  • RIGHT click on the workspace to finish

tracing a shape in floriani ftcu

Step 4: Edit the shape segment

  • In the Sequence View, click on the plus sign to open the stitch (if not open)
  • click on FILL to select the stitch segment
  • click on the EDIT SHAPE tool (on the left toolbar)
  • hover the cursor over one of the traced lines of the segment
  • drag the lines to adjust or drag the blue nodes to adjust (as needed)
  • adjust the angle line
  • enlarge the screen to 200% or more to see the details
  • RIGHT click when finished to set the changes

edit the shape in floriani ftcu

edit the fill pattern

  • in the sequence view, make sure the FILL is still selected
  • in the properties box, click on the drop down arrow and choose a FILL TYPE and PATTERN that you would like to use
  • you can experiment with different combinations – Be CREATIVE!
  • click APPLY to set the changes

edit the fill pattern in floriani ftcu

This is the FILL PATTERN that I choose to use:

choose motif fill pattern in floriani ftcu

You have now digitized a design using the Fill stitch tool and changing the Fill pattern!

This is how your sequence view will look: (you may have different thread colors)

floriani ftcu sequence view

 

I hope you find this tutorial helpful to trace a Fill Stitch in FTCU.  It is a basic guide to digitizing a design using the Fill Stitch Tool.

You can find more in-depth tutorials and videos showing the exact step-by-step details for using all of the Floriani FTCU tools inside the Embroidery Gatherings Membership Club! There are over 75 lessons to help you learn to digitize with Floriani FTCU.

And, you can get one-on-one guidance on digitizing your own designs too. You can join HERE!

Join the Embroidery Gatherings Membership Club and learn to digitize with Floriani FTCU

And, as always, if you have any questions, please send me an email at: paula@embroiderygatherings.com and I will be happy to help!

Paula signature-EmbroideryGatherings

 

 

If you would like a PDF written copy of this tutorial, fill out the email form below and it will be emailed to you!

 

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