Glossary

In appliqué, a fabric piece is placed onto a base material and stitched down – decorative, high-impact, and common in many embroidery designs.

Updated: 2026-01-07

An applique stitch is an embroidery or sewing technique where fabric pieces are applied to a base material and secured with special stitches.

Updated: 2025-11-08

A basting stitch is a basic hand or machine sewing stitch used temporarily to hold fabric layers together and is often used as a basting stitch.

Updated: 2025-11-08

The bobbin case holds the bobbin with the bobbin thread and regulates bobbin thread tension in the embroidery machine.

Updated: 2025-10-02

The bobbin thread is the thread supplied from the bobbin in the embroidery machine and works with the top thread to form stitches.

Updated: 2025-10-02

A cap frame is a special embroidery hoop designed for curved surfaces like baseball caps or beanies.

Updated: 2025-12-10

The chain stitch is a basic embroidery stitch forming looped chains. It is used for decoration and for joining fabric pieces.

Updated: 2025-10-01

A cutting file is a digital template used with cutting plotters – usually in SVG or DXF format, ideal for vinyl, paper, or fabric.

Updated: 2026-01-06

A cutting plotter is a computer-controlled device that precisely cuts vinyl, fabric, or paper – often based on vector graphics.

Updated: 2026-01-06

A designer creates embroidery motifs – either digitally or by hand – and often also digitizes them for embroidery machines.

Updated: 2025-10-02

A digitizer is the specialist who creates embroidery programs by converting designs into embroidery files.

Updated: 2025-10-02

Digitizing is the process of turning artwork into an embroidery file using software – including stitch types, density, and color sequence.

Updated: 2025-10-01

A doodle appliqué is a relaxed appliqué technique where fabric shapes are attached using a straight stitch, leaving raw edges visible for a handmade look.

Updated: 2025-12-10

DST (Tajima) is a machine-level stitch format widely used as an interchange format across software and machines.

Updated: 2025-10-02

emborado is a cloud-based platform for managing embroidery and other DIY files – with AI search, previews, and an integrated marketplace in the future.

Updated: 2025-10-01

An embroidery design is the visible motif or artwork that gets stitched onto fabric – independent of its file format or machine instructions.

Updated: 2026-01-06

An embroidery file is the digital template for embroidery machines; it contains instructions for stitches, colors, and sequence.

Updated: 2025-10-01

An embroidery file format defines how embroidery instructions are stored; usually machine- or manufacturer-specific.

Updated: 2025-10-01

The embroidery head is the core component of the embroidery machine that drives needle motion and controls upper thread handling.

Updated: 2026-01-03

The embroidery hoop holds the fabric (with stabilizer) in place and is guided by the machine or embroidery module.

Updated: 2025-10-01

An embroidery machine automatically stitches digital embroidery files, working with hoops, threads, and sometimes embroidery modules.

Updated: 2025-10-01

An embroidery module extends suitable sewing machines with embroidery functions; it motorically guides the hoop and stitch movements.

Updated: 2025-10-01

An embroidery needle is specifically designed for machine embroidery, featuring a larger eye and a special point shape.

Updated: 2025-10-02

Embroidery software is used to create, edit, or organize embroidery designs digitally.

Updated: 2025-12-10

Embroidery thread is specially developed for embroidery, featuring high tensile strength, sheen, and colorfastness.

Updated: 2025-10-02

EXP (Melco/Bernina) is a low-level stitch format with explicit commands for move, jump, color change, and end.

Updated: 2025-10-02

The fill stitch is an embroidery technique where a surface is completely covered with parallel stitches.

Updated: 2025-10-02

FSL designs are embroidery files created to be stitched without any fabric base – using water-soluble stabilizer that is later washed away.

Updated: 2025-10-25

A full-stitch design is entirely made of thread, usually with multiple color changes. Also called fill stitch.

Updated: 2025-10-01

Hoop size defines the maximum stitchable area within an embroidery frame.

Updated: 2025-11-19

Hooping refers to the process of securing fabric and stabilizer tightly within an embroidery hoop – a crucial step for clean embroidery results.

Updated: 2026-01-02

HUS is a Husqvarna Viking format with compressed stitch/attribute data and thread/color information.

Updated: 2025-10-02

ITH files allow complete projects to be made directly in the embroidery machine – including stitching, turning, and sometimes stuffing.

Updated: 2025-10-01

JEF is Janome’s embroidery format with header, thread list, hoop codes, and stitch list; JEF+ adds extra metadata.

Updated: 2025-10-02

A jump stitch is a thread carried between two design points without stitching.

Updated: 2025-11-19

Machine embroidery is the creation of embroidery using computer-controlled machines based on digital embroidery files.

Updated: 2025-10-01

A magnetic hoop is an embroidery hoop that uses magnets to hold the fabric in place – no screws or levers required.

Updated: 2025-10-02

Metallic thread is a decorative embroidery thread with a shiny, reflective surface – ideal for standout effects but requires careful handling.

Updated: 2025-12-10

A monogram is an embroidered motif consisting of initials, typically used to personalize textiles.

Updated: 2025-12-10

Multi-needle embroidery machines have several needles threaded simultaneously, allowing automated color changes and faster production for complex designs.

Updated: 2025-12-10

Needle breakage refers to the breaking of the embroidery needle during stitching.

Updated: 2025-11-19

The needle size indicates the thickness of the needle shaft and affects thread handling, fabric protection, and stitch formation.

Updated: 2025-12-04

A patch is a separately embroidered design applied to garments or accessories for decoration, personalization, or identification.

Updated: 2025-12-10

Patchwork is the art of sewing together different pieces of fabric, often to create quilts or decorative textiles.

Updated: 2025-12-10

The PCS file is a legacy embroidery format used primarily by Pfaff embroidery machines.

Updated: 2025-11-19

PES is a common Brother/Baby Lock embroidery format containing stitches, color changes, and typically an embedded PEC preview.

Updated: 2025-10-02

The placement stitch marks the exact position where a piece of fabric or appliqué element must be placed on the material.

Updated: 2025-12-10

Quilting refers to sewing together the top fabric, batting, and backing to create a decorative, padded surface.

Updated: 2025-12-10

The running stitch is a basic embroidery stitch consisting of straight stitches placed in sequence. It is used for outlines or as a support stitch.

Updated: 2025-10-02

The satin stitch is a dense zigzag stitch often used for borders and lettering in embroidery.

Updated: 2025-10-02

Scribble-style embroidery mimics hand-drawn sketches with loose, overlapping stitches and a playful, artistic look.

Updated: 2025-10-25

SEW is an older Janome/Elna/Kenmore format with a simple structure and bitmap previews.

Updated: 2025-10-02

A sewing machine is a mechanical or electronic device used to stitch fabrics together using various types of stitches.

Updated: 2025-12-10

Single-needle embroidery machines use one needle and one color at a time – ideal for hobbyists and beginners.

Updated: 2025-10-02

A skipped stitch occurs when the embroidery machine fails to catch the bobbin and top thread, resulting in a missing stitch.

Updated: 2025-10-02

A sock frame is a small, open embroidery hoop designed for stitching on closed, tubular items like socks, cuffs, or baby garments.

Updated: 2025-12-10

A stabilizer supports the fabric during embroidery; available as tear-away, cut-away, wash-away, heat-soluble, or adhesive types.

Updated: 2025-10-02

The stitch count indicates how many individual stitches an embroidery machine executes to complete a design.

Updated: 2025-12-08

Stitch density describes how closely stitches are placed in an area or outline. It affects appearance, durability, and stitch time.

Updated: 2025-10-02

Stitch direction defines the angle at which stitches run across an area. It affects appearance, stability, and how the embroidery reflects light.

Updated: 2025-10-02

The stitch plate is a metal plate under the needle that stabilizes the fabric and the feed dogs — and on many machines, it is monitored by a sensor.

Updated: 2025-12-01

The stitch sequence defines the exact order in which an embroidery machine processes the elements of a design – such as color blocks, stitch types, or appliqué steps.

Updated: 2025-12-08

An SVG file is a vector-based graphic format often used in DIY and crafting – especially for cutting machines or as a base for digitizing embroidery designs.

Updated: 2026-01-06

Spray adhesive temporarily fixes fabric to stabilizer or other fabrics – without hooping.

Updated: 2025-11-19

A test stitch is a preliminary embroidery run used to evaluate settings, materials, and the design before stitching the final motif onto the actual fabric.

Updated: 2025-12-05

A thread break is when the sewing or embroidery thread snaps during the process, interrupting the work and potentially affecting quality.

Updated: 2025-11-08

A thread change is the planned stop in the embroidery process to switch colors; the order is defined in the embroidery file.

Updated: 2025-10-01

Thread looping occurs when loose loops of thread form on the top or bottom of the embroidery. It is usually caused by incorrect tension or thread issues.

Updated: 2025-10-02

A thread sensor monitors the thread flow and stops the machine automatically if the thread breaks or runs out.

Updated: 2025-12-10

Thread tension controls the pull on top and bobbin threads and is crucial for consistent stitch quality.

Updated: 2025-10-02

Underlay stitches are preparatory stitches in machine embroidery that form the foundation for top stitches such as satin or fill stitches.

Updated: 2025-10-02

The upper thread is the thread that runs from the needle down through the fabric in a sewing or embroidery machine and interlocks with the bobbin/under-thread to form the stitch.

Updated: 2025-11-08

A vector graphic is an image made from lines and shapes defined by mathematical formulas – ideal for scaling and editing without losing quality.

Updated: 2026-01-06

VIP is a Husqvarna/Pfaff format using compression (ARJ-like) to store thread/color and stitch data efficiently.

Updated: 2025-10-02

VP3 (Pfaff/Husqvarna) is a modern, tag-based format with nested sections for threads, stitch runs, and hoop-centric data.

Updated: 2025-10-02

XXX is a Singer/Compucon stitch format; machine-oriented and common in older workflows.

Updated: 2025-10-02

A zigzag stitch is a sewing technique where the needle moves side to side rather than only straight, often used for finishing edges, sewing stretch fabrics or decorative effects.

Updated: 2025-11-08

A ZIP file is a compressed folder that bundles multiple embroidery files, formats, instructions, and images into one package.

Updated: 2025-11-27