Learning how to use Threads to digitize pixel art into embroidery patterns. I thought it might be easier to learn with a simpler design. So I created a quick lace/filigree cat silhouette.
If this is your first time designing for this hoop size, go to settings
Scroll down and use the drop-down to select “Custom Size” in the hoop selection
Input the dimensions of the hoop and give it a name (The 6×10 frame for our Bernette is called “Bernette B70 – Large”
You can also adjust some values to control the stitch density — these are the settings I am using for dense designs being embroidered on t-shirts.
Upload the image —
Adjust the size (if needed), select the number of thread colors. For now, I’m leaving the fill method set to the defaults!
Scroll down and click the “AI Layers” button
This will break your image into layers and begin the digitization process.
Click on each layer – you can adjust the settings used to compute stitches for the layer. You can change the color, use a different fill pattern, adjust density settings.
Alternately – you can click “Digitize” which doesn’t provide as much editing prior to digitization.
Don’t forget to save the digitized project
You can sort the patterns by “Client” — I made sections for each of us
Clicking on the project will bring up a summary where you can download a DST file for use in an embroidery machine or the “Worksheet”, which is a PDF with the thread order.
Digitize button (#go, calls /api/digitize)
- It’s a one-shot automatic pipeline: colour separation, then stitch generation, then QA and auto-tune (
segment.py,core.py,engine.py). - Each connected object gets a single treatment: narrow strokes become satin columns, and wider shapes get one fill direction plus a satin border.
- You get a finished stitch pattern. To change it, you adjust the global settings and run it again.
AI Layers button (#goLayers, “edit before stitching”, calls /api/vectorize, then /api/stitch_layers)
- It traces the artwork into editable vector layers first, without stitching. Each connected region is one object, similar round shapes are grouped, and each large shape or letter gets its own layer.
- You can reorder, hide, rename and recolour layers. You can also set per-layer stitch type (auto, fill, outline or run), fill method, angle and density.
- The design re-stitches after every change.
- Appliqué and 3D puff layers, and colour-block sequencing, are available only in this workflow.
