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16. Wildcard week

Embroidery

Overview of week 16 assignment

  1. Individual assignment
    1. Design and produce something with a digital process (incorporating computer-aided design and manufacturing) not covered in another assignment, documenting the requirements that your assignment meets, and including everything necessary to reproduce it.

1. Individual assignment

A. Digital embroidery

This week, I experimented with digital embroidery using JANOME Hyper Craft 900 and Sisyu-PRO NEXT, based on a parametrically generated shortest path.

Hyper Craft 900

Computer-aided additive threads

Digital embroidery uniquely adds thread-based designs onto fabric, unlike other digital fabrication methods that build or cut rigid materials to form or shape 2D or 3D objects. I designed and produced a custom textile patch using digital embroidery, incorporating computer-aided design (vector-based embroidery file) and manufacturing (automated embroidery machine).

Steps:

  1. Preppare image file
    • Generated a shortest path parametrically using Grasshopper
    • Exported the path as an SVG file
    • Imported the SVG into Affinity Designer
    • Converted the SVG to a JPEG in Affinity Designer
    • Imported the JPEG into Sisyu-PRO NEXT for embroidery

  2. Importing an image into Sisyu-PRO NEXT

    1. Import the JPEG file into Sisyu-PRO NEXT
    2. Select and exclude colors not used for embroidery (This case, excluded white)
    3. Use auto punch to generate embroidery data

    4. Choose stitch type:

      • Satin stitch: smooth, raised lines, ideal for text and outlines
      • Fill stitch: dense, flat fill, used for larger solid areas

      Sisyu-pro 5. Preview the embroidery and export as a JEF file to the specified USB folder

  3. Floating Embroidery with punch sheet

    • Prepare sheet: Attach punch sheet to the embroidery frame and cut a window slightly larger than the design.
    • Secure fabric: Apply double-sided tape around the window, stiffen fabric (This case, a towel) with fusible backing (a material that adds stability), and fix it in place over the window. JANOME

  4. Set the upper and lower threads on the sewing machine (Follow the instructions displayed on the machine). Multiple errors occurred during the process.

    Thread detection errors

    Although the threads were installed correctly, the machine failed to recognize them. Our instructor checked for wear of wheels and potential thread quality issues. Perhaps the thread wasn't ideal. Somehow, re-threading the machine carefully resolved the issue.

  5. Embroider: Align fabric accurately and begin embroidery.

    • Use the screen on the machine to select forward or backward stitches, or to navigate steps by color.
    • After each step is completed, change the thread color as indicated and continue to the next step.

    JANOME_2

Outcome:

I decided to use two colors, both based on the same path file but with different stroke widths and positions. To avoid misalignment, I first embroidered one color, then stitched the second color over the first one.

2. Files

Afterthoughts

  • Watching the embroidery is satisfying (when the machine works properly).