Introduction

For this wildcard week, I decided to try machine embroidery. I used Inkscape with the Ink/Stitch extension to turn vector drawings into embroidery files for a Brother machine. It was something completely new for me — and very different from the other digital fabrication processes we’ve been working with during the course.

Most of the tools we’ve used, like 3D printers, laser cutters, or CNC machines, work with hard materials like plastic, wood, or metal. They either add or remove material in a precise way. Embroidery is different. It works with soft materials — fabric and thread — and instead of cutting or melting, it stitches. This changes everything: the way the design is built, the way the material behaves, and even how you think about the final result. Planning the stitch direction, choosing the right fabric, and controlling the tension are all part of the process.

I was also drawn to this project for personal reasons. My family has a deep connection with textile work. My grandparents used to make ruanas (traditional wool garments) by hand in Boyacá, Colombia. My mother is a dressmaker, and since I was a kid, she taught me how to sew and use sewing machines. So embroidery felt familiar in some way — not because I had done it before, but because it reminded me of home.

Bringing together those traditional techniques with digital tools was very meaningful for me. It helped me connect what I’ve learned in the Fab Academy with something that has always been part of my life. In the next sections, I’ll share what I experienced while working on this assignment — what worked, what I learned, and how it all came together.

Step 1: Install Inkscape

Download Inkscape from inkscape.org and install it according to your operating system. Inkscape is essential for vector editing and serves as the base software for Ink/Stitch.

Step 2: Install Ink/Stitch Extension

Go to inkstitch.org and navigate to the “Download” section. Select your OS (e.g., Windows) and download the installer. Once downloaded, execute the file and follow the installation instructions. After finishing, restart Inkscape to activate the extension.

Install Process

Step 3: Import and Prepare Your Vector

Open a new Inkscape file and import your vector. It is essential that each color in your embroidery is grouped or layered separately. On the right-hand side of Inkscape, you can view the object list to ensure that each section is correctly separated.

Step 4: Clean the Design and Organize by Color

Use Path → Combine to merge paths of the same color. In cases where internal shapes exist (like letters or outlines), you might need Path → Difference. This is important for achieving clean embroidery transitions. Each group should correspond to one thread color.

Tip: If you see small lines or connectors between colors during simulation, it often means the path has an unintended stroke color. Correct this by unifying strokes or removing them entirely.

Step 5: Simulate the Embroidery

Navigate to Extensions → Ink/Stitch → Params. The simulation window opens, showing the stitch sequence and color transitions. Carefully review this simulation: if unnecessary thread changes appear between similar sections, return to your vector and check for hidden stroke colors or unmerged paths.

Here you can also configure parameters such as:

• Stitch type (satin, fill, running stitch)
• Stitch length and density
• Underlay and travel stitch settings

Step 6: Export to .PES Format

Once you are satisfied with the simulation, go to File → Save As and choose the .PES format (Brother Embroidery). Save the file to a USB drive formatted in FAT32 for compatibility with the embroidery machine.

Step 7: Prepare the Brother Embroidery Machine

Power on the Brother machine. If it’s in sewing mode, remove the flat base and attach the embroidery arm and hoop. These components include arrows and grooves to guide correct placement. Ensure the embroidery hoop clicks into the arm firmly.

Step 8: Stabilize and Mount the Fabric

I chose to use antifluid fabric for this test because I’m planning to create a jacket with this material. It’s a thin, synthetic fabric often used in clothing and uniforms due to its water-resistant properties. However, working with antifluid fabric has its challenges — it’s delicate, slippery, and can stretch or deform under the needle. Based on my previous experience with textiles and embroidery, I knew that stitching directly on this type of fabric would produce poor results: the design could shift, pucker, or even damage the material. That’s why I decided to use a thick stabilizer (interfacing) underneath, to keep the fabric firm and avoid distortions during embroidery. This choice helped reduce errors and allowed the machine to produce cleaner and more consistent stitches, even though the result still had some flaws.

For thin or elastic fabrics, use a stabilizer (also known as interfacing or "interlón"). Cut it to match the size of your fabric plus 2–3 cm extra on each side. Layer it beneath your fabric, place both in the hoop, and tighten it until the material is stretched without wrinkles or slack.

Tip: If the fabric slips or lacks tension, fold and double the fabric edges or add tape to increase grip inside the hoop.

Step 9: Wind the Bobbin and Thread Preparation

Thread colors required for this design: White, Blue, Green, and Red. Begin by placing a bobbin thread (usually white) into the machine’s winding system. Follow the path diagram on top of the machine to wind it automatically.

Once the bobbin is filled, insert it into the lower compartment. Then, install your top thread (color #1) by following the illustrated guide on the machine to route it through tension discs and down to the needle.

Step 10: Load the File and Start

Insert the USB drive into the side port. Select your design from the interface. The machine will show:

• Total stitching time
• Estimated thread changes
• Real-time preview of the design

Once you confirm everything is correct, press the green start button to begin the embroidery. Monitor the machine as it works, especially when it pauses to prompt for thread changes.

Step 11: Thread Changes and Monitoring

After completing each color, the machine stops and prompts you to switch the thread. Cut the previous color, replace it with the next one, and press start again. This step is repeated until all colors are stitched.

Step 12: Finishing the Process

Once the design is complete, remove the hoop carefully. Trim excess threads on both sides and cut away the stabilizer backing. Inspect the embroidery for alignment or tension errors. Your piece is now finished and ready for use.

Conclusions and Reflections

This embroidery assignment allowed me to explore a different realm of digital fabrication, combining vector design with textile art. I learned how important it is to maintain organization and structure in digital files when working with hardware that translates those designs into stitches. Each software step—from preparing layers in Inkscape to simulating in Ink/Stitch—impacts the final result.

One of the biggest lessons was the necessity of patience and accuracy, especially when preparing the machine. Simple mistakes, like improper thread tension or fabric slippage, can compromise hours of work. Moreover, understanding how each stitch behaves on different materials helped me appreciate the subtleties of embroidery.

In my case, the final embroidery didn’t come out perfect. The stitches were slightly misaligned, and some areas lacked definition. This was likely due to how I configured the design in Ink/Stitch and the properties of the antifluid fabric. I realized that better stitch calibration, like adjusting the density or order of stitches, could improve the quality a lot. Also, using more stable fabrics like cotton or thicker synthetic materials would give more professional results.

Despite the imperfections, I’m happy with the experiment and how it connects digital fabrication with my personal and family background. I now see embroidery as not just a creative outlet, but also a potential tool for wearable tech, branding, or even storytelling through fabric.

Downloads & Files

Embroidery Design Files

• 🔗 BORDADO.pes (Brother Embroidery File)
• 🔗 BORDADO.svg (Embroidery Vector)

Logo Vector Files

• 🔗 logofl.dxf (Logo in DXF format)
• 🔗 logofl.svg (Logo in SVG format)