Embroidery

Embroidery stitches your text in silk thread on linen. Each stroke gets the stitch an embroiderer would choose: broad satin columns for thick strokes, rope-like stem stitch for thin runs, couched thread for long straight lines and French knots for dots.

How it works

Every stroke is cut into individual threads laid across it at a slant, each overlapping the one before so the ends tuck under. Every thread is shaded as a twisted strand with a silky highlight. Because satin stitches turn with the letter, a slowly circling light catches stitches of one direction at a time, so a sheen sweeps over the lettering. Draw defaults to Stitch, pulling each thread through; Unpick lifts them away.

Settings

• Stitch style is Automatic, or forces Satin, Stem or Couching everywhere.
• Thread and Contrast thread set the main colour and the running-stitch border; Border row sets how visible that border is.
• Density sets stitches per letter height, Slant the satin angle, and Thickness how wide the satin columns are.
• Sheen sets the silk highlight, Relief how raised the stitching looks.
• Fabric shows the linen weave behind; Pucker gathers it into soft wrinkles around dense stitching.

Use it for

• Monograms and personalised gifts
• Heritage, fashion and textile brands
• Craft, handmade and cosy seasonal titles