The active window is one to which the next command or action will apply. If a window is ‘active’, its title bar changes color to differentiate it visually from other open windows.
A fixed point used when rotating, scaling, skewing or mirroring a design.
A software technique similar to dithering which is used to soften hard outlines where color blocks intersect. It produces smoother outlines by ‘blurring’ the pixels where colors join.
Decoration or trimming cut from one piece of fabric and stitched to another to add dimension and texture. Designs with appliqué can be more economical than embroidery alone, if appliqué occupies a significant amount of the design, thereby lowering stitch count.
A device that can cut fabric along a line, somewhat like old pen plotters. It requires a vector file as input. In MS Windows they can be set up as a type of printer device.
BERNINA Quilter format.
BERNINA V9 format.
A realistic, ‘three dimensional’ preview of a stitched embroidery design.
Bitmap or vector graphic used as a backdrop for digitizing. See also Bitmap image and Vector graphic.
BERNINA V9 Cross Stitch format.
Auto Appliqué is an embroidery object associated with an appliqué which provides automatic stitching to place it, tack it down, and cover its edges.
Auto Center automatically centers the start and end points of a design.
Digitize complete images automatically. Auto-Digitize automatically converts artwork to embroidery objects and generates stitches.
Preserves long stitches in an object by splitting them into a series of jumps. This prevents the machine from inserting unwanted needle penetrations when the maximum frame movement is exceeded.
The Auto Scroll feature automatically scrolls the screen while you are digitizing.
The Auto-sequencing feature lets you digitize like objects – e.g. the fingers of a hand – without having to think about the most efficient stitching sequence and joins.
Auto Spacing only affects Satin stitch. It adjusts stitch spacing according to column width.
Ability of multi-needle embroidery machine to follow a command to change to a specified needle with a different thread color.
Embroidery stitches pull the fabric inwards where the needle penetrates. This can cause the fabric to pucker, and gaps to appear in the embroidery. Automatic pull compensation counters this effect by ‘overstitching’ outlines of filled shapes on the sides where the needle penetrates. This means the design can be optimized for different fabrics.
A fabric piece used behind a design where the front fabric will be cut away to reveal the fabric beneath it.
An electronic image used as a guide for digitizing designs on-screen. Two types are used – vector or bitmap. Insert them from various file sources, or copy and paste them via the Windows clipboard.
BERNINA V9 lets you change the background color of the workspace to match the color of your fabric. Or you can select a background fabric for more realistic previews and presentations. The background is saved with the colorway.
Also known as ‘stabilizers’, backings are woven or non-woven materials placed beneath the item or fabric being embroidered for stability and support. The more stitches a design has, the heavier the backing required. Backings are available in various weights and types such as cut-away, tear-away and wash-away (soluble). Professional embroiderers use tear-away stabilizers for woven fabrics and cut-away stabilizers for knits.
Backstitch is an input method which can be used for delicate outlines. This stitch follows intricate curves well. It is also is the term used for every second row of stitches in a Step Fill. See also Standard backstitch, Borderline backstitch, and Diagonal backstitch.
The copying of files onto floppy disk or other storage media in order to duplicate and secure data. Usually two copies are made and kept separately.
The notional line on which the letters of an font sit. Only descenders extend below it. Baselines determine the shape of lettering objects in a design. Place it on straight horizontal or vertical lines, curve it around a circle or arc, or digitize your own baselines.
The baseline angle determines the absolute angle of the baseline relative to the horizontal axis. You use it to align letters to a significant part of the design.
A long even stitch (generally between 6 and 12 mm in length), that is meant to be removed after use. It can be used to fix the fabric to the stabilizer, identify the extents of the design, or be used as registration marks.
A layer of padded material between the front and back fabric to add thickness and substance.
An electronic image made up of dots or ‘pixels’, in contrast to vector ‘outlines’. Typically created in paint programs, bitmaps have file extensions such as BMP, JPG, GIF, TIF and PCX. When enlarged or scaled down, vector graphics preserve image quality while bitmap images generally cause problems of pixelation and image degradation.
Blackwork gets its name from the black silk thread traditionally used in this form of embroidery. It can be used to decorate articles such as hankies, table napkins, table clothes, and doilies.
Widely used for tacking down appliqués as a decorative border. The stitches form a comb pattern.
The basic unit of a quilt top.
Windows bitmap image format. See also Bitmap.
Spool or reel that holds the bobbin thread, which helps form stitches on the underside of the fabric.
Designs worked with the fabric hooped facedown and the specialty thread or ribbon wound onto the bobbin. Most effective for simple designs such as leaves and vines, or special effects with threads too heavy to be threaded through the needle.
Permanently joining two fabrics together with a bonding agent. Heat sealing.
Single closed-curve object which can be optionally added to a monogram. Also, a strip of fabric that is joined to an inner quilt to enhance it.
The dotted rectangle that appears when you select a range of items.
A traditional white-on-white embroidery technique, usually done on white linen or cotton fabric with heavy cotton threads.
A way of arranging open windows on the desktop so that they overlap each other, with the title bar of each window remaining visible.
A small square box that appears in a dialog box and that can be selected or cleared. When selected, a tick or a cross appears. A checkbox represents an option that you can set.
Press and release the left mouse button. See also Right-click.
Click to select, hold down the left mouse button, move the cursor and release.
A temporary storage area in PC memory for what was last cut or copied. Images on the clipboard can be pasted into designs any number of times.
Used to close a window or an application. In MS Windows, it appears as a small box with an ‘X’ in it at the top-right of the title bar.
Input method, used to digitize large and complex shapes. Allows holes to be designated at the same time the object outline is digitized. The object is thus digitized as one fill area, instead of being broken down into multiple sections. Objects so created are known as Closed Object objects.
Color depth, also called ‘pixel depth’, refers to the amount of color information available to each pixel in an image. An image with a color depth of 1-bit can display only two colors. As the color depth increases, more colors are available – 16 Colors (4 bit), 256 Colors (8 bit), High Color (16 bit), True Color (24 bit).
The color palette contains a selection of thread colors tailored for each design. This color scheme, or ‘colorway’, represents the actual thread colors in which a design will be stitched. See also Thread chart.
See Image preparation for details.
Colorways are multiple color schemes for the same design. They are made up of colors defined in ‘color books’ which may be created in BERNINA V9 or similar design program, or may be selected from a patent color system such as Chromatone or Pantone.
Narrow, long, curving shape.
A standard serial port used as a connection point for peripherals. Other ports may be present if the appropriate internal option cards have been installed. The computer must be informed which port is being used by which peripheral – e.g. COM1, COM2, etc.
An instruction issued to the software in order to carry out an action. It may be as simple as ‘paste an object’ or as complex as ‘regenerate stitches’. It is usually activated via a menu item, toolbar icon, or command button in a dialog.
A button in a dialog which executes or cancels the selected action. Two common command buttons are Cancel and OK.
The size and type of computer hardware. Can also be used to mean the options provided with your software.
A message displayed by the software asking you if you are sure you want to proceed – e.g. when you want to delete a design.
Connector stitches link objects in a design. They can be run stitches or jumps. You can use automatic settings to generate connectors, trims and tie-offs, or add them manually.
Hardware devices to connect cables to ports. If the connection is male, the port is female, and vice versa. The wiring configuration of each device is determined by its function.
To place a copy of a selection onto the clipboard. See also Duplicate.
The repeating of a single design in order to create a large work piece that is bigger than a single hoop. The design may be repeated in X, Y, or both axes.
Control points are used to modify object shapes, stitch angles and entry and exit points. You can change the shape of an object by moving, adding or deleting control points on the outline. For most objects, you can also change control points from corner points to curves.
Contour is a curved fill stitch type – stitches follow the contours of a shape, creating a curved, light and shade effect. It only works on columnar shapes. There are two types – Standard and Spiral – both of which can be applied to Input A, Input B, Input C or Ring objects. Standard Contour can also be applied to Circle objects.
A right granted by the government or by international agreement giving the owner the exclusive privilege to publish and sell artistic work during the life of the creator plus 50 years.
In standard digitizing, corner points indicate where a curve changes direction. The user digitizes a line segment with two consecutive corner points. The run and turning fill stitch generation algorithms interpret corner points as subdividing the curve, and so always generate a stitch penetration at corner points.
Cover stitch is the border around an appliqué shape. You can control various settings including cover stitch type – Satin or Blanket – width, stitch spacing, as well as the offset.
Programs that read information, other than from a card, and translate it from one sewing machine format to another.
A converter box acts like a translator from one memory card format to another, via computer. They translate designs from memory cards in other formats or from a hard drive, disk, or CD and write the design to a blank card.
Central Processing Unit.
Two stitches that cross at the center to form an X. Laid in rows or within a box shape to form geometric designs. Creates a handmade appearance.
Current property settings override the template defaults. Unless you deliberately change them, these take the default values. You generally change them to save time when digitizing. For example, you may preset Step Fill stitch spacing to use a specific density for all new objects. See also Object properties.
Curve smoothing is used to filter out ‘mouse jaggies’ generated by freehand techniques and to convert the generated path into a relatively smooth curve. Advanced curve smoothing typically works on an entire outline, and includes corner detection to better approximate the intended curve.
Designs created by digitizing artwork or manipulating existing patterns.
An editing function. To remove a selection from a design. The cut selection is stored in memory (on the ‘clipboard’) and can be pasted into the same or different design.
A second line of run stitches that forms a guide when trimming the fabric of an appliqué patch.
See Default values for details.
predefined settings which determine object properties such as stitch spacing, as well as certain system settings. These are stored in the design template. They are automatically applied to any newly created objects. They remain ‘current’ unless you override them with new settings. See also Current property settings.
See Stitching defects for details.
See Stitch density or Thread density.
A ‘design’ is a file in the native embroidery format – e.g. ART, JAN, ART – of embroidery digitizing software. The design source may be a machine format design. The design contains stitching information such as fabric type in addition to stitched shapes.
Disk containing computerized embroidery designs read by the embroidery machine’s computer.
The decorative design components that make up a monogram (including ornaments and borders).
The design printed as outlines with optional positioning markers, grids, guides and design extents printed at 1:1 scale. When printed for large work pieces indicates the location and orientation of each individual hoop.
Designs themselves have properties, some of which can be modified, others not. The most important design property is its source – Native Design, Imported Outlines, Processed Stitches, or Imported Stitches. Other properties include the software version number, stitch count, and so on. Colorways too are properties of the whole design.
See Stitching sequence for details.
While embroidery files are broadly classified as ‘design’ (outline) or ‘machine’ (stitch), BERNINA V9 internally tags files as belonging to one of four types–Native Design, Imported Outlines, Processed Stitches, or Imported Stitches. See also Design properties.
The workspace is where designs are displayed for viewing and modification.
MS Windows terminology for the screen background on which program icons are displayed.
The folder (directory) where you intend to copy or move one or more files.
An outline, a border, a pickout run, or a small area of the design you want to be stitched out last when using Auto-Digitize.
An on-screen box that either requests or provides information. Many dialogs present options to choose among before a command is carried out. Some dialogs present warnings or explain why a command cannot be completed.
Process of encoding a design. Artwork is converted into a series of ‘embroidery objects’ to be read and manipulated by a specialist CAD/CAM application. Before outputting to embroidery machine, it is converted into ‘stitch data’.
Digitizing tools, sometimes referred to as ‘input methods’, are similar to drawing tools except that the end result is an embroidery object rather than a vector object. Different digitizing tools are suited to creating different shapes or design elements.
Computers usually have three types of disk drive: a hard disk (or fixed disk) which usually supports the mass storage of information and applications, a floppy disk drive, and a CD ROM drive.
A screen used to display the output of a computer. Also known as the monitor.
A software technique which combines existing colors in a checkerboard arrangement of pixels. It is typically used to simulate colors that are missing from an image palette. A type of optical illusion created by placing two pixels of different color next to each other. The human eye automatically resolves the two colors into a third color.
A security hardware device required to run protected software. Some are attached to a parallel port, others to a USB port.
A measurement of screen or printer resolution; the number of dots in a line of 1".
Click the left mouse button twice without moving the mouse. Double-clicking carries out actions such as opening a program from an icon.
The process of transferring a copy of a file from a remote computer or the internet to a computer or other device such as an embroidery machine.
An operation of the mouse. Holding the (left) mouse button while moving the mouse. Typically used for moving something on the screen.
A single-line dialog box control that opens to display a list of choices.
When an object is duplicated, it is not copied to the clipboard. This leaves the clipboard free for you to cut or copy other objects.
Changing aspects of a design via a computerized editing program. Most programs allow you to scale designs up or down, edit stitch-by-stitch or block-by-block, merge lettering with the design, move aspects of the design around, combine designs and insert or edit machine commands.
Special effects applied to lettering objects to make them bulge, stretch or compress.
Embroidered design with a finished edge, applied to a garment after stitching, commonly an insignia of identification. Also known as a ‘crest’ or ‘patch’.
Decorative stitching on fabric. Generally involves non-lettering designs, but can also include lettering and/or monograms. Evidence of embroidery exists during the reign on Egyptian pharaohs, in the writings of Homer and from the Crusaders of the 12th century. Has evolved from hand-work to manual sewing machines and from hand-looms and Schiffli machines with hundreds of needles to high-speed, computerized multihead machines.
See Continuous embroidery for details.
Enhanced Metafile vector graphic format.
The entry point is the point where the thread enters the embroidery object. This should coincide with the exit point of the preceding object.
To leave a current window or application.
The exit point is the point where thread leaves the embroidery object. This should coincide with the entry point of the next object.
Stitch or ‘expanded’ file format native to Melco machines.
See File extension for details.
Fabrics have many properties, the main one being elasticity or ‘fabric stretch’. Surface texture, if present, is another property that requires different underlay types. The system can automatically compensate for the pull-push effect of different fabrics. Push, warping, and shearing are reduced by suitable underlay for the stitch type and fabric.
Embroidery stitches pull the fabric inwards where the needle penetrates. This can cause the fabric to pucker, and gaps to appear in the embroidery. Use automatic pull compensation to counter this effect by ‘overstitching’ outlines of filled shapes.
These are the initial system settings as installed. They are a standard known setting that you can return to. Some customers want to create custom settings tailored to the exact fabric they are using most frequently. The ‘My Fabric’ settings are those retained in the design and can be saved to the template file.
A decorative fill stitch which can be applied to various object types where needle penetrations form a tiled pattern. Different preset patterns are available for use.
A named collection of specifically related information stored on a disk. Designs that have been saved are stored as files.
The dot and three letters at the end of a filename such as ‘.BMP’. The extension identifies the file as a certain type, readable by certain applications.
The name of a file, including the extension, e.g. Cat.BMP.
Series of running stitches commonly used to cover large areas. Different fill patterns can be created by altering the angle, length and repeat sequence of the stitches. Also known as Geflect stitch.
Processes done after embroidery is completed. Includes trimming loose threads, cutting or tearing away excess backing, removing facing or topping, cleaning any stains, pressing or steaming to remove wrinkles or hoop marks and packaging for sale or shipment.
Up and down motion of fabric under action of the needle, so named because of its resemblance to a waving flag. Often caused by improper framing of goods. Flagging may result in poor registration, unsatisfactory stitch formation and birdnesting.
A flexible disk permanently sealed in a square plastic jacket – e.g. HD/DD 3.5" floppy disk. Used for information storage ‘off-line’ for security and/or infrequently used data. Also used for transferring punched embroidery design (machine file) data from computer to embroidery machine.
A collection of files and subfolders that are stored together on a disk. Part of structure for organizing files on a disk.
A set of characters of the same design or style including letters, numbers and typographical symbols. Also called ‘alphabet’ even if it includes non-letter characters. See also Lettering.
When you stitch out appliqué objects, you can set a frame-out position. This shifts the hoop out from under the needle, making it easier to place and trim the appliqué shapes. The frame out settings determine the distance and direction of the hoop movement.
See Thread painting for details.
A stitch featuring a raised knotted center.
Threads that are cut and hang loosely from the edge of a design.
artistic stitch effect that gradually varies stitch spacing between dense and open fill along an embroidery object, producing shading and color effects which are difficult to achieve manually.
Software application that creates or allows you to edit bitmap images and/or vector graphics. Vector graphics can be scaled with no loss of sharpness. Examples of vector editing programs are Adobe Illustrator, MacroMedia Freehand and CorelDRAW®. See also Paint package and Drawing package.
A grayscale picture is made up of 254 different shades of gray, plus solid black and solid white for a total of 256 different tones. Black and white photographs are grayscale.
Grid lines provide visual cues to help you accurately place a design. When you start the software for the first time, grid lines appear by default.
Series of stitches used to align embroideries in multi-hooping situations or to assist in fabric placement for appliqué. It is the first appliqué layer stitched and is used to position the appliqué fabric on the background material. See also Appliqué.
See Selection Handle.
A device for mass information storage. Usually the disk is fixed inside the system unit, and a second hard disk can be added. When you store information on the hard disk it will remain there until you delete it. As it has a finite capacity, file management is required.
Computer componentry, including monitor, keyboard, digitizing tablet, printer, scanner, sewing machine, etc.
Embroidered goods designed to be passed down from generation to generation.
This indicates the hoop center and orientation. For multi-hooping, it also includes the hooping sequence number.
The physical clear plastic insert for the embroidery hoop. These generally have a 1 cm grid with highlighted crosshairs for the embroidery center as well as some additional alignment lines at 45° through the center point.
One shape taken by the PC pointer, it indicates that text can be input at the point selected. The shape is like the capital letter ‘I’.
Miniature picture used in the screen display instead of, or as well as, text. The file list can be displayed as icons with the filenames underneath; the toolboxes which appear in the left of the screen are composed of icons.
Cleaning up scanned images as input to embroidery digitizing. This may involve any one or a combination of the following techniques: reducing the number of colors, adding or emphasizing outlines, removing noise, dithering or anti-aliasing, eliminating unnecessary detail, cropping sections or eliminating backgrounds.
See Digitizing tool for details.
JPEG file interchange bitmap image format.
A frame or hoop movement without a needle penetration, commonly used to get from one point in a design to another.
The position of lettering on the embroidery baseline.
Lacework involves the use of threads to produce overall embroidery of full-length fabrics. Most often used to embellish women's apparel and home fashions. It is the most widely used application for Schiffli machines.
Initials or name making up a monogram. Letters of an alphabet or font.
Embroidery using letters or words. Lettering commonly called ‘keyboard lettering’ may be created from predefined font styles or fonts, allowing variance of size, height, spacing, density and other characteristics.
A drawing with only two colors – usually black and white.
A single-line dialog that opens to display a list of choices.
Commonly referred to as a lock-down or tack-down stitch, a lockstitch is formed by three or four consecutive stitches of at least a 10-point movement. It should be used at the end of all columns, fills and at the end of any element in your design where jump stitches will follow, such as color changes or the end of a design. May be stitched in a triangle, star or in a straight line. Lock stitch is also the name of the type of stitch formed by the hook and needle of home sewing machines, as well as computerized embroidery machines.
Name, symbol or trademark of a company or organization. Short for logotype.
Loops on the surface of embroidery generally caused by poor top tension or tension problems. Typically occurs when polyester top thread has been improperly tensioned.
Machine or ‘stitch’ files are low-level formats for direct use by embroidery machines. They contain only stitch coordinates and machine functions. Machine files are generally not suited to scaling because stitches are not regenerated during rescaling. See also Outline file.
Technique for creating embroidery designs by automatically digitizing color blocks in electronic images.
The minimum and maximum stitch lengths allowable in a design determine the outside limits as measured between needle penetration points. They are governed by the minimum and maximum frame movements that the machine can make.
For Windows, the small box in the center of the group of three at the right of the title bar. Click the Maximize button to enlarge a window to its maximum size.
The place in the computer’s system unit that stores information while you are working with it. If you exit without saving information in memory, it will be lost.
The menu bar contains dropdown menus of commands. Some of the same commands are available on the toolbar.
The menu chart provided with the software lets you select commands directly from the digitizing tablet using the puck. You need to ‘register’ it before use.
For Windows, the small box to the left of the group of three at the right of the title bar. Click the Minimize button to reduce a window to its minimum size.
A dialog which, while open, prevents the user from selecting any control or object outside it. Changes made to settings inside the dialog are not effective until it is closed.
A dialog which, while open, allows the user to select objects freely. Controls in the dialog change to conform to the values of selected objects, or show relevant system information when no object is selected. Changes made to settings in the dialog may be applied while it remains open. Other dialogs and commands may be opened and used while the modeless dialog remains open.
Unit to telegraphically send computer information from one computer to another.
Embroidered design composed of one or more letters, usually the initials of a name. Can also consist of borders or designs to mark ownership of items such as clothing, caps, handkerchiefs, etc.
A type of appliqué object composed of more than one piece of fabric and bordered by various types of embroidery objects.
A design saved in the original format of the application you are working with is said to be the ‘native’ file format. It can also refer to the machine file format required by a specific embroidery machine. When saved to another format, it is known as a non-native format.
Small, slender piece of steel with a hole for thread and a point for piercing fabric. A machine needle differs from a handwork needle; the machine needle’s eye is found at its pointed end. Machine embroidery needles come with sharp points for piercing heavy, tightly woven fabric; ball points which glide between fibers of knit; and variety of specialty points, such as wedge points, which are used for leather.
You can view needle points in a design to check density or, for instance, to select stitches for editing.
Needle felting, also called ‘dry felting’, is a popular fiber-arts craft that creates felt without the use of water. The needles which are used in industrial felting machines, or needle felting attachments like BERNINA needle-punch tool, or even hand-held tools, have little barbs with soft shoulders. As these needles penetrate the layers of fabric and yarn, they pull fiber through. Since the barbs face downwards, they do not pull the fibres out as the needles exit. Using a single needle or a small group of needles, fine details can be achieved using this technique. It is popular for 2D and 3D felted work.
Noise filtering means restoring the solid color blocks of original artwork in scanned images. This is achieved by merging different shades into one solid color. Noise filtering is important for automatic digitizing because it makes it easier for the software to identify solid color blocks which become embroidery objects in the resulting design. It also cleans up blurred or mottled areas of color.
Default template. See also Template.
In embroidery design terms, an object is an individual ‘element’ of a design. An object has many properties, such as its size, color, sequence in the design, stitch type and values, including the rules for stitching.
All embroidery objects in BERNINA V9 contain defining settings or ‘values’. The values stored with an object become its ‘properties’. All objects have certain properties in common such as size and position. There are other, more specific properties of objects which depend on the object type.
An object has a type, shape, thread type and color, stitching settings and a position in the stitching order. The object type may or may not determine the intended final appearance of the stitching.
A grouped embroidery design which may consist of one or more objects of any type and one or more colors. Ornaments may be placed in up to eight positions around letters, or centered behind letters.
Outline or ‘condensed’ files are high-level formats which contain object outlines, object properties and stitch data. When you open an outline file in BERNINA V9, corresponding stitch types, input methods and effects are applied. Outline files can be scaled, transformed and reshaped without affecting stitch density or quality. See also Machine file.
Stitch such as Run or Satin used to outline an embroidery object.
Use the Overview window to view a thumbnail of the design. The window is updated whenever you make a change, and can be used to zoom in or pan across the workspace.
Software application that creates or allows you to edit image files. You can create lines and filled areas as well as edit the image pixel-by-pixel using paintbrushes, erasers and spraypaint tools. Examples of image editing programs are Adobe Photoshop, Jasc PaintShop Pro and Corel PHOTO-PAINT® SE. See also Graphics application.
Use Pan to view parts of a design which are not currently visible in the workspace.
A connection on a computer, usually LPT1, where you plug in the cable for a parallel printer and/or a dongle. Parallel ports are used to connect some embroidery machines. They are named LPT1, LPT2, etc. When you set up a parallel machine connection, select the parallel port and the required protocol, and complete the machine setup procedure.
To insert an object, which has previously been placed on the clipboard by cutting or copying selected objects, into a design. You can paste from the clipboard as many times as you like.
The fabric piece use in appliqué.
The composite of pieces sewn together to form a large piece, such as a quilt.
A collection of patches sewn together, usually forming a regular shape such as a rectangle. These are then sewn together to make a quilt.
Pattern Fill is a decorative fill stitch with which you can fill Closed Object objects. You can also create special or three dimensional effects.
Patterns which are linked together along a digitized line. You can create decorative outlines using any pattern from the list.
PC Paintbrush bitmap image format.
Portable Document Format. Used to view the Online Manual in Acrobat Reader.
Low-cost way of producing an embroidery design sample. Consists literally of a piece of tracing paper placed over a stitchout and rubbed lightly with a pencil to produce an impression of the embroidery.
Any device connected to a computer which is to some degree controlled by the computer – e.g. an embroidery machine or printer.
Technique for creating embroidery designs directly from photographs and other grayscale bitmap images. PhotoSnap designs consist of rows of Satin or Contour stitches of varying spacing. The effect resembles the output of a line printer.
A dot. For example, dots of light that make up the picture on a computer screen. The more pixels there are in a given area – that is, the smaller and closer together they are – the higher the resolution.
An effect which occurs when a bitmap image is enlarged so that the individual pixels are obvious to the eye.
The first appliqué layer stitched – placement lines are used to position appliqué fabric on background material. See also Appliqué.
Portable Network Graphics vector graphic format.
A part of the screen display, the pointer can take various shapes. It is moved by moving the mouse and can be used to point to anything on the screen to make selections and indicate points for input. It also indicates when the computer is working and no input is possible.
Unit of measurement, with 10 points equal to 1 mm.
A connection on a computer where you plug in the cable that carries data to another device. Ports which are used to attach peripherals have names like COM1 or LPT1 so that you can specify where the peripherals are attached.
The Position indicator shows position of the design (X, Y) in the workspace.
Use to preview design and design information before printing a Production Worksheet. The design is displayed as it will be printed.
The production worksheet is the link between the designer and the embroidery machine operator. It contains a design preview as well as essential production information, including the design size, the color sequence and any special instructions.
A computer program or ‘application’ is generally used for a particular kind of work, such as word processing or database management.
See Object properties for details.
The communications protocol depends on the connection type between the computer and the embroidery machine. This will be one of: standard serial, parallel, serial to parallel converted (DCi), or interface card.
Result of the fabric being gathered by the stitches. Many possible causes include incorrect density, loose hooping, lack of backing, incorrect tension or dull needle.
Digitizing technique that takes into account the distortion of a design that will occur because of the interaction of thread with fabric. ‘Push and pull’ will cause a circle digitized perfectly round to sew with the sides pushed out, resulting in an egg shape. Generally, it is necessary to extend horizontal elements and reduce vertical elements. See also Automatic pull compensation.
When any stitch is sewn into fabric, the tension in the thread between needle penetrations can build up and result in a ‘push-pull’ effect. This can cause distortions in your sewn designs, poor stitch registration and even the bunching of the fabric. The degree of distortion can be affected by the following factors: stitch density, fabric type, underlay, backing type, thread type and garment orientation. See also Stitch-Pull.
In general, the process of making a quilt; in specific, the stitching of patterns into the quilt layers to add strength and decoration to the quilt - top, batting and backing -- to form decorative patterns on the surface of the quilt and to hold the layers together.
Random Access Memory, computer chip maintaining memory.
To open a design which has been written on a design card or to an embroidery machine.
The screen display is refreshed. This is useful when parts of the display have become obscured in the course of editing. See also Slow Redraw.
You can change the position of a selected object by cutting it, then pasting it somewhere else in the stitching sequence, or by using the Resequence command. You can also resequence objects by color or using the Color Film.
Resolution determines the number of dots per inch (dpi) used to create an image. The higher the value, the clearer the image, but the more storage space required. A resolution of 75 dpi generally produces good results.
RGB stands for red, green, and blue. It is the system used by computer monitors to create color.
To press and release the right mouse button. See also Click.
When you select an object, selection handles display at its extremities. If you click the object again, rotation and skew handles appear around the object. Rotation handles appear at the corners of the object and an anchor point displays at the object’s center. Skew handles are diamond-shaped and appear at the center-top and bottom of the object. See also Selection handles.
Fibers that have been carded and combed, but not spun. The term is most commonly heard in the phrase ‘wool roving’, but roving can be made out of any kind of fiber or a mix of fibers.
Run stitch (also called Walk stitch) places a single row of stitches along a digitized line. The needle penetrations are placed in consecutive order. Run is generally used for stitching outlines and connector stitches. Run stitch length can be set to automatically vary in order to follow tight curves.
Satin Special only affects Satin stitch. When applied, it breaks any long Satin stitches into shorter ones. It also distributes needle penetrations in a random pattern so that they do not form a line in the middle of the shape. Used primarily to prevent long stitches in wide columns, it can also be used as an alternative to Step Fill. Satin Special looks more Satin-like and works well with turning stitches, creating soft lines and a little more depth.
Type of fill stitch. Formed by closely arranged zigzag stitches, it can be stitched at any angle and with varying lengths. The thread is laid across a shape with a zigzag sewing action where two stitches form a column. Hence it is only suitable for small or narrow shapes. As the stitches are almost parallel, Satin provides good coverage. It is often used for lettering, outlining, and details. Because there are generally no needle penetrations breaking up the fill, Satin stitch creates a glossy effect.
To store (design) information in a file. Each time you save a design, you replace the previous version using the filename. You should save your design frequently.
Ability to enlarge or reduce a design. In expanded format, most scaling is limited to 10 to 20%, because the stitch count remains constant despite final design size. In condensed formats, on the other hand, scale changes may be more dramatic, because stitch count and density may be varied.
Ability to enlarge or reduce a design in size. In stitch or ‘expanded’ format, most scaling is limited to ±10% because the stitch count remains constant despite final design size. In outline or ‘condensed’ formats, scale changes may be more dramatic because stitch count and density are recalculated.
A device that converts physical images into digital form so that they can be stored and manipulated by computer. Scanning allows you to take scanned images as a basis for embroidery design.
You need to calibrate your monitor so that designs at 1:1 scale appear at real size. Do this when you first install BERNINA V9, whenever you change your monitor, or adjust your monitor’s horizontal or vertical controls.
The bar at the bottom and right edge of a window whose contents are not entirely visible. Each scroll bar contains a small box, called a scroll box, and two scroll arrows to allow different types of scrolling.
Options in BERNINA V9 are controlled by a security device installed on the computer. Security access codes entered into the software are sent to this security device. Each security device has a unique serial number and identity code.
To highlight an object or group of objects for the purpose of editing. Only selected items can be edited.
Eight small squares that appear symmetrically at the corners and edges of a selected object. Use them to position and resize objects. See also Rotation handles.
The dotted rectangle that appears when you select a range of items. See also Bounding box.
See Stitching sequence for details.
A connection point on a computer where you plug a serial communications device such as a modem. PC serial COM ports are male connectors, and can be either 9-pin or 25-pin. They are named COM1, COM2, COM3, etc. The number of available ports limits the number of devices you can connect. If additional ports are required, you can add them. Multi-port serial cards can also be used.
Here you can adjust Baud, Data Bits, Stop Bits, Parity values. These settings must be identical to those of the embroidery machine. The type of handshaking must match the type of cable you are using.
Digitizing technique that places shorter stitches in curves and corners to avoid an unnecessarily bulky build-up or stitches.
A key stroke or a series of keystrokes you can use to perform a task instead of using the mouse. For example, Ctrl+C actions the Copy command.
See Selection handles for details.
See Rotation handles for details.
Use to redraw your design slowly. Slow Redraw lets you view the stitching and color sequence of a design in slow motion.
Programs, such as MS Windows and BERNINA V9, which run your computer.
A fill stitch capability that produces a fill with a ‘relief’ or ornament within the fill-stitch area – e.g. Pattern Fill.
Threads designed for effects such as shine, glitter, iridescence or thickness. The threads often are made from synthetic materials including rayon, mercerized cotton, metallics and textured nylon.
Provides information about the whole design: number of stitches, position of the design (X, Y), number of colors (C), number of stops (S), etc.
A detail stitch that can be used to outline items or fill in areas. It is used for stems and vines with other decorative stitches, or as an outline for Satin or Stipple fills.
Series of parallel stitches commonly used to cover large areas. Different step patterns can be created by altering the angle, the length and repeat sequence of the stitches. Also known as Tatami stitch.
A method of creating a fill made of run stitches which meander around within a border. Often used in quilting.
A stitch is one needle penetration; also used to refer to the thread laid down from one needle penetration to the next.
The stitch angle is the angle the overall stitching follows within a shape. The shape may have a fixed stitch angle – e.g. 45° to the horizontal – or multiple stitch angles.
Standard stitch spacing is calculated at the outside edge of a shape. With sharp curves, spacing which provides adequate coverage on the outside edge may cause bunching along the inside edge. This may cause thread breakage when stitching out.
Stitch count refers to the number of stitches in a design. In BERNINA V9 one stitch is considered one machine revolution. See also Design properties.
The number of stitches per given area (or stitch lines per distance in a fill).
Digitizing feature that allows one or more stitches in a pattern to be deleted or altered.
The distance between two needle penetration points. For maximum stitch length, the length is measured according to the X and Y co-ordinates, whichever is greater. Run stitch length can be set to automatically vary in order to follow tight curves. See also Max/Min stitch length.
When any stitch is sewn into fabric the tension in the thread between needle penetrations can build up and result in Stitch-Pull. Stitch-Pull can cause distortions in your sewn designs, poor stitch registration and even the bunching up of fabric. The amount of Stitch-Pull that results in your design can be affected by the following factors: Stitch Density, Fabric Type, Underlay, Backing Type, Thread Type and Garment Orientation. See also Push-Pull.
Three basic stitch types are available with lockstitch machines – Run, Satin and Step Fill. BERNINA V9 provides many variants of these.
Spacing between two consecutive needle penetrations on the same side of a column. The smaller the value, the greater the stitch density. For more open stitching, use larger values.
Stitching defects may appear in the form of gaps between filled areas, fabric show-through and thread breaks. These are often caused by incorrect stitching settings – e.g. setting pull compensation too small for the fabric stretchiness.
The embroidery objects in a design form a stitching sequence. Initially, objects are stitched in the order in which they were created. You can change the position of a selected object by cutting it, then pasting it somewhere else in the sequence, or by using the Resequence command. You can also resequence objects by color or with the Color Film.
Embroidery designs readily available on disk or proprietary embroidery card. Digitized embroidery designs that are commercially available for general use by embroiderers.
What your computer’s hardware and software, operating together, can support. System requirements are printed on software packages, design disk cards and packs, CDs and other computer accessories. You need to know what your system can and cannot support, as sometimes a system is not capable of handling new software without adding memory or disk space.
Zigzag stitch, placed after placement and cutting lines, and used to fix appliqué patches to the background fabric before cover stitching is applied.
Special files used to store styles and default property settings. Use templates when digitizing frequently-used design types to save time re-adjusting the current property settings.
Tautness of thread when forming stitches. Top thread tension, as well as bobbin thread tension, need to be correctly set. Proper thread tension is achieved when about one third of the thread showing on the underside of the fabric on a column stitch is bobbin thread.
Use Textured Edge to create rough edges, to create shading effects, or to imitate fur or other fluffy textures in your design.
Fine cord or natural or synthetic material made from two or more filaments twisted together and used for stitching. Machine embroidery threads come in rayon (high sheen), cotton (duller finish), polyester (strong and colorfast), metallics (synthetic core wrapped with metal foil or thin slivers of metal foil) and acrylic (sheen similar to rayon).
Thread charts are lists of predefined thread colors. They may be based on commercially available thread charts, or charts you define yourself. You can copy colors between different thread charts to create your own charts from existing colors. See also Color palette.
Code is the identification number of a thread color in a brand.
The technique of forming designs on an embroidery machine by simultaneously running the machine and using a freehand motion with the fabric secured in an embroidery hoop, allowing the needle to ‘draw’ on the fabric surface.
Different thread density systems are used by different thread manufacturers. Density A is normal embroidery thread (density 120/2, or 40). Density B is thicker, Density C is finer, and Density D is very fine.
See Thread density for details.
Embroidery thread varies in thickness. Types are A, B, C and D. Stitch density should be set according to the thread type. See also Thread thickness.
Tie-in stitches are inserted at the start of objects to prevent stitches from unraveling. They are inserted inside the shape on the second stitch. You generally use them when the previous connector is trimmed.
Tie-offs are generally placed before trims to prevent stitches from unraveling. You can adjust connector settings to automatically add tie-offs under certain conditions, or add them manually. You can also include trim functions so machines with trimmers cut the thread automatically.
The horizontal bar located at the top of a window and containing the title of the window. On many windows, the title bar also contains the Control menu box and Maximize and Minimize buttons.
Toolbars provide quick and easy access to BERNINA V9 commands. Click a toolbar button to activate a command or, where applicable, right-click to view and adjust its settings.
Material hooped or placed on top of fabrics that have definable nap or surface texture, such as corduroy and terry cloth, prior to embroidery. The topping compacts the wale or nap and holds the stitches above it. It includes a variety of substances, such as plastic wrap, water-soluble plastic ‘foil’ and open-weave fabric that has been chemically treated to disintegrate with the application of heat. Also known as ‘facing’.
In BERNINA V9, Travel on Edges effect forces travel runs to the edges of objects so they do not show through open or loose stitching.
Travel runs are typically used to connect segments of complex shapes. They can also connect adjacent objects. Because runs are not trimmed, they may be visible in the final embroidery. For this reason, they are less commonly used as connectors between objects than jumps. If objects are adjacent and connectors will be hidden, they can be used.
You generally check a design’s stitching sequence by ‘traveling’ through it by stitches, segments, functions or objects.
If you are using a machine with an automatic trimmer, the trim code causes the thread to be cut after a tie-off. In the software, trims are represented by a triangle with a small circle at the point where stitching starts again. The trimmed connector appears as a dotted line. You can adjust connector settings to automatically add trims, or add them yourself.
Devices built into an embroidery machine to automatically trim or cut remaining thread when the design jumps from one area to another or performs a color change.
Action of cutting loose thread, removing backing, etc, from the final embroidered product.
Digital font technology designed by Apple Computer and now used by both Apple and Microsoft in their operating systems.
Embroidery objects can be filled with parallel or turning stitching. Turning stitches are columns of stitches which turn to follow the path defined by the object outline. By contrast, parallel stitching traverses the shape in one direction only – e.g. at 90° to the horizontal, 45°, or whatever is set. Objects can be created with turning stitching already applying, or multiple stitch angles can be added later. Turning stitches are best used with designs containing complicated, turning shapes such as trees, animals, or large filled areas. Turns generally occur at points where a shape changes significantly in direction or width.
Industry standard which allows devices (such as scanners) to communicate directly with design and layout programs. Both device and program must be TWAIN-compliant. This lets you use any TWAIN-compliant scanner with your software.
Stitches sewn before other design elements to help stabilize fabrics. The stitching action that will attach the backing to the fabric being embroidered. It also supports the top embroidery for a more lofty, dimensional look. Underlay stitches are made up of a series of single run stitches, usually with a very short stitch length, and are digitized manually or placed automatically under the column (satin) or fill stitch areas of your embroidery design.
The distance between an object outline and the edge of the underlay. Increase this margin to prevent underlay stitches from extending outside the cover stitches.
Universal Serial Bus Connector, a connection on a computer where you plug in the dongle.
The actual settings – letters and numbers – that you enter into dialogs. See also Object properties.
Ability to scale a design to different sizes.
Any image displayed and stored mathematically as lines. Vector ‘objects’ include rectangles, ellipses, curves, polygon stars, complex stars and perfect-shape objects created in graphics applications such as CorelDRAW®. Unlike raster images, vector graphics contain geometric shapes and lines that combine to form the image. Vector graphics are scalable without distortion, and usually form small files.
Vector objects are derived from vector graphics and can be created in BERNINA V9 or imported. In BERNINA V9 they can be converted to and from embroidery objects. You can set general properties such as size and position, and arrange and transform them in the same way as other objects. See also Bitmap.
With Wave Effect you can curve Closed Fill stitches along a digitized line to create flowing stitch effects. The stitches follow the digitized line but maintain uniform density and needle penetration patterns.
When referring to T-shirts, the three standard weight divisions are mid-weight/value, heavyweight/premium, and super heavyweight.
Windows Metafile vector format.
A rectangular or circular reference piece displayed in the software that can represent a table cloth, pillow case, table runner and so on.
The design worksheet containing information about the whole design, including thread colors, amount of thread used, design size, hoop used and so on.
To send design information to an embroidery disk, design card or embroidery machine for immediate stitchout or storage.
The horizontal (X) and vertical (Y) distances on a graph or computer screen. Use X values to measure width, and Y values to measure height.
Zigzag stitch is similar to Satin but is generally used where fewer stitches are required. The needle penetrates each side of the column, laying the thread across in an open zigzag pattern. The density is determined by the stitch spacing setting. The settings for Zigzag fill stitches are stored separately from Zigzag and Double Zigzag underlay settings.
Zigzag and Double Zigzag underlay stitching is used to support wide columns.
The scale at which the design is currently displayed.