Original text by Marina Belova
Satin and filling stitches have a property defining the edge type (object profile).
There are at least 3 basic edge types: As it usually happens, every type has more than one name, depending on the embroidery editor:
- Smooth (sharp) edge, where one stitch is parallel to the guideline (transverse) and the other is at an angle.
- Acute (chiseled) edge is good when you want parallel stitches, except the first and the last ones.
- Straight (square) edge is typical for low-density (min 2 mm) fills with a wide distance between the stitches. It makes a straight border.
There is one more type for satins:
- Zig-zag edge where two neighboring stitches are laid at an angle to the guideline (transverse).
See the difference between Smooth and Zig-zag edges on the picture below:
Apart from these basic edge shapes, the advanced modern software offers the users the possibility of customization.
It's hard to see the sense in changing the edge type and predict the results right away. Why did the software developers include so many separate shapes? I haven't yet found a comprehensible explanation neither in software manuals nor in professional literature. All I see is a plain statement: it is so and deal with it.
Therefore, I decided to conduct a little experiment of my own, to find out how to control this parameter and whether there is any sense in it. I digitized a small design containing 4 satin columns with different edges and 3 square fills. The density of all the objects except the one with the square edge was set at 0.4 mm.
This is how it looked in the editor:
And this is the result:
Conclusions: Zig-zag edge for satins provides the best coverage, and I like the outline more. Acute (chiseled) edge is the best for the fills as it makes the best outline. I suppose if I combine satins with fills, the effect will be the same. Straight (square) edge looks skewed, and the outline is uneven. High (7 mm) stitch length is to blame, I guess. But it works splendidly for the fills: the outline is even.
Perhaps, someone has experience in this area and is willing to share it with us? Or tell us why change the settings at all?
