This section describes the process creating Thread Visions. 

The first process in setting up an embroidered portrait is selecting the proper artwork. The artwork you have to work with will make all the difference in the end result. The more clear and detailed artwork the better. The design in this selection was created for Melco Industries in Denver Colorado.

Melco hired a model to come in and have her picture taken with a digital camera for this design so I was able to "pick and choose" the best artwork. Below are a couple of the samples I had to choose from. The design on the right is the one I ended up using for the design process.

       

Once the artwork is selected the design digitizing process can begin.

 

If there is a background to the design, which there usually is, that is the first place I start so the main image will be sewn on top of the background. This helps create a 3-D type effect to the finished design.

 

 

 

 

 

The next step is to go in and start on the main section of the design, usually the face. The challenge is to get the colors and placement correct with the stitches. The colors on this image are exaggerated in order for you to see the layout.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once the main sections of the face are done I go in and add in detail such as highlights etc. Then it's time to move on to the hair.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I first set down a base fill of the hair. Then go in and add all the highlights and lowlights. This can be a very long and tedious process, but the end results are a 3-D   effect that looks like hair.

 

 

 

 

 

With a few more details here and there, the design is finally completed. This particular design took me about 40 hours to complete the digitizing. Once the digitizing is complete, the design is then taken to a computer driven embroidery machine and stitched out. The machines sew about 30,000 stitches per hour. This design ended with 75,583 stitches so it takes about 2.5 hours to sew.

 

 

This is a second version of the design. The blending techniques used differ from the above design. These are end processes to adjust where necessary.

 

 

This design is licensed and protected by:

For More Information Contact:

Thread Visions
131 A East Washington Street, Port Washington, WI 53074
 Email: emb_master@yahoo.com