Wilcom Collectible Patches

Follow our monthly blog to unlock expert tips and take your embroidery to the next level. Collect a patch each month and build your creative skills — one stitch at a time!

Skull Design

File Type: 2025 and e4. EMB file formats

Compatible With: 
All EmbroideryStudio products from e4 and above, and Truesizer.

Get Your Free Patch Today

Simply fill out the form below, to access the download.

Advanced Embroidery Techniques

Step-by Step Guide to 
Appliqué and a Bevelled 3D Effect  

Part 1: Lettering Setup (Appliqué Letters)

1. Create Lettering

• Font: Pastille  |  Height: 50mm  |  Spacing: 13mm
  

2. Apply Outlines and Offsets

• Offset: 1mm Run Stitch  |  Corners: Rounded 
• Remove check box – 'Create offsets for holes' and  'Keep original objects'

3. Frame out Position

• Create a crosshair guide for the frame out positioning.

4. Convert to Appliqué

• Select all > Right-click > Convert to Appliqué.

5. Reshape Letters

• In Reshape mode, adjust appliqué objects so letters don’t overlap.
  
  Note: Any adjustments to an applique object will auto-adjust the Guide, Tack, and Cover stitch at the same time, so you don’t have to adjust the individual layers.

6. Add Decorative Motif Outline

• Outlines & Offsets: 2mm Motif Run (Green)
• Use an existing Motif or create your own.
• Check – 'Keep original objects' and 'Create offsets for holes'

Part 2: Preparing Appliqué Pieces

7. Export Shapes for Cutter
   • Go to File > Export Multi Decoration > Export Current Design > Appliqué Shapes.
   • Export to the format required by your cutter.

8. Optimize in CorelDRAW

• Open vector file in CorelDRAW.
• Adjust graphics, flip shapes where useful (e.g. flip the “L”) to minimise fabric waste.

9. Combine Components

• Click back into EmbroideryStudio workspace. To optimize the stitch sequencing for applique..
• Select the appliqué objects.
• Combine Appliqué Components to streamline sequencing and reduce color changes.

Part 3: Digitize the Skull
 

10. Digitize Skull Base
    • Digitize all non 3D embroidery first
    • Digitize the skull, create a Custom Program Split for the skull. (Program Split Fill (custom split created from skull image).
    • For the eyes, apply Tatami fill with Spiral effect.
    • Add Column A satin objects for the outline of the skull.

11. Foam Preparation
    • Digitize and use 2 layers of foam for the skull outline. To avoid flattening the 3D puff, raise the presser foot to 5mm (if the machine allows).

⚠️ Tip: Change to a fresh needle and reduce machine speed to reduce breaks.

Stitch over the foam a second time with an extra wide satin cover stitch

12. Secure Foam

• Use standard satin to secure the foam, density: 0.40mm.
• Extra wide Satin cover stitch = 3x the width of the foam.
• Always cap the ends for 3D foam stability.

13. Remove Foam

• After stitching, peel away the excess foam for the reveal.

• Use Column A satin stitch.
• Density: 0.16mm. (tight density)
• Stitch length: 10.49mm (this is an extremely long satin stitch, but it’s required to create the bevelled 3D effect)
• Speed: Slow down machine to ~200 rpm for clean coverage over high foam.

Appliqué and a Bevelled 3D Effect Result: Bold lettering with vinyl appliqué and a striking bevelled 3D skull design that adds depth and texture.

Wilcom and Brother Announce Global Launch of BE EmbroideryStudio 2025

Wilcom, a world leader in embroidery software, is proud to announce a new global partnership with Brother, launching BE EmbroideryStudio 2025 — a powerful, user-friendly solution tailored for owners of Brother embroidery machines, especially small business operators.

Built on Wilcom’s acclaimed EmbroideryStudio flagship range, BE EmbroideryStudio 2025 delivers intuitive, easy-to-use digitizing tools trusted by embroidery professionals worldwide. It offers advanced lettering capability with an extensive library of professionally digitized fonts, versatile monogramming options, and powerful auto-digitizing for quickly transforming artwork into high-quality embroidery.

Additionally, creative stitch types, appliqué tools, and extensive customization capabilities give users the flexibility to create unique, high-impact designs. Paired with precise editing tools — including stitch-by-stitch control, real-time previews, and intelligent resizing — the software makes embroidery creation faster, easier, and more accurate.

Seamless integration with CorelDRAW® Graphics Suite provides a streamlined graphics editing environment for managing both embroidery and vector artwork in a single workflow.

BE EmbroideryStudio 2025 is now available globally through authorized Brother dealers.

Embroidery is nothing like print — it’s a unique medium with its own rules. That sounds obvious, but it’s a crucial distinction to understand, especially for anyone new to digitizing and learning the embroidery basics of push and pull compensation.

A beginner might digitize a design on screen exactly as it appears in the printed form, and it looks perfect, only to find that it appears distorted or misaligned once stitched out. Why? Because unlike print, embroidery interacts with a physical medium—fabric—and this medium fights back.

This is one of the key concepts that distinguishes embroidery from graphic design: push and pull compensation, often simply referred to as "Pull Comp."

Why You Need to Understand Pull Compensation

When a needle punctures fabric and thread is stitched, tension is created. This tension distorts the original design, affecting its shape and proportions.

In short:

Pull makes stitches narrower, pulling them inward along their width.
Push makes stitches longer, pushing them outward along their length.

What is Push and Pull Compensation?

In simple terms, pull compensation adds width to your stitches during digitizing to balance out how the fabric reacts during embroidery.

You are intentionally overcompensating—adding just enough extra width so that, once the fabric pulls and compresses during stitching, the final result appears correct.

It’s an invisible correction, but it makes all the difference between a professional-quality result and a disappointing one.

When Pull Compensation Matters Most

FONTS: 

Keep Lettering on a Perfect Baseline: Lettering is particularly sensitive to pull. Left uncorrected, certain letters may appear smaller or drift off the baseline. Pull compensation keeps them sharp, legible, and aligned.

CIRCLES: 

Digitize Perfect Circles: Without push and pull compensation, circles can flatten into ovals. Adding the right amount helps maintain symmetry and ensures a visually balanced result—even on tricky fabrics.

OUTLINES: 

Outlines and Registration: Whether it’s a run stitch outline or a satin border, outlines rely on precise placement. The natural push and pull of embroidery can throw this off. Try slightly stepping the outline inward.

Factors That Affect Pull Comp 

Several things influence how much pull compensation you’ll need:

🔹 Stitch Type

• Satin Stitch has the most visible pull effect. It pulls inward (along the sides) and pushes out (at the ends), especially in long or narrow columns.
• Tatami Stitch shows less pull comp overall but is still affected, especially over large fill areas.

🔹 Fabric Type

Knits stretch more than woven fabrics, so pull compensation must be increased to account for extra movement. Every fabric reacts differently—testing is essential.

🔹 Object Size

The bigger the object, the more obvious the pull comp. A small pull compensation setting that’s unnoticeable in a 10mm letter becomes very obvious in a 100mm satin border.

Over time, experience helps you use every tool at your disposal to manage pull compensation effectively. Including the best pull comp settings for you.

Underlay Plays a Role, Too

These underlay stitches support your pull compensation, helping your embroidery hold its shape.

Stabilizers Matter, Too

Stabilizers add essential support from underneath the fabric. By keeping the fabric taut and minimizing stretch or movement during stitching, stabilizers work hand-in-hand with your underlay and pull compensation settings to prevent distortion and ensure crisp, accurate embroidery.

When to Adjust Push and Pull Compensation

There’s no universal formula for push and pull compensation. The correct adjustment comes with experience and depends on several factors, including fabric type, stitch style, object size, and machine tension..... That’s why testing is critical. 

Wilcom’s EmbroideryStudio makes this process simpler:

• Use object-based editing to control pull compensation per element
• Access and adjust pull comp values in the Object Properties Docker (Default settings are available to get you started)
• And remember: test, test, test—it’s the only way to truly see the effects.

Pull Compensation options are available in every level of EmbroideryStudio software and can be found in the Object Properties Docker.

Run Stitch Outlines

Before we dive into some handy tips on EmbroideryStudio’s run stitch outlines, we couldn’t resist mixing a bit of stitch humor with practical advice!

We may not all be lacing up our sneakers, but if you’re threading up your embroidery machine, you’re technically still doing some running… right? 😉

Scroll to the bottom of this blog to download your free embroidery design: "If I Use Running Stitch, Can I Count It as Exercise?" 🧵😄

Digitizing Run Stitch Outlines

Wilcom's EmbroideryStudio 2025 offers a wide range of stitch types — from creative textures to specialty outlines. Here, we’re focusing on one of the most versatile and essential: Run Stitch. 

Perfect for outlines and fine detailing, it’s a staple in every digitizer’s toolbox.

Outline Stitch Types in EmbroideryStudio

Run, Sculpture, Triple, Backstitch, and Stemstitch, available in Decorating and Designing.
(Motif and String Stitch are included in the Designing level only.)

Outlining Tip for Production Flexibility

When digitizing logos, always assign the text and outline to separate needle allocations.

Why? 

This ensures the outline of the design is NOT linked to the text, providing flexibility to embroider the logo on garments of any color— essential for production runs across multiple garment colors.

The logo uses three thread colors, and the production order includes
6 WHITE Polo Shirts and 6 NAVY Polo Shirts

Black text is unreadable on navy shirts

 

White outline differs from the original design

Below, the logo has been digitized with FOUR needle assignments. The Run Stitch outlines were assigned to a separate needle, allowing color adjustments without interrupting production flow.

Thread Color Linkages Matter! 

Same logo design, multiple color combinations — all thanks to smart design planning and EmbroideryStudio's all-in-one EMB file!

Your Free Download
"If I Use Running Stitch, Can I Count It as Exercise?"

File Type: 2025 and e4. EMB file format

Compatible With: 
All e4 and above EmbroideryStudio products and Truesizer

Stitch Fest FREE Downloads
Start Your Collection!

As part of Stitch Fest 2025, we’re giving you exclusive access to a growing collection of Stitch Fest free downloads - embroidery designs, and Wilcom's Collectible Patches — all created to inspire, educate, and spark your creativity.

Whether you’re a seasoned digitizer or just starting out, these designs offer a great opportunity to study professional techniques and sharpen your skills.

Stitch Fest 2025 also brings exciting promotions on EmbroideryStudio 2025 products. 

Best of all? More free designs are on the way!

 In case you missed the 'The Needle Bar LIVE Special Episode'
Click the link below to watch it: Watch 

✨ More Coming Soon!

This is just the beginning. We’ll be releasing more free designs and collectible patches.

Your Free Download
Lion Design

Thank you for your interest in this exclusive embroidery design! 
We’re excited to share it with you—free of charge.

Design Theme: Lion with Glasses

File Type: 2025 and e4. EMB file format

Compatible With: 
All e4 and above EmbroideryStudio products and Truesizer

Get Your Free Download

Simply fill out the form below, and we’ll email it to you.

Smarter Uniform Personalization Starts Here 
With Wilcom Team Names!

Team uniforms don’t have to be one-size-fits-all. Wilcom’s Team Name feature delivers smarter uniform personalization, letting you personalize every garment with precision, all in a single setup. 

Whether you're embroidering team names, staff names with their positions, player numbers, or custom titles, this powerful tool is designed to make high-volume personalization fast, easy, and accurate.

Fast. Accurate. Error-proof

In this blog, we put the feature to the test with a basketball design embroidered on polo shirts using a multi-head machine. Each garment featured a unique team name and a custom “Captain” title.

How It Works in EmbroideryStudio

Creating personalized teamwear is simple in EmbroideryStudio. Here's a quick overview:

1. Open your embroidery design and click on the Team Names icon.
2. Click on the Team Names icon and select Import Team Members, your list of names from a .TXT or .CSV file. EmbroideryStudio automatically imports all the name.
3. Select All, and move the 'still invisible' names into position. (Tip: Click the 'Show Outlines' tool).
4. With the cursor onscreen, click 'G' to generate stitches.
5. To export the production worksheet, click File, then 'Print Preview', select the Team Names check box, then print or save.
6. 'Export Machine File' — Export your embroidery design to the machine you require. Before finalizing the export, click the OPTIONS button. 
7. Finally, select your 'Export Options' for your production set-up: 
   a) For Multi-head machines - Select 'Design and team names, with Stop'
   b) For Single head machine - Select any of the other options.
   
   

   Team Names Export Options

No need to manually duplicate files — it’s all automated.

Real-Time Results on a Multi-Head Machine

To demonstrate the power and efficiency of the Team Name feature—and how it enables smarter uniform personalization—we filmed shirts being embroidered on a multi-head machine. Watch as each head automatically stops, ready to stitch the next correct name. There’s no need to manually handle multiple files—just smooth, uninterrupted production.

See the 'Team Names' feature in action!

 

🏆 Perfect for Teamwear, Uniforms & Events

From sports teams to staff uniforms, the Team Name feature saves time while adding a professional, personal touch, with clean lettering, consistent placement, and efficient production.

Added BONUS: Wilcom’s EmbroideryStudio comes with over 220 professionally digitized fonts, including 159 character sets. Choose from a wide range of typefaces to suit any project.

Easily customize your text by selecting different fonts, baselines, kerning settings, or special characters using Wilcom’s world-class lettering capabilities. You can fine-tune each name individually by adjusting properties such as spacing, underlay, pull compensation, colors, letter placement, and more—or use the Apply All feature to ensure consistent properties across all names. The options are endless!

Compatible with all major embroidery machine brands

Download The Basketball logo with Team Names
Plus Team Names Export Options PDF

File Type: 2025 and e4. EMB file format

Compatible With: 
All e4 and above EmbroideryStudio products and Truesizer

Get Your Free Download

Your Free Download
King of Hearts Design

Thank you for your interest in this exclusive embroidery design! 
We’re excited to share it with you—free of charge.

Design Theme: King of Hearts

File Type: 2025 and e4. EMB file format

Compatible With: 
All e4 and above EmbroideryStudio products and Truesizer

Get Your Free Download