Embroidery Among the Stars 

When Wilcom shared the Wilcom in Space story of Indian astronaut Shukra Sharma wearing Wilcom-digitized patches on the Axiom-4 mission, it was already a proud milestone. But now we’ve learned something even more extraordinary. On the very same spacecraft...

With decades of expertise, Tamás not only digitized the embroidery but also stitched the patches that traveled with Mr. Kapu into orbit, and once again sees Wilcom in space.

Spotlight on Hungary

Hungary, though a small country, has proudly established its own space program, HUNOR – Hungarian to Orbit. In June 2025, astronaut Tibor Kapu, a mechanical engineer, traveled to the International Space Station as part of Axiom-4, conducting dozens of scientific experiments.

Axiom-4 Hungarian astronaut

Celebrating the Achievement

Designing embroidery for space travel is no ordinary task. Every stitch must endure preparation, travel, and the honor of representing a nation. For this reason, Tamás and the Palesz Kft. team were entrusted with Hungary’s patches, delivering embroidery of extraordinary quality for a mission unlike any other.

We warmly congratulate Tamás and the Palesz Kft. team for this outstanding achievement.

Reaching for the Stars 

And Hungary wasn’t alone. Through our vibrant Wilcom community, we’ve since discovered that the Polish astronaut also wore Wilcom-crafted embroidery during Axiom-4, digitized by Andrzej Śniadek from EDS Studio, for the IGNIS Space Agency.

Congratulations to Andrzej Śniadek 

Axiom-4 Polish astronaut

Three Nations United by One Embroidery Technology

✅ Hungary – digitized by Tamás Pálkerti
✅ India – digitized by Chandra Shekhar
✅ Poland – digitized by Andrzej Śniadek

To the best of our knowledge, three out of four astronauts aboard Axiom-4 proudly wore Wilcom embroidery in orbit. 

National Pride

Each patch was more than embroidery — it was a symbol of national pride. Whether representing Hungary’s HUNOR program, India’s growing space ambitions, or Poland’s space partnerships, these designs reflected decades of expertise and the global power of Wilcom software.

👉 Join 385,000+ professionals worldwide who trust Wilcom every day.

A Drew Nelson Original

One of the most exciting things about embroidery is seeing how creative minds push tools in new directions. Our Reef PhotoStitch feature is designed to convert incredibly complex images to a single-color run stitch that concentrates on the darker areas of an image.

When placed in the hands of a passionate digitizer, it produces truly stunning results.

Over the past few days, Drew has shared some incredible new creations on social media, each one highlighting his growing mastery of this unique stitch type. 

By layering, he creates texture, depth, and movement, showing how a single-color feature can be used to transform embroidery into stunning multi-colour designs.

Layer Colors of Reef PhotoStitch

Get Inspired 

We love seeing what our community creates, and Drew’s work is a reminder of the endless possibilities when skill meets innovation. Be sure to follow his journey for more inspiration, and maybe experiment with Reef PhotoStitch in your own designs.

Drew Nelson’s 
Lighthouse Design

Free Download

From Studio to Space Station: The Story of India’s Space Patch

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla became the first Indian to reach and return from the International Space Station aboard Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), marking a historic milestone for India — the country’s first visit to the ISS in 41 years.

This patch, brought to life using Wilcom’s EmbroideryStudio software by Mr. Chandra Shekhar of Pulse Embroidery, a design and digitizing studio based in Bangalore, India. It had to be lightweight (no more than 14 grams), durable enough for space, and symbolically rich in meaning.

“The real game changer in this project was Wilcom EmbroideryStudio. It made this intricate design easy to complete — just an hour and 15 minutes to digitize,” says Chandra Shekhar V.

This isn’t Wilcom’s first journey into orbit!

The Power of Wilcom in Precision Digitizing

With a complete understanding of Wilcom EmbroideryStudio, Mr. Chandra Shekhar carefully chose and fine-tuned stitch types and settings to maintain visual impact while minimizing weight.

Here’s how Wilcom’s tools made it possible:

• Tatami with Offset Pattern – Used for the background fill, this mirrored the texture of the original artwork while reducing stitch density.
• Contour Stitches on Orbital Lines – Created a clean, linear effect representing Earth’s orbital paths.
• Florentine Effect – Added movement and depth to curved stitches, echoing the shape of a space station.
• Motif Fill – Formed the Earth with minimal stitches, maximizing visual clarity and impact.
• Smart Stitch Combinations for the Details – From satin to tatami to run stitches, each was carefully selected to illustrate the moon phases, scientific symbols, and the sun.
  
  

A Global Triumph — with an Indian Signature

We are reminded of how embroidery — powered by advanced digitizing software — continues to break new ground, quite literally reaching for the stars - and getting there

Ever wondered what a typical morning looks like at Wilcom? 

A Day in the Life at Wilcom HQ: 

For some of us, it starts by ferry, with views of the Opera House. Others hop off the light rail or stroll through sunlit laneways—coffee in hand, ideas already brewing. It’s a daily rhythm that’s creative, collaborative, and uniquely ours.

Inside HQ, you’ll find developers, digitizers, designers, sales, and support all working together. We’re constantly building and improving the software that powers the embroidery industry—whether it’s lettering for caps or creative stitch types for complex fashion artwork.

... And don’t worry—while our innovation starts in Sydney, we also have sales and support teams around the world, so there’s always someone local to help, wherever you are.

Our commutes are different, but our purpose is the same:
To make embroidery better for everyone.

From Harbour to Headquarters

Take a look at how we get to work—and how our surroundings inspire what we create.
From sea to screen, here’s the journey behind your favorite embroidery tools.

🎥 Watch it now!

Take a Look Inside Wilcom HQ

We’re proud to be part of your embroidery journey wherever you are!

Kintsugi and Fashion Renewal: Embracing Imperfection

The Japanese philosophy of Kintsugi teaches us that broken objects are not something to hide, but to celebrate. Translating to “golden joinery,” Kintsugi is the centuries-old art of repairing broken pottery with lacquer mixed with powdered gold, silver, or platinum. The cracks are not concealed—they’re illuminated—turning the object into something more beautiful and valuable than before. It’s a powerful reminder that there is beauty in imperfection and the story of repair.

Inspired by this idea, Wilcom has taken an old denim jacket—ripped and forgotten—and transformed it into a bespoke statement piece through embroidery. Using our world-renowned embroidery software, we upcycled the jacket with the transformative power of embroidery.

Deconstructed Cherry Blossom Design

Drawing from the delicate beauty of broken ceramics, we digitized intricate patterns that echo the fine lines and golden joins found in Kintsugi pottery. Every stitch reflects the spirit of repair and rebirth. 

We blended this with luxurious scrap material such as checked silk fabric, repurposed to add depth and texture—accentuated with metallic gold thread.

The result? A unique garment with new life, new value, and a story to tell.

Much like Kintsugi, this project highlights the beauty of transformation

Bespoke pieces embellished with embroidery carry an elevated and lasting emotional connection—meant to be cherished in wardrobes for years to come.

After all, like Kintsugi, true beauty often lies in the mended seams.

🩷

 A Chat with Twan

Award-Winning Embroidery Starts with Wilcom

Supporting the Next Generation of Embroidery Talent

The UK’s embroidery education programs incorporate Wilcom software into university curricula, ensuring that students graduate with hands-on experience using the same industry-standard tools relied on by top professionals.

The Wilcom Europe team is a dedicated advocate for young talent. Twan and Jessie are one of many designers who have benefited from Wilcom sponsorship, using their expertise to contribute to world-class productions.

Costume Designer: Paul Tazewell

Source Facebook (@PaulTazewellDesign)

Hello WICKED COSTUME TEAM!

“… Thank you for your incredible dedication to this film. You took my ideas and inspiration for the film but added your passion and thoughtfulness. The details in every garment are full of storytelling, textures and meaning. I know you are all very proud. Please everyone send a shout out to these amazing artists in the comments!!!! 

It was my honor to work with you everyday. x, Paul”

Source Facebook (@PaulTazewellDesign)

“A sneak peek into some embroidery studies for Glinda. I had the extreme pleasure of working with some of the most amazing craftspeople for @wickedmovie. This particular study for Glinda’s was meticulously cared for by @bbembriodery @hattiemcgillembriodery @twanlentjescreations. We often created many pieces to decide which way to go. Which beads, sequins, studs etc. to apply, which to change, which to add more….. for me the process was very exciting getting to know these artisans and the expertise they brought to this project…”

Source YouTube (@Instyle)

Breathing New Life into Original Australian Textile Art

“For the first time, we are bringing these designs into the digital age,” shares Margaux Everett, CEO and Founder of the Australian Museum of Design. 

“In collaboration with Wilcom, we’re proud to make these historic artworks available for digitization into machine embroidery. This initiative blends tradition with technology, offering everyone the chance to access, recreate, and bring these designs to life.”

‘Exotic Birds’ by Florence Broadhurst

‘Slinky Cat’ by Donald Clark

Wilcom’s cutting-edge embroidery software provides the tools to translate these works from textile print into embroidery!

‘Japanese Floral’ by Florence Broadhurst

‘Complex Paisley’ by Collette Dinnigan

‘Japanese Floral’ by Florence Broadhurst

‘Egrets’ by Florence Broadhurst

If you have any questions or would like to get involved, email AMoD at:
design@australianmuseumdesign.com.au

“Florence Broadhurst” is the registered trademark of Signature Design Archive Pty Limited © 2024 Florence Broadhurst, All rights reserved

Spotlight on a Finalist - Liz Ball’s Raygun Kangaroo Spirit

Wilcom’s World Digitizing Showcase 2024

Congratulations to Liz Ball from Newcastle Workwear Specialists! Wilcom is thrilled to celebrate this digitizing masterpiece: “Raygun Kangaroo Spirit” by Liz, a standout finalist in Wilcom’s World Digitizing Showcase 2024. Read on for our Spotlight on a Finalist - Liz Ball’s Raygun Kangaroo Spirit.

The Inspiration Behind “Raygun Kangaroo Spirit”

Liz Ball’s design, inspired by Raygun’s (Rachael Gunn) performance during the 2024 Paris Olympics, captures the essence of the Australian spirit through a unique blend of movement and symbolism.

 Fueled by plenty of coffee, powered by Wilcom software, and guided by Liz’s embroidery expertise and creativity, this masterpiece came to life!

Creating “Raygun Kangaroo Spirit” was no small feat. Liz dedicated countless hours outside of her busy work schedule at Newcastle Workwear Specialists to bring her vision to life. The design process took approximately 10 hours of intricate digitizing, utilizing the full spectrum of Wilcom’s powerful tools.

Embroidery Techniques

A special thank you to Liz’s skilled colleague, Lea who embroidered the ‘Raygun Kangarooo Spirit’ onto a green acid wash denim jacket and a black hoodie.

 What else does Liz like about EmbroideryStudio?

Liz particularly appreciates the inclusion of CorelDRAW® Graphics Suite in the Wilcom package, which she uses extensively to create mock-up samples for clients. The “Capture Virtual Decoration” feature allows her to scale and overlay embroidery designs onto garments, providing a clear visual representation of the final product.

“In mid-2000, embroidery found—and saved—me!

I began my career in the embroidery industry as an embroidery machine operator with a sportswear manufacturer in Newcastle, occasionally stepping in to digitize designs when needed.

Six years later, in 2006, the amazing Russ family offered me the opportunity to help start and run a brand-new in-house embroidery and design department for NWWS. With their support and trust (and fueled by copious amounts of black coffee), I essentially taught myself how to digitize embroidery designs using Wilcom EmbroideryStudio.

Now, over 18 years later I am fortunate enough to teach my extremely creative, talented crew all that I have learned.” Liz Ball

“I’ve found it advantageous to teach someone to digitize if they have embroidery machine and production experience first. It’s not just pretty pictures!”

Congratulations Liz Ball

A finalist in
Wilcom’s World Digitizing Showcase 2024

At Newcastle Workwear Specialists, Liz plays a pivotal role in the bustling in-house design department, which boasts 36 embroidery heads across six machines, two digital printers, and two vinyl cutters. Liz and her team specialize in creating and recreating logos for print and embroidery. The company sells brand uniforms serving a diverse clientele, including small businesses and large corporations. They stock caps, shirts, jackets, pants, beanies and create custom designs as required.

Get in touch with Newcastle Workwear Specialists. All Embroidery Produced & Designed IN-HOUSE

Embroidery Excellence Starts Here

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