When we look at lettering there are three basic ways to create block letters and each type is sewn that way for a good reason. Check out the recommended size for any keyboard font by looking into the help menu under fonts. Sometimes the serif is sewn a certain way because of esthetics and other times it’s for practical reasons. The M on the left if being sewn large enough could have a satin stitch serif that was 90 degrees from the vertical bar. The serif on the right M might be nothing more than a single stich to create the illusion of the serif.

Letters that have been reduced to a small size, smaller than the recommended size can start to lose stitches from the ends of the satins. The software is design to remove small stitches that will cause thread breaks. It's the filter that has determined that the needle entry from the run to the first entry of the satin is too short and so it gets removed. Making the letters look uneven. The same effect will happen on a block serif if you take a keyboard lettering and try to stretch the boundaries. Another way of sewing a block or square serif is to stitch it in the same direction as the vertical bar.

 If you break your lettering into sections it will enable you to push the limits. We all know most of our customers are wanting smaller and smaller fonts. One thing to assist in the quest for mini letters is going to a 60wt thread and smaller needles. Some shops prefer not to carry a variety of thread weights because it increases the possibility of error and keeping track of what thread is what on the machine does require a bit more organization. However if you are trying to make your mark in the business by being able to produce tiny letters it is a great tool for your arsenal.

That's all for now from The Embroidery Dinosaur

Beverley Field