Embroidery Tool
Wilcom Learning
Stitch Type Recommender 🧵
Not sure which stitch type to use in Wilcom? Answer 3 quick questions about your object and get a professional recommendation with full explanation — instantly.
1
Object Type
2
Size & Detail
3
Fabric & Use
✓
Result
What type of object are you digitizing?
Select the element that best describes what you are working on in Wilcom.
Step 1 of 3
How would you describe the size and detail level?
This affects which stitch type will maintain quality and not distort.
Step 2 of 3
What fabric and application type?
Different materials and uses require different stitch densities and behaviors.
Step 3 of 3
🧵
Recommended
Satin Stitch
Best for smooth, shiny coverage on lettering and borders.
💡 Why This Stitch?
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Stitch Density
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Stitch Angle
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Stitch Length
Also consider these alternatives:
📋 How To Use This Tool
1
Select your object type. Choose what you are digitizing — text, a large fill area, a border, fine detail, a decorative motif, or an underlay layer.
2
Describe the size. Select the approximate size of the element — tiny, small, medium, or large. Size is critical because small text cannot use the same stitch as a large fill.
3
Select your fabric and application. Choose the material you are embroidering on. Different fabrics require different stitch behaviors to prevent puckering, show-through, or poor coverage.
4
Read your recommendation. The tool shows the best stitch type with a full explanation of why it was chosen, recommended settings, Wilcom-specific tips, and alternative stitches to consider.
🧵 Wilcom Stitch Type Guide
🪡
Satin Stitch (Column)
Most Popular
Satin stitch produces smooth, parallel stitches that lie side by side across the width of a shape. It creates a shiny, silk-like appearance and is the go-to stitch for lettering, borders, and narrow shapes. In Wilcom, it is applied as a Column object or directly to lettering. Best suited for shapes under 12mm wide — wider than this causes stitches to lie flat and may snag.
Lettering ✓Borders ✓Narrow shapes ✓Width: <12mm
🔲
Tatami Stitch (Step / Fill)
Large Areas
Tatami stitch (also called Step stitch or Fill stitch) uses rows of running stitches offset by a step value to fill large areas. It creates a woven, flat appearance and handles large shapes that would cause satin stitches to sag. Wilcom allows control of stitch angle, row spacing, and step value. It is ideal for large logos, backgrounds, and any fill area wider than 12mm.
Large fills ✓Backgrounds ✓Logos ✓Width: >12mm
➿
Run Stitch (Walking / Triple)
Outlines & Details
Run stitch is a single line of stitches following a path. Single run is used for travel stitches and very fine details. Triple run (running the stitch three times along the same path) creates a bolder outline. In Wilcom it appears as a Run object. Essential for fine lettering below 4mm, outlines after fill, detail work, and connecting objects without a jump stitch.
Outlines ✓Fine detail ✓Tiny text ✓Travel ✓
✨
Motif Stitch
Decorative
Motif stitch repeats a pre-defined pattern element along a path or within a fill area. Wilcom includes an extensive motif library (florals, geometric patterns, symbols) and allows custom motif creation. Motif fills create highly decorative textured areas. Motif runs place repeating shapes along any curve or line. Ideal for creative fill effects, artistic borders, and pattern backgrounds.
Decorative ✓Pattern fills ✓Artistic ✓Custom shapes
📐
Cross Stitch
Specialty
Cross stitch creates the classic X pattern across a grid. Wilcom’s cross stitch feature allows design of traditional counted cross stitch patterns digitally. Best suited for even-weave fabrics like Aida or linen. Used for samplers, decorative art pieces, and heritage-style embroidery. Not suited for commercial garment embroidery due to the open grid appearance.
Even-weave ✓Aida cloth ✓Traditional ✓
🔄
E Stitch (Blanket / Border)
Edges
E stitch (also called blanket stitch) creates a series of perpendicular stitches along a running stitch path, resembling the letter E repeated along an edge. It is used for decorative borders, appliqué finishing, and blanket edges. In Wilcom it appears as a specialty stitch option within the border/run tools. Creates a hand-stitched appearance effect.
Appliqué ✓Blanket edges ✓Decorative borders ✓
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Start with Satin stitch (Column) and Tatami stitch (Fill). These two cover the vast majority of commercial embroidery work. Satin is used for lettering, borders, and narrow elements. Tatami is used for large fills and logos. Once you master these, Run stitch and underlay techniques round out the core skill set. Motif and specialty stitches come later as creative additions.
Satin stitch should not be used for shapes wider than approximately 10–12mm. On wider areas, the long stitches have nowhere to anchor properly and will lie flat, sag, or snag easily with wear. For wide areas, switch to Tatami (fill) stitch, which uses shorter, interlocking rows that remain secure regardless of the fill area size. Wilcom will sometimes warn you when satin stitches are too long.
Underlay is a foundation layer of stitches sewn before the top (main) stitches. It serves three purposes: it compresses and stabilizes the fabric to prevent stretching, it provides a base for top stitches to sit on (improving coverage and dimension), and it anchors the design to the backing. Without proper underlay, embroidery on stretchy or high-pile fabrics will look poor and the design may distort. Wilcom allows automatic underlay generation per object.
The stitch angle determines the direction stitches run across a shape. The default is 45°, which is a good general-purpose angle. For lettering, the angle follows the column direction automatically. For fills, varying the stitch angle between adjacent objects (e.g. 0° for one shape and 90° for an adjacent shape) creates visual contrast. On striped or directional fabrics, match or contrast the angle intentionally. Avoid running stitches parallel to the fabric grain on woven materials as this reduces coverage.
For text under 5mm in height, use Run stitch (triple run for visibility). At this size, satin columns become too narrow for needles to sew cleanly and the stitches pile on top of each other, creating a raised, messy result. Triple run creates a bold, consistent line that reads clearly at tiny sizes. In Wilcom, select the Run object type and set it to triple or quadruple run for maximum definition on small lettering.
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