Welcome to the Ink/Stitch beginner tutorial series.
In this part we are going to have a closer look which stitch types Ink/Stitch is able to perform.
We will not explain the stitch types in general, but only how to create them in Ink/Stitch.
Ink/Stitch stitch types can be roughly divided into three sections: stroke, satin and fill.
Here is a complete list, so you can quickly navigate to the stitch type you are interested in.
This is the tutorial about satin columns.
Satin stitch is mostly used for borders, letters or small fill areas.
Ink/Stitch will draw zig-zags back and forth between two lines, while you can vary the thickness of the column as you like.
There are various methods to create satin columns.
We will first show you the very basic and manual way, before we simplify the process with the help from satin tools.
So let's create two paths
and combine them with 'Path > Combine' or 'Ctrl + K'.
Next we open the params dialogue
and switch to the "satin column" tab, where we enable "Custom satin column".
In our example the simulator shows not what we expected.
This is what you get, when path directions aren't the same on both sides of the rails.
Activate the node tool by pressing "N" and select your satin column.
If you followed our customize tutorial you will see red sparks indicating the path direction.
Select one node of one path and run "Path > Reverse" or use your custom shortcut key to reverse the path.
If you run params again you will now see the correct satin column being animated.
You can influence the angle with help of the nodes.
But always keep in mind, that on both rails we need the same amount of nodes.
Otherwise you will receive an error message like this.
This is easy to achieve in a simple path like this.
But what if you have a more complex shape and you really don't feel like counting nodes all day.
Well, Ink/Stitch has a solution for this. The "rung"-method.
With the satin column selected activate the pencil tool by pressing "P".
Hold "shift" while you draw the rung.
Rungs have to cross both rails once.
These rungs will give Ink/Stitch all the information about the stitch angle and no counting of nodes is needed.
If you want the satin column to be a line of equal width, there is a very fast method to create a satin column.
Create a path.
Make sure it is not a closed path, but has a start and an end.
Set the stroke width to whatever you like your satin column to be.
Then run "Extensions > Ink/Stitch > Satin Tools > Convert Line to Satin Column".
And that's it.
Sometimes you will need to break up your path into pieces.
This can be done manually, but if you want to keep your settings you can use a specific satin tool: "Cut Satin Column".
To break up your column manually, select two nodes,
one on each rail and click on
"Break path at selected nodes".
Now you have to seperate the paths by hitting "Ctrl + Shift + K" and recombine your sub-paths with "Ctrl + K".
Using the satin tools will require two steps.
First select your satin column and run "Extensions > Ink/Stitch > Commands > Attach commands to selected objects..."
and enable "Satin cut point" before you click on "Apply".
Move the symbol to the exact point where you want the satin column to split up.
It will split where the connector touches the rail.
Then run "Extensions > Ink/Stitch > Satin Tools > Cut Satin Column".
Please note, that in params you already need the satin column to be enabled for this to work.
"Flip Satin Column Rails" is a tool to help you plan your stitch path precisely.
A satin column which originally starts on the left rail and ends on the right, will start on the right rail and end on the left.
This might shorten connections between the previous and next stitch object.
Select the satin column and run "Extensions > Ink/Stitch > Satin Tools > Flip Satin Columns"
Planing the order and connections of stitch objects can be very time consuming.
Therefore Ink/Stitch comes with a tool that will take away a lot of this work.
"Auto-Route Satin Columns" will order your satin columns in logical stitching order.
It will create under-pathing and jump-stitches as necessary.
Single satin columns might also be split up to avoid jump stitches.
Resulting satins will retain all of the parameters you had set on the original satins.
Select satin columns with all parameters set (underlay, etc.).
Run "Extensions > Ink/Stitch > Satin Tools > Auto-Route Satin Columns..."
Enable desired options and click apply.
You can even define a start and an end point for your ordered satin columns by
attaching "Auto-route satin stitch starting" and "ending position" commands.
If this went too fast for you, you might be interested into the visual commands tutorial.
Let's have a closer look into the params dialogue and what it offers for satin columns.
"Custom satin column" has to be enabled.
Satin stitches pull the fabric together, resulting in a column narrower than you draw in Inkscape.
With the "Pull compensation" setting you can expand the satin column.
You’ll have to experiment how much compensation you need for your combination of fabric, thread, and stabilizer.
Zig-zag spacing will define the density of your satin column.
Well, now we talked much about the satin column itself.
But a very important part is still missing, which is the underlay.
Ink/Stitch supports three kinds of underlay.
For wide columns or challenging fabrics, you can even use all three underlay types together.
This is a row of running stitch down the center of the column and back.
This may be all you need for thin satin columns.
You can also use it as a base for more elaborate underlay.
This is a row of running stitch up one side of the column and back down the other.
The rows are set in from the edge of the column by the amount you specify.
For small or medium width satin, this may serve well enough by itself.
This is essentially a lower-density satin stitch sewn to the end of the column and back to the start.
The biggest purpose for E-stitch is a simple but strong cover stitch for applique items.
Mainly for baby cloths as their skin tends to be more sensitive.
E-stitch is created just as a satin column.
But in the params dialogue enable the E-stitch option and increase the zig-zag spacing.
Underlay is not needed for this stitch type.
If the points are facing the wrong way, just use the “flip satin column rails” tool as described before.
We hope you enjoyed this tutorial and got an overview about satin stitch types.
You might also want to watch our videos about stroke type stitches and fill stitches.