Running Stitch / Bean Stitch

Description

Running stitch produces a series of small stitches following a line or curve. A simple repetition is most of the time too thin, so that the running stitch is usually executed as a bean stitch instead. This makes the line wider and more distinct.

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Creation

Running stitch is created from a path with a stroke color.

The stitch direction is impacted by the path direction. If you want to swap the start and end points of your running stitch, use Path > Reverse.

If an object consists of multiple paths, they will be stitched in order with a jump between each.

Bean Stitch

Enable bean stitch by entering a value for the Param-Option Bean stitch number of repeats

Parameters

Open Extensions > Ink/Stitch > Params to update the parameters.

Some parameters will be part of an upcoming Ink/Stitch release. It is not yet integrated in Ink/Stitch.

General Settings

Running stitch along paths

Must be selected to use these settings.

Method

Determines which stitch type to use.

Select Running stitch / Bean stitch

Repeats

Defines how many times to stitch along the path

Odd number: stitches will end at the end of the path
Even number: stitching will return to the start of the path

Bean stitch number of repeats

Determines the number of times to repeat each stitch.

A value of 0 does not repeat the stitch (normal stitch)
A value of 1 repeats each stitch three times (forward, back, forward).
A value of 2 repeats the stitch six times.
By entering multiple numbers, it is possible to define a custom repeat pattern. For instance 0 1 will create alternating single and triple stitches (≡-≡-≡).

Stitch length and placement

Stitch length

Running stitch length

Determines the length of stitches (mm). By entering multiple values, it is possible to define a custom stitch length pattern.
For instance 2 4 will create stitches of length alternatively 2 and 4 mm.

Running stitch tolerance

Determines the acceptable distance from the path. A lower tolerance will bring the stitches closer together. A higher tolerance allows for stitches to be farther away from the path. A higher tolerance may mean sharp corners may be rounded.

Randomize stitch length

Allows for randomize stitch length.

Random stitch length jitter

Only available if Randomize stitch length is selected. Determines the variation in the length of each stitch.

Minimum stitch length

Stitches smaller than this value will be removed.
Overwrites the global minimum stitch length setting.

Randomizing

Random seed

Change the result of random stitches.
If empty, the seed is the element ID.
Re-roll if you are not happy with the result.

Lock stitches

Minimum jump stitch length

Shorter distances to the next object will have no lock stitches.
Overwrites the global minimum jump stitch length setting.

Allow lock stitches

Enables lock stitches in only desired positions

Force lock stitches

If checked, lock stitches are sewn after this element,regardless of the minimum jump stitch length value.

Tack stitch

Determines the type of tack stitch.
Tack stitches are small stitches at the beginning of a stitch. They help to secure the beginning of the thread.
Read more

Lock stitch

Determines the type of lock stitch.
Lock stitches are small stitches at the end of stitch. They help to secure the end of the thread.
Read more

Scale tack stitch / Scale lock stitch

Some lock stitches have a scaling option in either mm or percent.

Custom path

This setting is only available for custom lock stitches.
Enter a custom mm or svg path.
The first node of an svg path will not be emboirdered, but represents the first (tack) or last (lock) stitch of the element.
Read more

Commands

Trim After

Determines if the thread is trimmed after sewing this object.

Stop After

Determines if the machine is stopped after sewing this object. Before stopping it will jump to the stop position (frame out) if defined.