In Lesson 1 we uploaded our daisy and the AI processed it into color layers. Now we'll step inside the Stitch Editor and understand what you're actually looking at — the layout, the panels, and the three stitch types that are the foundation of machine embroidery.
What this lesson covers
- 1 The editor layout and where things live
- 2 The Stitch Colors (layers) panel
- 3 Fill stitch — patterns, angle, spacing, underlay
- 4 Satin stitch — columns, rails, and the width rule
- 5 Running stitch — single-line detail
The editor layout
Here's the Stitch Editor. Up top you have the quick Export button — that's how you get your finished file. The large canvas in the middle shows your design. Down the right is the Stitch Colors panel — your layers.
Click through the layers on the right and the toolbar updates with all the tools you can use to edit that layer. We'll go over each tool in detail in Lesson 3.
The Stitch Colors panel
The Stitch Colors panel is worth spending a moment on. Each row is a separate thread color — the same way your machine stitches one color at a time. Click any row to select that layer and start editing it.
The three stitch types
There are three stitch types, and understanding when to use each one is the most important thing you'll learn in this whole course. Most designs use a mix of all three — and the AI has already made a first pass at assigning them for you.
Fill
Rows of stitches covering a large solid area — petals, centers, backgrounds.
Satin
Smooth, glossy columns on narrow shapes and outlines.
Running
A single clean line for fine details, stems, and outlines.
Fill stitch
Fill stitch covers solid areas. Think of it like mowing a lawn — the machine goes back and forth across the shape in parallel rows until every part of it is covered. It's what you'll use for any large solid region.
Four pattern options:
Auto Fill
The one you'll use most. Picks the best angle automatically and gives clean, even rows.
Contour
Follows the outline of the shape, stitching in concentric rings — great for circular or organic designs.
Circular
Spirals from the center outward.
Meander
A random, flowing path that covers the area without rigid rows.
Beyond the pattern, there are three settings worth knowing:
Satin stitch
Satin stitch creates that smooth, glossy look by stitching back and forth across a narrow column — left edge to right edge, over and over. The result is dense, silky coverage with a sheen that catches the light.
Satin rails — 3 ways to set them
Rails are the two edges that tell satin which way to run across your shape. There are three ways to define them:
Split into Satin Columns
The fastest. Click two opposite edges of the shape — the app auto-assigns the rails and fills the satin for you. Keep the shape narrow; split wider shapes first.
Select Satin Columns
For designs that already have two separate closed paths, one inside the other. Click the outer path as Rail 1, the inner path as Rail 2 — the app fills the ring between them. Perfect for rings and any defined inner/outer edge.
Draw Edges
Full control. Pen-draw Rail 1 on one side and Rail 2 on the other, directly on the canvas. Best for unusual shapes where the other methods don't quite nail the boundaries.
Running stitch
Running stitch is the simplest of the three — individual stitches placed one after another along a path. No width, just a clean trail following the shape. It's great for fine details, delicate stems, and anything that should look lightweight rather than solid.
Open the editor and explore
Click through your layers and switch stitch types to see each one update live on the canvas.
Open the Stitch Editor — FreeNo software to install