News

What’s in the New Hatch Embroidery 3.1? FREE Software Update

Hatch — Tue, 28 May 2024 00:12:00 -0700

📢 Hatch Embroidery 3.1 Has Arrived!

We're thrilled to announce the release of the Hatch Embroidery 3.1 version! This free update for version 3 customers includes added creative elements and features along with essential bug fixes and improvements. Let's explore what’s in the new Hatch Embroidery 3.1.

New Creative Content

New Keyboard Design Collections (KDC)

2 new KDCs are included free within the new Hatch Embroidery 3.1.
- Bloom
- Nautical

KDC - Bloom

KDC - Nautical

4 creative and beautiful Keyboard Design Collections are now available for sale as individual KDCs:
- Teddy Bear Appliqué
- Garden Story
- Graffiti
- Great Wave

KDCs - Teddy Bear Appliqué, Garden Story, Graffiti, and Great Wave

New Embroidery Designs

Hatch Embroidery 3.1 includes 16 beautiful new designs from our friends at Embroidery Library and Urban Threads. You can find them in the Hatch Embroidery software Design Library.

These are listed within these folders:

Embroidery Library
Urban Threads

Bug Fixes & Improvements

Several improvements to features have been made to enhance your user experience. This includes support for more recent versions of CorelDRAW Standard up to 2024.

Ready to update to the new Hatch Embroidery 3.1?

Download the EXE file
Install it on your laptop/computer
Sign in with your existing email address and password

Note: The new Hatch Embroidery 3.1 is a free update to existing Hatch Embroidery version 3 owners.
Hatch Embroidery 1 & 2 users can purchase an update to version 3 by signing into the website and reviewing their options.

Sign in to see your paid update options

What Else is New?

Wireless Design Transfer Capabilities

Introducing the EmbroideryConnect WiFi Device

Wilcom's EmbroideryConnect offers a convenient wireless solution, eliminating the need for USB sticks by facilitating direct communication between your computer or laptop and your embroidery machine via WiFi. This device creates a seamless wireless bridge, allowing you to effortlessly transmit your embroidery designs directly to your machine.

EmbroideryConnect is compatible with most USB-enabled embroidery machines, turning your trusty machine into a modern embroidery marvel.

EmbroideryHub (Free software)

EmbroideryHub Hatch Edition is a separate application, automatically installed when you update to the new Hatch Embroidery 3.1. It installs alongside your software and should remain running in the background when using your EmbroideryConnect WiFi Device.

A handy setup wizard assists you in setting up your EmbroideryConnect devices on your local WiFi network.

EmbroideryHub provides a flexible platform to manage your EmbroideryConnect device, offering the ability to adjust network settings and reconfigure the device as needed. It also enables you to wirelessly organize and manage designs across your EmbroideryConnect devices, streamlining your embroidery workflow.

CorelDRAW Standard 2024 GEM

You can now enhance your Hatch Embroidery software capabilities by purchasing the new CorelDRAW Standard 2024 GEM. Compatible with the new Hatch Embroidery 3.1, the latest GEM includes a full license for CorelDRAW® Standard 2024 and links directly to your Hatch software.

This updated version of CorelDRAW Standard 2024 introduces support for additional file formats, including WebP, and features general enhancements like advanced PDF import capabilities, various fixes, and notable improvements in stability and performance.

What others say about Hatch Embroidery

Hatch Embroidery software is highly regarded for its user-friendliness and robust functionality, appealing to both novices and experienced embroiderers alike. It's celebrated for its intuitive design interface, which allows users to easily create and edit embroidery designs. A standout feature, the "Fabric Assist" tool, is particularly acclaimed for its ability to automatically adjust stitch settings based on the selected fabric type, delivering superior embroidery outcomes with minimal manual tweaking.

Users also highly commend Hatch for its wealth of educational content, including detailed tutorials and lessons that simplify the learning process. This support is often highlighted as a key benefit, as it helps users manage complex design tasks effortlessly, enabling them to produce professional-quality embroidery from their own homes.

Overall, Hatch Embroidery is lauded for combining ease of use with powerful features and excellent customer support, establishing itself as an indispensable resource for anyone passionate about embroidery.

Some of the most popular features and tools

Auto-Digitizing - This feature allows users to easily convert images into embroidery files, simplifying the process of creating embroidery designs from graphics.
Fabric Assist - As mentioned earlier, this innovative tool automatically adjusts the stitch settings based on the fabric type you select, optimizing embroidery outcomes and reducing the need for manual adjustments.
Manual Digitizing - For those who want more control over their designs, Hatch offers robust manual digitizing tools, allowing precise placement and adjustment of stitches.
Stitch Player - Hatch includes a stitch player that simulates the embroidery process on the screen, allowing users to preview how their design will stitch out in real-time, which helps in making adjustments before the actual embroidery starts.
Lettering and Monogramming - Hatch offers extensive options for text and monograms, including a wide range of fonts and customizable text tools for creating unique and professional-looking embroidery.
Multi-Hooping - This feature is essential for larger projects that don’t fit into a single hoop, allowing seamless execution of extensive designs.
Advanced Stitches - Hatch supports advanced stitch types like motif, contour, and satin, providing users with the flexibility to create intricate and detailed designs.
Sequencing and Layering - The software includes intuitive sequencing tools that allow users to easily layer and sequence their designs, optimizing the embroidery process.
Editing Tools - Comprehensive editing capabilities let users resize, rotate, split, and merge designs, offering complete control over the final product.
Educational Resources - Hatch includes a suite of tutorials, guides, and online support to help users get the most out of the software, enhancing the learning curve for new users and providing ongoing support for more experienced ones. We recommend visiting the Hatch Academy with 100's of lessons created by our own Hatch Embroidery experts.

Hatch Embroidery software products are in popular use in over 120 countries. It is time to join the global trend and give Hatch a try! The 30-Day Free Trial grants you unlimited use of all the amazing features and the 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee ensures that there is absolutely no risk involved.

Enjoy over 200 FREE lessons presented by our own embroidery experts in Hatch Academy. Grow your confidence and embroidery skills fast to start creating your own beautiful designs in no time!


Hatch Academy over 200 FREE Lessons	30-Day FREE Trial all the tools & features	Money-Back Guarantee ease of mind	Hatch FlexPay monthly instalments

Meet Nicole La Cour, Winner of the Easter Photo Contest

Hatch — Sun, 07 Apr 2024 18:26:00 -0700

Downloadable FREE design

We saw some really great entries into this year’s Hatch Embroidery Easter Photo Contest. However, there was one that really stood out above all, Nicole La Cour’s “Bunny Bag”. It is a stunning design that demonstrated a high level of technical skills and was also presented just beautifully.

I was curious to find out more about the person behind the lovely embroidery, so I chatted to Nicole about how she started machine embroidery and her small business Tattered Stitch Embroideries.

Can you tell me a bit about yourself?

I am the owner of Tattered Stitch Embroideries. I live in beautiful, sunny Arizona with my husband (and business partner) Jacques. We have one sweet, lovable Springer Spaniel, Daisy, and one persnickety cat, Dusty.

While I have only recently been introduced to the world of embroidery, (about 2 years ago) I have been an illustrator for as long as I can remember. It is my passion really. I owned a stamp company for 12+ years and after I sold the company I decided that I missed sharing my art. I love sharing my illustrations with others, and knowing that they get enjoyment out of them as well. It always makes me happy to know that my creations make others smile.

How did Tattered Stitch start?

Tattered Stitch was started with a lot of thought and prayer. We have recently started fostering two children, and I knew that I wanted to stay at home once we did so. So, thinking about what I could do to work from home, my mother suggested that I start up an embroidery company, and I am glad that I followed her suggestion. There is something so magical about watching a pattern that you have created and digitized stitch out on a machine. The first time I saw a pattern of mine do that, I was hooked. I had no idea how the pattern was going to translate from computer to embroidery machine, but it did and I was amazed.

What inspires you when you create your designs?

I am inspired by so many sources. I love vintage and I love soft simple illustrations. I also love watercolor washes and I love getting that look in embroidery patterns. I love whimsical little kittens, you will find many of them in my line of designs. I am inspired by the children in my life. I now look for ideas that I think would be cute on a child’s t-shirt or bib.

What made you choose Hatch Embroidery?

When I first started to digitize, I had purchased another software package. It was so not user friendly. After about a week of trying to work with that particular software, I was so frustrated that I went in search of another program to use. It was suggested to me that I try Hatch Embroidery Digitizer. After doing a little bit of research and trying the free 30 day trial, I knew that it would be a great software for me. I found it to be incredibly user friendly. The resources through the Hatch Embroidery board are amazing. I found that there were many videos and tutorials to learn from. I am just thrilled with Hatch Embroidery and how easy it is to use.

What are you favorite tools or features in Hatch Embroidery?

#1 by far is the branching tool. It makes it so easy to get the effect of red work. I get lost in a design when I try to do red work manually. So it makes it sooo easy.

My second favorite feature is using the Gradient Fill and the Florentine effects together. I love the watercolor look that you can achieve with these features together. It feels like you are painting with stitches when the machine is hard at work. Just love it. These features combined really have allowed me to think about how I would do an image if I were to paint instead of digitize. I can put an outline around it, and it really does feel like watercolor.

What’s the best advice you can give to fellow embroiderers?

The best advice I can give to others is to be kind to yourself when learning to digitize. Learning to think dimensionally is a challenge. Not only do I have to think about how to digitize the design, but then I have to think about the push and pull on a pattern and how it will affect the design. And what you see on the screen is not necessarily how it will stitch out. The biggest thing I had to learn was how to allow for that. Plan on a learning curve. But have fun with it as well. Now that I understand the software and what it can do, my creativity has greatly increased.

You can see more of Nicole’s designs on her website or why not join her Facebook group?

Hatch Embroidery software products are in popular use in over 100 countries. It is time to join the global trend and give Hatch a try! The 30-day Free Trial grants you unlimited use of all the amazing features and the 30-day Money Back Guarantee ensures that there is absolutely no risk involved.


Hatch Academy over 500 FREE lessons for software owners	30-Day FREE Trial all the tools & features	Money-Back Guarantee ease of mind	FlexPay monthly installments

Hatch Valentine’s Day Photo Contest Top 14 + Bonus FREE Embroidery Designs

Hatch — Wed, 03 Apr 2024 05:39:00 -0700

It was a really LOVE-ly competition

Our Valentine’s Day Facebook Photo contest was a roaring success. We asked our followers to submit their Valentine’s Day themed embroidery creations and we received many amazing entries. It was fantastic to see just how creative everyone got! It was very obvious that a lot of LOVE went into the the contestants’ work.

Some of the contestants have been embroidering for many years and some have just recently started out in the wonderful world of machine embroidery. We asked them to tell us a little about themselves in regards to embroidery and also for a handy tip they would give to fellow embroiderers.

We are showcasing the top 14 (because Valentine’s Day is on February 14) here and also giving away the embroidery designs we used in our Valentine’s Day promotions. Click here to download them.

Of course, every competition needs a winner. The two leaders of the competition were going head to head receiving many many votes each day, and it was very exciting to watch who will come first. Keep reading to find out who the free licence of Hatch Embroidery Personalizer and the free Font Pack went to. We are really happy for her for winning the competition!

14. Jeanette Wilson, hobbyist

“I’ve been doing machine embroidery since 2012. I started it on an impulse. I needed a new sewing machine as I had been making family clothes for 30 odd years, and I decided to try something different. I love the freedom of choosing patterns to add to clothes and making quilts and other household items. At the moment I’m doing it just as a hobby, but would like to sell some. I’m not really interested in starting a business though.”

Go for it, it is easier than you think, especially if you take classes! I did. And there is so much info on YouTube if you get stuck, and then there is Hatch!

13. Adele Burrows, hobbyist

“I started embroidery around three years ago. I had to give up work due to ME/CFS and needed something to do as and when I feel up to it. I began with a smaller machine first, but very quickly got the bug and upgraded to a bigger one, as I wanted to be able to use the larger hoops. Very quickly I began felting too and started making memory bears and personalizing them with embroidery. I love everything about machine embroidery, but mostly designing my own artwork but also love using designs for others too. It’s manily a hobby, but I occasionally I sell to friends.”

Don’t panic and just go for it! There are some lovely forums and very helpful people out there. Choose the right sites and you’ll never look back. You’ll just keep looking for that next thing to embroider on! 🙂

12. Kelly Boggs, small business owner

“I have been doing embroidery since 2003. I had to leave my job temporarily for health reasons and needed something to do. I have an extensive sewing background so machine embroidery seemed like a good choice. I jumped right into commercial embroidery! With my husbands help we focused on the sports teams in our area. The company has mostly wound down now, but I still have a few clients that I do work for each year. Now I really enjoy focusing on the creative end of projects. It was fun coming up with a design for your contest. I loved the trial of the software and am saving up now to buy! I can’t believe that your full version does more than what I was able to buy in 2003 for about $4,000 Canadian!”

My best advice for someone starting out is to really research and learn what goes into a good design, especially if you plan to digitize your own designs. Don’t be afraid to do a test run. I keep a huge bag of different fabrics for testing.

11. Lealer Jenkins, hobbyist

“I have been doing machine embroidery since 2012 when I started working for a company that sold embroidery machines. I like the creativity and unique items and gifts that one can do with it. I always like to see my name on anything and with machine embroidery I can create so many personalized things.”

Use the correct stabilizer. Take the time to find out what stabilizer works best with the fabric you’re using.

10. Carol Peek, Hobbyist

“I’ve been sewing for over 45 years and began machine embroidery about 20 years ago. While I have sold many items I’ve made, I do it mostly for enjoyment. I’ve always just purchased designs already “made”. Then I ran across Hatch software with a 30 day free trial, and thought I’d give it a try. I’m hooked! Hatch software is so user friendly anyone can create designs immediately without any experience. Which made me soon realize what could be possible once I actually learnt how to use all the features! Thank you again for opening up this new wonderful world for me!”

Don’t be intimidated by something without at least trying it. Especially when it comes to software and computers, people tend to shy away. But with Hatch, you soon realize it’s not as hard as you thought at all! Not only will it open up your imagination more than ever before, you soon realize so much more self creativity plus save a lot of money digitizing your own designs, too!

9. Caroline Millsted, hobbyist

“I have been doing machine embroidery for about 15 years, purely for pleasure. My Mum bought me a secondhand machine, even though I told her I would never use it and I don’t even sew! However my Mum was right, I got ‘the bug’. I have purchased designs until recently even though I have had software, but it’s only in the past couple of years I have made an effort to learn digitizing. I am still learning.

My purchase of Hatch has helped that learning curve as it seems so logical to me and the support from Wilcom directly and on Facebook is great, always ready to answer what seem like silly questions to me. But I realize, if you don’t ask, you don’t learn!

I have always had ‘a thing’ for bags and so I decided to try and learn to make bags and use the machine embroidery to make a wonderful feature. They are unique, even more so now that I am starting to use my own designs.”

My main tip for any beginner is to learn how to stabilize well. Even the nicest design needs proper stabilizing to prevent the puckers. I am still learning! But I love it, and my Mum would be so happy, if only she knew!

8. Jodi Kidneigh, hobbyist

“I only just started machine embroidery a couple of weeks before Christmas. My Mom left me her machine when she passed away in May, but I didn’t even turn it on until December. I thought that maybe I could figure out how to make some holiday gifts with it. At first I was very intimidated, but I had a lot of beginner’s luck. I also found a lot of helpful tips online.

While it was a lot of fun just to stitch out existing designs, it’s my nature to want to do my own thing. Digitizing my own designs became the most exciting thing for me very quickly, but it was a lot more challenging than I expected. I really got going with it once I found the Hatch software trial version.

I would like to start doing it as a small business, but for now I have used it to make things for my piano students. I’m starting a program with them that I call Keyboard Karate, and I made some key-chains and belts along with my own logo designs using Hatch.”

Keep an open mind, and be willing to experiment. There is a lot of help out there if you just look for it!

7. Yasser Esmail, small business owner

“I have been doing machine embroidery for about 3 years. I love embroidery and I view it as a kind of art. I like that with machine embroidery you can work really fast and create a lot of designs. I own a small business, so these are important to me.”

You must like embroidery. Love your machine and create your designs yourself. And of course use Hatch Embroidery software. It’s wonderful for digitizing your designs.

6. Vanessa Gaye Simmons Maggard, hobbyist

“I began doing machine embroidery in October 2016. I retired as a principal this past year and I’ve always had a love for sewing, hand embroidery and quilting but time restraints didn’t allow a lot of time for these things. After retirement, my husband fixed me a sewing room so I could pursue these interests.

I am an avid advocate of learning, so I felt learning how to do use machine embroidery would be an excellent way to keep learning even after I’ve left being an educator. I really enjoy the creativity of machine embroidery the most.

It is mostly a hobby for me, but I enjoy making things for others and have donated to charities. Now I have some people asking for items to be made, so it is evolving into a home business.”

Keep an open mind, and be willing to experiment. There is a lot of help out there if you just look for it!

5. Maggie Nemoto, hobbyist

“I’ve been doing sewing more than 20 years as a hobby. I just started machine embroidery about 9 months ago. I’m also doing free projects for teachers as charity.”

It’s very important to pick the right embroidery machine and threads. It is also important to have a great software. I highly recommend Hatch.

4. Michelle Winters, crafter and hobby embroiderer

“I’ve been embroidery for almost 2 years. I am a crafter, and I was constantly asking friends for help if I needed something embroidered, so I decided to learn to do it myself. I love the fact I am almost limitless as to what I can create. I am a crafter, I love creating, I crochet, I sew, I make dolls, and now I embroider. I do its as a hobby, I love making unique gifts for friends and family.”

My best tip I would give someone is not to get intimidated, just get on your machine and play, make it fun and exciting learning new things, and of course watch the tutorials.

3. Sabrina de Carvalho, small business owner

“I’ve been doing machine embroidery for just over 3 months, so I am still pretty new to it and learn when I can.I’m setting up a bespoke bridalwear company and wanted to create and embroider my own lace designs to go onto wedding dresses, but I also fell in love with using it for crafty and home projects.

The thing I enjoy most about machine embroidery is that it can be used to create almost anything! It really lets my imagination go mad and that’s a lot of fun.”

Water-soluble fabric is the best thing you will ever come across for any embroidery project!

2. Janice Mosinak Vazquez, small business owner

“I’d been sewing and embroidering for years as a hobby, but after a serious illness resulted in losing my job and being unable to work, I started sewing and embroidering to help pay the bills. Embroidered items were so expensive and I thought “hey I could do that for myself much cheaper and of better quality.” I love the creativity of machine embroidery, being able to take something plain and turn it into something one of a kind is great.

I now have a small home business called Lily n Rose Canine Couture making dog apparel that’s really on the ground floor right now. I also donate items monthly to dog rescues such as Little Yorkie Rescue to auction off for funds to rescue, vet and care for yorkies and other small dogs.”

My best tip I would give someone is not to get intimidated, just get on your machine and play, make it fun and exciting learning new things, and of course watch the tutorials.

And the Winner is...

1. Sandra Fuller, small business owner

” I have sewed since I was 7 and I love all things crafty. I have been doing machine embroidery since the first home embroidery machine came out about 25 years ago. I use to broker embroidery for golf clubs in S. California when machines still used punch tapes and wanted to get my hands on those machines, so getting one was the next step. I love being able to have items no one else has.

I have been digitizing 9 years now. I started out giving free designs for 2 years on Sewing Forum and Embroidery Forum. I now run justsewsandy.com and a Facebook group also called Just Sew Sandy.”

Don’t be afraid to ask questions, because you think they sound stupid. We all started at the beginning, and there is more help today then when I started.

CONGRATULATIONS!

Learn how to work with images and lettering, and experiment with color and texture for professional looking embroidery designs every time, created by you in the comfort of your own home!

It’s a ’Christmas’ Cracker Of a Winner!

Hatch — Wed, 03 Apr 2024 05:29:00 -0700

Hatch Facebook Christmas embroidery competition

Leading up to Christmas we have seen so many beautiful embroidery designs everywhere, which made us curious to see what kind of embroidery projects everyone was working on at home. So… we asked our lovely Facebook followers to share their embroidery Christmas projects on our page. We received fantastic entries and we were so thrilled to see how creative everyone got!

Some of the contestant have been embroidering for many years and some have just recently entered the beautiful, but occasionally tricky world of machine embroidery. We asked them to tell us a little about themselves in regards to embroidery and also what advice they would give to fellow embroiderers.

Our staff picked their favorite entries that we wanted to showcase and share with you here.

But of course, no competition is complete without a winner. We drew our lucky winner as advertised, so keep reading to find out who the free licence of Hatch Embroidery Customizer and the free Font Pack went to. We were so excited to inform her that she won the competition!

Fenny Zingstra, embroidery studio owner

“I had a cheap embroidery machine and I liked it so much, that I would learn how to make my own designs. My heart was in the hoop designs, but there were no tutorials available about that. So I taught myself. This was in 2009. Now I have an embroidery studio for apparel to make some money. And I have opened a shop on Etsy called Just Softies to sell my embroidery patterns of ITH softies.”

I really think you have to have good software and that you take you time to make it your own. Start with simple designs and grow your confidence. You can do it too!

Cheryle Cousin Daniels, business owner

“I found my love for embroidery after buying a sewing/embroidery machine in 2012. Creativity is energizing for me, and embroidery opened a whole new world in a way that I had not experienced before. I started my sewing and embroidery business Jeanzy AZ & Co in 2011, as I had new ideas about working with denim. I now own a 15 needle embroidery machine and couldn’t be happier.”

Save a ‘base file. Whenever I create a new design, I save a base file before I make changes, so that regardless of any changes I make, I can always revert back to the first design if necessary. Then, when I make adjustments, I add it to the embroidery library again by giving it a new file name.

Bobbie Lavner, shop owner

“I have always been a crafty person whether it was cross stitch or hand embroidery. One day I saw an embroidery machine in motion in Atlantic City in a gift shop and was totally fascinated by it. I’ve been in the embroidery business for almost 20 years now. I have a brick ‘n’ mortar shop called What A Stitch. I love to see the finished product especially when the design is unique.”

Never skimp on digitizing. Cheaper is never the best route to go. You get what you pay for and I always say “garbage in, garbage out”. If you contract out your digitizing as I do, look for the best.

Nicola Elliott, Artist

“I started my business Picturestitch 17 months ago after I had to leave work due to health issues. I started free motion stitch 3 years ago and won a new comer award in the UK. I have always drawn from being very young. I love the way free stitch looks and thought maybe I could have some of my drawing turned into stitch. I wanted each design to have a whimsical sketch look unique with my signature Heart.”

Always use the right stabilizer for the right fabric.

Tammy Clayton, home business owner

“It’s always been a dream of mine to do something with sewing as a little business for myself. Health issues in the past have kept me home out of the work force. So after some machine research, last January we went to look at a brand new embroidery machine. My husband was amazed at the possibilities and said why don’t you buy it. That’s how my embroidery business Simply Stitchin became.”

Make sure you change your embroidery needle often in your machine, and only use good quality embroidery thread as this will help give you a good crisp finished design.

Mary Zanders, hobby embroiderer

“I do a lot of charity work, I been doing it for about ten years. I worked in commercial shops for seven years.”

Always use good backing

Terri Willner, home business owner

“I’ve been sewing since I was a teen, but took up embroidery only about six years ago when I got a single needle sewing machine with an embroidery unit. I’ve got 3 of those now and this summer I added a 16 needle machine which has taken over my dining room and which I am still learning how to use. I have a home business called Very Barky Bags. The bandannas are to support Phoenix Assistance Dogs.”

I do on-site personalization at events. People like the custom aspect and they like to get it done immediately. Jackets, blankets, towels, bags are among the types of things. It is helpful to have actual samples as well as photos and to limit the number of choices.

Janet Shuttleworth, hobby embroiderer

“Having started sewing at an early age, about 7 years old, making clothes for my dolls. I got my first embroidery machine and software by in the late 90’s. I got into embroidery just for my personal use. Having seen an embroidery machine in use, and having always been a sewer it seemed the logical next step. I love being able to take an idea and bring it to life. And I still never tire of watching the machine do its thing.”

If you are going to digitize an existing image for appliqué, take a few minutes to plan the order and any layering first. Then write down the steps you will need. This can save lots of time in redoing bits.

And the Lucky Winner is...

Lorraine Balaberda, hobby embroiderer

“I purchased my machine about a year ago, I have been wanting to do machine embroidery for many years. I have been into art all my life, I love sewing and creating things. My retirement idea is to set myself up to be able to express myself with thread.”

I think the best advice is to do research on everything, and buy the best equipment and programming you can afford, it’s best to start with a strong foundation that you can build on.

H atch Embroidery software is designed for busy hobbyists who love embroidery and want to create their own designs with the benefits of modern technology. This user-friendly software allows you to customize and print your own embroidery designs quickly and simply, enabling you to push your creative boundaries as you bring your original ideas to life.

Learn how to work with images and lettering, and experiment with color and texture for professional looking embroidery designs every time, created by you in the comfort of your own home!

FREE Software Update for Hatch Embroidery 2 Users

Hatch — Thu, 12 Sep 2019 00:00:00 -0700

Enhanced features & new fonts for Hatch Embroidery Digitizer 2

Please note: This is a free software update for Hatch Embroidery 2 users only. Some of the features listed are for specific Hatch Embroidery levels. If you would like to add a feature, please upgrade your software today.

New Functionality in Redwork

Determine your Redwork start and end point even when you have a non-Redwork object before or after.

When you digitize Redwork and then apply closest join, Hatch Embroidery will now ignore the closest join. This allows you to keep the entry/exit points just as you placed them in the Redwork.

*Hatch Embroidery Digitizer 2 only

Scrolling Through Thread Colors with Arrow Keys

You can now scroll through the color list in the ‘Threads’ Docker with objects selected. Use the arrow keys to move through the list and try out different colors ‘on-the-fly’. This is inspirational fun and creates brand-new versions of your favorite designs in seconds.

Releasing Your Licence From Your PC/Laptop

If you like using many different computers, it’s so easy to sign out of Hatch Embroidery and release the license from your computer. It is free for you to then log into any other PC.

New Data Structure

The installation folder structure has been reconfigured. It’s even easier to find your personally created data files then ever before. This makes it simpler to move your Hatch Embroidery software and personal files to a new PC.

Font List Preview On-the-Fly

Preview Lettering on the fly, Save so much time by scrolling through the font list for both lettering and monograms and seeing your lettering instantly change on the screen.

Brand New FREE Fonts

7 new fonts are included with Hatch Embroidery Digitizer 2, taking the number of included professionally digitized fonts to 108!

• Bauhaus
• Carla
• Cheltenham Tall
• Croissant
• Micro Block
• Run Cardigan
• Souvenir

*Hatch Embroidery Digitizer 2 only

Improvements to the SVG File Format Output

SVG is compatible with even more cutting machines and graphics software.

Improved Brother machine compatibility with enhancements to the PES file format export.

These include multi-hoop registration marks, reading color codes and exporting applique to the PES format.

New Font Packs for you to Buy

There are 3 new font packs for purchase for those specialized projects. This will give you a total of 10 new fonts to create something incredible.

Font pack 9: Tall & Thin

• Capsule
• Drake
• Helvetica

Font pack 10: Script #2

• Lila
• Python Script
• Vivid Script

Font pack 11: 3D Puffy #2

• 3D Foam Emphatic
• 3D Foam Futuro
• 3D Foam London
• 3D Foam Sofachrome

View and purchase all Font Packs.

For more detailed information, read the Release Notes.

How do I Update My Software?

Click the Help menu in your Hatch Embroidery software, then click ‘Check for Updates’. Follow the prompts. Alternatively, the next time you exit and start your software, you will receive a pop-up notification, then simply follow the on-screen prompts.

Get your FREE Software Update for Hatch Embroidery 2 Users today!

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UPDATE 4 – NEW Improved Auto-Digitizing Is Here!

Hatch — Wed, 07 Jun 2017 05:31:00 -0700

Find out how to update and what's new

Update 4 is intended for installation with any released version (already installed) of Hatch Embroidery software 1.0. In case you missed it, it also includes previous updates.

Follow the links here for previous release notes:

Update 1

Update 2

Update 3

How to Update Your Hatch Embroidery Software

The software automatically checks for updates each time it is run and the PC is online.

If you go online while the software is running, you can use the ‘Check for Updates’ command in the Help menu.

Once the update is completed you will need to restart your PC for changes to take effect. Check your Help>About to make sure you have the latest update installed. The date may differ in your particular installation, but the version number needs to be V1.0M.

What is New?

Automatic-Digitizing Improvements

Hatch now includes the latest auto-digitizing and image processing improvements.

Bitmap Conversion

When converting a bitmap from Graphics mode, the resulting embroidery used to appear in a single color, the first in the Hatch palette. This problem has been rectified.

Image Processing

With this update, image processing has been simplified with a revised artwork preparation dialog. Default color detection has been improved and the dialog simplified for ease-of-use. See Process images in the online documentation for details.

Auto-Digitizing

The auto-digitize dialog has also undergone a simplification which makes it easier to use. Image color matching has been improved with the addition of color-matching options. See Auto-digitize embroidery in the online documentation for details.

Importing Vector Artwork Files

EPS and other vector formats are often used as artwork for backdrops or automatic digitizing. Previously they were imported as vectors. Now they are imported by default as bitmaps since they are primarily used in this format.

If you have CorelDRAW X6 installed on your computer together with Hatch, other conversion options are available. Special conversion tools in the software automatically convert vector objects and text to embroidery or lettering objects.

File Handling Improvements

Updated File Format

With the advent of the updated file version, the ‘Save As’ dialog now includes:

• Wilcom All-in-One Designs (*.EMB) – NOTE: This is the e3.6 file format and must be the default.
• Wilcom All-in-One Designs e3.5 (*.EMB)
• Wilcom All-in-One Designs e3 (*.EMB)

Bitmap Import Failure

Importing certain artwork files previously caused an ‘import failed’ message to appear. The latest formats of all supported image files are now recognized.

Other Improvements

PDFs For Languages Other Than English

PDFs of the online documentation can now be downloaded in French, German, Italian and Spanish.

Hoop List With Bernette Deco Machine

Previously, when the Bernette Deco machine was selected, the hoop list was empty. The Bernette Deco hoops now appear correctly in the hoop list.

Access Exception Error

An error occurred on selecting a format in ‘My Designs’. With the product minimized and the file type activated the toolbar options, selecting another format caused a crash. The same problem affected the Sort By and Group By drop lists. The problem has been rectified.

New Hatch Update Features and Enhancements – Part 2

Hatch — Mon, 04 Jul 2016 03:11:00 -0700

Additional features in our most recent update

Continuing from our last post, we’re taking you through all the other enhancements and additions to Hatch Embroidery. This time we’re taking you through a few of the practical changes to the hooping functions, usability, design output, and overall system.

Hooping Improvements

Ricoma EM1010 Hoops

If you’ve got Hatch Basics and/or Monogrammer, your hoop options have expanded! Now you’ve got increased versatility and power with the Ricoma EM1010 hoops. We have bundled the Hatch Basics & Monogrammer with Ricoma’s EM-1010 machines so these hoops are now available for everyone. To access these, simply select ‘others’ under “Machine Type” and the Ricoma options will pop up automatically under “Hoops”.

Default Hoop Position

Hooping becomes more personalized to your individual needs with the latest update! Where previously the default hoop position was always set to “Automatic Centering > At Start Needle Position”, the software now adjusts the setting according to your individual machine requirements. Hatch seeks out all the requirements your machine has and then optimizes your final settings automatically. For example, Janome users are required to activate the “Start Needle Position”, whereas others are not.

Other Hooping Improvements

We’ve fixed a number of errors when considering hoops. There have been errors, previously, where the software displayed incorrectly offset hoop center lines with custom hoops. The centre lines were shown offset in newly created hoops and remained until the software restarted. This has been amended. Similarly, hoop center lines are now redrawn correctly when rotating Hoops number 1 and 3.

Usability Improvements

Re-sequence docker with changing zoom factors

You can now use the re-sequence docker after changing zoom factors, either manually or by set parameters. Use the drop down menu to zoom scale to display your designs at a specified scale. This gives you to option to edit your designs more closely, giving you more freedom and versatility when customizing your designs.

Design Output Improvements

Brother PES File Format Support

For users of the Brother PES File Format, we’ve made three major improvements! First of all the software now writes to the latest PES file format (Brother PE Design 10), so everything stays current and up-to-date. Secondly, trim codes are now correctly recognized on Brother PR600 machines. Last but definitely not least, more Brother hoops have been added to the software – so you have a lot more versatility and freedom with your design sizes!

Transfer Designs

“Transfer Designs” is a feature that creates a shortcut to save your designs to selected machine files (not to transfer designs directly to the machine). We’ve received some feedback stating that there have been system problems when using the “Transfer Design” tool and we’ve resolved all issues here!

Husqvarna VP3 files on Pfaff machines

For users who were running Husqvarna VP3 files on Pfaff machines, there appeared to be a couple of issues where designs saved in the software were not trimming correctly in the Pfaff Creative Sensation machine. We’ve rectified this issue so now Pfaff machine-users can smoothly run all the files they could previously!

Loading Designs on Janome MC15000

Users of the Janome MC15000 machine have reported that designs are offset when loaded onto the machine. We’ve fixed this issue so this no longer happens!

System Improvements

Running Software Without Internet Connection

Running your software offline is now super easy! We’ve come up with a number of fixes that have previously prevented people from accessing their software offline. Simply ensure that the “Remember Me” box is ticked. You’ll need to validate (online) every 60 days in order to continue using your software offline.

Releasing your License for Re-Use

If you want to re-use your original license on another machine, you now can! We’ve created a way for you to easily access your software through multiple sources. Logging into Hatch uses one of your licenses. If you’re logged in with “Remember Me”, you can release the license back to the cloud by selecting “File>Sign Out & Exit”. You can then go ahead and use your license on other machines!

Login Errors

There have been some issues with logging in, which we’ve addressed in this update. Many users have reported a similar error message (below) for when they attempt to log in. This could have potentially occurred if you attempted multiple logins on the same PC. The most recent update should ensure that this issue with logins does not happen again.

All the best

For the full list, click here to read our detailed online documentation.

Jenny and the Hatch Team!

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Hatch Embroidery software is the fastest-growing embroidery software used in over 100 countries. It is time to join this global trend and give Hatch Embroidery a try! The 30-Day Free Trial gives you unlimited use of all the amazing features, and the 30-Day Money Back Guarantee ensures that there is absolutely no risk involved.


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Latest Hatch Update brings you new Tools, Features and Enhancements!

Hatch — Wed, 29 Jun 2016 03:11:00 -0700

We're continuing to bring new things to Hatch Embroidery software

The latest Hatch Update brings you new tools, features and enhancements! We are committed to improving your experience with Hatch Embroidery and constantly working on new things. In this update, we’ve added new tools, features, and enhancements across the board. If you’re interested to see what’s changed and improved, read through a few of the updates below!

LETTERING ENHANCEMENTS

Lettering is one of the most important parts of machine embroidery so we’ve developed new tools features and add-ons while simultaneously improving what we’ve already got. Lettering becomes easier and users now have more versatility when customizing lettering on Hatch.

Knife Tool

For those who are currently using Hatch Layout Editor, there’s now an additional function that makes it even better! Introducing the new Knife tool; used to manually cut up shapes into smaller fragments. Use the new knife tool to cut along digitized lines while preserving stitch settings and colors, so you get to control the fragmentation of your designs without compromising their quality.

Break Apart Tool

Applying Stitch Types to Lettering Objects using Break-Apart

It is now possible to apply different stitch types to the separate sections that have been broken up using the break-apart tool. The break-apart tool can be used to split composite objects, including monograms, applique’s, lettering and other designs. This new update now allows for easy editing of each of these split components rather than having to edit the design as a whole. This tool can be found in the Hatch Monogrammer Add-on.

Two New Font Packs

For Hatch Monogrammer Add-on users or those with Creator or Digitizer, we’ve added two new font packs that are available for purchase to add to your software package.

Font pack 4 (Décor‘) includes: Arial Rounded, Empress and Border Block 2.

Font pack 5 (Special Occasions) includes: Helvetica Sm., City Script and Dauphin.

These are perfect for expanding your lettering or monogramming capabilities. If you’ve got the Hatch Monogrammer Add-on, this would be the ideal addition to expand your embroidery capabilities.

QUALITY ENHANCEMENTS

We’ve made a number of enhancements to our tools so you end up with the best final product possible. The quality improvements we’ve made will ensure that your designs look even better than before and the user experience is optimized for an improved ease-of-use with added functionality. We’re focused on helping you achieve the high quality results you deserve!

Stitch Quality

Stitch quality is something that we are constantly improving, simply because there is no limit to the quality of your stitches! In this update (applicable across the entire Hatch suite) we’re specifically focused on stitch shortening, contained mostly in shapes and designs with sharp corners. Where there are sharp corners, stitches tend to gather and become rather dense. We’ve added a function called ‘stitch shortening’ that automatically applies to sharp corners. This decreases density on the inside edge of your design, giving it a more uniform appearance and natural look.

Automatic Corners for Applique

Get crisp, sharp corners on your applique’ with the addition of ‘Automatic Corners’now included for applique’ in Hatch Digitizer.

While it was something that was available with normal embroidery, ‘Automatic Corners’ is now available for applique’ too. In addition to this, you have the option to turn the automatic function on or off – simply select your choice via the object properties toolbox.

Branching Multiple Colors

Where before your design palette may not have depicted color changes from branched objects, it now updates to show when all the objects have changed to the one color. There’s no more need for manual changes! This function can be found in Auto-Digitizer!

Thread chart and color changes

We’ve also made a few minor adjustments to make your user experience that little bit smoother!

The Hemingworth Thread Chart(available across the entire Hatch Software range) is now included on the list of thread charts available. We’ve also improved the functionality of the color changing tools, which now changes all the colors in each design without skipping over certain colors. Previously there were reports that some colors could not be changed after selecting all objects. This was an issue that has since been resolved.

Hatch users are in for a treat! With so many new tools, features and enhancements, the latest update will ensure that you are always working with the highest quality home software available. Keep an eye out for part two where we take you through many other features included in this update!

For the full list, click here to read our detailed online documentation.

All the best

The Hatch Team!


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Learn all about Embroidery Mill, a UK Hatch Embroidery Design Partner!

Hatch — Mon, 09 May 2016 02:55:00 -0700

Embroidery Mill, a UK-based digitizing company is celebrating their 40th anniversary this year and we recently had the chance to chat with their director Dominic Bunce! Every one of the 12 staff members has been with the company for a minimum of 5 years and each one aims to provide an outstanding commitment to both design quality and customer services. We’ve spoken to Dominic who gave us a little insight into Embroidery Mill.

When creating your designs how do ensure the highest quality?

All of our experienced digitizers have been with us for a minimum of 5 years with our latest apprentice taking on a 6-month training course before working on live orders. We provide monthly training sessions to ensure members are up to date on the latest techniques and improvements to design quality and efficiency in production.

We operate a quality-checking system where no design leaves us without first passing through another experienced design team member – we also like to share our workload. A customer would never know, but a design could be completed by 2 or more designers to ensure the optimum finish – having exceptional designers in shading and small text.

What makes your designs unique from other designs in the digitizing market?

Listening to our customers likes/dislikes and building up a portfolio for future designs to ensure they are happy with them first time round. With all designers put through a production factory prior to working on the digitizing side, it ensures that all designers know the complexity of production, and do not just design by a paint-by-numbers approach.

Where does your inspiration and motivation come from? Are there any artists, designers or digitizers that you admire?

We live for a challenge. Whilst general workwear designs contribute for the majority of our work, we love a challenge! Working with several fashion universities, we relish the opportunity to produce something that little bit different, taking inspiration from current market trends and retro designs.

You have a commitment to investing in new technology, how has this investment changed over the past two decades?

We try to keep abreast with the latest digitizing packages and are finding that with the help of Wilcom we are able to upgrade with ease. The new dongle system for upgrades makes it a great deal simpler. We have invested in new sampling equipment as well as laser cutting machinery to assist our customers in appliqué cut fabrics.

We plan on featuring a number of your designs on our website, how long (on average) would it take to create one of these designs – from start to finish?

Typically, we tell our customers 24 hours for a design.

Do you sell design formats for all brands of machines home and commercial? And where do you usually get your artwork?

We supply the .EMB and at present the digital downloads include the .EMB and .DST files although this is going through a complete overhaul to include a variety of formats, including industrial and home machines.

How many designs do you have in your inventory and how many of these designs are in the Wilcom .EMB format?

By August we anticipate to have produced just over 1 million designs with most in the .EMB format.

How long have you used Wilcom embroidery software and do you use any other software to digitize your designs?

We design solely in Wilcom and have used it since V8, prior to that, we used Compucon.

We love these designs...

To download any of the designs in this post (for free!), see below…

Click here to download!

Behind the Scenes of EmbroideryOnline with OESD

Hatch — Wed, 30 Mar 2016 02:54:00 -0700

A peek at what it is like to work in an embroidery design company

Tell us a little about OESD and the machine embroidery/digitizing industry

Let's go behind the scenes of EmbroideryOnline with OESDA. Provider of high-quality designs and digitizing products for the embroidery enthusiast, OESD has been in the embroidery digitizing business for over 30 years. The team at OESD are leaders in innovative and quality designs and we maintain this quality by staying ahead of the game by utilizing new embroidery techniques as well as utilizing what we have at our disposal to really push the limits in embroidery. All the designs that we have are sewn by our digitizers which makes it easy to avoid errors before publication. By not outsourcing this process, we ensure every design meets a very high standard.

Is there anything that makes OESD different from other digitizing companies in the industry?

OESD likes to ensure that there isn’t too much back and forth (it gets a little messy this way), so we give our digitizers full control of the creation of their own designs. We also have a fantastic system of quality control that each design has to go through. Each digitizer sews and edits multiple times if needed. Then the sew-outs are verified for thread colors, descriptions, thread traps, and sewing order. We follow the same control measures we have always used but we also regularly add newer ones to keep up with the changing software, machines, and industry in general.

What is really great and unique about OESD is that every design produced is a team effort. Because everyone is here in one place, the artists and digitizers are free to communicate with each other as much as they need to. Many of the OESD staff have worked for the company for over 10 years and there are many who have worked with OESD since its inception! The company works fantastically together and it really shows through the results and the satisfied testimonials.

What is the creative process like at OESD?

The creative process at OESD is heavily reliant on inspiration and motivation, which changes every single day, as well as an established procedure that we will always perform when digitizing designs. Inspiration comes from all around us, on television, in magazines, and in shopping. It’s all about taking the trends at the time and adding our OESD flair by thinking outside the box and always trying to improve our daily motivations. Take a look at one of the examples below…

The artist sketches the design, which then needs to get approved.
Threads are pulled for the design and/or collection
The digitizer plans what layers and paths to digitize first, mapping out an order of how to proceed with digitizing
The digitizer will blend the appropriate thread shades in the design or change threads if the original colors don’t work
The digitizer will then angle the fills to produce a 3D look. Fills can be angled horizontally or vertically. Horizontal fills sit back and vertical fills can appear raised
The design gets verified and changes are made if necessary then everything (descriptions, thread traps, knots, and embroidery fluidity) is checked
The collective information is inserted into a database, formats are created and from there the thread charts are made and uploaded to the appropriate locations, and then finally sent to the embroideryonline.com website for sale

Do you have any insider advice for beginners or people aspiring to get into embroidery and digitizing?

Each person is different and the way they will approach each of their tasks is different. However, something that I’ve really learned as a part of my career is to stop being afraid to experiment, as experimentation is the key to finding out special tricks that others might overlook. Experimentation is also the best way to really get creative, no matter how many times you “fail”; I find that you always wind up getting something out of it, whether it’s a new idea, skill, or even a great final product!

As far as tricks go, I would absolutely suggest learning your hotkeys, this will not only save you time but also be the first step in learning various shortcuts and tricks easily, this puts you on the path to learning more at a faster pace. A bit of advice is that certain ‘tricks’ start to become second nature and don’t even seem that special anymore! That’s when you know you’re well on your way to creating your own unique designs!

OESD is one of our Hatch design partners. They have provided us with a few free designs that are ready for you to download and stitch out.