A Schiffli design can be repeated horizontally as many times as can fit across the frame. With larger designs, needles can be selectively disengaged. This is called a ‘design repeat’. When creating designs for Laesser Schiffli-Head machines, you need to instruct the software on the following parameters:
Number of needles per head
Head distance on machine
Number of colors in the design
Needles in use.
Also we need to be mindful of the thread colors we’re using when digitizing Schiffli designs, otherwise objects in designs may appear shifted when saved and re-opened. Use the steps below as a general guide to setting up designs for Schiffli-Head work.
1Ascertain head distance of your machine – e.g. 165mm, 240mm, or 330mm.
2Ascertain the number of needles per head on the machine – e.g. 5, 6, or 8.
3Calculate the nominal repeat on the basis of the needle count - e.g.
5 needles equates to a 20/4 repeat
6 needles equates to a 24/4 repeat
8 needles equates to a 32/4 repeat
4Ascertain the number of colors to be used in the design.
5Ascertain which color slots to use with reference to the ATC Standard Needle Pattern table.
For example, depending on the number of needles on the machine, and the number of design colors:
Needles |
Repeat |
Colors |
Color slots |
5 |
20/4 |
2 |
11 & 12 |
5 |
20/4 |
3 |
11, 12, & 13 |
6 |
24/4 |
2 |
16, 17 |
6 |
24/4 |
3 |
16, 17, & 18 |
6In EmbroideryStudio, assign actual threads to the color slots you intend to use – e.g. slots 11 & 12.
Caution: Do not compact your color palette or you will lose the correct slot assignment.
7To visualize your design repeats, select View > Repeats.
8Select Show Repeats and enter a nominal number of repeats – e.g. 3.
9Select Other and enter the head distance on the machine in the Distance field – e.g. 165mm, 240mm, or 330mm.
10Click OK to visualize the design repeats.
Note: Design repeats only display in normal stitch view. They will not appear if you switch to TrueView™.