Schiffli designs

Schiffli artwork must satisfy strict technical requirements. Typically artwork for Schiffli embroidery is designed like a tiled pattern. It represents a narrow ‘slice’ of the overall pattern which is repeated all along the fabric. This pattern has to be designed accurately so that the repeat joins on both sides and its width is a multiple of the needle spacing.

Lacework

Lacework involves the use of threads to produce overall embroidery of full-length fabrics. Some lacework is designed to be ‘self holding’. Such designs are stitched on a soluble backing which is washed or steamed off after manufacture. Thus, stitches have to be so placed that they interlock at the edges so that the lacework does not unravel.

Lacework is the most widely used application for Schiffli machines. Such work typically uses boring. Some machines require fine adjustments of tension and speed for this sort of work. ES Schiffli supports this. Designs made with ES Schiffli are not limited in stitch length because tension changes can be inserted directly. See also Design repeats.

Emblem work

Many Schiffli embroidery machines are also used for stitching emblems or logos as they provide a very productive way to do this. Emblem work, however, uses only a small subset of the Schiffli machine’s available functions. Typically, for example, such work does not contain the bored holes or long Satin stitches which occur in lace designs.