How to Digitize a Steil Stitch Fill

In this video, we show how to digitize a Steil stitch fill. A Steil stitch is similar to a satin stitch, but its width remains uniform from end to end. The points are placed like a running stitch, with the width controlled under the Steil stitch settings.

We begin by selecting the Steil stitch icon and the straight line tool. A straight line requires two points, so we left-click the first point, left-click the second point, and right-click to finish. We then create a Steil stitch with an arc line by selecting the arc line icon. This takes three points: we left-click the first point, left-click the second point to form the arc, left-click the third point, and right-click to finish. We also demonstrate creating a Steil stitch with the Bézier line tool by left-clicking the first, second, and third points, then right-clicking to finish. When wireframe is turned on, we can see the handles and make adjustments as needed.

Under the settings menu, we can adjust the Steil stitch properties, including stitch width, density, fill type, and stitch length. We can also close an open border, enable short stitches, choose miter or cap corners, and check the appliqué box. Additional options include random edges, underlay choices such as center walk, edge walk, or narrow zigzag, split satin for very wide satin stitches, and pull compensation. After making any changes, we click OK.

We also show how to create a Steil stitch in a preset shape by selecting the oval from the shape menu, then clicking and dragging to draw it. If we select that shape, right-click, and open the Steil stitch properties, checking the appliqué box turns the oval into an appliqué object. Using Slow Draw and Refresh, we can preview the stitch sequence: first the placement line in running stitches, then a second running stitch for tack-down, followed by zigzag stitches to hold the fabric in place, and finally a satin stitch to finish the edge.