Short answer: pattern fills (brick, diamond, wave, zigzag, cross-hatch) shift the needle drops of a tatami into a repeating texture. Motif fills sew small open shapes (diamonds, circles, hearts, stars) in a running stitch. Gradient fills ramp the density from solid to open across a shape, and a two-colour blend overlaps two opposite gradients to fade one thread into another. Use them on large areas — jacket backs, patches, backgrounds — not small logos.
A plain tatami fill is the workhorse of embroidery, but thread can do more than lie flat. Decorative fills add texture, light and shading, and they're one of the clearest signs of a hand-digitized design.
Pattern fills
A pattern fill is a tatami where the needle drops are arranged into a visible repeat instead of an even stagger. EasyDigitizer's Style menu offers:
| Pattern | Looks like | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Brick | Offset blocks, like a brick wall | Backgrounds, buildings, badges |
| Diamond | A diamond lattice | Quilted, upholstered textures |
| Wave | Flowing waves | Water, flags, hair |
| Zigzag | Chevron ridges | Sporty, energetic backgrounds |
| Cross-hatch | Two crossing layers at half density each | Light texture with full coverage |
Pattern size (1–30 mm, default 4) sets how tall one repeat is, measured across the rows. Small repeats read as texture; large ones read as a design element. Needle drops are kept at least 0.5 mm apart, so the pattern never hammers the same spot.
Pattern fills sew best on stable fabric and big areas. On a 3″ logo the pattern is too small to see.
Motif fills
A motif fill covers a shape with small, separate figures sewn in a running stitch: an open, lacy look rather than solid coverage. Choose Diamond, Circle, Heart or Star, and set the Motif size (2–30 mm), which is the spacing between motifs and between rows.
Because they're open, motif fills get no underlay and no pull compensation, and the garment shows through. They work on light backgrounds, decorative panels, towels and fashion pieces.
Gradient fills
A gradient (density ramp) fill changes from solid to open across a shape:
- Start density and End density (0–100 %) set the two ends. The default is 100 % fading to 30 %.
- Curve (−3 to 3) bends the ramp, so the fade happens more quickly at one end.
- The ramp runs across the rows. To turn it round, swap the start and end values, or change the fill angle.
- Rows fade out entirely where density drops below 10 %.
Underlay follows the ramp: a gradient that fades below 30 % gets no underlay, and one that stays above 70 % gets an edge run, so underlay never shows through the open end.
Gradients are good for sunsets, highlights on lettering, shading on mascots and fading backgrounds.
Two-colour blends
A blend fades one thread into another:
- Select a fill.
- In the Two-colour blend section, choose the second thread and click Blend.
EasyDigitizer splits the fill into two gradients: the original thread fading 100 → 0 %, and a copy in the second thread fading 0 → 100 % on top of it, with no underlay on the second layer. The two are grouped so they move together. The result is the shaded look that's otherwise hard to get from embroidery thread.
Tips for blends:
- Pick colours of similar value (lightness) for smooth blends, or strongly contrasting ones for a dramatic fade.
- Use them on areas at least 20–25 mm long, so the fade has room.
- Stable fabrics work best, because two layers add stitches.
Choosing the right fill
- Small logo, solid colours: plain tatami.
- Large background that looks flat: a pattern fill.
- Light, decorative area where the garment should show: a motif fill.
- Shading or a highlight: a gradient.
- A colour fading into another: a two-colour blend.
Frequently asked questions
What is a pattern fill in embroidery?
A fill whose needle drops are arranged into a repeating texture, such as bricks or diamonds, instead of an even tatami stagger.
How do you do shading in machine embroidery?
With gradient fills that ramp the density, and with two-colour blends that overlap opposite gradients in two threads.
Do motif fills need underlay?
No. They're open, so underlay would show between the motifs.
Why does my pattern fill look like a plain fill?
The pattern size is too small for the shape, or the shape is too small. Increase the pattern size, or save patterns for larger areas.