Machine embroidery
In 1978, Tajima started manufacturing the TMBE Series Bridge Type Automatic Embroidery machines.
Melco, an international distribution network formed by Randal Melton and Bill Childs, created the first embroidery sample head for use with large Schiffli looms.
The digitizer marked common points in the design to create elaborate fill and satin stitch combinations.
This was monumental to decorators, in that it allowed them to scale and change the properties and parts of their designs easily, on the computer.
Melco patented the ability to sew circles with a satin stitch, as well as arched lettering generated from a keyboard.
An operator digitized the design using similar techniques to punching, transferring the results to a 1" paper tape or later to a floppy disk.
Wilcom enhanced this technology in 1982 with the introduction of the first multi-user system, which allowed more than one person to work on the embroidery process, streamlining production times.
In 1987, Pulse Microsystems introduced a digital asset management application called DDS, which was a design librarian for embroidery machines.
In 1996, Pulse Microsystems introduced the computational geometry-based simulation of hand-created chenille using a spiral effect.
Although they were not yet ready for it, this transformed the apparel industry by allowing manufacturers, stores, and end-users access to customized versions of the mass-produced garments and goods they had been buying throughout their lives, with no margin of error.
In an environment that was finally ready for the individuality that mass customization allowed, the principles developed for Stitchport were adapted in 2008 for the creation of PulseID.
In 2013, Tajima released the TMAR-KC Series Multi-Head Embroidery Machine, equipped with a digitally controlled presser foot.
The major embroidery machine companies and software developers are continuing to adapt their commercial systems to market them for home use, including Janome, RNK, Floriani, Tacony Corporation and many more.
The "feed dogs" or machine teeth are lowered or covered, and the embroiderer moves the fabric manually.
Industrial and commercial embroidery machines and combination sewing-embroidery machines have a hooping or framing system that holds the framed area of fabric taut under the sewing needle and moves it automatically to create a design from a pre-programmed digital embroidery pattern.
[citation needed] Depending on its capabilities, the machine will require varying degrees of user input to read and sew embroidery designs.
Sewing-embroidery machines generally have only one needle and require the user to change thread colors during the embroidery process.
Multi-needle industrial machines are generally threaded prior to running the design and do not require re-threading.
These machines require the user to input the correct color change sequence before beginning to embroider.
