Introduction
If you’ve dipped your toes into the world of embroidery especially with software like Hatch Embroidery you’ve probably seen terms like fill stitch, satin stitch, run stitch, and more. While they may sound technical at first, understanding each embroidery stitch type is key to producing clean, professional-looking designs.
In this guide, we’re diving deep into the most common stitch types in Hatch Embroidery software, breaking down their uses, advantages, and when to choose one over the other. Whether you’re new to digitizing or looking to elevate your stitch game, you’re in the right place.
What Is Hatch Embroidery?
Before we dive into stitch types, let’s briefly cover what Hatch Embroidery software is.
Hatch is a professional-grade embroidery digitizing and editing software developed by Wilcom, a global leader in embroidery design. It’s used by hobbyists, crafters, small businesses, and embroidery professionals to create, edit, and convert designs into machine-readable embroidery files.
With a user-friendly interface and powerful features, Hatch gives you the tools to take full control over every stitch—and that starts with knowing what those stitches actually do.
Why Understanding Stitch Types Matters
Every stitch you choose affects:
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The look and texture of your design
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The durability and wearability of the final product
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How well your embroidery works on different fabrics
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The overall production time and machine performance
In short, the right stitch makes or breaks the final result. Let’s explore each type!
1. Satin Stitch: The Classic for Clean Lines
Satin stitches are smooth, glossy, and perfect for letters, borders, and outlines.
Best For:
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Small to medium-sized text
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Monograms
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Decorative lines
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Logos with narrow shapes
How It Works:
The stitch runs side-to-side (like a zigzag), forming a sleek, shiny column. In Hatch, you can adjust width, spacing, underlay, and even apply gradients for beautiful effects.
Watch Out:
If the object is too wide, satin stitches can loop or snag. For those, use tatami/fill stitches instead.
2. Fill Stitch (Tatami): Best for Large Areas
Also called Tatami stitches, these are the go-to for filling in large areas with a flat, textured look.
Best For:
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Backgrounds
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Large logos
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Jackets, bags, or hats
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Bold artwork elements
How It Works:
The needle moves back and forth in a tightly packed pattern, giving you full coverage. In Hatch, you can customize angle, pattern, spacing, and underlay.
Bonus:
Fill stitches offer more flexibility on fabrics that stretch or need extra stability.
3. Run Stitch: The Unsung Hero
Run stitches are single lines of thread. They seem simple but serve a ton of uses in both design and function.
Best For:
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Fine detail lines
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Stitching outlines
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Connecting parts of a design
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Lettering under 5mm
How It Works:
You set a start and endpoint, and the machine lays a continuous line of thread. In Hatch, you can define line types, such as triple run, backstitch, or manual.
Pro Tip:
Run stitches are lightweight, perfect for sheer fabrics but not ideal for coverage.
4. Motif Stitch: Add Flair Without the Work
Motif stitches in Hatch are decorative repeating patterns that add texture and style without extra digitizing.
Best For:
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Borders
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Accents
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Quilting-style effects
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Light fabric designs
How It Works:
You select a preset motif (like swirls, waves, or diamonds) and Hatch repeats it along a path or shape. It’s an easy way to add personality without manual effort.
5. Stem Stitch: Great for Hand-Embroidery Effects
Stem stitch mimics traditional hand-embroidery techniques and adds a slightly raised, twisted look.
Best For:
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Floral or organic designs
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Hand-drawn style illustrations
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Vintage embroidery projects
How It Works:
This stitch loops back on itself as it moves forward. In Hatch, you can tweak the loop size and direction for different textures.
6. Appliqué Stitch: Combining Fabric & Thread
Not technically a stitch itself, but a technique appliqué lets you place fabric onto your design and secure it using stitches (like satin or zigzag).
Best For:
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Large colored areas without high stitch count
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Fashion design and custom patches
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Kids’ apparel
How It Works:
Hatch Embroidery includes built-in tools for digitizing appliqué shapes, placing placement and tack-down stitches, and final borders.
Stitch Customization in Hatch: What You Can Control
The magic of Hatch is not just in the stitch types but in how you customize them. You can control:
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Stitch angle: Controls thread direction
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Density: Determines how tight stitches are
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Underlay: Adds support for better stitch quality
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Compensation: Adjusts for fabric pull
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Pull/push settings: Fine-tunes positioning
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Start/end points: Controls where stitching begins and ends
Once you get comfortable tweaking these, your designs will go from good to gallery-worthy.
Matching Stitches to Fabric Type
Not all stitches are equal on every fabric. Here’s a quick cheat sheet:
Final Thoughts
Embroidery is both an art and a science and stitch types are the foundation of your success. Whether you’re running a business or crafting on the weekends, understanding the difference between satin, fill, run, and other stitch types in Hatch Embroidery software can totally transform your projects.
So don’t be afraid to experiment. Tweak your settings. Mix stitch types. Explore new textures. Once you’ve mastered the stitches, the only limit is your creativity!
