Fill Styles and Guided Fill

Choose a global or local fill

In General → Global fill style, choose one of the seven global styles for compatible objects using global stitch settings. For one object, select a filled shape in Objects, turn off Use global stitch settings, and choose its Fill style. Guided is available only locally because its guide belongs to one object. Text, groups, and line-only objects do not expose the same fill controls.

Single-color fills

• Linear covers the area with straight stitch rows. Fill angle rotates the rows; Fill spacing controls their separation.
• Contour follows successive offsets of the region boundary.
• Spiral connects nested coverage into spiral-like paths where the geometry permits.
• Meander creates winding coverage. Inspect curves and narrow passages at the intended size.

Max. stitch length limits generated stitch segments. Fill spacing, Pull compensation, and applicable underlay remain separate controls; inspect holes, thin areas, travel, and coverage after changing style.

Linear Gradient: two actual threads

Linear Gradient blends two thread colors by interleaving rows, with the transition perpendicular to the stitch rows. The object color is the start color; choose a different End thread color for a visible blend. This is a stitch plan using two threads, so review both thread labels and color sections in Threads and production documents.

Tartan: base and accent bands

Tartan uses perpendicular row families with the object color as Base and an Accent thread color. Tartan repeat controls band repetition; Accent band width controls accent coverage and is limited to half the repeat. Fill angle rotates the pattern. Base rows sew before accent rows; review both colors, travels, and overlaps.

Motif: nine decorative presets

Choose Diamond, Chevron, Wave, Zigzag, Scallop, Box, Oval, Cross, or Star. Motif repeat sets the horizontal repeat, Motif amplitude is the distance from a row center to its peak, and Motif row spacing separates neighboring rows. Fill angle rotates the pattern. Motif row spacing takes the place of ordinary Fill spacing; close rows or large motifs can overlap.

Draw and edit a Guided fill

1. Select one compatible filled shape and turn off Use global stitch settings.
2. Choose Fill style → Guided, then Draw guide.
3. Click points to draw a polyline defining the flow. Press Enter or double-click to finish; Backspace removes the last point, and Escape cancels.
4. Use Edit guide and drag its points; Escape finishes editing. Use Redraw guide to replace it or Clear guide to remove it.
5. Recalculate and inspect the resulting stitches and warnings, particularly around tight bends or narrow areas.

Physical repeat, amplitude, row spacing, band width, and stitch-length fields use the selected Metric or Imperial display unit; angles remain degrees. Save .embproj to keep styles, secondary colors, motif settings, and the object’s guide. Multi-selection offers fewer style choices; use individual object settings for Guided, Motif, Tartan, and Linear Gradient.

Related: Stitch Settings, Threads and Palettes, and Ready Checks.