Embroidery is the art of decorating fabric or other materials with designs using thread or yarn along with a needle. Embroidery may also use other materials such as metal strips, pearls, beads, quills, and sequins.
Machine embroidery is performed by special machines which automatically create a design from a pre-made pattern that is fed into the machine. Most embroidery machines are operated through computers that read digitized embroidery files created by special software.
In Machine embroidery, the designs are "digitized" with Embroidery Software. Almost all basic types of embroidery can be created with Machine Embroidery. These include: Applique, Free Standing Lace, Cutwork, Cross-stitch, Photo Stitch, and Basic Embroidery. Most often this type of embroidery is associated with business shirts, gifts, team apparel and commercial use.
Some embroidery machines are specifically built for industrial purposes. These are tough and can do several stitches in short span of time. Those who are into the embroidery business, should make themselves aware of the newest technologies and designs available as the fast changing fashion makes designs old very fast. The newest technology does not always demand a new machine. Instead new software design can be installed according to the requirements. Many of the softwares designed for embroidery lets a person change an image in digital form to a pattern for embroidery that can be uploaded on the machine.