Computerized embroidery for identity building (fablearn2020)

This page was created to support a (online) demo at Fablearn2020.

Daniel Schneider, Lydie Boufflers and Kalliopi Benetos

Computerized embroidery for identity building

Topics and resources for the demo session

Initially this demo was submitted as technical workshop, i.e. we planned to engage participants in learning machine embroidery, create a design related to "identity", reflect on future activities and discuss these.

URL of this page: https://edutechwiki.unige.ch/en/fablearn2020

Topics for discussion

This session is organized as a dialog. Please speak up ! Suggested options for discussion/technical demos (A/B/C/D):

A. Demo of the Ink/Stitch embroidery platform and discuss its affordances and difficulties Reusable rectangular embroidery badge/patch model (download SVG) Non-official patch, rendered We also can demo a commercial program, Stitch Era.	B. Observations from outreach activities and student projects . For example: fr:Broderie machine au salon du livre 2018 (Outreach event at Geneva book fair) fr:STIC:STIC IV (2017) (making class) and its STIC:STIC IV (2017)/Projets
C. Computerized embroidery as medium for acquiring digital skills (vector graphics, design, image manipulation, system admin, etc.) AECT 2019 poster handout and Embroidery Poster V3.2	D. The role of embroidery in educational making Making opportunities in teaching and learning

Resources

• Machine embroidery (this wiki)
  • Computerized embroidery (Concept)
  • InkStitch tutorials (free embroidery platform, based on Inkscape)
    • InkStitch - embroidery patch
  • Stitch Era tutorials (Fairly cheap, yet powerful commercial software)

• fr:CFAO (in french) Our making portal. Includes activities related to machine embroidery.
  • fr:STIC:STIC IV (2017)/Projets (in french). A making class focused on embroidery. Includes some work related to identity.

• Inkscape and Ink/Stitch
  • Inkscape Required for Ink/Stitch. Project home page
  • InkStitch Embroidery platform based on InkScape, Project home page
  • inkscape - inkstitch (Facebook group, 1.6Kmembers, french)
  • InkScape to Ink/Stitch Enthusiast Group (Facebook)

• Stitch Era
  • Stitch Era e-commerce website. For a trial, we recommend SEU Standard for 1 month ($24).

Somewhat modified contents of the accepted demo paper at Fablearn 2020

Daniel K. Schneider University of Geneva— FPSE / TECFA, Switzerland https://tecfa.unige.ch/DKS daniel.schneider@unige.ch

Lydie Boufflers University of Geneva— FPSE / TECFA, Switzerland http://tecfaetu.unige.ch/digifabwiki/ lydie.boufflers@unige.ch

Kalliopi Benetos University of Geneva— FPSE / TECFA, Switzerland https://tecfa.unige.ch/perso/benetos kalliopi.benetos@unige.ch

Abstract

This demo aims to introduce computerized embroidery and its use in education and social activism, with an emphasis on expression of identity and identity building. The demo will familiarize participants with the computerized embroidery workflow and with basic design and fabrication principles. To some participants, we will offer the possibility to create a simple stitchable embroidery patch design using the open-source Ink/Stitch or the commercial Stitch Era software. Through these activities, we would like to discuss how computational embroidery can be a medium for working on personal or social identity (including maker identity). We can also discuss computerized embroidery as a computational making medium for acquiring digital skills (vector graphics, design, etc.) and/or broaching social subjects like communication or interculturality. Exchanges will encourage attendees to begin thinking about their own pedagogical or societal scenarios of use.

Tools, Skills and Materials

• Tools➝ Embroidery machine • Tools➝ Vector Drawing software Inkscape and the extension Ink/Stitch • Materials➝ Embroidery tissues and threads • Skills➝ Vector drawing

Keywords

Machine embroidery; computerized embroidery; embroidery software, identity building; computational making.

Demo Description

Description of the Project

Computerized embroidery, like any other making technology, allows learning (i) digital skills like programming [1] or vector drawing, (ii) disciplinary knowledge and societal issues, (iii) planning, cooperation, metacognitive skills [2] and (iv) design skills [3]. It can also be an interesting tool for craftivism [10]. Chu et al. [11] define the maker mindset as a combination of self-efficacy, motivation and interest. Self-efficacy is described as an identity process: “Bandura’s social cognitive theory of self-efficacy suggests that the child who thinks: “I CAN (am able to) Make technology things” may progress to thinking “I CAN BE (have a possibility to be) a Maker,” and ultimately to “I AM (identify myself as and want to be identified as) a Maker”. O’Donovan and Smith [12] present a maker identity model that only partially takes form in observed existing spaces and suggest relating makerspace capabilities to a wider social and cultural context. Beyond the process of becoming a maker that is encouraged in the social context of makerspaces, making allows one to express and reflect upon other social identities. Forehand [15] explores the criticality of feminine craft. “With digital technology emerging as a point of power and creativity within the profession, traditionally feminine crafts can be seized as tools to reimagine women's identities, fostering cultures of digital craft and developing future opportunities that can differently position women's relationship to labor and ingenuity.” In a related domain, Katz-Buonincontro & Foster [13] argue that “avatar drawing reveals significant portraits of students’ racial and academic identity.” Amit Zoran [14] associates creative style - that has been the subject of many studies - with identity. “By creative style, I mean the formal variations in artwork or design that transmit information about personal and social identity. This is a variation on Wiessner's definition of style as a formal variation in material culture that transmits information about personal and social identity.” Zoran also argues that personal style as personal identity requires imperfection. Bajra [5] reports a successful intercultural exchange through an embroidery activity.

In this demo, we shall demonstrate technical aspects of computerized embroidery. We shall explain basic embroidery elements, the design and fabrication workflow, how to create patches, how to use embroidery software [17][19], how an embroidery machine works and how to create machine files. At the same time, we would like to discuss creating embroidery as a means to express and develop identities.

Target Audience and Discussion Topics

The demo is of interest to anyone interested in either the topic of computerized embroidery or identity expression/building through making. No prior knowledge is required, although experience in drawing software is an asset. The general objectives are to discuss machine embroidery basics and opportunities for its use in education and communication. We can answer questions about:

FabLearn 2020 patch 1

• Machine embroidery principles (workflow, stitch types, material constraints),
• Creating embroidery designs with Ink/Stitch or Stitch Era and its difficulties,
• Creating machine files and using an embroidery machine,
• Expressing personal or some role-related identity through embroidery.
• Using computerized embroidery in education

We will help some participants to create a patch that they later can fabricate, e.g. in a FabLab. We will donate a pre-cut patch tissue in the right size.

Material preparation prerequisite

Participants who would like to create their own embroidery patch can bring a laptop and install the following software:

• Inkscape 1x ([1]), an existing recent 0.94x version is also OK
• Ink/Stitch extension for embroidery (https://inkstitch.org/docs/install/)

Installation is fairly easy for Windows and Linux users. MacIntosh users must install XQuartz (for Inkscape 0.94) and may encounter permission problems (for Inkscape 1.x). Please carefully read the instructions on the Ink/Stitch web site.

Participants are encouraged to use simple clipart in SVG format, e.g. from https://thenounproject.com/ or https://publicdomainvectors.org/

Principles Of Computerized Embroidery

In this section, we shortly summarize some technical concepts and procedures. To learn more, please consult our online tutorials in English (https://edutechwiki.unige.ch/en/Machine_embroidery). There are four basic elements to making an embroidery: lines, satin columns, fills and programmable stitches. Lines and fills can be created easily. So-called satin stitches or programmable stitches are more difficult.

Embroidery workflow

The figure below summarizes various embroidery workflows. Designers can either start from vector or raster graphics or directly create so-called embroidery objects with embroidery software. The latter are a kind of vector graphics that include parameters defining how the embroidery should be rendered. The process of passing from a drawing to an embroidery object is called digitizing. Lettering is usually done with specially-designed embroidery objects, ready for optimal digitizing. Finally, embroidery objects as well as other graphic objects can be programed. E.g. the Turtlestitch environment (http://turtlestitch.org) [16] allows children to design embroidery with turtle graphics. From embroidery objects the embroidery software can generate stitch plans that are then translated into various proprietary machine code.

Embroidery workflow (simplified, for a more complete picture see Concepts of computerized embroidery)

Basic Use of Ink/Stitch Software

Ink/Stitch [18] is an Inkscape extension available at https://inkstitch.org/. It annotates SVG path objects with embroidery information that will allow generation of SVG “stitch plans” that are finally translated to machine code. Below we describe a few operations that interested participants will be able to observe and to do (if they install Ink/Stitch on their laptops beforehand).

Warmup:

1. Draw a closed object, using a drawing tool. Set a stroke width and transform the object to an SVG path object: Path -> Object to Path
2. Adapt / parametrize the object (see below for details): Extensions -> Ink/Stitch -> Params
3. Simulate or print (optional): Extensions -> Ink/Stitch -> Simulate or Extensions -> Ink/Stitch -> Print
4. Create the stitch file: file -> Save a copy, select your embroidery machine format

Creating fills:

1. Use any filled object and remove the stroke. Translate objects to SVG paths when needed.
2. Select this object and parametrize: Extensions -> Ink/Stitch -> Params, then set the angle (direction of stitched lines)
3. Define an underlay in Ink/Stitch (tick the box in the underlay tab)

Creating lines:

1. Create and modify various types of lines (dotted, dashed) (Object->Fill and Stroke… then select Stroke style tab -> Dashes)
2. Select this object and parametrize (e.g. multiply the stitches)

Creating satin columns:

Creating satin stitches is more difficult and we suggest following a tutorial [9][17][18]. Below we explain how to transform a stroke into a satin line.# Draw a line without overlaps that has a good width (3 to 6 mm) for satin stitches, e.g., draw a freehand line (F6), smooth it (CTRL-L), then adapt its thickness (Object->Fill and Stroke, Stroke style tab)

1. Select this object (verify that it has not fills) and use Extensions->Ink/Stitch-> Satin tools -> Convert line to Satin.
2. Parameterize as satin column: Extensions->Embroidery->Params
3. Select the Satin Column tab and tick custom satin column. Use the other tabs to add an underlay.

Creating letters:* Extensions->Ink/Stitch->Lettering. Pick an appropriate size.

While Ink/Stitch includes the functionality to create quality embroidery, it does not have the power of advanced commercial embroidery programs. On request, we also can demonstrate the use of the affordable high-end Stitch Era prosumer software and explain differences [19].

Creating Patches

Creating embroidery patches is a good way to learn basic embroidery principles and convey messages through embroidery. A typical example are skill badges used in the maker community. Since creating the borders is difficult, we developed a series of patch templates for Ink/Stitch (https://edutechwiki.unige.ch/en/InkStitch_-_embroidery_patch) and for Stitch Era.

Participants in an event can either pick vector clip art from the Noun Project or draw by hand. A simple hand drawing can be scanned, digitized and embroidered in about 30 minutes. The “pre-cut” method is explained in https://edutechwiki.unige.ch/en/Embroidery_patch

Conclusion

Results and Benefits

Digital embroidery is not very present in educational makerspaces despite its artistic flavor [4] that attracts different populations. It deserves a more prominent place: it is reliable, low risk, produces little waste and encourages upcycling. It does not convey gender stereotypes associated with engineering. Embroidery has a positive connotation. In our outreach events, e.g., large book fair, a science fair and a health forum (See Fig. below) over 600 patches were designed by participants and we observed that many participants addressed social issues.

• 

  Patch created from a children's drawing

• 

  Nuit de la science tent 2018

• 

  Geneva Book fair 2018

• 

  Geneva Book fair 2018

• 

  Badges created from drawings (Book fair 2018)

Pictures from outreach events (Geneva book fair and “Nuit de la Science”, 2018)

Lessons Learned

In one outreach event we administered a questionnaire to 78 participants (M_age=18.10, SD_age=14.18, 47% F) to measure participants’ interest and perceived difficulty [6]. Interest was high (on a scale of 1 to 7, M=6.91, SD=0.29). A pre/post test showed a stable perception of the difficulty of drawing (easy) and digitizing (neutral). The difficulty of using the machine was reevaluated from neutral to easy.

Broader Value and Relevance to the Conference Theme

Computerized embroidery is an interesting communication medium with an artistic flavor. It is a good entry point to develop digital-, soft- and design skills while producing usable objects. Embroidery also has high potential for upcycling, as it lends itself well to repairing holes in cloth and customizing existing apparel. Creating embroidery can be a way to express resistance and to acquire resilience.

Bios

Daniel K. Schneider is associate professor of educational technology at TECFA, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Geneva. He teaches “making” in an EdTech master since 1992. He taught computerized embroidery in a master degree classes and in two 3-hour workshops [8] [9]. He co-authored two conference papers [5, 6] on the topic of machine embroidery in education and presented a poster on embroidery to develop digital skills [7].

Lydie Boufflers is a doctoral student at TECFA. She wrote an MA thesis on designing a training course to create teaching tools with a laser cutter. DigiFabWiki (in French) is a result of her master thesis and is the co-author of a paper on the topic of machine embroidery in education [6].

Kalliopi Benetos is a lecturer at TECFA. She teaches visual communication and instructional design. She coordinates an extension program on e-learning and is interested in developing and studying technology-mediated environments to support design thinking, deeper learning, and epistemic change.

References

[1] Ursula Wolz, Seoyen Lee, James Mulligan & Paulina Valdivieso. 2019. Code Crafting Curriculum: A Textile Crafts Approach to Computer Science. In Proceedings of the 50th ACM Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education (February 2019), 1239-1239. https://doi.org/10.1145/3287324.3287532

[2] Paulo Blikstein. 2013. Digital fabrication and ‘making’ in education: The democratization of invention. In FabLabs: Of machines, makers and inventors, J. Walter-Herrman and C. Büching (Eds.). Transcript Publishers, Bielefeld, Chapter 1, 1-21.

[3] David Barlex. 2011. Dear minister, this is why design and technology is a very important subject in the school curriculum. Design and Technology Education, 16, 83 (2011), 9-18.

[4] Yasmin B. Kafai, Kylie A. Peppler & Quinn Burke. 2010. Fröbel's forgotten gift: textile construction kits as pathways into play, design and computation. In Proceedings of the 9th International Conference on Interaction Design and Children (June 2010), 214-217. https://doi.org/10.1145/1810543.1810574

[5] Azmira Bajra & Daniel K. Schneider. 2018. La fabrication digitale comme vecteur d’échange interculturel, In Communauté pour l’Innovation et la Recherche sur les technologies dans l’enseignement/Apprentissage, (October 2018). https://cirta2018.teluq.ca/teluqDownload.php?file=2019

[6] Daniel K. Schneider, Mattia A. Fritz, Kalliopi Benetos, Lydie Boufflers, Julien Da Costa & Mireille Bétrancourt. 2018. Un rôle pour la broderie numérique dans l'éducation? Communauté pour l’Innovation et la Recherche sur les technologies dans l’enseignement/Apprentissage (October 2018). https://t.co/A4wa8Fm9pZ?amp=1

[7] Daniel K. Schneider, 2019. Digital embroidery to teach ICT skills, Poster presented at AECT 2019, Las Vegas. https://edutechwiki.unige.ch/en/Digital_embroidery_to_teach_ICT_skills_(AECT_2019)

[8] Data visualization with machine embroidery. 2018. Dagstuhl Seminar on Data Physicalization. https://edutechwiki.unige.ch/en/STIC:Data_visualization_with_machine_embroidery

[9] Machine embroidery in education workshop. 2019. EdMedia 2019, http://edutechwiki.unige.ch/en/meew/

[10] Betsy Greer. 2014. Craftivism: The art of craft and activism. Arsenal Pulp Press.

[11] Sharon Lynn Chu, Francis Quek, Sourabh Bhangaonkar, Amy Boettcher Ging, Kumar Sridharamurthy. 2015. Making the Maker: A Means-to-an-Ends approach to nurturing the Maker mindset in elementary-aged children. In International Journal of Child-Computer Interaction (September 2015) 5, 11–19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcci.2015.08.002

[12] Cian O’Donovan, C., & Adrian Smith. 2020. Technology and Human Capabilities in UK Makerspaces. Journal of Human Development and Capabilities, (December 2019), 21,1, 63–83. https://doi.org/10.1080/19452829.2019.1704706

[13] Jen Katz-Buonincontro and Aroutis Foster. 2012. Examining students’ cultural identity and player styles through avatar drawings in a game-based classroom. Assessment in Game-Based Learning. Springer, New York, New-York (2012). 335-353.

[14] Amit Zoran. 2016. A manifest for digital imperfection. XRDS: Crossroads, The ACM Magazine for Students, 22,3 (April 2016), 22–27. https://doi.org/10.1145/2893491

[15] Leslie Forehand. 2019. Needle Point Cloud. Journal of Architectural Education, 73,2 (September 2019), 211–217. https://doi.org/10.1080/10464883.2019.163320

[16] Ursula Wolz, Michael Auschauer & Andrea Mayr-Stalder. (2019). Code crafting with turtlestitch. In ACM SIGGRAPH 2019 Studio, SIGGRAPH 2019 (pp. 1–2). New York, NY, USA: Association for Computing Machinery, Inc. https://doi.org/10.1145/3306306.3328009

[17] InkStitch. N.d. EduTechWiki. http://edutechwiki.unige.ch/en/InkStitch (last visited March 6, 2020).

[18] Ink/Stitch Tutorials. N.d. https://inkstitch.org/tutorials/ (last visited March 6, 2020).

[19] Stitch Era tutorials. N.d. EduTechWiki. https://edutechwiki.unige.ch/en/Stitch_Era_tutorials (last visited March 6, 2020).