Stamp size embroidery

See also

• Embroidery software
• Embroidery glossary
• Concepts of computerized embroidery
• Embroidery and sewing needle
• Embroidery stitch type
• Hooping and stabilizing in computerized embroidery
• Embroider on socks
• Embroidery patch
• Computerized embroidery in education
• Conference embroidery

• Quality: draft

Introduction

Stamp sized embroidery to define small-scale embroidery that roughly fits into a postage stamp area, i.e., between 3 x 2.5 cm and a bit larger.

embroidered Postage stamps

First embroidered stamp

Several countries now offer embroidered stamps. The first on was created by the Swiss Post in 2000. It was designed by Peter Hostettler, a textile designer from the Bischoff Textiles company in St Gallen. Austria published a series of flow-based design.

"Stamps" in machine embroidery

The word "stamp" is sometimes used to design patterns used in embossed tatami fills, e.g. here

Stamp Size

Stamps come in various sizes, so there is no standard this size.

Typical postage stamp sizes

Cheap, standard series are usually smaller than more expensive "special" editions. A typical size is 2x3cm. Several countries allow designing custom stamps. These are typically larger, e.g., 42x35cm in Austria.

Germany:

• 21 x 30 mm, 44 x 26 mm, 27 x 33 mm, 35 x 35 mm, 55 x 33 mm
• 42 x 28 mm Custom stamp

Austria:

• 42 x 35 mm (Customizable)

Stamp dimension is also defined by the number of teeth, typically 10 to 14 / 2 cm. According to Postage stamp separation, Wikipedia, “The standard for describing perforation is the number of holes (or the "teeth" or perfs of an individual stamp) in a 2-centimeter span. The finest gauge ever used is 18 on stamps of the Malay States in the early 1950s, and the coarsest is 2, seen on the 1891 stamps of Bhopal. Modern stamp perforations tend to range from 11 to 14.”

A10 Proposal for Embroidery Projects

We decided to adopt A10 format (portrait or landscape) in order to laser cut series of patches. The international A series (Wikipedia) is defined in the ISO 216 standard. According to Wikipedia, ISO paper sizes are all based on a single aspect ratio of the square root of 2, or approximately 1:1.41421, i.e.

${\frac {a}{b}}={\sqrt {2}}\approx 1.41421\ldots$

This ratio has the unique property that when cut or folded in half widthways, the halves also have the same aspect ratio. Each ISO paper size is one half of the area of the next larger size in the same series. (Wikipedia). In addition to being practical (as noted by philosophers in the 18th century), the ratio is also quite pleasant to look at.

A10 is defined in landscape mode as 26×37 mm or 1.0 × 1.5 inches, but can be used in portrait mode, of course.

A10 portrait

A10 default

A9

A8

A 10 = 26×37 mm

Anatomy of a stamp-sized embroidery

Small size requires some adaptation:

• Since handmade designs do have an interesting look, machine embroidery could use 12 and 30 threads, mostly working with line-based patterns.
• Detailed designs could be created with fine W.t. 60 thread and needles (size 60)

Examples

InkStitch Propaganda

Since this type of project can be easily made with InkStitch, the free embroidery program, we provide an example that features InkStitch itself. The goal was to create a stamp-sized (A10) embroidery that includes a interesting border, some lettering and some "drawings".

Items and parameters for Version 2:

• The positioning line is made for normal or 60 thread.
• We used a standard small satin border. Ugly in the picture, because we did not pre-cut the patch tissue.
• The lettering is done with a 60-Polyester thread from Gunold and a 60 universal needle from Schmetz. Density is about 6 lines/mm, i.e., 0.32 mm peak-to-peak distance in InkStitch.
• The heart was done with normal Polyester 40.
• The needle was also done with ordinary Polyester 60 thread.

• 

  Inkstitch-stamp-2.jpg Result version #2 (stitched on approximately cut tissue)

• 

  Inkstitch-stamp-2.svg Model version #2 ready for embroidery (click twice to download the SVG)

The result showed a somewhat weak lettering, so we added some density in the next version. The next version also test real silk and replaced the border by something that looks more stamp-like

Items and parameters for Version 3:

• The positioning line is made for normal or 60 thread.
• To simulate a rough edge, we parameterized it with an "E" Stich using a thick thread (Decora 12 is easiest). Distance between peaks is 1.8mm
• The lettering is done with a 60-Polyester thread from Gunold and a 60 universal needle from Schmetz. Density is 7 (V3) lines/mm, i.e., 0.28 mm peak-to-peak distance in InkStitch
• The heart is done with Kanagawa silk thread #50 (similar to Rayon 40).
• The needle is done with ordinary Polyester 40 thread, but the color was a bad choice.

• 

  Inkstitch-stamp-3.svg Model version #3 ready for embroidery (click twice to download the SVG)

• 

  Inkstitch-stamp-3.jpg Result version #3

The result is fairly close to what we intended, but there was a problem in the lettering, maybe we could reduce tension a bit or reorganize spaces between letters. Choice of needle color was clearly wrong, it should have been darker.

Items and parameters for Version 3:

• Remade the needle. Its tip is now done with manual stitches
• The borders are rung-less, i.e. both rails have an equal number of points. This allows for precision positioning.
• E-stitch of the border now has a 2mm peak to peak distance.

• 

  Inkstitch-stamp-5.svg Model version #5 ready for embroidery (click twice to download the SVG)

• 

  Inkstitch-stamp-5.jpg Result version #5

Lettering is still a bit of problem. Probably the font should be redesigned for very small letters and 60 w.t. thread.

Links

Examples of stamp-sized embroidery

• Stitched Miniatures A nice series of free machines embroideries by Gina Ferrari. Made with a sewing machine I believe. (2013, consulted March 2021). Size is less than 2x2'', i.e. 5 x 5 cm.

• Textile brooches made by Colette Copeland (consulted March 2021)

• MakikoArt, for example Pet Brooch - "The Cat house" - hand embroidered textile jewelry

• Embroidered Valentine Heart Love Stamp. Feltie, Iron-On, Sew-On Patch. Custom Size Available. (Amazon)

• Some vendors sell replications of stamps, e.g. Sweden Stamp Embroidery Design

Examples of embroidered postage stamps

• The St. Gallen Embroidery, A Revolutionary Swiss Stamp, blog post by Victor Manta.
• Austrian Petit Point stamp
• Austrain Gentian stamp
• Lichtenstein stamp with recycled PES yarn
• Vatican 90 years embroidery

Examples of embroidered stamps

The word "stamp" does not only design postage stamps (printed) but also inked stamps, and these also can be embroidered ....

• NORTH POLE MAIL STAMPS Machine Embroidery Design. Examples offered by an online embroidery shop.