Digitize a Tropical Flamingo Sunset in Hatch: Radial, Gradient, and Ripple Fills

Video reference: “Adventures in Machine Embroidery - Tropical Flamingo Sunset Design” by Gentleman Crafter

A glowing sun, a bold silhouette, and a few clever fill effects—that’s all it takes to turn a simple flamingo graphic into a stitch-worthy showpiece. This walkthrough teaches you the exact sequence, settings, and checks used to digitize a tropical flamingo sunset in Hatch.

What you’ll learn

• How to auto-digitize a silhouette into a clean tatami object with the right density and direction

• How to build a three-layer sun using radial and gradient fills for light and depth

• How to sculpt organic background shapes and texture them with ripple stitches

• How to add outlines and offsets that create a soft halo around a silhouette

• How to assign thread colors, simulate the stitch-out, and avoid density pitfalls

Primer: What You’re Building and When to Use It This project produces a layered scene: a silhouetted flamingo centered on a stylized sun with a bright inner ring, an orange mid ring, and a red gradient outer ring. Organic “blob” shapes behind the scene add texture. The result is graphic, high-contrast, and beginner-friendly in composition while still teaching intermediate digitizing controls.

Why this approach works

• A single-color silhouette digitizes cleanly with Instant Embroidery, saving time.

• Radial fills suggest light and curvature inside circular shapes.

• A gradient fill on the outer sun adds atmospheric depth without changing colors.

• Ripple-filled background shapes provide movement and balance.

• Outlines and offsets around the silhouette create a pleasing halo that separates foreground from background.

Where it fits

• Ideal for patches, tote panels, and framed hoops.

• Works on a range of fabrics; keep overall density reasonable to prevent bulk.

Pro tip Use the simplest silhouette you can find. High-contrast, single-color art avoids false edges and delivers cleaner auto-digitizing.

Prep: Files, Tools, and Color Planning Files and software

• Hatch embroidery digitizing software installed and running

• Flamingo artwork file: originally an SVG, converted to a compatible image (JPG/PNG)

Materials

• Thread assortment (you’ll assign specific codes from your loaded palette in Hatch)

• Fabric and stabilizer of your choice for the eventual stitch-out

Environment and organization

• Open your color palette (thread box) in Hatch so you can quickly map design elements later.

• Keep your flamingo image handy, already converted from SVG to a bitmap for import.

From the comments The community feedback was simple and positive: readers loved the design and the clear demonstration.

Watch out Import only a compatible image format. If you bring an SVG directly into this workflow, the auto-digitize step won’t be available. Convert first, then import. embroidery machine for beginners

Prep checklist

• Hatch open and ready

• Flamingo image (JPG/PNG) converted from SVG

• Thread palette loaded in Hatch

• Fabric and stabilizer chosen for the final stitch-out

Setup in Hatch: Objects, Fills, and Parameters That Matter Core objects you’ll create

• Flamingo silhouette (tatami, with directional effect later)

• Three sun layers (yellow inner with radial, orange mid with radial, red outer with gradient)

• Two organic background blobs (ripple-filled, mirrored for balance)

• Flamingo halo (backstitch outline plus two offset runs)

Rationales for key settings

• Spacing on sun fills: keep the yellow and orange airy so they don’t overpower the gradient.

• Gradient on the red sun: runs from the top to emulate a setting sun.

• Underlay off in select areas: reduces bulk where multiple fills stack.

• Travel on edge off for the yellow sun: gives a slightly organic, less “perfect” edge.

Quick check If you toggle underlay off on a layered fill and the surface looks smoother (and lighter) while still covering, you’re on the right track. magnetic embroidery frame

Setup checklist

• Know which objects will receive tatami, radial, gradient, ripple, and outline/offsets

• Plan object order: background blobs stitch first, sun layers next, then silhouette and its halo

• Decide where to reduce density (spacing tweaks, underlay off)

Operation: Step-by-Step Digitizing Workflow 1) Start a new design and import the flamingo artwork

• New design → Import the converted flamingo image (JPG/PNG).

• Outcome: flamingo image visible in the workspace.

• Pitfall: attempting to import SVG directly. Fix: convert externally, then import.

2) Auto-digitize the flamingo and set its color

• Select the image → Auto Digitize → Instant Embroidery.

• Hatch generates a tatami fill for the silhouette; set to dark grey/black.

• Outcome: a filled embroidery object matching the flamingo’s shape.

• Pitfall: picking the wrong auto option. Fix: undo and choose Instant Embroidery.

3) Build the inner yellow sun with radial fill

• Circle tool → create a circle behind the flamingo; set tatami fill and bright yellow color.

• Adjust Stitch Spacing ≈ 0.46.

• Effects → Radial Fill: N = 1; R-Radius ≈ 0.38.

• Outcome: a yellow circle with visible radial spacing.

• Quick check: the radial lines should be evident but not dense.

4) Duplicate for the orange sun

• Duplicate the yellow circle (Ctrl+D), hold Shift and resize slightly smaller; recolor to orange.

• Radial settings: R-Radius ≈ 0.48; R-Hole Radius ≈ 0.44; Stitch Spacing ≈ 0.36.

• Outcome: a second, slightly smaller ring with airy radial texture.

• Watch out: don’t forget Shift while resizing to keep proportions.

5) Create the red sun with a gradient fill

• Duplicate the orange circle → recolor red.

• Turn off Radial; enable Gradient.

• Minimum Spacing ≈ 0.3; Maximum Spacing ≈ 0.4; Stitch Spacing ≈ 0.28.

• Turn off Underlay; rotate the gradient so it runs from the top.

• Outcome: outer ring fades from top to bottom.

• Quick check: the top should appear “lighter” as density transitions smoothly.

6) Position and layer the flamingo over the sun

• Bring the flamingo to the top of the object stack.

• Select all sun circles and nudge them upward so the flamingo’s body centers on the sun; head and tail inside the sun, feet slightly outside.

• Outcome: a visually balanced focal point.

7) Draw the first organic background blob

• Freehand Closed Shape tool → sketch a loose blob; recolor blue.

• Reduce node count to four or five to smooth curves.

• Outcome: a clean, organic backdrop shape.

8) Give the blob ripple texture

• Change fill from Tatami to Ripple.

• Density ≈ 4; Length ≈ 2.8.

• Outcome: flowing stitched texture that contrasts with the sun’s structure.

9) Duplicate, mirror, and balance the second blob

• Duplicate the first blob; mirror horizontally.

• Slightly resize and rotate; position on the opposite side so the pair frames the center.

• Outcome: symmetrical balance without perfect sameness.

Pro tip If your blobs feel stiff, delete extra nodes. Fewer points often produce smoother curves. machine embroidery hoops

10) Add direction to the flamingo (Florentine effect)

• Select the flamingo → Effects → Florentine Effect to introduce a directional flow.

• Adjust flamingo Stitch Spacing ≈ 0.42.

• Outcome: more lifelike movement across the silhouette’s stitches.

11) Create the halo: outlines and offsets

• With the flamingo selected → Create Layouts → Create Outlines and Offsets.

• First pass: Object Outline, type Backstitch, color pink → OK.

• Reselect flamingo → Create Outlines and Offsets again.

• Turn Off Outlines; Turn On Offsets. Offset Distance ≈ 0.025 inches; Offset Count = 2.

• Color management: set inner line(s) red; set the outer to orange; ensure between-the-legs segment matches the orange where needed.

• Outcome: a pink edge and fading red-to-orange offsets forming a soft halo.

Watch out If the offsets crowd tight spaces (like between legs), review which segments should inherit the outer color. This keeps the halo even and readable. hooping station for embroidery

12) Refine sun edges and reduce bulk where needed

• Select the yellow sun layer → turn off Travel on Edge. This softens the perimeter.

• Turn off Underlay for the yellow sun to reduce total stitch mass.

• Outcome: a more organic rim and leaner layering.

13) Map your thread colors

• Open your loaded thread palette and assign colors: blue for blobs; bright yellow, vibrant orange, deep red for the sun layers; pink for the backstitch outline; dark grey/black for the flamingo.

• Note: on-screen preview won’t perfectly match real thread—choose codes based on actual spools.

• Outcome: all objects colored and ready to stitch.

14) Validate the sequence with Stitch Player

• Run Stitch Player to simulate the stitch-out.

• Confirm that blobs stitch first, then sun layers, then flamingo and halo—no awkward jumps, no hidden overlaps.

• Outcome: verified sequencing and visual flow before you ever hoop fabric.

Operation checklist

• Silhouette: auto-digitized tatami, Florentine direction set, spacing ≈ 0.42

• Sun: yellow/orange radial with airy spacing; red gradient from top; underlay off where specified

• Blobs: ripple density ≈ 4, length ≈ 2.8, mirrored pair balanced

• Halo: pink backstitch + two offsets (red inner, orange outer)

• Stitch Player: sequence and overlaps validated

Quality Checks: Validate Before You Stitch

• Density sanity: Are the sun’s inner layers spaced out enough to avoid bulk under the gradient? If not, widen spacing or disable underlay.

• Halo clarity: Do the pink, red, and orange runs feel like a gentle glow rather than a hard border?

• Composition: Is the flamingo’s body truly centered on the sun, with feet just beyond the edge?

• Pathing: Does Stitch Player reveal any unexpected travel lines? Adjust object order or travel settings.

Quick check Temporarily hide individual layers to spot overlaps. If removing a layer reveals heavy duplication underneath, consider removing overlaps or turning off underlay on the top layer. embroidery hoops magnetic

Results & Handoff: Color Assignments and Stitch-Out Expected outcome

• A vibrant, layered sunset with subtle texture transitions: airy yellow, richer orange, and a top-down red gradient.

• A crisp, directional flamingo silhouette with a soft, multi-color halo.

• Ripple-textured blue shapes framing the center for motion and balance.

Handoff steps

• Save your design file.

• Export to your machine’s stitch format.

• Hoop fabric with appropriate stabilizer; load the design and threads in the order validated by Stitch Player.

Pro tip Do a small stitch test of the sun rings on scrap fabric. It’s the fastest way to confirm the feel of your spacing and gradient before you commit the full scene. brother embroidery machine

From the comments Community response highlighted the strong design and easy-to-follow process—proof that a simple silhouette can sing when paired with smart fill choices.

Troubleshooting & Recovery Symptom: The sun looks too heavy or bulky

• Likely cause: Spacing too tight or underlay still active under stacked fills.

• Fix: Increase spacing on yellow/orange radial layers; turn off underlay where the gradient sits on top.

Symptom: Gradient looks upside down or flat

• Likely cause: Gradient direction not rotated to run from the top.

• Fix: Adjust gradient angle so the lighter density appears at the top of the red sun.

Symptom: Halo lines look crowded in tight spaces

• Likely cause: Offset distance too large for narrow gaps.

• Fix: Reduce offset distance or recolor segments (e.g., between legs) to maintain a clean fade.

Symptom: Flamingo fill looks lifeless

• Likely cause: No directional flow.

• Fix: Apply Florentine Effect and fine-tune the guide to follow the silhouette’s curves.

Symptom: Visible travel lines around the sun

• Likely cause: Travel on edge kept on the yellow sun or pathing not optimized.

• Fix: Turn off Travel on Edge for the yellow sun; adjust object order and paths; recheck with Stitch Player.

Quick isolation tests

• Hide individual layers to reveal hidden overlaps.

• Toggle underlay on/off to compare density.

• Nudge the sun group temporarily to ensure flamingo placement reads clearly.

Recovery checklist

• Re-run Stitch Player after each edit

• Confirm offsets still sit outside the silhouette after any scaling

• Re-assign any colors that changed order during edits

Additional notes

• Colors on screen won’t exactly match real thread. Trust your physical spools when assigning codes.

• After stitching, one observed artifact was “socks” on the flamingo caused by an added outline—easy to edit out if you see it in your own test stitch-out. magnetic embroidery hoops

Optional gear note If you prefer extra stability during stitch-out or testing, many embroiderers like to experiment with different hooping aids and frames to suit their machines and fabrics. magnetic embroidery hoops for brother

Resource reminder A tidy workspace and good hooping practice pay off. Even simple digitizing wins when fabric is hooped cleanly and tension is consistent. hoop master embroidery hooping station

Practical wrap-up With a silhouette, three thoughtfully tuned sun layers, two ripple-textured blobs, and a halo built from outlines plus offsets, you have a compact toolkit for dramatic scenes. Save a copy before experimentation, then iterate—subtle spacing and direction changes can transform the mood of your sky. magnetic hoop embroidery