This past weekend, I had two events:

So I decided that nothing better than to embroider Le Chuck, from Monkey Island 2.

These are the steps that I followed to embroider it:

1. Grab the Sprite and simplify it

I took the sprite from The Legend of Monkey Island site.

Original sprite has 13 different colors.

I slightly modified it so that it uses 9 colors instead of the original 13. I used GIMP to modify it.

2. Edit it with Pixem

Using Pixem to define the order of the pixels, among other things.

I created the path-of-pixels (order in which the pixels are going to be embroidered) in Pixem, my custom editor.

I also set:

  • Pixel size: 4.2mm x 4.2mm
  • Pull compensation: 0.2mm
  • Min jump stitch length: 10mm, which in hindsight was too much. More about this in a future blog post.

And from Pixem, I exported an SVG file with Ink/Stitch metadata.

3. Validate it with Ink/Stitch

Using Inkscape + Ink/Stitch to validate and generate embroidery files.

I analyzed the SVG file with Inkscape + Ink/Stitch. I checked that it looked good and I exported:

  • PDF file: with the embroidery information, including a real-size of Le Chuck
  • PES file: the one that my embroidery machine recognizes

4. Prepare the T-shirt

To center the hoop, I use a real-size printed version of Le Chuck.

I used the 6x10 hoop. The hoop aspect ratio and the sprite aspect ratio were almost the same one, yay!

It is recommended, when using the 6x10 hoop, to use t-pins to prevent a possible lateral movement. This time I forgot to put the pins. The good news is that I didn’t notice any “shift” in the final result.

I centered the hoop using a real-size printed version of Le Chuck.

As before, I used two layers of fusible iron no-show-mesh cut-away stabilizers. But this time I didn’t iron them “too much”. I only sprayed a tiny bit of water while ironing them. And I’m happy with the result since it was easier to cut and remove the stabilizers in the end.

I also used a [water-soluble embroidery topping][embroidery_topping] to make the pixels look better.

6. Choosing the correct color threads

Threads used for Le Chuck.

Tip: Do not underestimate the task of choosing the right color threads.

7. Embroider it!

And then I just embroidered it. I had to babysit the embroidery process since many things could go wrong.

Embroidering Le Chuck in my Brother NQ3550w machine.

8. Trimming stabilizer and threads

The t-shirt, from the “wrong” side after trimming the stabilizer and threads

Once you finish with the embroidery, there are two remaining tedious tasks:

  • Trimming the “extra” stabilizer
  • Trimming the threads that are “hanging” usually due to jump stitches

9. Fixing “bugs”

Bug, which I fixed by embroidering a “pixel” on top of it.

Tip: Always put your T-shirt inside a mesh bag before putting it in the washer machine.

As before, I fixed the “bug” by embroidering a “pixel” on top of it.

Success!

Proudly wearing my newly embroidered t-shirt.

And VCF West was great, as always.

The “My First Amiga” booth at VCF West.

T-shirt stats

  • Total Stitches: 50,346
  • Unique colors: 9
  • Total thread use: 237.3m (top), 118.65m (bobbin)
  • Dimensions: 147mm x 247.8mm

This post is 100% AI-free.